Rox Dorlas is one of the upcoming Azkals, who stared playing football since he was a 5-year-old. Rox is a lefty who can operate as a left back or as a left wing. Fresh from their sweeping victory in the NCAA together with San Beda- We talked to Rox ahead to know more about him: 

What football clubs have you played for abroad?

 I started playing football in Netherlands when I was 5 years old. It was a local club called SVV Scheveningen. I played there ‘til the age of 10. When i was 8-9 years old i got scouted for clubs like Feyenoord and Sparta, but my parents didn’t allow me, because it was too far from my house. When I was 10 years old, ADO Den Haag (first division club) scouted me and my parents approved me playing for them, because it was in the same city. I played there for 2 seasons. I ended playing for RKSV GDA for 2 seasons, and then I stopped playing football at the age of 14. I started playing football again at the age of 18, when i came here in the Philippines, playing under coach Aris Caslib (former national team coach) for San Beda College.

How were your experiences in playing for those clubs?

Whether i was playing at a local club or a professional club i was always playing in the first team of my age level, and competition is always strong, every game is a new challenge. we end every season with tournaments nationwide, and 1 or 2 outside the country (Belgium, France, Germany, Spain).

Which position do you prefer to play in?

 I’ve always been a Left Midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation. Now I’m playing left back with the Azkals, and Left wing with San Beda.

How were you scouted for the national team?

 Coach Aris Caslib saw the desire and potential in me when playing for San Beda College, and wanted me to be trying out for the National team in 2006. I became part of the training pool, but at the age of 18, I lacked experience at that time, and got cut at the final stage. After that i have always been a member of the Football and Futsal team of the Philippines.

Do you have plans to go back to Netherlands and play pro football there?

 Coach Desmond Bulpin wanted me to have a try again in Netherlands, when I can focus only on football. Unlike most of the Azkals members, I am still busy with my studies, and have my own things aside from all that.

By any chance have you bumped with Jason de Jong in the past? Since you guys are both from a Dutch background did you find it easier to get along with him in the team- I assume you guys played on the same Philippines Futsal team.

When your still at a young age most of your games are played in your own region, Jason is in a different region, and I’m not sure where he played when he was my age. (Not even sure if he is my age) some of me teammates before are now pros. Eljero Elia, Tim Krul.

Weiss took over from McMenemy and vowed to play attacking football. What are your thoughts on his system?

There should be full understanding by each and every player about attacking football, don’t think I can answer that until I can see it work.

Rox will be joining the National team after his commitments with San Beda. He was with the team who beat Mongolia 2-0 in Panaad, and he is also expected to travel with the team to Mongolia to battle the second leg.