A closer look at the new Azkals training pool

On Friday Thomas Dooley's first selection of players for the NT training pool was released. The new coach has been a fixture in almost all of the UFL Division One games and has obviously been eyeing the players well.

Here are my thoughts on the men who were summoned to Friday afternoon's first practice.

The Familiar Faces

These are the guys we all know will be on the squad and whose past performances leave little doubt about their quality. James Younghusband, OJ Porteria, Chris Greatwich, Chieffy Caligdong, Marwin Angeles, Mark Hartmann, Jeffrey Christiaens, Patrick Reichelt, Misagh Bahadoran, and Ed Sacapaño all belong on this list.

The Walking Wounded

Some players on this squad are battling back from injury. Carlie De Murga and Jerry Barbaso are some of the folks in Global's sick bay along with Jason DeJong. Phil Younghusband was limping in Emperador yesterday after getting challenged by Alu Kigbu of Pachanga last Tuesday. It shouldn't be too serious though, and I expect him back in training soon, although not by today perhaps.

The Comeback Kids.

Some guys are hoping for a chance to return to the national team. Thirtysomething Anton del Rosario is back in the fold, as is Nate Burkey, who has been in-form with Pachanga and has been scoring plenty of goals. Paolo Pascual has been getting plenty of burn at Global and will fight for a spot against Patrick Deyto and Sacapaño.

Curiously, Chad Gould has also been invited, even though he is no longer with Loyola and my understanding is he has moved back to the UK.

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The Young Blood

These folks have had a taste of the senior and junior NT life and want some more. They will be the future. Nathan Octavio is an underrated wingback for PLDT Home Fibr who was part of the U23 pool. Deo Segunial was also in that pool and also plays for PLDT. Segunial is a tall, young centerback and is thus a prized possession for Dooley. He will need to develop quick. Boiboi Fernandez starts regularly for Green Archers United Globe at CB and is highly-rated.

Keeper Patrick Deyto will be angling for a spot on the final roster and odds are he gets one. He has been a very busy man between the sticks for the Archers this season. Ronnie Aguisanda is another GAU product who plays defense on the flank for Dolfo Alicante and was in Brian Reid's U23 squad last year.

Amani Aguinaldo already has a full senior cap for the Azkals and is considered a huge prospect at central defender going forward. He plays for Global now and will play for UP in UAAP season 77.

Nick O'Donnell has also been starting regularly for Kaya in goal and will push Patrick Deyto for a roster spot.

The Hungry and Nameless

Great to see some fresh faces make this list.

Curt Dizon – Filipino who grew up in England and played in Spain. Plays for Union in the second-tier. A real find for Union boss Jorge Müller. Dizon struck the opener in last Sunday's Union 2-0 victory over Air Force.

Simone Rota – Rota was adopted by Italians and grew up in Italy, playing Football at a fairly high level I understand. Has been solid for Stallion at centerback. Good height and very, very, cool and composed on the ball. Rota is turning 30 so he is no spring chicken, but he could be useful since the team is in need of experienced but not aging CBs. Rota has a big heart too. In a recent game he brought along the nuns and some orphans from the an orphanage where he volunteers to a UFL game.

Milan Justin Arends – Filipino-Dutchman who plays midfield and sometimes striker for Stallion. Very tall.

Ryan Lirio – Yes, it's Lirio and not Lerio. Air Force picked him up from Ceres after the UFL Cup. Lirio is a West Negros product who starts in the wing for the Airmen. Big, stocky guy with good speed and plenty of energy.

Rodolf Bebanco – Yes it's Bebanco not Bebangco. Another Airman from Himamaylan, Negros Occidental. Usually plays wingback. Has potential, if a bit undersized for International play. A long shot to make the final roster but the experience will be good for him.

Jake Hugo – The centerback from Santa Barbara, Iloilo transferred from GAU to Air Force after the UFL Cup. Hugo is a vastly experienced mid-20s central defender who could be useful going forward for the Azkals.

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Charley Pettys- A Columbus, Ohio native who played Division One Soccer in the states. Been starting for Global at right back while Barbaso gets well. Strong, tall kid who has a big upside. Doesn't mind going downfield to help in attack either.

Kenshiro Daniels – Extremely gifted youngster from Kaya. Been showing his pace and trickery for David Perkovic this season and scored twice against Army on Thursday. A bit willowy, but still young so he should beef up.

The guys I would have given a chance to.

I think Joven Bedic, a regular starter with Kaya, deserves a selection. The midfielder has been solid for Kaya and has shown intelligence and guile. It helps that Bedic is a decent size and strong as well. Jayson Panhay of Ceres is a terrific passer and a superb free kick taker who could have been an option in the right side of the midfield. Another Ceres player, Lemuel Unabia, might have been considered as well. The muscular center back is a bit ponderous but at around 6'2” or bigger, would be a handful for big strikers.

Loyola's Alexandro Elnar has been excellent starting at right back all season long. His confidence is up and a chance to impress Dooley would have been welcome.

Dingdong Fornea is playing striker for PLDT Home Fibr and has shown moments of quality. The former Beda player is 22, reasonably sized, and was also in the U23 side last year.

I would have loved to throw some UAAP players into the mix, like Jinggoy Valmayor, Jhan Jhan Melliza, Fitch Arboleda, and Paolo Bugas. Another college player with potential is St Benilde keeper Ronilo Vallies Bayan, who is perhaps the best keeper under twenty years old in the country. But one believes that the time will come for these kids.

Oh and one more name for the old-timers. Could we dust off Freddy Gonzalez for just one more cap, puhleeeez???

No doubt less than half of these names will make the final roster for the March friendlies and the Challenge Cup. There needs to be room for our Euro-based stars. But I am hoping that some of the youngsters do make an impression on the new coach and sneak in the roster.

See the full list of invitees here.

Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.