Olger Escobar, Alex Monis Make Impact On International Stage

The young talent is making an impact abroad.

Revolution II forward Olger Escobar and Alex Monis had nights to remember as they tallied their first international points when Guatemala squared off against Dominica in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying action and the Philippines started AFC World Cup qualifying action against Vietnam.

While he started the match on the bench, gaffer Luis Fernando Tena brought the Escobar on to make his second cap with the Guatemalan National Team in the 73rd minute as the nation held a 4-0 lead.

Escobar didn’t wait long to impact the game as he assisted José Martínez’s 78th-minute goal to give Guatemala a 5-0 lead. Guatemala added another goal to their tally as they walked away with a dominant 6-0 victory.

Monis made his senior international debut for the Philippines earning a place in the starting XI and made an impact on the game in the 68th minute when he got on the end of a chested ball from Vietnam and booted the ball downfield from the midway line. Patrick Reichelt got on the end of Monis’ ball and drove at the keeper. Reichelt flashed his footwork and evaded the lone defender before tapping the ball past the Vietnam keeper and in to find the match’s opening goal.

Unfortunately for Monis and the Philippines, things didn’t go their way as a goal from Pham Tuan Hai in stoppage time led Vietnam to a 3-2 victory. 

Escobar will look to make his first start and continue making an impact when Guatemala returns to action on June 8th when they face the British Virgin Islands at 3:00 pm. Monis and the Philippines return to action on June 11th as they face Indonesia at 8:30 am.