One of the most-loved Philippine football players who manned the pipes and the primary defender in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup group stage win against Vietnam – also known as the “Miracle in Hanoi” – has signed off from international duty.
Former Fulham and Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has announced his retirement from international duty on social media, ending an 18-year journey with the Philippine XI.
Passion, sacrifice, leadership and historic achievement
In an Instagram post, Etheridge described his 18-year international career with the national team, which was at that time called the Azkals until PFF retired the moniker in 2024, as a journey defined by passion, sacrifice, leadership and historic achievement.
The goalkeeper, born Neil Leonard Dula Etheridge, reflected on the highs and lows of representing the Philippine XI, which were – before the stunning upset over Vietnam – trying to be relevant again in the regional scene after suffering embarrassing defeats in previous staging of the AFF Suzuki Cup.
“Love and heartbreak. Passion and desire. I never stopped caring, I always gave everything for the team and the country,” the Enfield-born footballer wrote.
“All I wanted from the beginning was to make a difference and I hope that I was able to achieve that with my service to the country and national team.”
From his first international cap in 2008, Etheridge earned 82 appearances until 2024 and he’s been to a lot of firsts with the XI.
He also helped the national team earn its first AFC Asian Cup stint and with his experience became the first Filipino player to ever play in the English Premier League in 2018.
Etheridge said that during his journey, he made some amazing friends along the way and met some great people. He called the memories as something that “will last with me forever.”
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Tributes pour in for Etheridge from PFF, teammates
Etheridge’s retirement from international football saddened the Philippine football scene but officials and former players hailed the goalkeeper for his contributions for Philippine football.
Philippine Football Federation president John Anthony Gutierrez hailed Etheridge for his unparalleled service to the national scene.
Gutierrez said the veteran goalkeeper changed the trajectory of Pinoy football.
The PFF president noted that his qualities of courage, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the country inspired a generation of players, particularly world class goalkeepers.
Gutierrez noted that his legacy will “forever be woven into the story of our game,” Gutierrez said in a news release Saturday.
Former National team teammate fullback Daisuke Sato gave his flowers to Etheridge, whom he described as a trailblazer and the standard for Fil-foreign footballers who wear the national team uniform.
Former national team assistant coach and “Miracle of Hanoi” goalscorer Chris Greatwich called him the best ever.
Current winger Alex Monis summarized best the feelings of the current crop of players.
“True legend that inspired generations, teaching me what it means to represent this country,” Monis wrote on social media.
Etheridge was one of the pioneers of the sudden re-emergence of Philippine football in the Asian scene.
He helped his generation dream and achieve their ambition – despite the hardships they have to endure – and inspire the new generation of Pinoy football players to reach greater heights.
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