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This past week is what Filipino football fans would call a miracle, as the sport football has taken the spotlight. Amidst the basketball-rabid fans that we have, football is currently sharing the spotlight. Of course, we don't know if this is all just a hype and come next year, everyone will be watching basketball games again. But I have a feeling this will be more than a hype, and that football will slowly come into the Filipino consciousness.
I'm not totally clueless about football (or soccer, for many). My sister was a member of the pioneer football team back in high school, so I have more or less an idea of how it is played (I think her position was a striker, then, if I'm not mistaken). But I'm no expert--I won't be able to tell which is the midfielder or striker from just watching a game. Also, even if I've been reading PE textbooks, which include discussions on rules and regulations of football, I still don't understand the offside rule. It sounds so technical. T_T
But anyway, despite my (little) knowledge of football, I don't watch the games. Even if at the time of the World Cup, some FB friends are posting cheers or videos about the country they're cheering on, I didn't join the hype of the celebrations. We don't have cable, so I have limited means of following what was going on. But I think the reason why I didn't even bother to update myself with WC is because Philippines is not there. It was that simple.
So that's why when Studio 23 aired the crucial match between Philippines-Myanmar, I got instantly hooked in watching the game. Just because it was the Philippine National Football Team (aka the Azkals) that's playing. No other reason.
Neil Etheridge, the Azkals goalkeeper (in white), at the PHL-MYN match
The Philippine National Football Team, the Azkals, in Vietnam before going home
(via Bleacher's Brew by Rick Olivares, the team's media officer)
I'm not totally clueless about football (or soccer, for many). My sister was a member of the pioneer football team back in high school, so I have more or less an idea of how it is played (I think her position was a striker, then, if I'm not mistaken). But I'm no expert--I won't be able to tell which is the midfielder or striker from just watching a game. Also, even if I've been reading PE textbooks, which include discussions on rules and regulations of football, I still don't understand the offside rule. It sounds so technical. T_T
But anyway, despite my (little) knowledge of football, I don't watch the games. Even if at the time of the World Cup, some FB friends are posting cheers or videos about the country they're cheering on, I didn't join the hype of the celebrations. We don't have cable, so I have limited means of following what was going on. But I think the reason why I didn't even bother to update myself with WC is because Philippines is not there. It was that simple.
So that's why when Studio 23 aired the crucial match between Philippines-Myanmar, I got instantly hooked in watching the game. Just because it was the Philippine National Football Team (aka the Azkals) that's playing. No other reason.
Neil Etheridge, the Azkals goalkeeper (in white), at the PHL-MYN match
Oh yeah, Neil Etheridge is another reason. HAHA.
That game came into a draw, but watching the Azkals play their best and defend their posts "like their life depended on it" (an ESPN commentator had said), was incredible. It's easy to cheer on for a team who not only plays well, but is from your country.
I'm a real sucker for underdog stories, so there. The Azkals are dogs, alright, but they're pretty tough ones. They have come a long way and their hard work is paying off. But they are still facing a lot of setbacks now, like being denied of a home game due to lack of a suitable venue. In the AFF Suzuki Cup, the semis are played as a series of home-and-away games, meaning that each team will get a chance to play on their home court and on the opponent's home court. Since the Azkals has entered the semifinals (for the first time in 14 years), they will be playing against Indonesia. This means that ideally, the first leg will be held here, and the second leg will be held in Indonesia.
Unfortunately, the AFF has deemed that there is no stadium here that passed their requirements, therefore, the Azkals' home game will have to take place somewhere else. This greatly disappointed the Azkals, of course, because bringing the semifinals in the Philippines will help in promoting the sport. Lots of people were asking why Panaad Stadium in Bacolod did not pass, when it was used in the SEA Games in 2005. Well, apparently, Panaad does not have the minimum capacity required, and that their lights are not enough to light up a game that should be held at night. Of course, the next question is, why aren't the stadiums improved when the PFF receives funds from international football organizations like FIFA? Well, that's because it's ousted-president-but-reinstated-by-FIFA Mr. Martinez had misappropriated the funds. Obviously, because the Azkals claim that the PFF has not given them a single centavo or even a text or call.
Hay. Politics ruin sports. It sucks. While there is an ongoing petition to still hold the games here, I think AFF's decision is final: both games will be held in Indonesia. Take note that their stadium has 80,000 seat capacity. Imagine those seats being taken up by rapid Indonesian fans. It will be really tough.
We still don't have cable, but hey, I'll be watching the semis on December 16 and root for the Azkals. Woof!
That game came into a draw, but watching the Azkals play their best and defend their posts "like their life depended on it" (an ESPN commentator had said), was incredible. It's easy to cheer on for a team who not only plays well, but is from your country.
I'm a real sucker for underdog stories, so there. The Azkals are dogs, alright, but they're pretty tough ones. They have come a long way and their hard work is paying off. But they are still facing a lot of setbacks now, like being denied of a home game due to lack of a suitable venue. In the AFF Suzuki Cup, the semis are played as a series of home-and-away games, meaning that each team will get a chance to play on their home court and on the opponent's home court. Since the Azkals has entered the semifinals (for the first time in 14 years), they will be playing against Indonesia. This means that ideally, the first leg will be held here, and the second leg will be held in Indonesia.
Unfortunately, the AFF has deemed that there is no stadium here that passed their requirements, therefore, the Azkals' home game will have to take place somewhere else. This greatly disappointed the Azkals, of course, because bringing the semifinals in the Philippines will help in promoting the sport. Lots of people were asking why Panaad Stadium in Bacolod did not pass, when it was used in the SEA Games in 2005. Well, apparently, Panaad does not have the minimum capacity required, and that their lights are not enough to light up a game that should be held at night. Of course, the next question is, why aren't the stadiums improved when the PFF receives funds from international football organizations like FIFA? Well, that's because it's ousted-president-but-reinstated-by-FIFA Mr. Martinez had misappropriated the funds. Obviously, because the Azkals claim that the PFF has not given them a single centavo or even a text or call.
Hay. Politics ruin sports. It sucks. While there is an ongoing petition to still hold the games here, I think AFF's decision is final: both games will be held in Indonesia. Take note that their stadium has 80,000 seat capacity. Imagine those seats being taken up by rapid Indonesian fans. It will be really tough.
We still don't have cable, but hey, I'll be watching the semis on December 16 and root for the Azkals. Woof!
The Philippine National Football Team, the Azkals, in Vietnam before going home
(via Bleacher's Brew by Rick Olivares, the team's media officer)
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