Manila: The Philippines will be at full strength for the crucial AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 qualifying match against Tajikistan as players based abroad will add power to the Azkals squad. Team manager Dan Palami is delighted that the overseas-based players have answered his call for them to support the bid to qualify for the final stage of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time. Among those reporting for training this week ahead of the Tajikistan match on March 27 include goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who plays for Welsh club Cardiff City, and Malaysian-based players Ian Ramsay and Misagh Bahadoran. “We should be proud of our national team players who are doing well internationally in their various clubs,” said Palami. The Azkals lead Group F of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers on nine points and need only a draw against Tajikistan to confirm their place among the Continent's elite for next January's blockbuster in the United Arab Emirates. The could have sealed their berth on Matchday Five last November but were held 0-0 by Nepal. However, with the Tajikistan match being played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Philippines will be confident of getting the job done and taking their place in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 draw on May 4. Palami said the Tajikistan game is an important match for Philippines. “The cards are not exactly stacked against us. We are currently on top of the table of Group F with nine points,” added Palami. World No 122 Philippines will prepare for Tajikistan - who are just two rungs below them in the FIFA World Rankings - with a friendly against Fiji, also to be played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, on Thursday. The Azkals won the corresponding fixture against Tajikistan, with the tie ending 4-3 in favour of the Philippines at the Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe on June 13, 2017. www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-asian-cup/latest/news/foreign-stars-add-power-for-azkals-final-push
Livestream http://www.theazkals.com/ FT Philippines 2-1 Tajikistan Ingreso, P Younghusband P Younghusband makes his 50th goal. Philippines makes Asian Cup
Can't wait for the Asian Cup draw to see who are they going to play. Hope the Azkals get a favorable group and maybe finish in either 2nd place/group runner-up or one of the top 4 best 3rd place teams, i believe.
www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-womens-asian-cup/latest/news/philippines-new-faces-in-pursuit-of-history Philippines’ new faces in pursuit of history The Malditas were in attendance when the Azkals defeated Tajikistan to secure their place at AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 this week, in a match that will have brought back positive memories of last April’s breakthrough qualification in Dushanbe, which ended a 15-year AFC Women’s Asian Cup absence. Since the triumph in Tajikistan, the squad has undergone a transformation, with a significant complement of US-based players of Filipino heritage joining the team in recent months. Only a handful of players have survived the cut from the squad that qualified a year ago, with captain Patrice Impelido, goalkeeper Inna Palacios and playmaker Sara Castañeda among those who have retained their places. A number of the more recent arrivals boast impressive résumés in American college soccer, including Ryley Bugay and Jessica Miclat, who have both previously been invited to attend US national team camps at youth level. New head coach Rabah Benlarbi, a highly experienced Frenchman who was promoted to senior role earlier this month, told reporters he believes the element of surprise can be used to the team’s advantage in Jordan. “(I don’t think) China, Thailand and Jordan have any information about the Philippine national team,” he said after the team’s farewell dinner in Manila. “They will think that the team they will play against will be the last Philippine national team (that competed in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers). “They will be surprised to see 80 or 85 percent of new players and also a new coach.” The Southeast Asian side have hit the ground running under Benlarbi, winning both matches in their two-game training camp in Japan, with their 3-2 success over professional outfit FC Speranza Osaka-Takatsuki arguably their most impressive result since last April. Despite being the lowest-ranked side in the tournament at 72nd in the world, Benlarbi is confident his team are capable of surprising their more established rivals. If the Malditas can do so, a top five finish – and a first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification – could become a real possibility. The Philippines are the AFC Women’s Asian Cup’s genuine unknown quantity, and all eyes will be upon them when they meet host nation Jordan as the headline act of the opening day of the tournament on April 6.
The Philippine Football Federation announces the final squad that will compete in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 which begins on 6 April 2018 in Amman, Jordan. This will be the first time that the Philippines will participate in the Women’s Asian Cup after a qualifying round. Last year, the Philippines clinched a berth to the final round after finishing their group in second place behind host Jordan with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Following their qualification last year, the team had several training camps in the United States, Manila, and Japan in preparation for the competition. The team is led by head coach Rabah Benlarbi and assisted by coaches Joey Hoffman, and Joyce Landagan. The 23 players are: Inna Kristianne PALACIOS (GK) Claire Elisabeth LIM Alesa DOLINO Krystal Victoria DE RAMOS Hali Moriah LONG Morgan Emmalise BROWN Kathleen Camille RODRIGUEZ Maria Luisa PARK Jesse Anne SHUGG Caitlyn Rose KREUTZ Kristen Ryley BUGAY Kearra Theryse BASTES-JONES (GK) Leah Janessa LAROT Sara Isobel CASTAÑEDA Alexa Nicole DIAZ Stacey Janet Margery CAVILL (GK) Calah Lilinoeokalani SIMARAGO Tahnai Lauren ANNIS Patrice Mae IMPELIDO Quinley Mirielle QUEZADA Jessica Anne MICLAT Chalise BAYSA Sarina Isabel BOLDEN pff.org.ph/2018/04/02/philippines-wnt-lineup-for-afc-womens-asian-cup-jordan-2018/
Fresh-faced Philippines hoping for dream Asian Cup return (FIFA.com) 05 Apr 2018 Philippines celebrate a goal against Tajikistan Philippines set for first Asian Women’s Cup in 15 years New coach Rabah Benlarbi hoping to make history Malditas out to reach first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup While the AFC Women’s Asian Cup’s headline acts – Australia, Japan and China PR – may draw the attention in Jordan, a returning face is hoping to produce a scene-stealing cameo. It is 15 years since the Philippines were last on the continental stage, having been regulars for a decade. Now they are back, they are eager not to waste their chance in the spotlight, particularly with five tickets to the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ for the eight sides to fight over. However, this won’t be the same team that booked their place at the finals a year ago. New coach Rabah Benlarbi only took the reins three weeks before kick-off, while just six players from qualifying are heading to Jordan. Benlarbi frankly described assembling the side as “commando preparation”. But, this does not mean that he or his side are arriving low on confidence or short of expectations. In a career that has seen him criss-cross the globe, with years as a fitness coach with the likes of Juventus and United Arab Emirates' national side before he became assistant coach of the Chinese women’s national team and then head coach of Myanmar’s U-18 side, Benlarbi has learned a few things. “This is a young and very motivated team with some talented players and a winning mentality,” he explained to FIFA.com. While his desire is to build a team based around speed and aggression through short, quick passing – with an admiration for the Pep Guardiola ethos – little time to prepare has meant this is a longer-term goal. “We have focused our preparations on controlling the game collectively and tactically in a bid to overcome the fact that we haven’t had the same time as other teams. Our squad has given a lot and worked hard, so I hope they will be rewarded.” The rewards truly would be spectacular for the Malditas, who have never enjoyed the chance to step out at the global finals. They will be carried by a wave of optimism too, following the men’s side success in clinching a first spot at the men’s Asian Cup. Facing the hosts, alongside Canada 2015 alumni China and Thailand, Benlarbi is under no illusions that a World Cup spot is simply theirs for the taking from Group A. “We have nothing to lose and people may well not take us seriously, which could play to our advantage. The fact that this group is more open than Australia, Korea Republic and Japan’s is also a positive.” The Philippines in qualifying 4-0 v United Arab Emirates 4-0 v Iraq 8-0 v Tajikistan 1-1 v Bahrain 1-5 v Jordan With the two third-placed sides contesting a play-off for the fifth ticket to France, a pair of well-timed wins could be enough to book a seat on the plane. And, when it comes to facing China, he has a few aces up his sleeve. Benlarbi was part of the technical staff that guided the Chinese to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament quarter-finals at Rio 2016 and is relishing the chance to reunite with his former charges. “I will remember the moments we shared together forever,” he said. “I love them all. “The Steel Roses are probably one of the tournament favourites, with exceptional players like Wang Shanshan and Wang Shuang, as well as experienced internationals such as Wu Haiyan and Liu Shanshan.” However, he feels a patchy year means the Philippines could spring a surprise. “Of course I will use my knowledge of the team; I know their strengths and weaknesses. They are less explosive than before and tactically vulnerable when using a 4-2-3-1 system, but they are still the Steel Roses.” The Philippines' final group game against Thailand may well be the key to their World Cup hopes and some of their side know only too well about how close margins can change lives. A narrow 1-0 defeat to Thailand in 2014’s Asian Cup qualifying was the difference between the two reaching the continental finals. Thailand would go on to appear at their first World Cup in Canada and create a groundswell of positivity throughout women’s football in the country. Veteran vice-captain Patrice Impelido has said there will be “revenge” in mind when facing them – could that, and the feel-good factor in Filipino football, inspire them to new heights? www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/y=2018/m=4/news=fresh-faced-philippines-hoping-for-dream-asian-cup-return.
Philippines comes from behind to wins its first game against Jordan in the Asian Women's Cup 2-1. Another win and they will make the FIDE Women's Cup in Paris.
WE ARE BACK. Displaying their fighting heart, the Philippines' return to the Women's Asian Cup after a 15-year exile was a stunning one, bucking a first-half deficit to silence tournament hosts Jordan in their group A opener in Amman Friday evening (early Saturday morning Manila time). With a much retooled side, the Malditas turned up the heat in the second half to shock the continent by downing the more favored home side who took an early lead, avenging last year's loss to the West Asian side in their final qualifier in Dushanbe. The win was the first for the country in the tournament since 2003, when they sank Guam by the same scoreline to end their campaign in Thailand, as they inch closer to their Women's World Cup aspirations. The Malditas celebrate at full time with what could be the biggest result in Filipina football history. Mia Montayre/Philippine Football Federation Rabah Benlarbi's gamble on going all out massive rewards in more ways than one, as the Frenchman played an attacking 4-3-3 with Sarina Bolden up front and Kearra Bastes-Jones took the start between the sticks instead of the veteran Inna Palacios, as Hali Long the lone holdover from their Tajikistan qualifiers to retain her place in the starting eleven. Unfazed by the partisan crowd at the Amman International Stadium, the Malditas took the hosts head on and were almost rewarded eleven minutes in, when Tahnai Annis and Caitlyn Kreutz scared Salma Ghazal inside the box with two efforts that went off target. However, Jordan drew first blood four minutes later, with Maysa Jbarah poked the hosts ahead after a routine ball by Stephanie Al-Naber finds the country's top goalscorer and the centre-forward made no mistake in poking the ball to the far right side of Bastes-Jones. Despite being behind, the Malditas stuck to its guns and went on the offensive as they came close to equalize before half-time, with Marisa Park's 37th minute free kick attempt was stopped by Salma's mitts as Sara Castañeda came on for Kreutz to stimulate Benlarbi's attacking plans. Their enterprising play amidst all odds was rewarded just six minutes after the restart, with Park's free kick was headed by Yasmeen Khair into their own net to level matters. Jordan tried to go ahead by pouncing on another gaffe by Bastes-Jones but substitute Luna Al-Masri was caught by the flag for offside Bolden, the Loyola Marymount junior, duly shoved the Malditas ahead for good in the 76th minute, latching on a Park long ball and scores on a one-on-one chance against Ghazal. Then the defence led by Hali Long and Ryley Bugay kept the door shut on Jordan the rest of the way to pick up all the three points for the ASEAN outsiders who blew their group wide open, setting their sights on their Bataan Day tiff with China who opened the proceedings with a 4-0 rout of Thailand. www.dugout.ph/2018/04/malditas-return-to-womens-asian-cup.html
Matchday Two – Group A Preview: Philippines v China PR Sunday, April 8, 2018 Amman: China PR head coach Siggi Eyjolfsson is refusing to look beyond Monday’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 clash with the Philippines as his team go on the hunt for a win that would all but guarantee them a spot in both the competition’s semi-finals and next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. The East Asian nation began their latest continental campaign in fine fashion on Matchday One, as Song Duan’s second half brace along with strikes from Wang Shuang and Li Ying helped secure a comfortable 4-0 win over Thailand. Despite the victory lifting China to pole position in Group A ahead of the Philippines who beat host nation Jordan in their opening fixture, Eyjolfsson is adamant the eight-time Asian Cup champions are focusing solely on the task at hand. “We had a good start thanks to the win against Thailand, but we now have to be ready to face the Philippines who are a well organised team,” explained the Icelandic tactician. “We are just concentrating on each match as it comes. We are certainly not thinking about reaching the semi-finals or final. Instead, we are purely focused on Monday’s game versus the Philippines. “We hope that we will be able to make China very proud of the team,” he added. With momentum a crucial component of any side’s journey through a tournament, Eyjolfsson admitted that while he was happy to begin with a bang, nothing – especially in football – should ever be taken for granted. “We have got some momentum as we had a very good second half in our game against Thailand. But it’s true that absolutely anything can happen in football. You can only look ahead to your next game,” he said. “We have analysed the Philippines, and hopefully we can show in the match that we have prepared for the game well and, as a result, perform well. We are definitely looking forward to the match.” Meanwhile, Rabah Benlarbi, who was on China’s coaching staff at the last Olympics, has revealed that his Philippines players are motivated to succeed as they too go in search of a three-point haul that could well see them through to the knockout phase and guarantee their participation at next year’s World Cup. The Southeast Asians began their bid for glory with an impressive come-from-behind win over Jordan, a result which, according to Benlarbi, leaves his charges well and truly on track to realise their pre-tournament plans. “We started with a win against the hosts, and in our plans before we came to Jordan we had always envisaged taking three points from our first match,” he explained. “The team is very motivated indeed, and if we can beat China it would be excellent for us as it would virtually assure us of a place at the World Cup. “I know China’s players, and I know their strengths, and their weaknesses. They have changed some players, but they are still a very strong team. “We have very different targets compared to China, they must not only qualify for the World Cup, but also reach the final of this tournament. For us, reaching the World Cup would be a great achievement.” Despite having little time to prepare, Benlarbi was also quick to underline that he is more than happy with the various components throughout his side and, just as importantly, the unity that exists within the Malditas squad. “We had a very short time to prepare, but making the most of my experience, I tried my very best to select the players who would perform well (at the Women’s Asian Cup). “It is very important to have a balance, something which I believe we have along with the fact that we live together, we win together and we die together.” www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-womens-asian-cup/latest/news/matchday-two-group-a-preview-philippines-v-china-pr
The Philippines Women’s National Team put on a courageous effort in their second AFC Women’s Asian Cup Group A match, but China PR proved to be a formidable foe as the 8-time Women’s Asian Cup winners came away with a 3-0 win last Tuesday 9 April 2018 at the King Abdullah II Stadium in Amman, Jordan. China PR’s Li Ying scored on either half and Ma Jun added another in the 37th minute to send the Chinese through with six points after two matches. Despite the loss, the Philippines still put on several defensive stops to preserve the score. Ryley Bugay and Hali Long were able to make key stops during the match On the offensive end, Jesse Shugg and Leah Larot threatened the Chinese defenders, but were only able to send it off target. The Philippines will face Thailand on Thursday 12 April 2018 at 8:00 PM local time (Friday 13 April 2019 at 1:00 AM Manila time). That match can ultimately decide the Philippines’ fate of advancing to the knockout stages and to the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019. pff.org.ph/2018/04/10/report-philippines-0-3-china-pr/
14 Apr Weekly CEO Column At the Liga Futbol Inc. (LFI) Board of Directors Meeting held on 27 March 2018, the Board made significant decisions, among which was to approve the naming of the inaugural Cup and broadcast of league and cup matches. Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President and LFI Chairman Mariano V. Araneta announced that we need to move forward and approve these agendas because they are needed to enhance the league. Rightly so, the Board also adopted “Professionalizing Philippines Football” as its corporate tagline. It captures the essence of the vision and mission of the LFI, which is to introduce and increase the level of professionalism of football in all aspects. The tagline highlights the LFI’s mission to help uplift the quality of football in the country through its two current competitions. This also aims to amplify the familiarity of the stakeholders of the LFI’s mission through its tagline. We are also proud to announce that the inaugural cup competition will be named Copa Paulino Alcantara to honor the Filipino football legend who is one of the all-time top scorers for European giants FC Barcelona. In conjunction with this inception, the LFI will launch the Copa Paulino Alcantara logo contest this May with prize money for the eventual winner of the contest. The Board’s approval of the budget for broadcast is also timely and and we are working hard to secure the best broadcast partner that will help the League grow further and reach a wider audience. The entry of a potential host broadcast partner will be a great addition to the broadcast efforts of the League, which currently includes the live-stream via www.pfltv.ph. In addition, we have introduced the in-game highlight videos of each match that are posted through our Social Media pages. We made this as part of our effort to give our social media followers a more holistic viewing experience at the palm of their hands. This is also made to complement the full replays of each match that is posted on our pfltv.ph platform. To increase the number of participating clubs, the Board had also mandated the management to prepare a blueprint for the expansion of the League with identifiable targets for the Board’s review. The objective is to increase the number of clubs, review current rules and club football structures in the country, align football stakeholders and participation of non-franchised clubs in the Cup competition. We have also finalized our collaboration with the Japan Professional Football League (J-League) and Spanish Football League (La Liga) who will provide expert assistance and support to the League and the PFL Clubs. To ensure effective collaboration without overlapping support, we have compartmentalized our collaboration with both the Leagues. Our collaboration with the J- League is primarily on marketing efforts with holistic workshops for the Clubs. This, to align our collaboration with the AFC in adopting a long term strategic marketing plan for the League. Apart from marketing efforts with the J-League, we have in principle agreed to conduct exchange programmes for the PFL Clubs (management) to visit J-League to gain knowledge and first hand experience. Finally, in view of promoting club football, a pre-season friendly match between champions of PFL against champions of J-League Division 1 is in discussion. Our collaboration with the La Liga is on exchanging information for development of competition, share know-hows and seminars concerning professional league and club management; and conduct exchange, observation and training programmes for coaches. We have agreed to adopt a long term strategic plan with La Liga and focus on immediate topics which are essential to our League. With the League at its infant stage, our immediate objective is to promote professionalism to our stakeholders on key footballing aspect through a series of workshop with KPIs set within the next 3 years. http://philippinesfootballleague.com/2018/04/14/weekly-ceo-column-3/
Asian success sends Philippines soaring (FIFA.com) 03 May 2018 The Philippines are up to their highest-ever FIFA Ranking position Rise to 113th came after qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time The Azkals’ captain and coach confident that it can be a turning point The Philippines have long been considered one of Asia's sleeping giants. The country is deeply embedded in the continent’s football history, from being involved in Asia’s first-ever international fixture in 1913 to providing the birthplace for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 41 years later. Yet, until recently, the Philippines – the 12th-most populous country in the world, with over 100 million inhabitants – had never qualified for the AFC’s flagship tournament. It took until March of this year for that painful 62-year wait to end, and qualifying for the Asian Cup has also taken the Azkals to an all-time high in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. While their position of 113th might not seem especially lofty, it should be considered that the Philippines languished as low as 191st in 2005, and had been beaten 13-1 by Indonesia three years earlier. Now, they are ranked ahead of regional rivals such as Bahrain, Jordan, Tajikistan and Thailand. It was a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Tajiks in Manila’s Rizal Memorial Stadium that secured this historic qualification, and there was a fairy tale element in the way the win was secured. The decisive goal came, after all, in the 91st minute - and was scored by the Azkals’ talisman and long-suffering captain, Phil Younghusband. Moreover, it was the former Chelsea trainee’s 50th goal for his country. Though still just 30, Younghusband has been part of the Philippines national team for 12 years and, having endured plenty of setbacks in that time, considered this success long overdue. "It's been up-and-down,” he acknowledged, speaking to ABS-CBN. “We didn't qualify for the last Suzuki Cup, and then this. So yeah, it has been up-and-down [but] it's been amazing too, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I just feel very blessed that I get to play the sport I love, and enjoy it in a country I love.” The Asian Cup success, and subsequent nine-point ranking rise, capped a memorable few months for Filipino football. In January, there was a stunning AFC Champions League victory by Ceres Negros, one of the country’s biggest clubs, over Australian A-League outfit Brisbane Roar. And while basketball and boxing, thanks to the successes of Manny Pacquiao, have tended to dominate the country’s sporting landscape, football is definitely on the up. "Hopefully, this is the catalyst for more growth," Younghusband said of qualifying for the Asian Cup. "In 2010, we got a lot of support from the private industry, and hopefully, this can spur a resurgence.” Thomas Dooley, a veteran of USA’s 1994 and ’98 FIFA World Cup™ campaigns, is the coach responsible for leading the Philippines to uncharted territory. Though out of contract and facing an uncertain future, the former Stars & Stripes captain is confident that recent triumphs will lead to more players from the vast Filipino diaspora declaring for the Azkals. "You have players in Germany playing in the first division, who might have a chance to play for Sweden or Denmark, instead of playing for the Philippines because they're qualifying for the European Championships or the World Cup," Dooley told Reuters. "What do we have to offer? A beautiful country and playing for your country - but we need more. "But if we get to the Asian Cup and we are in the top 100 in the world and are more visible and people are talking about the Philippines and what's going on, then when those players are making those decisions, they will say: I want to go. We have lined up players already that would like to come and they are waiting. Waiting for what? Qualifying for the Asian Cup is very interesting for them. "That could be the spark and it will spread in all directions. The potential is there - we just need to have the plan." http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-rank...=asian-success-sends-philippines-soaring.html
I bet there's going to be massive watch parties in California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc.) mainly for the games against South Korea and China. Can't wait
Azkals keeper Etheridge makes history as Premier League’s first Southeast Asian player It’s shaping to be the best year yet for Philippine football. Just months after the national men’s football team booked its first ever AFC Asian Cup berth, its goalkeeper made history of his own. Neil Etheridge will be the first Southeast Asian to play in the Premier League after his club Cardiff City gained promotion in the world's most popular football league. Cardiff finished second after a scoreless draw against Reading in the final match of the second-tier English Football League Championship. Only the top two teams at the end of the regular season are guaranteed spots in the Premier League. Etheridge never cracked the lineup when he was signed by then Premier League team Fulham in 2008. By 2015, he landed a contract with Charlton Athletic, but later got released. The Filipino-British later moved to Walsall where he impressed in 94 appearances before getting snapped up by Cardiff in 2017. Etheridge, who got tapped to cover for the injured Lee Camp, has revived his career with Cardiff where he has played in all but one of the Bluebirds’ games this season. Just last March, Etheridge and the Azkals pulled off the biggest achievement yet in Philippine football when the squad downed Tajikistan, 2-1, in the qualifiers to book the country’s first ever slot in the 2019 Asian Cup. www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/football/201912-azkals-neil-etheridge-first-southeast-asian-premier-league-cardiff-promotion
Tough group, but they still have a chance of making one of the best 3rd place teams and advancing to the next stage.
Neil Etheridge hails "amazing" promotion experience By Daniel Lewis, Football League Correspondent Filed: Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 17:34 UK Last Updated: Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 17:34 UK Neil Etheridge has reflected on Cardiff City's "fantastic" achievement of reaching the Premier League after keeping a 19th clean sheet of the campaign in his side's goalless draw with Reading. The Philippines international had one of his quieter afternoons as the Bluebirds played out an end-of-season stalemate on home soil - a result that cemented their place in the Championship's top two. Having played a pivotal part in Cardiff's promotion to the top tier of English football, with no side boasting better defensive stats, Etheridge admitted to being 'overwhelmed' having been left without a club prior to joining Oldham Athletic four years ago. "This year has been fantastic. My national team qualifying for the Asian Cup and now I've had the chance to rectify my career and I'm thankful to people for that," he told reporters. "I was out of a club for five months. It's a very hard industry to be in and to stay in. "I always believed in my ability and I'm just happy I was able to play so many games in this season. I'm feeling emotional to be honest. The team have been strong all year and to finish it in the way that we did was fantastic. "There are not many words you can say really - it's just amazing. We've had a fantastic season and I'm so happy to get over the line today. "You can probably hear the fans in the background now - it's overwhelming. From start to finish - fantastic! It's just amazing. Honestly, it's just the best thing in the world." Etheridge started 45 of Cardiff's 46 games in their promotion-winning campaign. https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footba...ails-amazing-promotion-experience_325262.html The Philippine international made the goalkeeping position his own by featuring in 45 out of the 46 league games played by the Bluebirds, conceding only 37 goals and keeping 19 clean sheets in the process.