MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals are hoping first-choice goal-keeper Neil Etheridge can join them in their AFF Suzuki Cup campaign.

Fulham recalled Etheridge from his loan spell at Bristol Rovers and the Azkals await the Premier League club’s announcement allowing Etheridge to do his duties with the Philippine team.

Azkals coach Michael Weiss said if Etheridge can’t make it, Eduard Sacapaño will be the team’s keeper for the biennial tournament.

The Azkals are grouped together with former titlists Thailand and Vietnam, along with qualifiers Myanmar. They are aiming to prove that their semi-final finish in the 2010 Cup was no fluke. -- Mornings @ ANC, November 22, 2012