By Benjamin Pimentel - PDI
It’s highly unlikely that the Philippines can make it to a World Cup football tournament anytime soon.
But Japan’s stunning victory over the United States in the women’s World Cup final has made my cousin Butchie Impelido believe even more that, while it may take years, maybe decades, the Filipino women’s team has what it takes to shine.
Forget the Azkals for now. Time to meet their counterpart in women’s football, the Malditas.
They don’t get as much attention as the men’s team. But they’re steadily, slowly getting stronger as a team, Butchie says.
My cousin would know. He’s an official U.S. scout and recruiter for the Malditas. And he’s been involved with the team for years.
Not only that. His two daughters—my nieces Angeline and Patrice Impelido—are members of the Malditas.
Like the Azkals, the Malditas have tried to tap the talents of foreign-born Filipinos.
In fact, Butchie’s interest in the women’s team began about six years ago after watching a Philippine game featuring Filipino American player from the University of Virginia.
He got in touch with the Philippine team’s coach and told him about Angeline, a star college player at Northern Illinois University. The coach asked for a video, and after watching Angeline play, asked Butchie to bring her to Manila for a tryout.
At first, Butchie says, Angeline wasn’t that thrilled about the idea.
“I don’t know anybody on that team,” she said, he recalled.
Father and daughter argued about it. But they eventually went to Manila, and Angeline ended up playing several games in Southeast Asia.
After six weeks on the road, they were on a plane headed back to Chicago. By then, Butchie recalled, Angeline had become excited about the idea of playing for his parents’ homeland. His daughter, he said, told him, “Thanks Dad for doing these. I learned a lot.”
And she felt so honored to represent the Philippines, he said, she even enrolled in Tagalog courses at Northern Illinois University.
Later that year, Angeline saw action for the Philippines during the Southeast Asian Games. Playing with her was her kid sister, Patrice.
They had never played on the same team before, which made the tournament special. “It was a great away to represent my country,” Patrice told me. “The team was very nice and very accepting.”
A highlight of the tournament was when the Filipino women beat Indonesia 2-0. Angeline scored the first goal. Another FilAm, Mariko Alley, scored the other.
The Malditas still have a long way to go, Butchie says.
But the growing interest, highlighted by the popularity of the Azkals, has helped attract more support.
“I’m glad football is starting to get popular,” Patrice says, although she notes that “the guys are getting a lot of the attention.”
The Azkals are clearly enjoying, even cashing in on their celebrity. The Malditas have kept a low profile, even as they prepare for their next international encounters.
Butchie says he thinks the women’s team has a stronger chance of becoming competitive at the highest levels of football eventually.
But it’s going to be a long haul. It takes years, decades to get stronger, better.
His own daughters are proof of that. Angeline and Patrice have been playing since they were little girls. Football has been part of their lives for years. For Angeline, now a coach, it has even become a career.
But Butchie says Japan’s triumph highlights a key fact about football—and why Filipinos can excel in the game. Unlike in other sports, size, particularly height, is not a decisive a factor.
“Balewala ang height. Height does not matter,” he says.
Referring to the star U.S. player Abby Wambach, who scored a crucial goal in the Japan game, he says, “Even if they had all Wambachs on the team, it didn’t matter.”
And he adds, “In terms of physical ability, pareho lang tayo ng Japan,” noting how in physical terms, Filipino women players share many similarities with the Japanese.
But two things stood out in the game. The Japanese were very technically skilled, he said. And they appeared to be mentally tougher than the Americans.
“They were composed. They were not rattled. They were very patient. They were very confident.”
Patrice herself watched the championship game with amazement. “Man, they beat the U.S. fair and square.”
And these are traits the Filipino women players can eventually also develop through more exposure and more experience. Patrice echoes his dad’s views, “Over time, we’ll do well.”
Their name has yet to become a household word like “Azkals.” In fact, there has even been some disagreement over the name. Butchie said there were those who didn’t like the negative connotation of ‘maldita.’
But the name has stuck. After all, Butchie explains, ‘maldita’ can also mean feisty and tenacious. “Laban ‘yan, Hindi bumibigay. They’ll keep on fighting. They won’t give up.”
In fact, the team’s Facebook page celebrates that fighting spirit with the slogan: “We kick balls!”
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Azkals yield to Bahrainis again
by Peter Atencio - Manila Standard Today
THE Philippine Azkals lost to the Bahrain national under-23 team, 1-3, in a friendly match before more than 12,000 fans at the Muharraq Club stadium Monday evening in Arad, Bahrain.
Despite the loss, national team manager Dan Palami said the game gave the Azkals added experience and a glimpse of how football is played in the Middle East.
“It is our first time in this part of the world. We didn’t know what to expect, but after a few days here, I’d like to say this was one of the better organized camps that we’ve had,” said Palami in an interview with the Gulf Daily News of Bahrain.
It was the Azkals’ second loss to the Bahrainis. Last Saturday, the Azkals put up a brave stand before at least 5,000 overseas Filipino workers from the gulf, but still lost, 1-2, to the same squad at the national stadium in Riffa.
The Filipino fans were back in full force on Sunday, but the Bahrainis proved their superiority by scoring three goals within an eight-minute stretch in the first half.
The Gulf News report indicated that substitute Ahmed Juma’a opened Bahrain’s assault in the 36h minute with a brilliant header off a corner kick.
Juma’a’s kick went past the Philippine defense and sent the ball into the net past Azkals’ goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano, who took the place of an absent Neil Etheridge.
Hisham Mansoor then added to the hosts’ advantage five minutes left. Unguarded at the right edge of the box, Mansoor rifled in a blast into the top-right corner of the net.
Then, it was the Azkals’ turn to score in the closing minute of the first half, with co-captain Emelio Caligdong heading home off a Manuel Ott cross.
Caligdong came in from the left side, where he sent the ball over the head of Bahrain goalkeeper Ashraf Al Sebaie and into the right of goal.
Sayed Dhiya Saeed sank the last goal for Bahrain after receiving the ball just outside the 18-yard box, after rounding past a charging Sacapano.
THE Philippine Azkals lost to the Bahrain national under-23 team, 1-3, in a friendly match before more than 12,000 fans at the Muharraq Club stadium Monday evening in Arad, Bahrain.
Despite the loss, national team manager Dan Palami said the game gave the Azkals added experience and a glimpse of how football is played in the Middle East.
“It is our first time in this part of the world. We didn’t know what to expect, but after a few days here, I’d like to say this was one of the better organized camps that we’ve had,” said Palami in an interview with the Gulf Daily News of Bahrain.
It was the Azkals’ second loss to the Bahrainis. Last Saturday, the Azkals put up a brave stand before at least 5,000 overseas Filipino workers from the gulf, but still lost, 1-2, to the same squad at the national stadium in Riffa.
The Filipino fans were back in full force on Sunday, but the Bahrainis proved their superiority by scoring three goals within an eight-minute stretch in the first half.
The Gulf News report indicated that substitute Ahmed Juma’a opened Bahrain’s assault in the 36h minute with a brilliant header off a corner kick.
Juma’a’s kick went past the Philippine defense and sent the ball into the net past Azkals’ goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano, who took the place of an absent Neil Etheridge.
Hisham Mansoor then added to the hosts’ advantage five minutes left. Unguarded at the right edge of the box, Mansoor rifled in a blast into the top-right corner of the net.
Then, it was the Azkals’ turn to score in the closing minute of the first half, with co-captain Emelio Caligdong heading home off a Manuel Ott cross.
Caligdong came in from the left side, where he sent the ball over the head of Bahrain goalkeeper Ashraf Al Sebaie and into the right of goal.
Sayed Dhiya Saeed sank the last goal for Bahrain after receiving the ball just outside the 18-yard box, after rounding past a charging Sacapano.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Azkal Mulders might not play against Kuwait
By MAV C. GONZALES -GMA News
Fil-Dutch Paul Mulders might not see action in the Azkals’ match against Kuwait at the end of the month due to a leg infection.
The attacking midfielder suffered an open wound on his left leg after a sliding tackle in Sri Lanka.
“Footballers can’t heal wounds right away because the legs always get stretched," he said via Skype interview Sunday, adding he trained with his club ADO Den Haag last Monday.
Mulders’ condition worsened on Tuesday.
“I already had fever. I woke up and my knee was really big and infected. It was almost as big as my thigh," he said.
“Apparently, bacteria got inside the wound and it spread out."
He was admitted to the emergency room on Saturday to undergo a procedure that would remove the infection.
“Everything’s out now but I’m still taking antibiotics," he said.
Since he is still recuperating, Mulders missed his club’s away match against FK Tauras-Lithuania in the UEFA Europa League. If he does not get completely healed in time, he would also miss the home leg against the Tauras and the Azkals’ World Cup qualifiers against Kuwait.
“I am still in touch with the coach (Michael Weiss) and Sir Dan Palami. If I’m well enough, then I would play for the national team," he said.
“Some of my teammates also emailed me, saying they needed me in the team so I better get well soon. It was really touching that they took time to do that," he ended.
Mulders was a significant force for the Azkals on the midfield during their matches against Sri Lanka.
The Azkals would next face Kuwait in the away leg on July 23. The home leg would be held at the Rizal Football Stadium on July 28.
Fil-Dutch Paul Mulders might not see action in the Azkals’ match against Kuwait at the end of the month due to a leg infection.
The attacking midfielder suffered an open wound on his left leg after a sliding tackle in Sri Lanka.
“Footballers can’t heal wounds right away because the legs always get stretched," he said via Skype interview Sunday, adding he trained with his club ADO Den Haag last Monday.
Mulders’ condition worsened on Tuesday.
“I already had fever. I woke up and my knee was really big and infected. It was almost as big as my thigh," he said.
“Apparently, bacteria got inside the wound and it spread out."
He was admitted to the emergency room on Saturday to undergo a procedure that would remove the infection.
“Everything’s out now but I’m still taking antibiotics," he said.
Since he is still recuperating, Mulders missed his club’s away match against FK Tauras-Lithuania in the UEFA Europa League. If he does not get completely healed in time, he would also miss the home leg against the Tauras and the Azkals’ World Cup qualifiers against Kuwait.
“I am still in touch with the coach (Michael Weiss) and Sir Dan Palami. If I’m well enough, then I would play for the national team," he said.
“Some of my teammates also emailed me, saying they needed me in the team so I better get well soon. It was really touching that they took time to do that," he ended.
Mulders was a significant force for the Azkals on the midfield during their matches against Sri Lanka.
The Azkals would next face Kuwait in the away leg on July 23. The home leg would be held at the Rizal Football Stadium on July 28.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
PHL Azkals 1, Bahrain 2 in first tune-up match
Earl Victor Rosero/ LBG, GMA News
Emelio "Chieffy" Caligdong shot a goal versus Bahrain's two in the first tune-up game of the men's national football team with the host country's Under-23 Olympic contingent.
"Operating on the left flank, Caligdong unleashed a rocket from nearly 30 yards out that flew into the top-left corner of goal. Bahraini goalkeeper Eyad Nasser Salem had no chance of stopping the well-hit shot, and the Filipino fans erupted in celebration," the Gulf Daily News reported Sunday.
Filipina-Bahraini Zoei Al-Shaikh as Dimples_426 also tweeted the match results from the grandstand of the Bahrain National Stadium in the city of Riffa southwest of the capital, Manama.
Caligdong, an Airman in the Philippine Air Force, scored the goal in the first half of the match.
"We were missing a couple of players here and there, but big credit to our guys who overcame their fatigue and the heat tonight," coach Michael Weiss said after the match as reported by the Gulf Daily News
The next tune-up game will be on July 19 at another venue, the football stadium in the town of Arad on Muharraq Island. Kick-off will be at 12:30am PHL time (7pm in Bahrain).
Bahrain's U-23 team is preparing for the Asian qualifying round of the 2012 London Olympics while the Philippine Azkals are getting ready to meet Kuwait in Round 2 of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers early morning of July 24.
The Azkals meet Kuwait a second time on home turf on July 28.
Bleachers tickets for that match released Saturday morning were sold out less than an hour after it went on sale via Ticketworld.
Emelio "Chieffy" Caligdong shot a goal versus Bahrain's two in the first tune-up game of the men's national football team with the host country's Under-23 Olympic contingent.
"Operating on the left flank, Caligdong unleashed a rocket from nearly 30 yards out that flew into the top-left corner of goal. Bahraini goalkeeper Eyad Nasser Salem had no chance of stopping the well-hit shot, and the Filipino fans erupted in celebration," the Gulf Daily News reported Sunday.
Filipina-Bahraini Zoei Al-Shaikh as Dimples_426 also tweeted the match results from the grandstand of the Bahrain National Stadium in the city of Riffa southwest of the capital, Manama.
Caligdong, an Airman in the Philippine Air Force, scored the goal in the first half of the match.
"We were missing a couple of players here and there, but big credit to our guys who overcame their fatigue and the heat tonight," coach Michael Weiss said after the match as reported by the Gulf Daily News
The next tune-up game will be on July 19 at another venue, the football stadium in the town of Arad on Muharraq Island. Kick-off will be at 12:30am PHL time (7pm in Bahrain).
Bahrain's U-23 team is preparing for the Asian qualifying round of the 2012 London Olympics while the Philippine Azkals are getting ready to meet Kuwait in Round 2 of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers early morning of July 24.
The Azkals meet Kuwait a second time on home turf on July 28.
Bleachers tickets for that match released Saturday morning were sold out less than an hour after it went on sale via Ticketworld.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Azkals’ non-Filipino surnames surprise Kuwait football official
By Ronnie Nathanielsz - Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA—The names of some of the stars on the Philippine Azkals football team have surprised the Kuwaitis, who will play the Azkals in the opening match of their home-and-away series in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers at the Mohammad Al-Hammad Stadium in Hawally on July 23.
The media officer of the Kuwait Football Association said they had already received the lineup of the Philippine team but indicated “we’re surprised that most of them have non-Filipino surnames and most of them don’t need a visa to Kuwait.”
However, the official said everything is in place and Kuwait was “ready to welcome the Philippine Azkals.”
Al-Mehteb, the media officer, told the Arab Times the Kuwait National Team has been undergoing rigorous training in preparation for the match with the Azkals. The team had a training camp in Lebanon from June 27 to July 7 where it played two friendly matches against Lebanon on July 2 and Oman on July 6. The Kuwaitis beat the Lebanese, 6-0, in a match that ended in an ugly brawl and forced the military to enter the field and fire warning shots into the air.
The Kuwait team, ranked No. 102 by Fifa, 57 spots above the Philippines, is now in Amman, Jordan, to compete in a friendly tournament with the national squads of Saudia Arabia, Iraq and Jordan.
The second game of the Kuwaiti-Azkals showdown will be played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on July 28.
The Kuwait National Team, a 10-time Gulf Cup of Nations Champion made it to the World Cup in 1982 and achieved its highest ranking of No. 24 in December 1998.
Al-Mehteb added that the team is now in Amman, Jordan, where they will take part in a friendly tournament with the national teams of Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Jordan in preparation for the match against the Philippine team. “They are expected to be back in Kuwait on July 18.”
Filipinos in Kuwait are making arrangements to give the Azkals a warm welcome while the Philippine Embassy has informed the Kuwait Football Association of its willing-ness to help in efforts to ensure the success of the match.
MANILA—The names of some of the stars on the Philippine Azkals football team have surprised the Kuwaitis, who will play the Azkals in the opening match of their home-and-away series in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers at the Mohammad Al-Hammad Stadium in Hawally on July 23.
The media officer of the Kuwait Football Association said they had already received the lineup of the Philippine team but indicated “we’re surprised that most of them have non-Filipino surnames and most of them don’t need a visa to Kuwait.”
However, the official said everything is in place and Kuwait was “ready to welcome the Philippine Azkals.”
Al-Mehteb, the media officer, told the Arab Times the Kuwait National Team has been undergoing rigorous training in preparation for the match with the Azkals. The team had a training camp in Lebanon from June 27 to July 7 where it played two friendly matches against Lebanon on July 2 and Oman on July 6. The Kuwaitis beat the Lebanese, 6-0, in a match that ended in an ugly brawl and forced the military to enter the field and fire warning shots into the air.
The Kuwait team, ranked No. 102 by Fifa, 57 spots above the Philippines, is now in Amman, Jordan, to compete in a friendly tournament with the national squads of Saudia Arabia, Iraq and Jordan.
The second game of the Kuwaiti-Azkals showdown will be played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on July 28.
The Kuwait National Team, a 10-time Gulf Cup of Nations Champion made it to the World Cup in 1982 and achieved its highest ranking of No. 24 in December 1998.
Al-Mehteb added that the team is now in Amman, Jordan, where they will take part in a friendly tournament with the national teams of Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Jordan in preparation for the match against the Philippine team. “They are expected to be back in Kuwait on July 18.”
Filipinos in Kuwait are making arrangements to give the Azkals a warm welcome while the Philippine Embassy has informed the Kuwait Football Association of its willing-ness to help in efforts to ensure the success of the match.
Friday, July 15, 2011
'Azkals' are set to arrive in Bahrain
By PATRICK SALOMON - The Gulf-Daily News
BROTHERS Phil and James Younghusband will lead the Philippine senior men's national team that is scheduled to arrive in Bahrain tomorrow for the first-ever Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games.
The complete roster of the visiting 27-player Filipino squad, known more popularly as 'the Azkals', was revealed yesterday to the GDN by the organizers. They will be travelling with 12 officials.
'The Azkals' will be playing two friendly matches against Bahrain's under-23 Olympic squad. The first will be on Saturday at the National Stadium in Riffa, followed by the next on Monday at the Muharraq Club stadium in Arad.
Arguably
The Younghusbands, arguably two of the most popular 'Azkals', will be joined in Bahrain by teammates Robert Gier, Manuel Ott, Paul Mulders, Jason De Jong, Simon Greatwich, Emelio Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Jason Sabio, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and skipper Alexander Borromeo, to name a few.
'Azkals' head coach Hans Michael Weiss of Germany will also be with the team.
Creator Marketing Consultancy are organising the Friendship Games, with the approval of the Bahrain Football Association and the Philippine Football Federation. AMA International University Bahrain are the event's major sponsors.
Along with their two friendlies, 'the Azkals' will feature in a practice match on Sunday against AMA's varsity football team. It will be held at the National Stadium, and entrance is free. Tickets for both friendly matches against Bahrain's Olympic squad are now available. They can be purchased at Hot Pot Restaurant, Shawarma Express, Ric's Kountry Kitchen, Borakay, Bahay Kubo, Chuckay, Philippine Friends, Kempura, Kowloon, Lolita's Bakery, Joni's Bakery, Sahari Computer, Electronic World, Zen's Flower, Natasha, Foto Magic, Grand Optics, Nonoo Exchange, Impressions Beauty Salon and Spa, Yum Chow Asian Cuisine, Dabarkads Restaurant, and Fakhrawi Framing. Both games start at 7pm. For further inquiries and ticket reservations, call Rem on 36064822, Chris on 37768683, Rene on 39678323, Edith on 39678313, Nino on 36271121 or Rod on 36598588.
Bahrain's Olympic team will be using the friendly matches to help prepare for their upcoming campaign in the main round of Asian qualifying for next year's London Olympic Games.
Full roster of visiting 'Azkals'
Players: Eduard Sacapa–o, Jose Paolo Pascual, Anton Edward Del Rosario, Alexander Borromeo, Roel Gener, Jason Sabio, Emelio Caligdong, Misagh Bahadoran, James Younghusband, Phil Younghusband, Manuel Ott, Angel Aldeguer, Ian Araneta, Nathaniel George Burkey, Jason De Jong, Yannick Tuason, Simon Greatwich, John Patrick Hinrichsen, Nestorio Margarse Jr, O J Porteria, Neil Etheridge, Robert Gier, Paul Mulders, Ray Jonsson, Jerry Lucena, Dennis Cagara, James Hall. Officials: Dan Palami, Hans Michael Weiss, Edwin Cabalida, Edzel Bracamonte, Patrick Ace Bright, Richard Pacana, Josef Malinay, Walfred Javier, Antonio Peneredondo, Chester Benedict Pelino, Rolando Pinero, Cedelf Tupaz. Friendship Games sponsors: AMA, Ponderosa, Bennigan's, Shawarma Express, Staz, Yum Chow Asian Cuisine, Fakhrawi Frames, Caravan, Nonoo Exchange, Treobiz, Fil-Am Association, McDonald's, Zens Flower, Dabarkads Restaurant, Fitness First, Impression Beauty Salon and Spa, Sahari Computer, Hot Pot Restaurant, Bahay Kubo Restaurant, Houras Consultancy, Chuckay Restaurant, GDN and Abante Middle East.
BROTHERS Phil and James Younghusband will lead the Philippine senior men's national team that is scheduled to arrive in Bahrain tomorrow for the first-ever Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games.
The complete roster of the visiting 27-player Filipino squad, known more popularly as 'the Azkals', was revealed yesterday to the GDN by the organizers. They will be travelling with 12 officials.
'The Azkals' will be playing two friendly matches against Bahrain's under-23 Olympic squad. The first will be on Saturday at the National Stadium in Riffa, followed by the next on Monday at the Muharraq Club stadium in Arad.
Arguably
The Younghusbands, arguably two of the most popular 'Azkals', will be joined in Bahrain by teammates Robert Gier, Manuel Ott, Paul Mulders, Jason De Jong, Simon Greatwich, Emelio Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Jason Sabio, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and skipper Alexander Borromeo, to name a few.
'Azkals' head coach Hans Michael Weiss of Germany will also be with the team.
Creator Marketing Consultancy are organising the Friendship Games, with the approval of the Bahrain Football Association and the Philippine Football Federation. AMA International University Bahrain are the event's major sponsors.
Along with their two friendlies, 'the Azkals' will feature in a practice match on Sunday against AMA's varsity football team. It will be held at the National Stadium, and entrance is free. Tickets for both friendly matches against Bahrain's Olympic squad are now available. They can be purchased at Hot Pot Restaurant, Shawarma Express, Ric's Kountry Kitchen, Borakay, Bahay Kubo, Chuckay, Philippine Friends, Kempura, Kowloon, Lolita's Bakery, Joni's Bakery, Sahari Computer, Electronic World, Zen's Flower, Natasha, Foto Magic, Grand Optics, Nonoo Exchange, Impressions Beauty Salon and Spa, Yum Chow Asian Cuisine, Dabarkads Restaurant, and Fakhrawi Framing. Both games start at 7pm. For further inquiries and ticket reservations, call Rem on 36064822, Chris on 37768683, Rene on 39678323, Edith on 39678313, Nino on 36271121 or Rod on 36598588.
Bahrain's Olympic team will be using the friendly matches to help prepare for their upcoming campaign in the main round of Asian qualifying for next year's London Olympic Games.
Full roster of visiting 'Azkals'
Players: Eduard Sacapa–o, Jose Paolo Pascual, Anton Edward Del Rosario, Alexander Borromeo, Roel Gener, Jason Sabio, Emelio Caligdong, Misagh Bahadoran, James Younghusband, Phil Younghusband, Manuel Ott, Angel Aldeguer, Ian Araneta, Nathaniel George Burkey, Jason De Jong, Yannick Tuason, Simon Greatwich, John Patrick Hinrichsen, Nestorio Margarse Jr, O J Porteria, Neil Etheridge, Robert Gier, Paul Mulders, Ray Jonsson, Jerry Lucena, Dennis Cagara, James Hall. Officials: Dan Palami, Hans Michael Weiss, Edwin Cabalida, Edzel Bracamonte, Patrick Ace Bright, Richard Pacana, Josef Malinay, Walfred Javier, Antonio Peneredondo, Chester Benedict Pelino, Rolando Pinero, Cedelf Tupaz. Friendship Games sponsors: AMA, Ponderosa, Bennigan's, Shawarma Express, Staz, Yum Chow Asian Cuisine, Fakhrawi Frames, Caravan, Nonoo Exchange, Treobiz, Fil-Am Association, McDonald's, Zens Flower, Dabarkads Restaurant, Fitness First, Impression Beauty Salon and Spa, Sahari Computer, Hot Pot Restaurant, Bahay Kubo Restaurant, Houras Consultancy, Chuckay Restaurant, GDN and Abante Middle East.
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