Player development will be key for the Philippine national men’s football team as it looks beyond its campaign in the ASEAN Championship.

Head coach Carles Cuadrat said that with players like defender Noah Leddel, midfielders Kenji Nishioka and Cole Mrowka and forward Andres Aldeguer in the squad, it is also the perfect opportunity to field players who have the potential to become future mainstays.

The Nationals were battling Thailand at the New Clark City Stadium in Tarlac as of press time.

“We have been giving opportunities to new players to show us their talent for the future. It’s a good platform for us to get to know better the players who can be the future of the national team,” Cuadrat said.

“Of course, we are preparing for the game to try to win because we need the points to reach the semifinals. But it’s also a great opportunity for the players to express themselves on the pitch and earn opportunities for the future.”

Javier Lucero, who plays for Kanchanburi Power in Thai League 2, scored his first goal for the Philippines in its 4-1 win over Laos last Saturday in Vientiane.

The Philippines has two more major tournaments lined up this year after the ASEAN Championship.

The first is the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia from 21 September to 6 October.

Some members of the squad, including Sandro Reyes, Santi Rublico and Javier Mariona, also have a chance to compete for the Philippine men’s U23 team in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, from 15 September to 3 October.

Cuadrat said they had to adjust after failing to secure the services of some overseas-based footballers.

“Most of our players are not playing in the Philippines because they moved abroad for better contracts and better challenges,” Cuadrat said.

“We called them, but their clubs didn’t allow them to join us. They are within their rights to do that.”