Philippine team's preparations for the World Qualifiers
May 24, urgent news came from Doha, Qatar, the Philippines team to prepare for the World Preliminary Asian 40, as of the evening of 23 local time, only 13 people in the team reported to the rest of the players return is still a mystery.
The Philippine team departed Manila for Doha late on the night of May 20, with only six players traveling with them aside from coach Cooper and his team, including captain Schrock and striker Hartman (both of whom play for Union City), and four players from the "Philippine Development Team," including Mal Diano, Winhoff, Gayoso, and De Vera. It is worth noting that Gayoso and Mar Diano briefly played for Thailand's Muangthong United last January.
The team arrived in Doha early in the morning of May 21 and were only able to warm up briefly. Over the next few days, seven more players arrived and joined the team: midfielder Baldissimo from Canadian Pacific, center forward Giraldo, who plays for St. Joseph's Gibraltar, goalkeeper Schipmann from Germany's fourth tier, left back Kempter from Switzerland's second tier, as well as defenders Silva and Woodland and midfielder Reichelt from the Thai Premier League.
Currently, there are still 12 players from the Philippine team who have yet to arrive in Doha. For instance, midfielder Obermahl, who plays in Germany's third tier, was still playing in the league for Magdeburg on the 22nd; while two midfielders, Strauss, who plays in the German Bundesliga, and Holtmann, a first-time selection, also played in the Bundesliga on the 23rd.
In addition, Etheridge, the famous goalkeeper who plays for England, has not yet arrived in Doha as he has just gotten married.
