Nepal Invited To Test Azkals' Mettle

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta Jr. said yesterday Nepal, ranked No. 136 by FIFA, has been invited to play the Azkals in an exhibition match here on Oct. 9 and it will be an early preview of what to expect in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup finals in March.

Nepal is hosting the Challenge Cup finals where seven other countries are playing after a series of qualifiers. The eight teams in the finals are the Philippines, India, Maldives, North Korea, Palestine, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Nepal.

Araneta said a plan for Manila to host a four-team invitational tournament has been scrapped because of conflicts with FIFA schedules. The Philippines, ranked No. 162 by FIFA, is booked to play in the Challenge Cup and the Suzuki Cup next year. The national under-23 squad, coached by Michael Weiss, will compete in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia. The PFF’s contract with Weiss expires in 2013.

Araneta confirmed that the Azkals will participate in the Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung on Sept. 28-Oct. 6. The tournament is traditionally among host Chinese-Taipei, Macau, Hong Kong and the Philippines. But organizers are planning to expand the cast to six with invitations sent out to Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia. Last year, the Philippines posted a 1-1-1 record in the competition, crushing Macau, 5-0, losing to Hong Kong, 4-2, and tying with Chinese-Taipei, 1-1.

Araneta said he expects Fulham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge to fly in for the Kaohsiung tournament. The Azkals will not undergo special training for the Long Teng Cup. However, the under-23 team will set up boot camp in Kuwait or Bahrain or Japan before the SEA Games in Indonesia on Nov. 11-22.

Regarding a training program for the Azkals in Europe, Araneta said he spoke with Sen. Edgardo Angara on the phone three weeks ago about the possibility of arranging a tie-up with a Spanish club. Last year, three officials from Real Madrid were in Manila to explore a working relationship with the PFF through Sen. Angara. It was then agreed that the PFF, still under former president Mari Martinez, would get the ball rolling by formally requesting training assistance from Real Madrid. An eyewitness said the Real Madrid and PFF officials shook hands to indicate a meeting of the minds. The formal letter, however, was never sent. The protocol in such an arrangement involves a triggering letter of request from a national federation and a city-to-city agreement to cement the relationship. Martinez was eventually replaced by Araneta who said he knows nothing about the Real Madrid meeting.

Araneta said he was informed that the Barcelona Football Club is interested to look into the early history of Filipino football star Paulino Alcantara who was born in Iloilo in 1896. Alcantara was the first Filipino ever to play in Europe and made his Barcelona debut at the age of 17. He finished his football career as Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer with 357 goals in 357 matches, a record that remains unmatched and unsurpassed. Alcantara later served as Barcelona club director and Spanish national coach. He died in 1964.

“We were advised that the Spanish consul would like to visit Iloilo sometime next month and find out more about Mr. Alcantara’s beginnings, how he is revered in Iloilo,” said Araneta. “Perhaps, this could be the start of a relationship between Iloilo and Barcelona and between the Azkals and the Barcelona Football Club.”

Sen. Angara recently announced in his twitter account that the Congreso de los Diputados in Spain, headed by Jose Bono Martinez, has issued an institutional declaration affirming close ties between the Philippines and Spain. The Philippines was cited by the Spanish Congress for “unparalleled magnanimity” towards Spanish soldiers during the Siege of Baler in 1898-99. The bond linking both countries is celebrated on Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day every June 30 as decreed by the Philippine government.

As for the Azkals incentives, Araneta revealed that each player received $1,000 after the recent Sri Lanka home-and-away series. Before the home game against Kuwait, the PFF gave the Azkals $500 with the promise of a $1,000 bonus for a win and a $4,000 reward for making it into the third round of the World Cup Asia qualifiers.

Cortal, a major Azkals sponsor, also offered incentives for the home match against Kuwait – P1 Million for every goal in a win and P500,000 for every goal in a loss. As it turned out, the Philippines lost a 2-1 heartbreaker. Because of the Azkals’ lone goal in the defeat, Cortal is committed to pay out P500,000. It’s not certain if the players will get a share of the incentive. Araneta said he is not involved in the commercial aspects of marketing the Azkals and wouldn’t know if the players will receive a share or if Cortal has even paid the bonus. He said team manager Dan Palami, who has registered the Azkals trademark, is in charge of the marketing affairs. As of yesterday, a high-profile Azkals player said he had not received a share of the Cortal incentive and didn’t know if the players would be given by Palami.

Araneta said the PFF grossed over P20 Million in ticket sales for the Sri Lanka and Kuwait matches at the Rizal Memorial. “We were told La Salle spends about P900,000 a year to maintain the pitch and we’re grateful to La Salle for transforming it into a world-class field,” he said. “We’re offering to pay half the maintenance costs as we know La Salle spent over P8 Million to rehabilitate the pitch and we’ll be making extensive use of it. We still have a lot to do in sprucing up Rizal, like cleaning up the restrooms in the gallery section. The unmoving clock on the giant scoreboard is an eyesore and we’ve had to rent two electronic scoreboards for the recent matches. We hope the Philippine Sports Commission will consider replacing the giant clock scoreboard with a digital system.”

By Joaquin Henson

UFL Cup: Global, Kaya Tap Members Of Azkals

MANILA — Bracing for what could be the most competitive season yet in the United Football League, Global FC and Kaya FC have tapped members of the Philippine football team to beef up their roster for the UFL Cup kicking off Oct. 2.

Global, the defending UFL Cup champion, snapped up Fil-Spanish striker Angel Aldeguer Guirado to strengthen its squad that already includes Azkals forward Misagh Bahadoran.

Already formidable with Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo and defender Anton del Rosario in the fold, Kaya FC shored up its defensive line with the acquisition of Jason Sabio and added more attacking teeth by tapping Nate Burkey.

Kaya has also hired former national team mentor Juan Cutillas as head coach.

“The competition will be very strong this season,” said Football Alliance chair Santi Araneta, who also owns Kaya FC.

“We expect better quality and exciting games.”

Araneta said talks with a television network are near completion to pave the way for the UFL games to be aired live for the first time in history.

“This will change the landscape of Philippine football,” said Araneta.

The 26-year-old Guirado has been without a club since last June after his contract with CD Ronda in the Spanish third division expired.

Guirado, who agreed in principle to join the team after meeting with manager Dan Palami, sees playing in the UFL as an opportunity to help raise the profile of the fledgling league, which has been riding high on the success of the Azkals.

“I am happy with the direction of the team that Mr. Palami is putting up,” Guirado said through his cousin and interpreter, Rafa Garcia.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed and Guirado said this was only secondary when he made his decision.

“What’s important is I could help and be able to experience playing in the Philippines,” said Guirado, who has already scored three goals in five matches for the Azkals.

By Cedelf P. Tupas

Palami: Azkals Willing To Play Friendly Vs. Cebu

THE Philippine national football team gears up for another challenge when it faces neighboring countries in the Long Teng Cup at Kaoshiong, Chinese Taipei on Sept. 28 to Oct. 4.

Team manager Dan Palami said the national team will take on the host, Macau and Hong Kong’s under-23 team and possibly Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia after the three nations were invited by the organizers.

Palami said the Azkals lineup will be a mixed selection of senior players and under-23 members depending on the availability of players.

Most of the members of the senior team are on a one-month break and the players are scheduled to gather in the third week of August.

After the Long Teng Cup, the under-23 players will be back in the Philippines to train for the Southeast Asian Games, while the senior team will be bound for the Middle East to play against Gulf countries.

“”We are still arranging the games for the friendly. There still no definite country yet,” said Palami.

Aside from the matches outside the country, the Philippine team is tentatively booked to play a friendly against Nepal on Oct. 9.

There are also negotiations for a friendly game against Pakistan and India.

Palami said that all the friendly games will be played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium since the pitch at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod needs to be improved.

Palami mentioned that his team will be open to playing in an exhibition match with the Cebuano selection team upon invitation of Ricky Ballesteros for friendly game after the rehabilitation of the football field of the Cebu City Sports Center.

“Of course we want to, we’re interested. But there should be a good venue because it’s very different to schedule events if walang venue,” Palami said.

By Cheska D. Geli 

Azkals Eye 3 New Members

THE Philippine Football Federation is looking into the possibility of getting a Fil-French goalkeeper and two Fil-British standouts to play for the Azkals in the future.

Eighteen-year-old Alphonse Areola could someday beef up the aging Azkals’ roster should talks to make him play for flag and country prosper.

The 6’2” Areola currently plays for the Paris St. Germaine Club, a squad which sees action in a first-division league in France.

Areola, who used to be a member of the France’s national under-16 team, is currently PSG’s third-choice goalkeeper.

He is reportedly being groomed to become one of their top goalies and as a part of France’s senior national team as well.

At the moment, Areola is keen on joining the French men’s national squad.

The parents of London-based standouts Aaron de Rama and Jessie Arroyo have also come forward and expressed their children’s interest in seeing action for the national squad.

National team manager Dan Palami, who is leaving for Europe this August, said he is set to reach out to at least six Fil-European prospects.

Azkals’ team member Rob Gier, a Fil-British right back, has informed Palami of the new prospects as the squad’s newly designated scout. Peter Atencio

Busy Azkals aim for berth in Asian Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Once the Philippine Azkals get back into training later this month, the team will have its hands full trying to capture a slot in the AFC Asian Cup, the next big thing after the Fifa World Cup, while attempting to climb in the world rankings.

“Bringing home the AFC Challenge Cup next year, that’s our immediate goal because that will ensure our participation in the Asian Cup in 2015,” Azkals manager Dan Palami said.

The Azkals have qualified to the main draw of the AFC Challenge Cup on March 3-18 in Nepal along with Palestine, India, Turkmenistan, Maldives, Tajikistan, North Korea, and the hosts. Winner of the tournament will earn a ticket to the 2015 Asian Cup where 2011 champion Japan, host Australia, and Korea are seeded.

Palami said the Asian Cup is big for the Azkals, who failed in their recent effort to reach the 2014 Fifa World Cup after losing to powerhouse Kuwait in the second round, 5-1, on goal aggregate.

“It (Asian Cup) is not akin to the World Cup but the hype and excitement will be at level of World Cup also,” he said.

While preparing for the Asian Cup-qualifying Challenge Cup, the Azkals also look to improve on their current 162nd standing in the Fifa world rankings.

“Our intention right now is to play as many international friendlies as possible to improve our FIFA rankings,” Palami said.

For this, the Azkals are arranging friendly matches against India or Pakistan and around three countries in the Gulf region in between their participation in next month’s Long Teng Cup in Chinese Taipei.                                

By Olmin Leyba  

Azkals Manage Sensitivities

Philippine Azkals manager Dan Palami is off, with Brussels, Belgium as the first stop on a working tour of Europe, searching for more football players of Filipino lineage to lure to the national cause. Some of the veteran Fil-foreign players on the Azkals are playing bigger roles with their mother clubs in Europe, and are going to be less available as the seasons wear on. Some of them may not even be released by their pro teams, at all.

When asked how he was going to attract these players, and if the job was easier now with the team’s relative fame, Palami had a standard-issue answer.

“What’s my pitch going to be? It’s going to be the same as it was with guys like Rob Gier, when nobody knew – or cared – about the Azkals,” explained Palami. “It’s a chance to play for flag and country.”

What the general public does not realize (particularly those who have biases against the inclusion of “half-Filipino” players), is that it is often a great financial sacrifice for these young men to come to the Philippines at the cost of jobs with limited slots in the soccer hotbeds in Europe. Some of our players receive $10,000-$20,000 salaries to play professionally in Europe, which is no mere pittance. Yet, many of them have risked their professional careers and taken leaves of absence to suit up for matches wearing the Philippine flag.

Managing sensitivities on the issue of race is also something the Philippine Football Federation is now conscious of. Bear in mind that the huge sums being given as sponsorship money to the Azkals actually go to the coffers of the PFF for grassroots development. With the sport’s development having been “dormant for decades” as Palami says, it will “take four years” or so before we develop another Chieffy Caligdong. In the meantime, the team needs the technology transfer and seasoned talent of Fil-foreign players who are willing to don the flag.

There are a lot of big tournaments awaiting the Azkals, who are also part of the United Football League individually, and to some extent, members of the Under-23 team. The Southeast Asian Games involves the younger Azkals, while the Suzuki Cup and AFC are slated for next year. These major tournaments coincide with breaks in major European leagues, as FIFA avoided the overlap between national and club teams. In the meantime, there are more diamonds in the rough home and away, waiting to be discovered.

THE GAME OF MY LIFE By Bill Velasco 

Azkals Prepare For Hectic Schedule

MANILA, Philippines — In an effort to improve the Philippine football team’s world ranking, team manager Dan Palami said they plan to play four superior teams in friendly matches beginning next month.

The International Football Federation (FIFA) has set aside dates from Sept. 27 to Oct. 11 for international friendly matches, and Palami said they will take advantage of it by playing three senior national teams from the Gulf region before hosting a game against either India or Pakistan at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The Manila game is tentatively set Oct. 11.

“Our intention right now is to play as many friendlies as possible so our rankings can go up,” said Palami who hosted a dinner for the newly-formed Azkals Press Corps on Thursday.

The Azkals are ranked 162nd while India is at 153rd and Pakistan 171st.

Palami said a selection from the Under-23 pool preparing for the Southeast Asian Games in the Indonesia in November will join the Azkals during the friendly matches “so that they will have more international exposures.”

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta Jr. had earlier said the Azkals will be at full strength during these international exhibition matches since Filipino-foreign players will be released by their professional clubs in Europe.

Before the friendly matches, the Azkals, alongside a selection from the SEA Games pool, are set to compete in the Long Teng Cup, a four-nation competition set Sept. 28 to Oct. 4 in Taiwan.

By FRANCIS SANTIAGO

Palami Defends Azkals' Weiss From Critics

MANILA, Philippines – As far as Azkals team manager Dan Palami is concerned, coach Hans Michael Weiss has done a good job in handling the national football team.

“I think I'll give him a passing grade in one sentence,” Palami said in an interview on ANC’s Hardball sports show. He said the German football coach has done a lot in improving the Azkals’ game. “He has introduced a different system,” explained Palami. “Sometimes the players have yet to understand why this has to be so but again we see now how they play.”

Weiss was criticized by some after the Azkals bowed out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

They took particular notice on Weiss’ alleged over-reliance on the Nationals' starting unit.

Palami, however, pointed out that the Azkals’ football skills progressed under the tutelage of Weiss.

“It's more European style rather than the long ball,” he said.

He added that another plus for Weiss is his behavior outside the pitch.

“I don't see him being controversial, he knows how to handle himself,” said Palami.

Meanwhile, the team manager believes local football fans understand that Philippine football is still in its infancy stage.

He saw this after the Philippine team’s recent loss to Kuwait.

“Judging by their response, I mean if they didn't understand, they would have gone off the stadium knowing that 2014 World Cup is over,” said Palami.

“We couldn't help but shed tears, not because we lost, but because the fans were there even after we lost the game,” he added.

Azkals Target Areola Set For PSG Debut

MANILA, Philippines - A fast-rising goalkeeper being eyed by the Philippine Azkals as their next marquee player, could become the first Filipino to see action in the French top flight football.

Alphonse Areola, who was tagged by Azkals manager Dan Palami as one of the team's possible future members, is expected to be named on Paris St. Germain's (PSG) starting XI when they face Lorient in their season-opening home match Saturday.

The 18-year-old, who has Filipino parents, is currently second-choice goalkeeper in the club but was thrust into the spotlight after PSG's new shotstopper, Nicolas Douchez, was injured.

FIFA.com confirmed Friday that Douchez remains sidelined by his ankle injury and is unavailable for the Saturday clash, which will allow the teenager Areola to make his French Ligue 1 debut.

The Clairefontaine-trained Areola had an impressive pre-season with PSG, notching clean sheets in the team's wins over other clubs such Italian side AS Roma (3-0) and Argentinian giants Boca Juniors (3-0).

Although Areola also has played for France's national youth football teams, the 6'2" wonderkid has the choice to play for the Philippine Azkals, as long as he is not yet capped for the French senior team, according to FIFA rules.

Read more: Alphonse Areola: Azkals or Les Bleus?

PSG has offered to extend the youngster's contract to until 2015, even as Areola is allegedly a transfer target for English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

PSG are being tipped as one of the title favorites in the French top league in the coming season.

The club was recently bought by Qatar Sports Investments, which has brought in cash and 7 new players including the 42-million-euro Argentinian playmaker Javier Pastore.

by Jojo Malig

Funding Azkals a Yeoman’s Job

Football, thanks to the Azkals, is fast becoming the country’s obsession, replacing basketball as the Filipinos’ favorite sport.

But in order to preserve football’s emergence as the game best suited for the Filipinos and, at the same time, sustain the newfound popularity of the Azkals, the sport needs the continuous support of both the government and the private sector.

It’s truly a yeoman’s job in seeing the program through.

“TV, print and radio must continue to support football so that the interest will always be there,” said former soccer great Vic Sison, the goalie of the Philippine team that beat powerhouse Japan, 1-0, in Tokyo during the 1954 Asian Games.

On the other hand, the incumbent president of the Philippine Football Federation Mariano “Nonong” Araneta expressed a rosy future for the sport. He said that his group is talking with the Philippine Sports Commission to see how the PFF can oversee the maintenance of the Rizal Memorial pitch.

The 56-year-old Araneta has estimated the cost of maintenance could reach P900, 000 a year.
But the PSC’s allocation from Congress is not enough to spur a nationwide sports development program, including the promotion of football, which entails an enormous budget needed for the upkeep of foreign-raised booters and a coach from Germany, Hans Michael Weiss.

As a result of this dilemma, the PFF is now depending on the private sector for the crucial backup support.
Renowned sports patron Manuel V. Pangilinan, benefactor of the Smart Gilas national basketball team, leads the cash-rich private individuals and firms who are the chief backers of the football team.

In time, the Philippines will rise again and would no longer be the “Sick Man of Asia” in football.

* * *

In the old days, before we became a consumer-oriented community society, children created their own tools, especially for sports. Footballs or soccer balls were made from old rags, with their cover filled with hair gathered from the barber or hairdressers shop. Because these balls totally lacked bounce, naturally ground football was all that was possible.

In poor African and Asian countries, football shoes were out of the question. As these were not available, soccer players wrapped their feet with rags to prevent injuries.

On the other hand, players from highly developed countries are luckier because they can afford to buy such luxuries like football shoes, playing uniforms and appropriate equipment.

It is also worth mentioning here, that the price of one pair of branded football shoes made in the United States or Europe is more than the monthly salary of a worker in Africa or the other least developed countries.

By Manolo R. Iñigo

Azkals Say No To Showbiz

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Azkals strikers Rob Gier, Anton del Rosario, Simon Greatwich, Nate Burkey and Misagh Bahadoran have no interest in joining show business for now.

In an interview by “Showbiz News Ngayon” taped July 30 after they appeared on “Happy Yipee Yehey” and aired Aug. 2, Gier said, “I'm just enjoying and concentrating on being Azkals at the moment.”

Bahadoran echoed Gier’s sentiment by simply saying, “I just wanna be [an] Azkals player.”

For his part, Greatwich reasoned, “I'm really quite shy and stuff so we're just trying to keep it low key.”

The five football players were in the noontime “Happy Yipee Yehey” last Saturday as contestants of the game, “Tanging Hinga Mo.”

Gier, who emerged the winner, described their guest stint as “a fun experience.” According to the “SNN” report, Gier became a worldwide trending topic on the microblogging site Twitter that day.

“I was really enjoyed by ‘Happy Yipee Yehey,’” Bahadoran expressed.

On the other hand, Burkey said, “It was a lot of fun. A bit disappointed with my performance, though, but it was fun!”

After competing against Sri Lanka and Kuwait in their unsuccessful bid at the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, the Azkals are on vacation and will resume training soon for their upcoming matches. In an interview, Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Jr. said that in September, the Azkals would be competing in the four-team Long Teng Cup in Taiwan.

More, in October, the team will participate in the four-nation invitational competition hosted by the PFF and sponsored by Asia Brewery Inc.

Lastly, in November, the Azkals will compete in the men's football competition of the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia.

Thanking their supporters, Greatwich asked them in the same "SNN" interview to “Continue to cheer us on.”

Del Rosario expressed, “Thank you very much for all your support. We wouldn't be here without you guys. Keep on supporting.”

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA

Weiss Stays As Azkals Coach

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine football team manager Dan Palami said German Michael Weiss will stay as coach of the Azkals despite the team’s loss against Kuwait in the World Cup qualifiers last week.

Although he declined to rate Weiss’ performance after Kuwait sent the Filipino booters packing with a 5-1 aggregate win, Palami, also regarded as the Azkals’ godfather, believes Weiss is still the wise choice for the national team.

“It’s very unrealistic to gauge him against a team like Kuwait, but in fact, even as it is (elimination), the stride that we have made in football has been considered short of phenomenon not just in Asia but in the whole world,” Palami said.

Weiss, who left for Germany on Sunday for a 10-day break, replaced British Simon McMenemy six months ago and has two-year contract with the Azkals.

Under Weiss, the Azkals became the first national squad to reach the second round of the qualifiers since 1950. Under his guidance, the team also earned a berth to the AFC Challenge Cup finals next year.

Asked if he sees a longer partnership with Weiss, Palami said: “A long time is a very strong word. But at least I know that what he’s doing is working for us. For as long as we get the results that we want, not in terms of the bottom line scores but in terms of how we play, then I suppose he really has a plop in the team.”

Meanwhile, Palami is not letting up in further improving the lineup. He is set to leave for Europe this month to recruit possible reinforcements for the Azkals.

The national team is seriously considering on tapping French-born Alphonse Areola, a 6-foot-2 goalie who plays for French First Division side Paris St. Germain.

The 18-year-old Areola, whose parents are Filipinos, is seen to be an able replacement for Fil-British keeper Neil Etheridge, who is expected to have limited time with Azkals following his scheduled promotion as main reliever for his club Fulham in the English Premier League.

 By FRANCIS SANTIAGO

Palami: Azkals Need New Blood

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine national football team manager Dan Palami said the Azkals are not getting any younger and will need to replenish their lineup for future competitions.

Palami, who appeared on ANC’s Hardball sports show, cited as an example the Azkals' first defensive unit.

“We have Ray Jonsson, who is about 32; we have Rob Gier, who is 30 years old; we have Aly [Borromeo], 28; and Anton [del Rosario] is 29. So we really need to replenish the back 4,” he said.

Although the team's veterans still have a lot of playing years ahead of them, Palami said the team needs younger footballers who will fill their boots.

More foreign-trained players

He added that while the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is building up the country’s grassroots program, the team management is scouting more overseas-based players who can potentially help the Azkals in future tournaments.

“We are concurrently trying to get the interest of good players outside the Philippines and get them to play for us,” he said.

Palami admitted that it is too early for the Azkals to rely solely on local players.

“In fact when I started managing the team, the first thing I did was to look for locally based players,” he said.

“Unfortunately, our grassroots program had been dormant for a few decades so it will take a while before we get locals. [But] it will probably happen in 4 years,” added Palami.

Among the European-based players reportedly eyed by the team management is Alphonse Areola, an 18-year-old goalkeeper who currently plays for the Paris Saint-Germain football club in France.

by Dennis Gasgonia

So Where Do The PH Azkals Football Really Stand?

Excited Football fans, endlessly thrilled despite that humbling defeat by the Philipine Azkals to Kuwait, are also asking another question. Where do their newfound sports heroes actually stand? Of course, the Azkals deserved all the applause for the gallant battle they waged against powerhouse Kuwait at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last week. But without meaning to dampen enthusiasm, there were other observers here at home who felt the Kuwaitis were not properly appreciated.

***
Why?

For one, there were post-game reports that the gifted Kuwaitis were seen enjoying intimate moments with comely Filipino entertainers at the Sofitel, while the Azkals were deep in final training for that crucial game. Which could only mean that, contrary to earlier reports, the Kuwaitis had never been seriously bothered by the Azkals, which they blanked, 3-0, in their homeground. “Kuwait showed a lot of class last Thursday—they are No. 95 and we are 162nd in the Fifa rankings of July 27,” informed premier national sports statistician Joseph Dumuk, now retired in La Union.

***
That was definitely a demotion, Dumuk said, adding that, it more than showed how far the Philippines has lagged and the Kuwaitis showed how much harder we have to work in order to advance. “To give you an idea,” Dumuk said, “where our neighbors stand: THA 119, SIN 131, INA 137, VIE 144 and MAS 146.” He added that the top teams in Asia are: Japan 16, South Korea 28, Iran 54, People’s Republic of China 73, Qatar, 90, Jordan 91, Saudi Arabia 92.

***

He asked: Can you imagine the resources we need in order to break into the Top 100? Dumuk did not say it, but he definitely felt that it would take more than the current tact of taking in talented foreigners with Filipino lineage to the national squad in order to hit the dream goal. Indeed, the Azkals, with their current worth, have surpassed themselves by firing up football enthusiasm hereabouts. But, as cold-bloodedly demonstrated by the Kuwaitis at the Rizal Memorial field, we need more than the current momentum in order to fully redeveloped football in the Philippines. The Azkals and their great results are, at best, products of a commendable crash program.

***

But you need not be a sports development expert to know that, more than instant popularity, there’s the crying need to honestly upgrade game standards here at home. And this can’t be done by one sector, or one person alone, as in the case of the amiable national team manager Dan Palami. The game against Kuwait clearly showed that while our players were often frantically sprinting, the visitors would just strut, if not stroll, in full control. The Philippines, no doubt, is light years behind Kuwait in the area of native football pedigree. OK, the Azkals will continue to be great in their own right for now. But manager Palami cannot deny how he dreams of one day handling an All-Filipino team that could match dribbling and dancing wits with world-class talents like the homegrown Kuwaitis, home or away, rain or shine.

By Recah Trinidad

Palami Eyes Four-Nation Cup For Azkals

DAN Palami is planning a series of friendly matches for the Philippine national team for its buildup for the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup.

“One of the many key elements for the team is to play as many international friendly matches as possible,” Palami told Sun.Star Cebu.

The country is looking at hosting the Formations Cup this November where they have invited Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

It will be the senior team who will be seeing action as the under-23 squad will be playing in the Southeast Asian Games during that month.

Aside from that, Palami has already gotten in touch with other international football associations, with the help of the Philippine Football Federation, for some home and away friendly matches.

“It will still depend upon the schedule of the international calendar and the availability of players,” said Palami.

Fifa sets aside certain dates in a year for international matches and clubs are required to release their players to play for their national teams.

Palami said there are some countries who have confirmed interest to play with the national squad, like those from the Middle East—where the team had their training camp—and from Southeast Asia.

Aside from scheduling friendlies, Palami said he will leave for a scouting trip in Europe to look for potential members of the senior and U23 squad, while the rest of the players are now back with their clubs.

By Cheska D. Geli

The Azkals are for every Juan

By RENEE A. FOPALAN

At a time when our senses are bombarded by everything Azkals, it may seem easy to forget what they really do. They’re everywhere, endorsing food, shoes, credit cards, mobile phones, and everything else in between. Last Sunday, the Azkals showed us what they are about- what they are really about. Last Sunday, we laid down the foundation towards the road to the World Cup. 

Decisions 

Just when the game started, the rain started to pour. It wasn't a shy drizzle. It poured hard. People were still trying to flood into the coliseum. At the gate, we were all asked to choose: stay here half-dry with our umbrellas or leave our umbrellas and be allowed in. I asked if we could leave our umbrellas outside, and if there is an item depositing system similar to malls. They said no. So if you leave your umbrella, you may never see it again. 

So many Manilenyos got free umbrellas that day

Wet and excited, everyone ran through the rain, giggling, even screaming. At the back of their minds, I knew these people running with me were prepared to miss work or school the next day. I also thought that a paracetamol company should have sponsored this event. We were all soaked in the middle of Manila. Going up the bleachers to see the pitch, we were treated to such a glorious sight. We were reminded what we were all doing it for. As in a society where divisions define, this single game made us all want to be one. 

Bleachers 

The bleachers had a different atmosphere. Anyone with 200 pesos to spare could enjoy the game. There were students, families, messengers, and bums. Women screamed "outside!" when the ball touched the line, while young men basked in the attention of being able to explain what the offside rule is all about. Several had the remnants from last year's World Cup. Vuvuzelas were present, and were used as an accompaniment to the chants. It was a festive experience, something very foreign to the people around me. 

We had nothing in common, and everything at the same time

With the umbrella ban enforced, some people wisely "borrowed" the tarpaulins displayed around to use them in the pouring rain. Whole families used plastic and garbage bags, while some mothers frantically tried to cover their children's heads with anything they could find. 

The rain would have been our ultimate equalizer. But as the giant flag, covering six rows of people, made its way around the bleachers, we realized that it wasn't the rain. It was football. 

Kaholeros 

Football is a very emotional spectator sport. In huge arenas, people are given a lot more liberty to lose themselves. This concept has yet to be adapted by the Filipino football fan. Tens of thousands of people were in the crowd with the Kaholeros. The Kaholeros, all three hundred of them, tapped beats into the their aquadrums- five-gallon water jugs converted to play street music for a team whose name is derived from street dogs. They kept it going, especially in the moments between goals. I look forward to the days when the Filipino football fan starts dancing to the beat of the aquadrum. Even better, I look forward to the Filipino football fan bringing his own aquadrum to the games. But for now, the Kaholeros take the lead, cheering for “halfies" and hometown heroes alike. 

The Kaholeros, the Azkals' official pep squad, led the cheers in the roofless stands where fans were not permitted to bring umbrellas. The seats remained filled even during the first-half downpour.

Chieffy 

One Azkal that emerged as a crowd favorite is Iloilo-native Chieffy Caligdong. The Philippine Air Force winger went down hard in the 69th minute. He was carried out on a stretcher. It was a tense moment in the field, as Filipino fans have grown to know and love the pride of Barotac Nuevo. He came back to the field after three minutes. Everyone got to breathe again. 

In the bleachers, there was a whole section of Chieffy fans. These same fans are the ones who traveled to Panaad Stadium for the AFC Challenge Cup last February, with most of them coming from his hometown. 

At the end of the match, Chieffy joined the other players in giving out Azkals shirts to the fans. A policeman on the pitch asked for one. He wasn't successful. For Chieffy, it was all for the fans. It seems that in the end, he decided to keep one for himself. But one man in the Chieffy section of the bleachers shouted something to him. He came back. He didn't throw the last shirt. He personally handed it to the man who now has a story to tell to his children and grandchildren for a lifetime. 

Chieffy Caligdong has arrived. He seems to have evolved to become a symbol. With the influx of half-Filipinos in our national teams, some local Philippine team aspirants may feel that their chances of getting in may be slimmer. But here's Chieffy, proving to everyone that a locally born and raised athlete can come to play, even score the first goal to give his teammates the confidence to pour it on even more. Chieffy started, and his teammates responded, rewarding us all with a 4-0 win. 

Appreciation 

The boys went around the stadium to thank the crowd. It was a realization of dreams for so many. For the players like Ian Araneta, Aly Borromeo, and Chieffy Caligdong, this is what they have waited for all their lives. They've been playing far too long in dusty fields with sub-par upkeep, and now thousands of people cheer for them in an arena minutes away from home. It is a realization of dreams for the "halfies", too, who spent years playing in foreign lands. Now, they earn their international caps in their mothers’ homeland; now, they are heroes. Finally, it is a realization of dreams for the Filipino. In a time where there are so many things to complain about, we finally have something to cheer for. 

The fans went home soaked that day. They didn't really care. They patiently wait for July 28, when the Azkals will have their home game against Kuwait. Till then, we go on with our lives. We wait. We look forward to another shared Azkals experience because only then do we become one. -- OMG, GMA News