So you thought Neil Etheridge was the first Azkal to play in the UEFA Europa League?

There's a lot of things to be proud and excited about if your are an Azkal/Filipino soccer fan nowadays. When fans first heard that our national team member, best goal keeper and EPL player was about to begin his first starting stint with Fulham in a Europa Cup match, fans were in delirious ecstasy as if we ourselves were in Neil's shoes. Social media were abuzz about Neil's impending milestone. The first Filipino starting for an EPL club and first Azkal to play in a UEFA Europa Cup match.

While I cannot be absolutely be sure(unless I've got the EPL roster archives) I'd bet a substantial amount that Neil is indeed the first Filipino to have had the honor of starting for an English Premier League club. As for the UEFA Europa Cup matches, that question is a bit trickier as there are a few other Filipinos plying their trade with Premier Leagues in other European countries.

As I wanted to learn about the Europa Cup and which current or former Azkal has played in it, I began to research. I quickly found out that Paul Mulders, arguably the Philippines best Attacking Midfielder and who plays for Eredivisie team, ADO Den Haag beat Neil too it by 4 months! Paul Mulders played in a Europa Cup game on August 5th 2011 against Omonia Nicosia, a Greek Cypriot 1st Division Club. Paul subbed in at an early 32' in the 1-0 win, although they eventually lost 1-3 on aggregate.

Proud of myself for finding out, I suddenly remembered we still have three more players that technically could have played in a Europa Cup! Ray Jonsson of Grindavík, Jerry Lucena of AGF and Dennis Cagara of Lyngby Boldklub. As I went back in time(so to speak), guess who was the first Azkal to play in the UEFA Europa Cup? (Suspenseful music) DENNIS CAGARA!!

Yup, Dennis is the first Azkal to have ever played in the Cup. Surprisingly he first played it on July 17 2008 with his, then club, FC Nordsjælland. They defeated TVMK Tallinn, an Estonian Meistriliiga(now defunct) team. Dennis was part of the starting XI and finished the match, they won 3-0. If you'd like to get technical and say, Dennis played in the UEFA Cup and not the UEFA "Europa" Cup, fear not, the change in name is exactly that, a change in name only(UEFA changed names in the 2009/10 season). For record keeping purposes, UEFA treats both as one.

So there, sorry Neil, can't have it all. Dennis Cagara takes the cake, first Azkal to play in the Europa Cup. Way to make us proud Dennis!