Former national team standout and one time national team mentor Norman Fegidero of Bacolod returns to the squad, this time as a member of the coaching staff for the Suzuki Cup under Scott Cooper.
Fegidero, who scored the winning goal against Malaysia during the 1991 Southeast Asian games, will join the staff along with Noel Marcaida, who was appointed as goalkeeper coach for the Suzuki Cup.
“Part of the PFF’s goal is to really enhance the capabilities and competence of our Filipino coaches by giving them exposure with the national teams. We’re hopeful that whatever our coaches learn from their experience with the national team, they may be able to impart this to their Filipino colleagues,” said PFF president Nonong Araneta.
This is Fegidero’s second stint with the national team. He first joined the national team in 2008 for the Challenge Cup qualifiers, taking over from Aris Caslib, who led the team during the historic 2004 Tiger Cup, when the Philippines got its first ever win.
Under Fegidero’s lone stint, the Philippines finished second in the Challenge Cup qualifiers, which was held at Barotac Nuevo, narrowly losing to Tajikistan on goal difference. The Philippines beat Brunei, 1-0, and Bhutan, 3-0, and drew Tajikistan, 0-0. Tajikistan advanced after scoring two more goals, thanks to its 4-0 win over Brunei.
The 2008 Challenge Cup qualifiers was also the first time then Fulham reserve Neil Etheridge saw action for the national team.
“The men’s national team will always be here to be an avenue for our Filipino coaches to learn from with the experience they will gain with the team under coach Scott Cooper. Coach Norman and coach Noel is a testament to the management’s belief and pride in the strength of our coaches’ education programs,” said national team manager Dan Palami.
