Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge bagged the Save of the Season award from the Professional Footballers’ Association for his defensive heroics for Birmingham City FC.
The 33-year-old goalie had a solid stint for the English Football League club during the Blues’ campaign in the Emirates Football Association Challenge Cup.
Ethridge captured the distinguished honor after making three crucial saves to help Birmingham take down the Forest Green Rovers, 2-1, in the third round last January.
The Blues advanced to the fourth round but bowed to Blackburn Rovers, 0-1, in added extra time.
Etheridge bested Premier League goalkeepers former Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and Aaron Ramsdake of Arsenal.
“He was presented with his award at the Birmingham City Elite Performance and Innovation Centre before training on Thursday ahead of the trip to Plymouth Argyle,” the club said in a statement on the first Filipino and Southeast Asian booter to play in the Premier League.
Birmingham currently sits in 18th place in the Championship with 29 points behind a 7-6-10 win-draw-loss record in the 2023-2024 season.
Etheridge remains a key cog of the Azkals for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers bid.
The Azkals, who sport a 0-1-1 record, are coming off a 0-2 loss to Vietnam last 16 November before getting a 1-1 draw against Indonesia five days later.
The Filipinos’ campaign will resume on 21 March against Iraq.
