Fil-Spanish ace to skip Suzuki Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Spanish striker Javier Patiño isn’t expected to hook up with the Philippine Azkals for the AFF Suzuki Cup even if his club, Buriram United, is already done with its triumphant campaign in the just-concluded Thai Premier League (TPL) season.

Per the Azkals’ official Facebook page, the 26-year-old Patiño will have his back treated and as a result won’t be available for the Nov. 22-28 Suzuki Cup in Hanoi as well as the preceding friendlies against Thailand (Nov. 9 in Nakhon Ratchasima) and Cambodia (Nov. 14 at Rizal Memorial).

“Javier Patiño will undergo an operation for his back injury and will miss the friendlies as well as the Suzuki Cup,” the team posted.

The Thailand-based Patiño could hardly join the Azkals in their friendlies and training camps this year due to club commitment or injury.

He did suit up when the Azkals played Azerbaijan last March in Dubai, where they held their own before yielding a 0-1 setback.

Patiño apparently played injured in the latter stages of the TPL that ended last Sunday. He scored 21 goals overall for back-to-back champ Buriram, the second highest for the year behind Brazilian Heberty of Ratchaburi (26).