Gould to reinforce PHL team?

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Jose Mari Martinez left Manila for Jakarta yesterday afternoon and will represent the country in negotiations with Asean Football Federation (AFF) officials regarding the conduct of the two-match semifinal series of the Suzuki Cup on Dec. 16 and 19.

Before departing, Martinez said he had hoped to bring in Fil-British striker Chad Gould from England as reinforcement for the Philippine squad playing Indonesia but couldn’t get the 6-1 star to agree.

“I spoke with Chad and offered to personally pay to bring him to Jakarta,” said Martinez. “I can convince the AFF to allow him to play. But if he doesn’t get to play, at least, he’ll be with the team and we might be able to activate him in case we play in the finals.”

Martinez said he has tried unsuccessfully to contact officials from the Philippine team about Gould but got through to only one player whom he declined to identify.

“I brought in most of our Fil-foreigners and now, they don’t want to talk to me,” said Martinez who was removed as PFF president for cause during the recent National Congress on a vote of no-confidence from 26 of 33 provincial associations but managed to retain his position on the basis of a technicality upheld by FIFA, the Swiss-based world governing body for football. “I understand their cell phones have been taken away. I suggested for the team to enlist Chad who could be a big help to us. It would be at my own expense. I tried to contact the coach (Simon McEnemy) but no luck. Since they haven’t called Chad, I can understand why he’s not keen to go to Jakarta. He would be embarrassed if he shows up as a spectator.”

Martinez said he was told that Mariano Araneta, the PFF president-in-waiting, and former PFF president Johnny Romualdez will travel to Jakarta to accompany the national team.

“I know Johnny is an AFF vice president but I’m the only one authorized by FIFA to represent our country in official negotiations regarding the Suzuki Cup,” he said. “I will sit in the box during the matches as the Philippine representative, nobody else.”

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Martinez said he will negotiate the Philippines’ share of the gate receipts for the two matches in a confidential meeting with AFF competition committee head Ravy Khek of Cambodia, officials of the World Sports Group which has the rights to produce the Suzuki Cup and Indonesian Football Association secretary-general Nugraha Besoes.

“There is talk in the Indonesian media that the Philippines will not get a single cent from the gate receipts,” said Martinez. “I don’t think so. I will bargain for a share of at least $5 for every ticket sold. We are entitled to a share of the gate receipts and I want to give most of the money to the players.”

The matches will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta with a capacity of 88,000. With two sell-outs, the Philippines could earn $880,000 as its share – if Martinez gets what he wants. However, a source said the Philippines will be lucky to take home $100,000.

Martinez said Indonesia is a formidable team but isn’t ruling out an upset. If the Philippines survives the semifinals, Martinez said he will try to bring the second match in the finals on Dec. 29 – with Gould in the lineup – to the country.

Negros Occidental Football Association president Charlie Cojuangco said the Philippines could pull it off. “Our team should make it if they can play their game,” he noted. “Our goalkeeper is the best in the tournament.”

Cojuangco referred to 20-year-old Neil Dula Etheridge, a 6-3 standout whose mother is from Tarlac. He was born in Enfield, a London borough, to an English father and apprenticed at the Chelsea academy in 2003 with two other Fil-Brits and now national teammates James and Phil Younghusband, Etheridge, who plays for Fulham in the English league, made his debut with the Philippine squad in 2008. Martinez was responsible for recruiting Etheridge.

“It took me a long time to decide,” said Etheridge, quoted in Wikipedia. “Obviously, every boy’s dream is to play for England at the highest level. But I thought, why not play for the Philippines? It’s mum’s side of the family as well.”

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The national team lists 10 players from the military – the Army is represented by Eduard Sacapano, Nestor Margarse and Roel Gener and the Air Force by Rey Palmes, Joebel Bermejo, Emelio Caligdong, Yanti Bersales, Peter Jaugan, Mark Ferrer and Ian Araneta. The oldest player is Bersales, 37, and the youngest is PAREF Southridge’s Chris Camcam, 16.

Romualdez said the Philippines’ rock-hard defense will be tested in the semifinals.

“Our defense was exceptional against Vietnam and Myanmar who didn’t score against us leading to the semifinals,” said Romualdez. “Our defense is formed around our goalkeeper. We do a good job of clogging the penalty area, forcing our opponents to shoot from outside. We should be careful about low balls coming from the side or the middle. Our strength is our defense. Another advantage is our height.”

Romualdez said Gould would be a positive addition to the team but cautioned Martinez not to get involved in matters related to the team composition without consulting McEnemy.

“One of the reasons for the team’s success is (team manager) Dan (Palami) has never interfered in issues involving the game,” said Romualdez. “One of our former national coaches Norman Fegidero resigned because of interference from several individuals, including Mari.”