The most expensive player in Southeast Asia only played one match at the Asian Cup.

However, similar to the 2018 AFF Cup, the 28-year-old goalkeeper only played one match at the 2019 Asian Cup because he had to return to play for Cardiff City.

"We understand the importance of Neil Etheridge to Cardiff City, which is why he only played the Azkals' first game in the Asian Cup before returning to Cardiff City," said Mariano Araneta, President of the Philippine Football Federation.

If what Mariano Araneta confirmed is true, then Neil Etheridge only played the match against South Korea on January 7, 2019, before having to return to Wales at the request of Cardiff City.

At the 2018 AFF Cup, Neil Etheridge only played one match, the win against Singapore, before being dropped from the Philippines national team. He was replaced by goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard, who is considered the most expensive player in Southeast Asia (Etheridge is valued at over £3.1 million).

At the 2019 Asian Cup, the Philippines national team was in Group C alongside South Korea, China, and Kyrgyzstan. The Azkals' first match took place on January 7, 2019, against the strongest opponent in the group, South Korea.