By Gil Moriones
Daisuke Sato is set for a national team comeback after two years as the PMNFT travels to Tajikistan with an AFC Asian Cup spot on the line. PFL (file photo)
MANILA—Nearly two weeks before their decisive final qualifying match against Tajikistan, a returning Daisuke Sato expressed his gratitude for getting called up to the Philippine Men's National Football Team again.
In an exclusive interview with Dugout Philippines during the launch of GoTyme Bank's FIFA World Cup-designed Visa cards on Wednesday at Whitespace Manila in Makati, the One Taguig FC defender called it his "biggest honor" to represent the country after two years of inactivity.
He returns to a national team that is on the brink of qualifying for the Asian Cup against its Central Asian rival.
"Such an honor. The biggest honor for me. You know, I'm very happy to be back. I prepared for those last two years up to this moment. I knew it was coming, and finally it's here. I'm very happy to represent the country again," Sato said.
The premier defender is already familiar with the crucial "win-or-go-home" scenario, as he was part of the roster that sent the Philippines to its Asian Cup debut in 2019.
He was there to celebrate after Phil Younghusband scored a penalty that eventually served as the winning goal to secure their ticket to the United Arab Emirates back at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on March 27, 2018 at the expense of the same Tajik side.
At present, the scenario is the same as it was nine years ago, but this time it will take place on Tajik turf in Dushanbe.
For Sato, regardless of the role the coaching staff gives him, he will be part of another historic return for the men's national team.
"Of course, it's up to the coaching staff whether I play or not; it doesn't matter, you know. Our goal is to go to the Asian Cup. And bring the Philippines back to the Asian Cup. For that, I will do everything I can, this way I can, to help the team," Sato added.
Comparing his perspective today to eight years ago, when he was involved in the former Azkals' historic route to the Asian Cup, he recognized the abundance of talented players in the current national team.
"We have so many great, talented, and young players who can carry the team for the next 10 years," Sato evaluated.
Sato acknowledged that while the team has talented and experienced players like Gerrit Holtmann and Raphael Obermair playing in high-level domestic leagues, the team's primary focus must remain on making it to the Asian Cup.
"Thinking about the squad, I think we have a big chance to make it in the Asian Cup, but I don't wanna see a big chance. We're gonna make it to the Asian Cup 100 percent," he emphasized.
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) released the 23-man roster for the March 31 conclusion of the Asian Cup Qualifiers against Tajikistan, to be held at Hisor National Stadium.
Head tactician Carles Cuadrat revealed the team will have a five-day training camp in Türkiye before going to Dushanbe to aim for an all-out victory against the 2023 Asian Cup quarterfinalists.
The squad comprises the qualifying tournament's leading scorer, Bjorn Kristensen, alongside Bundesliga standouts Gerrit Holtmann and the debuting Raphael Obermair.
Jarvey Gayoso, Andre Leipold, Javier Mariona, Alex Monis, and Jens Rasmussen will also stack the forward positions.
Meanwhile, Zico Bailey, Oskari Kekkonen, Randy Schneider, Manny Ott, and team vice-captain Sandro Reyes will man the midfield.
Together with Sato, fellow veterans Amani Aguinaldo, Michael Kempter, Kike Linares, Jespher Nyholm, and the Tabinas brothers—Jefferson and Paul—are assigned as defenders.
Finally, Kevin Ray Mendoza, Quincy Kammeraad, and returning veteran Patrick Deyto will serve as the PMNFT's main custodians.
Kammeraad and Deyto were also seen during the GoTyme World Cup card launch.
With a report from Ivan Saldajeno from Makati
