Interview: Philippines Defender Alvaro Silva

On Monday night in Dubai's Al-Maktoum Stadium Paulo Bento's South Korea side will get their AFC Asian Cup campaign up and running against first-time entrants, the Philippines. Amongst the Sven-Göran Eriksson's Philippines squad is former Daejeon Citizen central defender, Alvaro Silva. Silva spent one year with the Purples between the summers of 2015 and 2016 and, speaking exclusively to K League United, gave his thoughts on Monday's game, former Citizen teammate Hwang Inbeom, as well as which teams he is picking as the favourites to win the competition outright.
(image via Zing)


Born in Andújar in southern Spain, Álvaro Peralta Silva Linares began his professional playing career in La Liga, first with Málaga B before joining Marbella on loan for the 2003-2004 season. Following a three-year spell with the Málaga first team, Silva went out on loan to Xerez before eventually joining Cádiz. A two year-spell with the Andalusia-based side before eventually departing for Xerez on a permanent basis.

In 2013, though, Silva began his first foray into Asian football by signing for Khazar of the Azerbaijan Premier League. One year later the 34 year-old joined Al-Qadsia in Kuwait. Then, in the summer of 2015, with the Purples battling against relegation in the then K League Classic, Choi Moonsik brought Silva to Daejeon Citizen.

In early 2014, Silva started work on getting his Filipino passport as his paternal grandmother was Filipino, enabling him to play for the Philippines national team. On 31 October 2014, Silva made his international debut, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 friendly win against Nepal.

Silva's one-year spell in the K League is sure to serve him well when the Philippines take on the Taeguk Warriors on Monday night, particularly knowing the threat of one former teammate - central midfielder Hwang Inbeom.

"Three years ago when I played with Hwang Inbeom I talked with some Spanish clubs to check this player because I was training for one year with him and I knew his potential and quality."

Alvaro Silva (R) with Hwang Inbeom (C) (Image via DCFC)

"I know many of the players but we are not focused on just one of them, all of them are good players," adds Silva.

For Silva, if selected, Monday's game will be only his ninth in the white of the Azkals and will take immense pride in representing his country for what will be their first ever appearance in the Asian Cup.

"We are very excited to can play this tournament. It is the first time in history that the Philippine will play in the Asian Cup, it is very important for the country and for us. The football in Asia and South Asia is growing so fast and every year have more quality players."

Paulo Bento's South Korea squad are amongst the favourites to win the tournament and will be seen as the outright favourites to win Group C but Silva believes that his team can give the Taeguk Warriors a game, a team who he believes are indeed one of the favourites to take home the title.

"For me, the favourites are South Korea and Japan", Silva reveals before adding: "We know that South Korea is one of the candidates to win the title, they are superior to us but we have our strategy to try to defend ourselves and attack when we can."

However, the 6 ft 2 in towering centre back, who is now plying his trade in Malaysia with Kedah after a one-year spell with Hà Nội, admits that preparations for the tournament have been less than ideal.

"We will try to do our best when we start the tournament against South Korea, the best team. Our preparations started only one week ago only. All teams are together around a month before the start of the Asian Cup."

Preview: South Korea vs Philippines