The most expensive player in Southeast Asia only played 1 match at the Asian Cup

However, similar to the AFF Cup 2018, the 28-year-old goalkeeper only played in 1 match at the Asian Cup 2019 because he had to return to play for Cardiff City Club.

“We know the importance of Neil Etheridge to Cardiff City so he only played the Azkals' first match in the Asian Cup and then had to return to Cardiff City,” said Mariano Araneta, President of the Philippine Football Federation.

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

In the AFF Cup 2018, Neil Etheridge only played one match, the victory over Singapore, and then had to leave the Philippines team. The replacement for the most expensive player in Southeast Asia (Etheridge was valued at over 3.1 million pounds) was goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard.

At the 2019 Asian Cup, the Philippines team is in Group C with South Korea, China and Kyrgyzstan. The Azkals' first match will be on January 7, 2019, against the strongest opponent in the group, South Korea.