By Cedelf P. Tupas Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA— A friendly match against hastily formed UFL All-Star team turned out to be a cold reality check for the Philippine Azkals.
An injury-time goal by Sudanese striker Izo El-Habbib lifted the All-Stars to a thrilling 4-3 upset over the Azkals on Sunday night in a friendly match played before a crowd of 10,000 at the University of Makati pitch.
The Azkals, after taking the lead through Chieffy Caligdong’s 10th minute opener, needed to muster two equalizing goals until El-Habbib, who plays for Global Smartmatic, struck a thunderous shot from a tight angle to break the nationals’ hearts.
Eric Dagroh, Kaya Cignal’s Ivorian striker, scored twice and Mark Hartmann, the prolific Fil-British attacker for the Loyola Meralco Sparks, added another goal for the UFL All-Stars, who thoroughly exposed gaps on the Azkals defense.
“I’m a little disappointed,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss. “Its an indication that we have to improve. We lost a match that we shouldn’t have lost.”
The Azkals are preparing for the 2014 Fifa World Cup Qualifying first-round home-and-away against Sri Lanka on June 29 and July 3.
Simon Greatwich equalized for the Azkals with a follow up on James Younghusband’s saved header in the 62nd minute, before substitute Ian Araneta tied the match for the last time in the 84th minute by heading home a cross from Caligdong.
Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo and Jason Sabio—paired up at central defense for the first time since the 3-0 win over Bangladesh in the AFC Challenge Cup—committed costly errors that Dagroh was quick to pounce on.
Borromeo was dispossesed by El-Habbib at a dangerous area and Dagroh turned Sabio for a cool finish in the 41st minute, evening the match at 1-1 at halftime.
Hartmann’s curling free kick from just outside the box sailed into the top corner to give UFL a 2-1 lead, after Sabio, hobbled by a shin injury, fouled Sabio.
Another missed clearance by Borromeo handed Dagroh another opening in the 75th minute and the Ivorian made no mistake slotting the ball past Etheridge.
“Some players in the defensive line didn’t have their best day,” Weiss said. “It may sound ridiculous but I think we clearly dominated the match.”
The match, a season-ending showcase of the league, also turned out to be a tribute for retiring national player Yanti Barsales, who captained the Azkals in the first 15 minutes, before he was substituted by newcomer Nathaniel Burkey, a Fil-Am striker.
The Philippine Team that won against then defending champion Malaysia in the Southeast Asian Games in 1991 was also honored at half-time.
Showing posts with label game. Show all posts
Showing posts with label game. Show all posts
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Azkals-Sri Lanka July 3 match tickets sold out
By Earl Victor Rosero GMA NEWS
Some of the reserved bleachers tickets can still go to lucky football fans who want to be at the July 3 2011 World Cup Asian qualifiers match between the Philippine men's national football team or Azkals and Sri Lanka, according to the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) organizing committee Friday.
The fan management committee for the July 3 match said in Facebook posts, fans who are interested in joining the booster squad, nicknamed Kaholeros, may email their names and contact details to kaholeros@yahoo.com. About 200 Kaholeros will have reservations for seats at the white bleachers section.
Tickets for the match were quickly snapped up Friday. Bonnie Ladrido, chairman of the local organizing committee said, "We were caught off-guard. We didn't expect it to happen this fast."
Ladrido explained that the P200 tickets are "practically sold-out" because they had to set aside eight percent of the tickets, roughly 800, for Sri Lanka according to international football rules.
"If some of those Sri Lanka tickets will be freed, they will also be sold to the public," Ladrido said.
As of early Saturday afternoon, some of the pricier P2,000 and P3,000 grandstand tickets can still be had through Ticketworld.
Going, going, gone
The white bleachers tickets were gone within an hour after Ticketworld offered them via its website, at its ticket outlets in a bookstore chain and at other commercial areas. The white bleachers section is directly across the field from the covered grandstand.
Gobbled up next were the P200 tickets and then by mid-afternoon, the grandstand tickets that went for P2,000 and P3,000 were almost all gone.
Ladrido informed GMA News Online late afternoon Friday that "maybe only about 5 to 10 percent of the grandstand tickets are left."
Fans excited about PHL World Cup chances
Some fans, interviewed by GMA News Online while they queued for tickets, gave mixed reactions to the ticket pricing scheme.
Ernest Seña, a 21 year-old former national team junior golfer, said the tickets for the grandstand are "too expensive". He watched the Azkals game in Bacolod last February when all the tickets were priced at a flat rate of P300.
Seña said he had to see the Azkals play again because, "I have been a fan of football, not just the Azkals. This is the first chance since I was born that the Philippines has a chance to advance in the World Cup."
Marie Paat patiently waited in line while the Ticketworld outlet had to reboot its computer terminal as the ticket system coped with the flood of orders. She bought tickets as a birthday gift for her boyfriend, who she says is an Azkals fan.
"I'll be wearing blue because that is what the fans have been asked to wear during the match," Paat said.
Mia Montayre, who participated in a futsal summer camp recently organized by the Ateneo Football League, said the bleachers ticket prices "are fair because they are comparable to the prices for good seats for games of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP)."
Angelo Montibon also lined up for tickets. He plays FIFA on Playstation with some friends. "I'm eager to watch the game live."
PFF explains ticket pricing
In an earlier interview with GMA News Online, Ladrido said they reset to about 13,000 the number of tickets because they "want to avoid overcrowding at the stadium and also avoid over-selling tickets."
Ladrido also said the ticket prices reflect the fact that the PFF is basically shouldering the cost of renovating the stadium facilities "as its contribution to the efforts of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to support all sports in the country." He noted that other athletes and sports organizations also use the stadium.
The organizing committee head also said "Any proceeds left over from the July 3 match will be used to augment the budget for the grassroots, coaching, referee and other programs of the PFF. We also want some funds set aside for if and when lean times come."
Ladrido, who is also PFF treasurer, said the PFF "expects to receive about $300,000 to $500,000 this year from FIFA but $150,000 of that is earmarked for the grassroots program, coach development and training of referees."
The rest of the FIFA assistance will be for the acquisition of sports equipment and subsidies for the seven national teams to help them prepare for local and international competitions.
Stadium renovations
Preparatory work and clean-up of the Rizal stadium bleachers began Friday while the dismantling of the grandstand seats began early this week. "Work will also begin soon on the dressing room, media room and other facilities to make them meet specification of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Meanwhile, organizers said football fans will get to meet the "booster squad" at the Azkals' friendly game with an all-star selection of the LBC United Football League on June 5 at the University of Makati. That Sunday football match is a fundraiser organized by Azkals Team Manager Dan Palami and the UFL. Game tickets go for P100 each. - JVP, GMA News
Some of the reserved bleachers tickets can still go to lucky football fans who want to be at the July 3 2011 World Cup Asian qualifiers match between the Philippine men's national football team or Azkals and Sri Lanka, according to the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) organizing committee Friday.
The fan management committee for the July 3 match said in Facebook posts, fans who are interested in joining the booster squad, nicknamed Kaholeros, may email their names and contact details to kaholeros@yahoo.com. About 200 Kaholeros will have reservations for seats at the white bleachers section.
Tickets for the match were quickly snapped up Friday. Bonnie Ladrido, chairman of the local organizing committee said, "We were caught off-guard. We didn't expect it to happen this fast."
Ladrido explained that the P200 tickets are "practically sold-out" because they had to set aside eight percent of the tickets, roughly 800, for Sri Lanka according to international football rules.
"If some of those Sri Lanka tickets will be freed, they will also be sold to the public," Ladrido said.
As of early Saturday afternoon, some of the pricier P2,000 and P3,000 grandstand tickets can still be had through Ticketworld.
Going, going, gone
The white bleachers tickets were gone within an hour after Ticketworld offered them via its website, at its ticket outlets in a bookstore chain and at other commercial areas. The white bleachers section is directly across the field from the covered grandstand.
Gobbled up next were the P200 tickets and then by mid-afternoon, the grandstand tickets that went for P2,000 and P3,000 were almost all gone.
Ladrido informed GMA News Online late afternoon Friday that "maybe only about 5 to 10 percent of the grandstand tickets are left."
Fans excited about PHL World Cup chances
Some fans, interviewed by GMA News Online while they queued for tickets, gave mixed reactions to the ticket pricing scheme.
Ernest Seña, a 21 year-old former national team junior golfer, said the tickets for the grandstand are "too expensive". He watched the Azkals game in Bacolod last February when all the tickets were priced at a flat rate of P300.
Seña said he had to see the Azkals play again because, "I have been a fan of football, not just the Azkals. This is the first chance since I was born that the Philippines has a chance to advance in the World Cup."
Marie Paat patiently waited in line while the Ticketworld outlet had to reboot its computer terminal as the ticket system coped with the flood of orders. She bought tickets as a birthday gift for her boyfriend, who she says is an Azkals fan.
"I'll be wearing blue because that is what the fans have been asked to wear during the match," Paat said.
Mia Montayre, who participated in a futsal summer camp recently organized by the Ateneo Football League, said the bleachers ticket prices "are fair because they are comparable to the prices for good seats for games of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP)."
Angelo Montibon also lined up for tickets. He plays FIFA on Playstation with some friends. "I'm eager to watch the game live."
PFF explains ticket pricing
In an earlier interview with GMA News Online, Ladrido said they reset to about 13,000 the number of tickets because they "want to avoid overcrowding at the stadium and also avoid over-selling tickets."
Ladrido also said the ticket prices reflect the fact that the PFF is basically shouldering the cost of renovating the stadium facilities "as its contribution to the efforts of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to support all sports in the country." He noted that other athletes and sports organizations also use the stadium.
The organizing committee head also said "Any proceeds left over from the July 3 match will be used to augment the budget for the grassroots, coaching, referee and other programs of the PFF. We also want some funds set aside for if and when lean times come."
Ladrido, who is also PFF treasurer, said the PFF "expects to receive about $300,000 to $500,000 this year from FIFA but $150,000 of that is earmarked for the grassroots program, coach development and training of referees."
The rest of the FIFA assistance will be for the acquisition of sports equipment and subsidies for the seven national teams to help them prepare for local and international competitions.
Stadium renovations
Preparatory work and clean-up of the Rizal stadium bleachers began Friday while the dismantling of the grandstand seats began early this week. "Work will also begin soon on the dressing room, media room and other facilities to make them meet specification of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Meanwhile, organizers said football fans will get to meet the "booster squad" at the Azkals' friendly game with an all-star selection of the LBC United Football League on June 5 at the University of Makati. That Sunday football match is a fundraiser organized by Azkals Team Manager Dan Palami and the UFL. Game tickets go for P100 each. - JVP, GMA News
Monday, May 30, 2011
Hirsohi bags men’s open title in Nat’l Interclub Football Cup
By Mars G. Alison - Cebu Daily News - INQ
The Hiroshi Football Club (FC) survived a penalty shootout against Waterfresh Queen City United (QCU), 4-3, to become the new champions in the men’s open of the Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC) 11th National Interclub Football Cup yesterday at the University of San Carlos – Technological Center (USC-TC).
Last year’s men’s open champion Doraemon did not return to defend its title. Some of its players, however, played in different teams.
QCU led the shootout with Yuki Kimura and Masahiko Ayagi finding the back of the net on their attempts.
Hiroshi, on the other hand, faltered on its second try. After Delan Christian Uy scored, Rommel Cortes’ attempt was saved by QCU’s Alex Buanghug.
QCU’s third goal from Ariel Cahilig proved to be the team’s last as Rene Menchavez’s attempt went wide and former Azkals Arnie Pasinabo’s try hit the post.
However, both teams were not able to score in the extension thus the penalty shootout which was heartily cheered on by the Azkals who arrived to watch the game and award the winners.
In contrast, Hiroshi warmed up after Junard Aguilar slotted in his goal, as both John Michael Flores and Harold Buot wrapped up the win for Hiroshi. The regulation ended at 1-all with QCU scoring the first goal.
Hiroshi was able to force a 20-minute extension after team captain Voltaire Montebon scored on a direct kick, which resulted from a pushing foul in the dying minutes of the second half.
Montebon was named most valuable player (MVP) in the men’s open with teammates Jpong Campos named as best goalkeeper and Flores as best defender.
The best midfielder honors went to QCU’s Yagi Masahiko while the golden boot went to USC-TC’s Joshua Fegidero, also a former Azkals.
In the boys 17-Under, the Abellana National School (ANS) Pomeroy reclaimed the crown it lost last year by routing USC-TC, 6-2.
special awards
Special awards in the division went to ANS’ Miguel Caindec as MVP; ANS’ Kerth Ryan Aranguez as best midfielder; ANS’ Joeford Dolino as best defender and Ateneo de Cebu’s (AdC) Patrick Snare as best goalie. The golden boot went to ANS’ Jake Ricaplaza.
Sharing the stage with the Azkals in the girls 17-Under category were Aroroy FC’s Diane Jazul as MVP; USC-TC’s Jessa Cuizon as best goalkeeper, Gale Colina as best defender, Elsie Juezan as best midfielder while Gale Colina brought home the golden boot.
In the boys 12-Under, named MVP was Los Amigos’ Shanden Vergara, who also got the golden boot; best midfielder was Springdale FC’s Ryan James Haosen; best defender was AdC’s Leo Maquiling and best goalkeeper was Gabriel Villacin also of Springdale FC.
In the players 10, MVP honors went to Roland Mattsen of AdC. He was also named as the best midfielder. Golden boot went to Vince Kristi Colina of the San Roque Royal United (SRRU); best defender went to AdC’s Thimoti Lopez while best goalie was QCU’s Philip Anthony Fernandez.
The 40 above finals between Hiroshi and San Roque did not push through due to some disagreements on who will officiate the match.
The Azkals arrived at the USC-TC field in the second half of the men’s open finals. They stopped for a few minutes for picture taking and autograph signing before going up the makeshift stage to award the winners.
The Hiroshi Football Club (FC) survived a penalty shootout against Waterfresh Queen City United (QCU), 4-3, to become the new champions in the men’s open of the Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC) 11th National Interclub Football Cup yesterday at the University of San Carlos – Technological Center (USC-TC).
Last year’s men’s open champion Doraemon did not return to defend its title. Some of its players, however, played in different teams.
QCU led the shootout with Yuki Kimura and Masahiko Ayagi finding the back of the net on their attempts.
Hiroshi, on the other hand, faltered on its second try. After Delan Christian Uy scored, Rommel Cortes’ attempt was saved by QCU’s Alex Buanghug.
QCU’s third goal from Ariel Cahilig proved to be the team’s last as Rene Menchavez’s attempt went wide and former Azkals Arnie Pasinabo’s try hit the post.
However, both teams were not able to score in the extension thus the penalty shootout which was heartily cheered on by the Azkals who arrived to watch the game and award the winners.
In contrast, Hiroshi warmed up after Junard Aguilar slotted in his goal, as both John Michael Flores and Harold Buot wrapped up the win for Hiroshi. The regulation ended at 1-all with QCU scoring the first goal.
Hiroshi was able to force a 20-minute extension after team captain Voltaire Montebon scored on a direct kick, which resulted from a pushing foul in the dying minutes of the second half.
Montebon was named most valuable player (MVP) in the men’s open with teammates Jpong Campos named as best goalkeeper and Flores as best defender.
The best midfielder honors went to QCU’s Yagi Masahiko while the golden boot went to USC-TC’s Joshua Fegidero, also a former Azkals.
In the boys 17-Under, the Abellana National School (ANS) Pomeroy reclaimed the crown it lost last year by routing USC-TC, 6-2.
special awards
Special awards in the division went to ANS’ Miguel Caindec as MVP; ANS’ Kerth Ryan Aranguez as best midfielder; ANS’ Joeford Dolino as best defender and Ateneo de Cebu’s (AdC) Patrick Snare as best goalie. The golden boot went to ANS’ Jake Ricaplaza.
Sharing the stage with the Azkals in the girls 17-Under category were Aroroy FC’s Diane Jazul as MVP; USC-TC’s Jessa Cuizon as best goalkeeper, Gale Colina as best defender, Elsie Juezan as best midfielder while Gale Colina brought home the golden boot.
In the boys 12-Under, named MVP was Los Amigos’ Shanden Vergara, who also got the golden boot; best midfielder was Springdale FC’s Ryan James Haosen; best defender was AdC’s Leo Maquiling and best goalkeeper was Gabriel Villacin also of Springdale FC.
In the players 10, MVP honors went to Roland Mattsen of AdC. He was also named as the best midfielder. Golden boot went to Vince Kristi Colina of the San Roque Royal United (SRRU); best defender went to AdC’s Thimoti Lopez while best goalie was QCU’s Philip Anthony Fernandez.
The 40 above finals between Hiroshi and San Roque did not push through due to some disagreements on who will officiate the match.
The Azkals arrived at the USC-TC field in the second half of the men’s open finals. They stopped for a few minutes for picture taking and autograph signing before going up the makeshift stage to award the winners.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Little Azkals meet big brothers in one-on-one clinic
CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON Cebu Daily News (INQ)
MEMBERS of the Philippine Under 13 (RP U13) training pool tagged as the “Little Azkals” will meet the Azkals today in a one-on-one clinic organized by the Cebu Football Association (CFA) for boys 12 under at the Aboitiz Sportsfield in Subangdaku Mandaue City.
CFA president Richard Montayre said meeting the Azkals would serve as an inspirational send-off for the Little Azkals who will leave for Malaysia on Monday for the AFC U13 Festival of Football on June 1 to 7.
Prior to their meeting with the Azkals, the Little Azkals will undergo a one-hour training. They will then give way to the participants of the free clinic which will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, Montayre said the CFA has taken over the management of the Little Azkals after DRBSports withdrew its support to the team which is undergoing a training camp at the Don Bosco Boys Home in Liloan, Cebu.
Montayre in his capacity as head of the grassroots and youth development committee of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has also assumed as the team’s manager.
The team’s training costs around P600,000 with a P150,000 subsidy from the PFF.
The team’s uniform and shoes will be provided by Mizuno as part of Mizuno’s contract with the PFF while the AFC is allocating $5,000 in airfare subsidy.
MEMBERS of the Philippine Under 13 (RP U13) training pool tagged as the “Little Azkals” will meet the Azkals today in a one-on-one clinic organized by the Cebu Football Association (CFA) for boys 12 under at the Aboitiz Sportsfield in Subangdaku Mandaue City.
CFA president Richard Montayre said meeting the Azkals would serve as an inspirational send-off for the Little Azkals who will leave for Malaysia on Monday for the AFC U13 Festival of Football on June 1 to 7.
Prior to their meeting with the Azkals, the Little Azkals will undergo a one-hour training. They will then give way to the participants of the free clinic which will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, Montayre said the CFA has taken over the management of the Little Azkals after DRBSports withdrew its support to the team which is undergoing a training camp at the Don Bosco Boys Home in Liloan, Cebu.
Montayre in his capacity as head of the grassroots and youth development committee of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has also assumed as the team’s manager.
The team’s training costs around P600,000 with a P150,000 subsidy from the PFF.
The team’s uniform and shoes will be provided by Mizuno as part of Mizuno’s contract with the PFF while the AFC is allocating $5,000 in airfare subsidy.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Azkals’ match in Rizal Memorial stadium to be a full-blown fan experience
Mav C. Gonzales and Earl Victor Rosero GMA News
Didn’t fully enjoy the Azkals’ game in Pana-ad? Didn’t get to go to Bacolod at all? Just watched the match on television or Youtube?
Fret no more because the upcoming World Cup qualifiers match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium is bound to be a great experience for the fans.
The Philippine Football Federation wants to "create an atmosphere where the people will enjoy being there" at the home leg of the Azkals versus Sri Lanka series.
According to Bonnie Ladrido, chairman of the local organizing committee for the World Cup Qualifiers, the PFF will try to make fan shirts available so expect a sea of either blue or white across the newly-renovated stadium.
But more than the shirts and the comfier seats, what the fans should really watch for is the “booster squad" which will lead the crowd in cheering the Azkals on.
Memories and lessons of Panaad
“I was at the game in Panaad last February. The fans felt a little lost when it came to cheering for the team. Fan support for the Azkals is pretty much young, so the cheers could really be worked on," said football fan Joes Santos.
“But I really hope they don't use the theme song from Pinoy Big Brother again. It was as cheesy as it was annoying," Santos remarked.
The Fan Management Committee led by Richard “Ebong" Joson – the guy with the face paint and blue wig during the Panaad game – will put together the booster squad. It will be made up of about 50 people who will create organized cheers for the Azkals.
"Due to time constraints we are keeping our targets modest. I will be forming a booster squad that will be positioned en mass strategically at the bleachers section to lead the cheering and chanting," said Joson via a Facebook message.
Through some Facebook fan pages devoted to the Azkals, fans have been urged to bring empty 5-gallon, hard plastic water containers with flat bottoms. The idea is to use these large bottles to create sounds that will echo all over the Rizal stadium. Surprises are in the works, according to the fan page administrators.
The enthusiasm was definitely there in Bacolod. It just so happened that not everyone there may have understood how the game worked so there was room for improvement in the fan participation department.
“Well the crowd [mentality] at Panaad, just like the rebirth of Philippine football, is still in its infancy, gaining that atmosphere in stadiums all over the world," said hardcore football fan Quico Muñoz.
He said that hopefully, the crowd will refrain from using basketball cheers which they are accustomed to. The fans gathered at Panaad shouted “defense" whenever Mongolia had the ball.
Great expectations
Munoz suggests that the booster squad use Filipinized traditional football chants and songs.
“In my opinion we shouldn't use the moniker ‘Azkals’ in our cheers. Traditionally the name of the country is the one used," he added.
And the chanting is not just for the spectators. The players actually look forward to these cheers too.
“Sobrang saya at sobrang init ng pagtanggap ng mga fans sa amin and nakakatulong talaga siya sa aming mga players. Sobrang saya ko talaga na nakalaro ako sa harap ng libu-libong fans sa Panaad," said Azkal Ian Araneta.
While some may consider Panaad the home of Philippine football, Ian believes that they will get the same warm reception now that the game will be played in the heart of Metro Manila.
“Sa Rizal, sa tingin ko dudumugin din ng tao ang game namin ngayon pa na unti-unti na minamahal ng mga Pilipino ang football. Basta ang laban namin sa July 3 sa Rizal ay laban na rin nating lahat," he said.
The Azkals pledged to play their hearts out and behind them, there is going to be a huge crowd screaming at the top of their lungs.
Didn’t fully enjoy the Azkals’ game in Pana-ad? Didn’t get to go to Bacolod at all? Just watched the match on television or Youtube?
Fret no more because the upcoming World Cup qualifiers match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium is bound to be a great experience for the fans.
The Philippine Football Federation wants to "create an atmosphere where the people will enjoy being there" at the home leg of the Azkals versus Sri Lanka series.
According to Bonnie Ladrido, chairman of the local organizing committee for the World Cup Qualifiers, the PFF will try to make fan shirts available so expect a sea of either blue or white across the newly-renovated stadium.
But more than the shirts and the comfier seats, what the fans should really watch for is the “booster squad" which will lead the crowd in cheering the Azkals on.
Memories and lessons of Panaad
“I was at the game in Panaad last February. The fans felt a little lost when it came to cheering for the team. Fan support for the Azkals is pretty much young, so the cheers could really be worked on," said football fan Joes Santos.
“But I really hope they don't use the theme song from Pinoy Big Brother again. It was as cheesy as it was annoying," Santos remarked.
The Fan Management Committee led by Richard “Ebong" Joson – the guy with the face paint and blue wig during the Panaad game – will put together the booster squad. It will be made up of about 50 people who will create organized cheers for the Azkals.
"Due to time constraints we are keeping our targets modest. I will be forming a booster squad that will be positioned en mass strategically at the bleachers section to lead the cheering and chanting," said Joson via a Facebook message.
Through some Facebook fan pages devoted to the Azkals, fans have been urged to bring empty 5-gallon, hard plastic water containers with flat bottoms. The idea is to use these large bottles to create sounds that will echo all over the Rizal stadium. Surprises are in the works, according to the fan page administrators.
The enthusiasm was definitely there in Bacolod. It just so happened that not everyone there may have understood how the game worked so there was room for improvement in the fan participation department.
“Well the crowd [mentality] at Panaad, just like the rebirth of Philippine football, is still in its infancy, gaining that atmosphere in stadiums all over the world," said hardcore football fan Quico Muñoz.
He said that hopefully, the crowd will refrain from using basketball cheers which they are accustomed to. The fans gathered at Panaad shouted “defense" whenever Mongolia had the ball.
Great expectations
Munoz suggests that the booster squad use Filipinized traditional football chants and songs.
“In my opinion we shouldn't use the moniker ‘Azkals’ in our cheers. Traditionally the name of the country is the one used," he added.
And the chanting is not just for the spectators. The players actually look forward to these cheers too.
“Sobrang saya at sobrang init ng pagtanggap ng mga fans sa amin and nakakatulong talaga siya sa aming mga players. Sobrang saya ko talaga na nakalaro ako sa harap ng libu-libong fans sa Panaad," said Azkal Ian Araneta.
While some may consider Panaad the home of Philippine football, Ian believes that they will get the same warm reception now that the game will be played in the heart of Metro Manila.
“Sa Rizal, sa tingin ko dudumugin din ng tao ang game namin ngayon pa na unti-unti na minamahal ng mga Pilipino ang football. Basta ang laban namin sa July 3 sa Rizal ay laban na rin nating lahat," he said.
The Azkals pledged to play their hearts out and behind them, there is going to be a huge crowd screaming at the top of their lungs.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Azkals settle for draw in friendly vs CPU booters
By Cedelf P. Tupas (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA—Missing several key players, the national football team was held to a 1-1 draw by a Central Philippine University side powered by Koreans in an exhibition game Tuesday at the Barotac Nuevo town plaza.
Azkals midfielder Ricardo Becite made his homecoming memorable with a late strike after Jovanie Simpron opened the scoring for the local side as the national team stepped up its buildup for the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Sri Lanka in June.
The Azkals played without the Younghusband brothers, Phil and James, who were both tied up with commitments in Manila and defender Anton del Rosario, who was discharged from the hospital only Tuesday because of an infection on his thigh.
Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who arrived in Manila last Monday, failed to join the team in Iloilo.
But the 6-foot-3 Filipino-British keeper, who recently inked a two-year extension with English Premiere League team Fulham, will link up with the Azkals in Cebu, where the team started a five-day camp yesterday.
Etheridge’s early arrival is seen as a boost to the squad with second-choice keeper Ed Sacapano still to completely recover from an MCL injury he sustained in training two weeks ago.
Reflecting on his season with Fulham, Etheridge, who was on the team sheet for the entire January, said the experience of being even on the bench in Premiere League matches will come in handy in important games for the Azkals.
“My new contract will only translate to more focus on improving my game,” Etheridge, who kept a clean sheet in the last two games of the AFC Challenge Cup last March, told the Inquirer.
“There is so much pressure on the Sri Lanka game, but I’m confident we will deal with it. We are not at the level that we plan to be at but out progression is far quicker than we expected.”
MANILA—Missing several key players, the national football team was held to a 1-1 draw by a Central Philippine University side powered by Koreans in an exhibition game Tuesday at the Barotac Nuevo town plaza.
Azkals midfielder Ricardo Becite made his homecoming memorable with a late strike after Jovanie Simpron opened the scoring for the local side as the national team stepped up its buildup for the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Sri Lanka in June.
The Azkals played without the Younghusband brothers, Phil and James, who were both tied up with commitments in Manila and defender Anton del Rosario, who was discharged from the hospital only Tuesday because of an infection on his thigh.
Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who arrived in Manila last Monday, failed to join the team in Iloilo.
But the 6-foot-3 Filipino-British keeper, who recently inked a two-year extension with English Premiere League team Fulham, will link up with the Azkals in Cebu, where the team started a five-day camp yesterday.
Etheridge’s early arrival is seen as a boost to the squad with second-choice keeper Ed Sacapano still to completely recover from an MCL injury he sustained in training two weeks ago.
Reflecting on his season with Fulham, Etheridge, who was on the team sheet for the entire January, said the experience of being even on the bench in Premiere League matches will come in handy in important games for the Azkals.
“My new contract will only translate to more focus on improving my game,” Etheridge, who kept a clean sheet in the last two games of the AFC Challenge Cup last March, told the Inquirer.
“There is so much pressure on the Sri Lanka game, but I’m confident we will deal with it. We are not at the level that we plan to be at but out progression is far quicker than we expected.”
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