NATIONAL men’s football team coach Tom Saintfiet and deputy Norman Fegidero were generally satisfied with the five-day training camp turned tryouts that ended over the weekend at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“We asked the staff, scouts for a selection of the best possible players in their eyes in both league and university football. Some of them joined the national team in March and June. I really wanted to see more players up close,” Saintfiet said in a video interview.
“Overall, we had a very successful camp.”
Fegidero, who will be calling the shots for the PH Under-23 squad in the 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games next year, was likewise pleased by the outcome of the training camp.
“I am impressed sa ibang players na nakita ko. At may nakita rin ako for the senior team,” Fegidero said. “Yun ang pinaka-importante sa camp, Nabigyan tayo na makita na mayroon pa lang mga local players na ma-call up sa senior team.”
Among those who were called up were Filipino-American defender Christian Schaffner, who plays for Stallion Laguna FC, and was glad for the opportunity to be sized up by the national coaching staff.
“I was ready to take a break (after the Philippines Football League ended) so was shocked when my name was called up. I’m super honored to be here,” Shaffner, 24, said.
“I just wanted to play good football. I didn’t want to overcomplicate things too much because you know I think a lot of times with young players like this, it’s easy to try too hard to impress so you start playing a game that’s not yours. I just wanted to play on my own,” he said.
“Whether I make the national team or not, I want to help and, hopefully, I can be a part of this. I want to see football in the Philippines which was why I came here,” the player added.
On the other hand, Fegidero underscored the fact that he was looking for players for the National Under-23 squad for the Thailand SEA Games, revealing that he has already spotted some potential players of the squad.
“May nakita na ako na puwede. Sa mga certain positions talaga may nakita na ako. Yung ang positive thing sa akin,” the veteran mentor said.
Among those who likely got Fegidero’s notice was UP-Diliman ace striker and UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year Ramil Bation III, who was also glad for the chance to be part of the training camp.
“Sa akin, ipagpapatuloy ko lang yung ginagawa ko, work inside the field para learn pa ng bagong bagay pati sa mga teammates din. Baba lagi ang paa sa lupa,” said the humble star forward of the newly crowned UAAP men’s football champion Maroons.
