By Jack Biantan
Monday, March 14, 2011
/via Sunstar
LONDON, UK -- An earthquake of 8.9 intensity and a tsunami with apocalyptic proportion have caused massive devastation in some cities of Japan the other day.
I was at work when I saw over BBC news how the 30 feet tsunami swallowed thousands of homes, hundreds of cars and acres of farmlands along Japan's Pacific coastline.
The first thing that went into my mind was the Azkals. They were acclimatizing in Japan during that time for the 2nd leg of their AFC Challenge Cup elimination match against Mongolia.
After several hours, I breathed a sigh of relief when I learned from twitter that they were far from the tsunami at the Japan FA's training centre in Gotemba. But they felt the earthquake and the aftershocks.
As of this writing they were on their way to Beijing and are expected to be in Ulan Bator, Mongolia by Sunday midnight. They have less than two days of rest before their clash on Tuesday noon.
Out safely
The Azkals managed to get out of Japan safely through Narita airport and through the efforts of the Japan FA. They hardly have rest in their long trip and they would arrive in Ulan Bator exhausted.
The Azkals trained in Japan to get used to cold weather that is expected during match day (March 15). They had difficulty adjusting to the weather, losing two matches against Japanese University teams in wide score margins.
Only three of the regular Azkals will not fly to Ulan Bator. Neil Etheridge, Rob Gier and Chris Greatwich will miss the Mongolia match.
Jason Sabio and Simon Greatwich however managed to squeak past from other early commitments to assure the fans that they will be playing in Mongolia. They are also on their way to Ulan Bator.
It would be good news for the Azkals, as both footballers could fill in the hole in the Azkals defences and midfield left by Rob Gier and Chris Greatwich.
It seems that the odds are all against the Azkals this time. The cold weather, the lack of rest and their traumatic experience of being in Japan when the earthquake and the tsunami happened.
Their defeat against the two Japanese teams does not however show the real Azkals spirit. It was only a practice game without any audience, except for the coaching staff and game officials. It was not even considered as official friendly.
Friendly matches have the hype, the media and the fans involved. Friendlies are always played against other national teams.
Only worry
My only worries are the Azkals' fitness and their mental state. They will be playing minus their Rabid supporters and are under extreme pressure.
The Azkals are known for their resiliency. How many times they have sprang back from certain defeat to be victorious? I am certain that they would brush off this episode of giving our country football honors.
There would be no turning back this time. If they lose by two goals, they will bid good bye to further advancing to the AFC elimination in Myanmar.
A draw would be enough for them to advance and losing is not an option. Let's pray for the Azkals success and for the recovery of the Japanese nation. GOD BLESS jackbiantan@yahoo.com
Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on March 14, 2011.
Showing posts with label Neil Etheridge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neil Etheridge. Show all posts
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Azkal country needs you on March 15
MARK that date, March 15 and leave no appointments from noon until the rest of the day.
Better yet, skip work or, if you’re the boss, let your employees take half the day off. For students, unless there’s a major exam scheduled, it’s time for an SDH—Self-declared Holiday.
It’s the Azkals against Mongolia, Part 2 and no, unlike what one TV anchor said, the Philippines doesn’t have to beat the host to move on to the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in Myanmar. A draw will do.
But I know the Azkals know their fans will be watching back home, so I don’t think they’ll settle for a draw. Mongolia, too, won’t be the same side that played defensively last Feb. 9 so the Blue Wolves will take risks.
They’ll attack, probe and look for the opening.
They’ll probably thank the football gods, too, that Neil Etheridge isn’t playing.
Neil’s in England, on loan to Charlton Athletic from Fulham and his absence means veteran Eduard Sacapaño gets the No. 1 spot, while young Christopher Camcam gets promoted to No. 2.
Sacapaño is one of the unsung heroes of the Azkals, a veteran who stuck with the team all through those lean years. When Neil came along, he got relegated to second banana, something proud players who value themselves too highly can’t take.
But Ed? He’s still there. He trained and practiced hard for months for the Suzuki, despite knowing his chance of seeing action was close to nil.
Now that’s character. That’s grit.
He will need that against Blue Wolves, who’ll be playing in front of their own fans, who’ll be braving the freezing weather just to be there.
Yep, on March 15 the Azkals will be back to their usual thing—playing in another country’s homecourt.
But they are not in the usual situation. Gone are the days when only the hardcore fans you can count on one hand and the reporters you can count with the other are aware of their games.
Philippine football is changing and the Azkals need youto keep it evolving. No, not in cold Ulan Bator where zero degree is considered the warmest temperature of the day—that’s why they are holding the match at 1 p.m.—but they need you in front of the TV set on March 15.
You could be screaming nonsense or analyzing the formation, or you could even provide fashion tips. It doesn’t matter.
Work commitments, you say? Didn’t you call in with a fever because you were hung over? Class? Didn’t you skip them for a few bottles of beer?
You can come in garb, in white shirts and face paint or you can watch in your naked glory, it doesn’t matter.
What matters is your presence. Go to a bar, watch at home, have a viewing party with friends.
Or, like what Graeme Mackinnon, the guy who flew all the way from Australia to watch the Feb. 9 game, will do, watch a webstream with friends.
Be there on March 15. The Azkal country needs you.
Let’s not disappoint them.
PRAYERS. The Azkals are currently training in Japan and so far, they have survived two earthquakes.
In an ABS-CBN report, Chieffy Caligdong said they felt the tremors, while Roel Gener assured their family members and fans that they are safe.
Let’s hope the team’s situation continues that way and let’s pray for their safety and for all the victims of the massive quake.
(www.football.cebunetwork.com)
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on March 12, 2011.
via Sunstar (Mike T. Limpag, 3/11/2011)
Better yet, skip work or, if you’re the boss, let your employees take half the day off. For students, unless there’s a major exam scheduled, it’s time for an SDH—Self-declared Holiday.
It’s the Azkals against Mongolia, Part 2 and no, unlike what one TV anchor said, the Philippines doesn’t have to beat the host to move on to the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in Myanmar. A draw will do.
But I know the Azkals know their fans will be watching back home, so I don’t think they’ll settle for a draw. Mongolia, too, won’t be the same side that played defensively last Feb. 9 so the Blue Wolves will take risks.
They’ll attack, probe and look for the opening.
They’ll probably thank the football gods, too, that Neil Etheridge isn’t playing.
Neil’s in England, on loan to Charlton Athletic from Fulham and his absence means veteran Eduard Sacapaño gets the No. 1 spot, while young Christopher Camcam gets promoted to No. 2.
Sacapaño is one of the unsung heroes of the Azkals, a veteran who stuck with the team all through those lean years. When Neil came along, he got relegated to second banana, something proud players who value themselves too highly can’t take.
But Ed? He’s still there. He trained and practiced hard for months for the Suzuki, despite knowing his chance of seeing action was close to nil.
Now that’s character. That’s grit.
He will need that against Blue Wolves, who’ll be playing in front of their own fans, who’ll be braving the freezing weather just to be there.
Yep, on March 15 the Azkals will be back to their usual thing—playing in another country’s homecourt.
But they are not in the usual situation. Gone are the days when only the hardcore fans you can count on one hand and the reporters you can count with the other are aware of their games.
Philippine football is changing and the Azkals need youto keep it evolving. No, not in cold Ulan Bator where zero degree is considered the warmest temperature of the day—that’s why they are holding the match at 1 p.m.—but they need you in front of the TV set on March 15.
You could be screaming nonsense or analyzing the formation, or you could even provide fashion tips. It doesn’t matter.
Work commitments, you say? Didn’t you call in with a fever because you were hung over? Class? Didn’t you skip them for a few bottles of beer?
You can come in garb, in white shirts and face paint or you can watch in your naked glory, it doesn’t matter.
What matters is your presence. Go to a bar, watch at home, have a viewing party with friends.
Or, like what Graeme Mackinnon, the guy who flew all the way from Australia to watch the Feb. 9 game, will do, watch a webstream with friends.
Be there on March 15. The Azkal country needs you.
Let’s not disappoint them.
PRAYERS. The Azkals are currently training in Japan and so far, they have survived two earthquakes.
In an ABS-CBN report, Chieffy Caligdong said they felt the tremors, while Roel Gener assured their family members and fans that they are safe.
Let’s hope the team’s situation continues that way and let’s pray for their safety and for all the victims of the massive quake.
(www.football.cebunetwork.com)
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on March 12, 2011.
via Sunstar (Mike T. Limpag, 3/11/2011)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Sacapano takes Etheridge place for Azkals
IN the absence of ace goalie Neil Etheridge, Edward Sacapano will have to play big when the Philippine Azkals national football team takes on Mongolia right in its own turf in Ulan Bator next week.
Sacapano, a Bago City native, who played for West Negros University in college, will be the Azkals’ last line of defense against the Wolves, who will be looking to beat the Azkals at least by a score of 3-0 to clinch their home-and-away duel in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup.
The 21-year-old Fil-British Etheridge, who helped the Azkals reach the semifinals of the Suzuki Cup late last year and backstopped the same team against Mongolia during the initial home-and-away match, which the Azkals won, 2-0, in Panaad Stadium, will be gone for a month to honor his commitments with his ballclub in England.
But Sacapano’s teammate readily gave the reserve goalie their vote of confidence as they gear up for the decisive match in cold Ulan Bator.
“May tiwala kami kay Edward. Kayang-kaya niya iyan,” said Ian Araneta, one of the Azkals’ designated hitters, who plays the same position with Phil Younghusband.
A win by the Azkals will advance them into the group stage of the AFC Challenge Cup which will be held in neighboring Myanmar.
The Azkals, who will fly to Ulan Bator on Saturday night, are nearing the end of their training at the Japan Football Association training facility in Gotemba City.
The Azkals only need a draw to advance in the Group Stage, where they are bracketed with Bangladesh, Palestine and Myanmar.
Aside from Sacapano, other goalkeepers on standby for the nationals are Christopher Camcam and Paolo Pascual.
Meanwhile, the Azkals got a taste of world-class football when they bowed to Kanto Gakuiin University football squad, 4-0, in an exhibition match played at the artificial pitch of the Toki no Sumika recreational facility.
Japan is rated no. 1 among Asian nations in football, and the win only underscored the Japanese’s mastery of the game.
Meanwhile, Fil-foreign booter Jason Sabio is set to join the Azkals today, along withChris (Simon - nicky) Greatwich, who be planing in from the United States. Peter Atencio
/via Manila Standard (3/11/2011)
Sacapano, a Bago City native, who played for West Negros University in college, will be the Azkals’ last line of defense against the Wolves, who will be looking to beat the Azkals at least by a score of 3-0 to clinch their home-and-away duel in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup.
The 21-year-old Fil-British Etheridge, who helped the Azkals reach the semifinals of the Suzuki Cup late last year and backstopped the same team against Mongolia during the initial home-and-away match, which the Azkals won, 2-0, in Panaad Stadium, will be gone for a month to honor his commitments with his ballclub in England.
But Sacapano’s teammate readily gave the reserve goalie their vote of confidence as they gear up for the decisive match in cold Ulan Bator.
“May tiwala kami kay Edward. Kayang-kaya niya iyan,” said Ian Araneta, one of the Azkals’ designated hitters, who plays the same position with Phil Younghusband.
A win by the Azkals will advance them into the group stage of the AFC Challenge Cup which will be held in neighboring Myanmar.
The Azkals, who will fly to Ulan Bator on Saturday night, are nearing the end of their training at the Japan Football Association training facility in Gotemba City.
The Azkals only need a draw to advance in the Group Stage, where they are bracketed with Bangladesh, Palestine and Myanmar.
Aside from Sacapano, other goalkeepers on standby for the nationals are Christopher Camcam and Paolo Pascual.
Meanwhile, the Azkals got a taste of world-class football when they bowed to Kanto Gakuiin University football squad, 4-0, in an exhibition match played at the artificial pitch of the Toki no Sumika recreational facility.
Japan is rated no. 1 among Asian nations in football, and the win only underscored the Japanese’s mastery of the game.
Meanwhile, Fil-foreign booter Jason Sabio is set to join the Azkals today, along with
/via Manila Standard (3/11/2011)
Azkals seeded in Ulan Bator despite obstacles
 |
| [Members of the Azkals wave the Philippine flag during the team’s bout against Mongolia in Panaad Stadiun in Bacolod City. AFP file photo] |
THE Philippine football team, Azkals, are seeded despite facing several obstacles when they face the Mongolian national team on March 15 in the latter’s turf.
Lawyer Roland A. Tulay, the president of the National Capital Region Football Association (NCRFA), told The Manila Times that the Azkals are facing extreme cold weather; the absence of some key players; the artificial turf of the home pitch and possibly, a highly-partisan crowd.
“On paper, we should beat Mongolia because of our higher FIFA standing,” he said.
But Tulay said that the aforementioned factors can present problems for the Azkals.
Foremost is the cold weather in Mongolia, which could reach four to 10 degrees below zero. Prior to flying to Mongolia, the national team trained for one week in Japan to help them adjust to the cold weather.
Tulay also said the Azkals must adjust to the artificial turf. They have trained at the International School which has this facility. “They will be playing on artificial turf. The bounce and roll of the ball is different, the ball rolls faster,” he added.
When the Azkals beat the Vietnamese during the Suzuki Cup and the Mongolians in Bacolod City, the national team played on natural grass.
Adding to the obstacles the Azkals must overcome is the absence of key player Neil Etheridge and other key players; the former having commitments to his new club Charlton Athletic in England’s Division One.
To fill up the gaping hole left by Etheridge, the Azkals will be relying on the services of the able Edward Sacapano who hails from Bago, Negros Occidental.
But perhaps the biggest challenge the Azkals will be facing in Mongolia is the expected hostile crowd.
When the Azkals faced the Mongolian team on February 10, Tulay recalled that the visiting team was welcomed with “arf, arf, arf” from the local crowd. They were told that this unique chant was the bark of the Azkals which meant “street dogs.” Nevertheless, the visiting team was feted to a warm round of applause at the end of 90 minutes.
/via Manila Times (via Condrad Carino, 3/11/2011)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Etheridge won’t see action with Azkals in key matches
MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino-British Neil Etheridge has been sent on a month-long loan by English Premiere League side Fulham FC to Charlton Athletic in the third-tier League One, a move that could prevent the Azkals goalkeeper from seeing action for the national booters in several key matches.
The 21-year-old Etheridge, who has already ruled himself out of the second leg of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying duel with Mongolia on March 15, will also miss the group stage qualifying in Myanmar if the Azkals progress.
Although the loan move is only for a month, Etheridge believes he could finish the season with Charlton in League One, which ends May 7. League One doesn’t take a break for international matches unlike the EPL.
That means Etheridge won’t be available for the Azkals until the first round of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in June.
The goalkeeper played eight games for the Azkals in 2010 and was instrumental in their run to the semifinals of the Suzuki Cup in Vietnam and Indonesia.
“It kills me (to miss the Myanmar games) but I have to take this chance,” Etheridge told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an e-mail Tuesday night. “It’s massive at my age. This is the kind of move that I have been waiting for.”
Etheridge believes he will have more playing opportunities at Charlton, which is in the midst of a defensive crisis with its two goalkeepers out with injuries.
Meanwhile, former Azkals coach Simon McMenemy has signed a two-year deal to handle Dong Tam Long An FC in the Vietnamese League.
McMenemy coached the Philippine Team for four months in 2010, and steered Azkals to a maiden semifinal finish in the AFF Suzuki Cup.
/via Inquirer (By Cedelf P. Tupas, 3/9/2011)
The 21-year-old Etheridge, who has already ruled himself out of the second leg of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying duel with Mongolia on March 15, will also miss the group stage qualifying in Myanmar if the Azkals progress.
Although the loan move is only for a month, Etheridge believes he could finish the season with Charlton in League One, which ends May 7. League One doesn’t take a break for international matches unlike the EPL.
That means Etheridge won’t be available for the Azkals until the first round of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in June.
The goalkeeper played eight games for the Azkals in 2010 and was instrumental in their run to the semifinals of the Suzuki Cup in Vietnam and Indonesia.
“It kills me (to miss the Myanmar games) but I have to take this chance,” Etheridge told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an e-mail Tuesday night. “It’s massive at my age. This is the kind of move that I have been waiting for.”
Etheridge believes he will have more playing opportunities at Charlton, which is in the midst of a defensive crisis with its two goalkeepers out with injuries.
Meanwhile, former Azkals coach Simon McMenemy has signed a two-year deal to handle Dong Tam Long An FC in the Vietnamese League.
McMenemy coached the Philippine Team for four months in 2010, and steered Azkals to a maiden semifinal finish in the AFF Suzuki Cup.
/via Inquirer (By Cedelf P. Tupas, 3/9/2011)
Azkals not affected by 7.2 quake in Japan
THE Philippine Azkals were not affected by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck 160 kilometers east of the main Honshu island of Japan yesterday, according to a report on the team’s Facebook page.
"A member of the Azkal coaching staff has confirmed the team was not affected by the recent earthquake in Japan," wrote the administrator of the page, referring to the team currently training in Gotemba City at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
The Filipino booters have been in Japan since Monday under the auspices of the Japan Football Association for the final phase of their buildup for the return march of their Asian Challenge Cup series against Mongolia on March 15 in Ulan Bator.
They beat the Blue Wolves 2-0 in the opener of the series last Feb. 9 at the Panaad Sports Complex in Bacolod City and need only a draw to advance to the group stage in Myanmar starting on March 21.
Messages posted by some players on the social networking site Tweeter showed the players were not affected by the jolt.
"Time to get some shuteye. First practice game tomorrow..first time to play a Jap team! Go Pilipinas!" co-captain Aly Borromeo tweeted.
"Quick tweet before taking a nap... HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! Haha, love that word! "Wonderful wonderful wonderful" (Movie Trivia: who says it?)" defender Anton del Rosario wrote in a separate tweet.
While his teammates were coping with the bone-chilling Japanese weather, regular goalie Neil Etheridge was loaned by his club, Fulham, to injury-hit second division squad Charlton Athletic.
"The 21-year-old Enfield-born Philippine international will go straight into the Addicks squad for Tuesday night’s trip to Milton Keynes," the BBC news website reported last Tuesday.
/via Malaya (by BONG PEDRALVEZ, 3/10/2011)
"A member of the Azkal coaching staff has confirmed the team was not affected by the recent earthquake in Japan," wrote the administrator of the page, referring to the team currently training in Gotemba City at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
The Filipino booters have been in Japan since Monday under the auspices of the Japan Football Association for the final phase of their buildup for the return march of their Asian Challenge Cup series against Mongolia on March 15 in Ulan Bator.
They beat the Blue Wolves 2-0 in the opener of the series last Feb. 9 at the Panaad Sports Complex in Bacolod City and need only a draw to advance to the group stage in Myanmar starting on March 21.
Messages posted by some players on the social networking site Tweeter showed the players were not affected by the jolt.
"Time to get some shuteye. First practice game tomorrow..first time to play a Jap team! Go Pilipinas!" co-captain Aly Borromeo tweeted.
"Quick tweet before taking a nap... HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! Haha, love that word! "Wonderful wonderful wonderful" (Movie Trivia: who says it?)" defender Anton del Rosario wrote in a separate tweet.
While his teammates were coping with the bone-chilling Japanese weather, regular goalie Neil Etheridge was loaned by his club, Fulham, to injury-hit second division squad Charlton Athletic.
"The 21-year-old Enfield-born Philippine international will go straight into the Addicks squad for Tuesday night’s trip to Milton Keynes," the BBC news website reported last Tuesday.
/via Malaya (by BONG PEDRALVEZ, 3/10/2011)
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
UK's Fulham loans Etheridge to Charlton club
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who plays for UK’s Fulham, was loaned to Charlton Athletic Football Club.
Etheridge confirmed the report on his official Twitter account.
“Signed on loan to Charlton,” he said.
He will be playing for Charlton for a month.
Charlton, also known as "The Addicks," is one of the clubs in England’s Football League, the oldest of all competitions in world football.
Etheridge is one of the well known Filipino-British players who suited up for the Azkals.
He, however, won’t be able to join the Azkals in the Challenge Cup qualifier versus Mongolia on March 15 because of his duties to Fulham.
Eduard Sacapaño will be taking his place in the upcoming game, which will take place in Ulan Bator.
/via abs-cbn
Monday, March 7, 2011
New recruits to boost Azkals
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| The Azkals, honored with the Presidential Achievement Award, pose with Philippine Sportswriters Association president Teddyvic Melendres (center) during the PSA Annual Awards Night Saturday at the Manila Hotel. |
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta Jr. and national team manager Dan Palami broke the news during an interview at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night in the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel last Saturday. They confirmed that three recruits will reinforce the Azkals in the group stage of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup in Yangon, Myanmar, on March 21, 23 and 25, assuming the Philippines dumps Mongolia in their qualifying series.
The recruits are led by Spanish-born Angel Aldeguer Guirado, a Fil-Spanish striker who has played for the Spanish Division III team Deportivo Ronda in Malaga. He cuts an imposing figure on the pitch because of his 6-2 frame. Guirado, 26, is a first cousin of Caloy Garcia, Rain Or Shine assistant coach in the PBA. His mother Angela Aldeguer is the sister of Garcia’s mother Gloria and father Juan is Spanish. The Garcias trace their roots to Ilagan, Isabela. Guirado has worked out with the Azkals but is not eligible to play in the Azkals’ second leg match against Mongolia in Ulan Bator on March 15 because he’s not in the lineup submitted to the AFC.
“Angel was in Manila five years ago,” said Garcia’s mother Gloria. “He will leave for Spain tomorrow and rejoin the team in Myanmar. It’s a pity he can’t play in Mongolia because his name was not included. The coach (Michael Weiss) is happy with him.”
Guirado, who speaks only Spanish, now has a Philippine passport. In Spain, the mother’s maiden name is used by children to follow the father’s surname so that the Azkals’ latest recruit is known as Angel Guirado-Aldeguer or Angel Guirado y Aldeguer. It’s the same in Cuba where former Philippine boxing coach Raul Fernandez is known as Raul Fernandez-Liranza or Raul Fernandez y Liranza as his mother’s maiden name is Liranza.
Araneta said possible future recruits are the Toronto-born De Guzman brothers, whose father Bobby is Filipino and mother Pauline is Jamaican. Midfielder Jonathan, 23, is now playing for Spanish La Liga club Real Mallorca after a stint in the Dutch league. Older brother Julian, 29, used to play for the Spanish club Deportivo La Coruna and now suits up in the Canadian league. The De Guzmans, however, have indicated no interest to play for the Philippines so far. Julian has played for the Canadian national team. FIFA allows players to switch national teams provided they are able to show legitimate passports.
The two other Azkal recruits are Fil-German Stefan Schrock and Fil-Danish Jerry Lucena. Schrock, 24, plays for the German Division II club Greuther Furth. His mother is Filipina and father, German. Lucena, 30, was born in Esbjerg, Denmark, to a Filipino father and a Danish mother. He plays for the Danish Division I club AGF Aarhus.
Schrock showed up at the PSA Awards Night walking with crutches. He’s in town to apply for his Filipino passport.
Also at the PSA Awards Night were goalkeeper Neil Etheridge’s parents Martin and Merlinda Dula of Concepcion, Tarlac. Etheridge was not permitted to take a leave from his English club Fulham to play in Ulan Bator. His parents are in town for a two-week holiday.
The Philippines will advance to the group stage in Myanmar if it beats Mongolia in their qualifying two-game series on an aggregate goal basis. Awaiting the Philippines-Mongolia winner in Group A are host Myanmar, Bangladesh and Palestine. The top two finishers in Group A will join the top two placers in three other groups to play in the eight-team Challenge Cup finals where the winner qualifies to compete in the AFC Asian Cup.
/via Philippine Star (by Joaquin Henson, March 07, 2011)
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Fierce as an Azkal
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| Cover photo by Jun Mendoza. On the cover: Chieffy Caligdong celebrates with his teammates after he scored the country’s first goal against Mongolia. |
MANILA, Philippines - Basketball and boxing... these are the two sports Filipinos are obsessed with. Even as the rest of the world was riveted by last year’s World Cup matches, interest in the country was sporadic, and perhaps a good part of that was because of Paul the prophetic octopus.
But one football match changed all that.
 |
| Phil Younghusband tries to get the ball through a wall of Mongolian players (above). The Azkals are looking to repeat their victory on March 15 in Mongolia. |
The Philippine Azkals were making a name for themselves, but were still under the radar when they faced Vietnam for the qualifying match at the Suzuki Cup in Vietnam last Dec. 4. Unexpectedly, they were the underdogs but when they pulled off an upset and won the match 2-0, football suddenly figured in the national consciousness, the team became overnight sensations, the new darlings of Philippine sports. Their win has been called one of the biggest upsets in football history, since the Azkals, ranked 151st in the world, blanked out defending champion Vietnam in the Suzuki Cup in Hanoi. The team even made it to Sports Illustrated magazine, their stunning upset picked as #10 in the magazine’s Top 10 football stories of the year. When the team played against Mongolia last Feb. 9, supporters trooped to the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod and wildly cheered them on to a 2-0 victory.
Of course it helps that the team is a good-looking bunch, and many of them could easily pass for commercial models and movie stars. But fortunately, their performance on the turf gives reason enough for the adulation.
Team manager Dan Palami says that he’s not surprised by the attention the team has been getting, but it’s not over until they hurdle the next game set in Mongolia on March 15.
“It’s not surprising but very overwhelming and right now you could see everything on the Internet. I know some were trying to get tickets to fly over to Bacolod to watch the game. But to see it on the web and to see the warm bodies are two different things and when you see these people cheering for you, it only happened to the team in Bacolod so far,” Palami says.
“It’s gratifying to see people of different ages, genders, geographical areas of residence and different political affiliations and to see them all – we suddenly realized that it’s not just a cliché that football is a unifying sport,” he adds.
While the Azkals have brought football to center stage due to their recent victories, Palami has long been sure that there were fans of the game in the country.
 |
| Goalie Neil Etheridge keeps the Mongolians scoreless. Photos by Jun Mendoza/STAR |
“I always knew there were a lot of football supporters in the Philippines even before the game in Vietnam. The only difference I think was that years before, there were no reasons for them to come out and celebrate. They were hiding behind the anonymity because there wasn’t anything to celebrate,” he says.
All this has changed since winning the match in Bacolod and Palami says they are taking the attention in stride and know that they must prove it’s not just an overnight thing. “We’re quite appreciative of what’s happening. We’re a work in progress and we need to sustain the interest because some say its temporary, a flash in the pan. We need to keep getting good results in international games,” Palami admits. Their goal right now is to make the team not only a powerhouse in Southeast Asia but in the whole of Asia.
The Azkals – a play on the colloquialism for mongrel, askal or asong kalye – have a total of 37 players on the roster, 23 of whom will be going to Mongolia. Several of the players belong to teams in the European and Asian circuits, but suit up for the Philippine national team. Goalie Neil Etheridge, whose father is British and whose mother hails from Tarlac, is a goalie of Fulham in England. The popular Younghusband siblings Phil and James, also Fil-Brits, used to play for Chelsea. Left winger Chieffy Caligdong, who scored the first goal against Mongolia in Bacolod, is with the Philippine Air Force and plays for its team.
 |
| The Azkals show off their winning form against the Mongolian team in Bacolod. |
While the team is composed of Filipinos and those with Filipino blood, Palami says the difference lies in the training, especially those who played in football clubs abroad. But the coaching staff and foreign players who played with the team are very impressed with the Filipino players. “Given the chance and had they had the training, they would be playing in the elite teams,” Palami says, referring to the English Premier and Spanish League.
Team captain Aly Borromeo believes that the local players play a big role in the matches. “The core of the team, the local players, pretty much the chemistry is there,” he says.
With the Azkals in the thick of preparation for the game in Mongolia, Palami admits that one major concern that they have is the climate.
“It’s the one factor that we have yet to be tested. The reason why we’re very concerned with it is because we’ve seen the players of Mongolia play, we’ve seen the conditions, we could dominate the game. But I don’t think any of the players have any chance to play the game at subzero temperature. Until they are on the pitch and I see them play, that’s the only time I can relax,” he says.
And while many fans have pinned their hopes on the team to bring the county finally into the World Cup, Palami says they are flattered and are hoping for that one day.
“We’re just in our infancy and the rest of Southeast Asia and Asia have been into the sport with a full program for a long time already. That’s what we need, a long-term program to make sure that we are ready for the next level. It’s our dream to be there (World Cup) but we know wishing to be there and getting there are two different things and we really need to work hard to make sure that we are ready.”
The popularity of the Azkals is not only confined to the Philippines but has spread to other countries as well. Many of the players – among them the Younghusband brothers and team captain Aly Borromeo – have been offered to play in Asian football clubs, which Palami says is an advantage for them. “It’s good for the team. We’re assured that the clubs in Indonesia or anywhere will take on the responsibility of training them, make the investments, and their salaries will give them the financial returns and ensure they are on a competitive level.”
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| After one of the biggest upsets in football history, the Philippine team celebrates their victory over defending champion Vietnam |
Now that football is gaining popularity in the country, Palami says that the team is even more determined to succeed. “The team has for a long time been trashed, the whipping boys in a match. But now that they’ve tasted what it’s like when they win, I think that’s what’s going to motivate them. This adulation, the screaming fans, is a result of their hard work. I don’t think they would let go of that, but will work harder to make sure the campaigns they join would be successful.”
Basketball and boxing may still be the national obsessions, but Palami says football is a sport that Filipinos can definitely sink their teeth into next. So has the time of Philippine football come? “It’s dawning. It’s not yet the peak. We’re still far from saying we are successful but we have to start somewhere – and this is a start.”
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| STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte (center) welcomes Phil. Football Federation president Nonong Araneta (left) and chairman Johnny Romualdez (right), Azkals team manager Dan Palami (second from left) and players Aly Borromeo, Roel Gener, Nestor Margarse, and Ricardo Bacite when the team visited The STAR recently. Joey Mendoza/STAR |
/via Philippine Star (by Alexa Villano, Mar-6-2011)
Azkals’ Sacapano ready for Mongolia match
PHILIPPINE Football Team-Azkals second goalie and Bago City-native Eduard Sacapano is up to the challenge to take full responsibility to defend the Azkals’ goal against Mongolia Blue Wolves in the upcoming 2012 AFC-Challenge Cup second leg scheduled on March 15, 2011 at Ulan Bator in Mongolia.
Sacapano was thrust into the role after national team goal keeper Neil Etheridge, who was the goalkeeper in the first match against Mongolia, confirmed that he will not be playing in the second game because of prior commitments to Fulham Football Club (FC), now ranked 13th in the English Premier League.
With 10 days to go before the much-awaited Azkals-Blue Wolves match, the nationals are taking lots of adjustments to adapt to the game plan which includes the change of goalkeeper.
“I am so excited for this chance to play in the second leg. Coach Hans Michael Weiss is adding some keepers’ trainings and putting me in different challenges during practices,” Sacapano told Sun.Star-Bacolod.
“He (Weiss) worked so hard to put me in good shape for the upcoming match,” he added.
On the other hand, Weiss, in a national paper, expressed confidence on Sacapano following his good performance in several tune-up games of the Azkals.
Meanwhile, the Azkals, after undergoing high-altitude training in Baguio City last week, continue their preparation at the International School in Taguig City, Metro Manila to familiarize themselves with the artificial pitch similar to the one in Ulan Bator.
On Monday, the team will fly to Fukushima, Japan for the continuation of their adjustment training for five days before flying to Ulan Bator. The Japanese Football Association has also arranged tune up matches for the Azkals on those days.
Sacapano was thrust into the role after national team goal keeper Neil Etheridge, who was the goalkeeper in the first match against Mongolia, confirmed that he will not be playing in the second game because of prior commitments to Fulham Football Club (FC), now ranked 13th in the English Premier League.
With 10 days to go before the much-awaited Azkals-Blue Wolves match, the nationals are taking lots of adjustments to adapt to the game plan which includes the change of goalkeeper.
“I am so excited for this chance to play in the second leg. Coach Hans Michael Weiss is adding some keepers’ trainings and putting me in different challenges during practices,” Sacapano told Sun.Star-Bacolod.
“He (Weiss) worked so hard to put me in good shape for the upcoming match,” he added.
On the other hand, Weiss, in a national paper, expressed confidence on Sacapano following his good performance in several tune-up games of the Azkals.
Meanwhile, the Azkals, after undergoing high-altitude training in Baguio City last week, continue their preparation at the International School in Taguig City, Metro Manila to familiarize themselves with the artificial pitch similar to the one in Ulan Bator.
On Monday, the team will fly to Fukushima, Japan for the continuation of their adjustment training for five days before flying to Ulan Bator. The Japanese Football Association has also arranged tune up matches for the Azkals on those days.
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