ASIDE from being the defensive linchpin, veteran Azkals skipper and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge now serves as German coach Michael Weiss’s unofficial go-to guy in helping rebuild the mental toughness of the national men’s football squad.
“The man next to me (Etheridge) is a mental coach in a way because he makes very good speeches before the game and good analysis after the game,” said Weiss at the post-match press conference last Tuesday night after the Azkals posted a 2-1 comeback win over Afghanistan.
“Neil is someone who appreciates the process of having a winning mentality. It may take time to get into the heads of some people from the level where he comes from so we are very happy to have him,” noted Weiss.
Etheridge said he is able and willing to assume the role.
“I have been part of this team for 15 years now (so) I just wanted to change something. I felt over the last five years we did not have a winning mentality. That we had accepted mediocrity. So, I wanted to bring back the previous mentality of our team, which is to win at all costs,” he stressed.
