Stephan Schrock and Jovin Bedic lead the national U-23 team’s bid to start off its 31st Southeast Asian Games campaign in Vietnam on a high note against Timor-Leste Friday, May 6 at the Viet Tri Stadium.
The Philippine Azkals captain along with the striker of Kaya-Iloilo were added as the two eligible overage players tasked to help the Philippines take the full three points in the match set 4 p.m. local time (5 p.m. Manila time).
Schrock and Bedic are expected to play key roles as the Philippines braces for a tough battle against Timor-Leste based on their recent matches.
Timor-Leste beat the Philippines, 1-0, during the AFC U-23 Qualifiers in Singapore last October before the two sides settled for a 2-all tie in the AFF U-23 Championship a few months ago in Cambodia.
The Azkals U-23 did beat Timor-Leste handily during the 2019 SEA Games on home soil, winning 6-1 before a packed crowd at the Binan Football Stadium in Laguna.
But the result wasn’t enough for the Filipino booters to qualify for the semifinals, something coach Norman Fegidero is hoping that they could pull off despite a tough assignment in Group A.
Schrock, in his second SEA Games, and Bedic are joined by Oskari Kekkonen, Oliver Bias, Dennis Chung, Lance Ocampo, Yrick Gallantes, Quincy Kammeraad, Sandro Reyes and Scott Woods.
The rest of the 20-man squad is composed of Christian Rontini, Enrique Linares, Martini Rey, Jermi Darapan, Jaime Rosquillo, Justin Pena, Francis Tacardon, Miguel Mendoza, Enrico Mangaoang and Jayvee Kallukaran.