Fil-Spanish striker seeks spot with Azkals

BY BONG PEDRALVEZ

SPEAKING no English but armed with dreams of playing for the Philippine Azkals, Filipino-Spanish striker Angel Aldeguer flew all the way from Malaga, Spain virtually nonstop and arrived in Manila last Tuesday to try out for the national men�s football team.

With his cousin, Rafael Garcia, serving as his interpreter, the 6-foot-3 shaggy-haired Aldeguer was interviewed by head coach Hans Michael Weiss shortly before the squad�s practice at the International School Manila in Taguig City.

The coaching staff will get to size up the 26-year-old forward, whose mother hails from Isabela, during four days of workouts at the ISM�s artificial pitch, which school management reportedly has kept off limits to media.

Weiss said Aldeguer is being eyed as reinforcement for the Asian Challenge Cup group stage kicking off in Myanmar on March 21, assuming the Azkals hurdle Mongolia when they tangle in the return match of their AFC Challenge Cup series at the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator on March 15.

The Azkals blanked the Blue Wolves 2-0 in the first leg of the series last Feb. 9 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod.

Aldeguer, who has been playing football since he was six, is a forward for Spanish third division Club Deportivo Ronda, Garcia said, adding his cousin earlier tried out for powerhouses Atletico Madrid and La Deportivo de Coruna.

"Actually it was I who urged my first cousin to try out for the Azkals and told him to send his resume and videos of his performance," Garcia said. "Apparently, the coaching staff liked what they saw and invited him to try out for the team. So now he�s here."

Aldeguer would be a welcome addition to the Azkal where he can use his experience, size and height for headers.

Although still battling jet lag after his 13-hour flight from Spain, Aldeguer was eager to show off his skills to Weiss, who advised the player not to force himself too much.

"He (Aldeguer) is coming from a cool climate in Europe while it is warmer over here," Weiss said. "We will give him time to adjust. Anyway he has four days to show us what he has got."

National team liaison officer Ace Bright said they have started processing Aldeguer�s passport in the event he is tapped for the Myanmar tournament.

Assistant coach Edsel Bracamonte said there would no problems in including the Fil-Spanish player into the official lineup "since he was part of the original 53-man list we submitted to the AFC."

"We are allowed to make changes in the roster after our away match against Myanmar," Bracamonte said.

Malaya