Filipino-Danish players Dennis Cagara and Jerry Lucena may not be available for the first leg of the Philippines’ Asian World Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka on June 29 in Colombo for various reasons, according to national team manager Dan Palami.
“He (Cagara) will be meeting us in Germany but I cannot confirm if he is going with us to Sri Lanka,” said Palami of the 26-year-old left fullback before the team departed early yesterday morning for its two-week training camp in Duren, German that will serve as the final phase of the Azkals’ buildup.
Head coach Michael Weiss left earlier last Wednesday to lay the groundwork for the camp featuring tune-up matches against four German squads, including a Duren selection that dropped a close 3-4 decision to German Division 1 ballclub Bayern Munich two weeks ago.
Palami said Lucena, who previously suited up for Denmark’s Under-16, Under-17 and Under-21 national teams, has a slight foot injury. He has recently signed up with Danish Division 1 Randers FC.
In his absence, Palami said Filipino-Icelander Ray Jonnson would retain his old spot “where he has been doing a good job.”
“Jerry (Lucena) will also be in Germany but he is nursing a foot injury so is also uncertain in Colombo,” Palami said. “He might come off the bench, or will just play for us when the returns to Manila.”
