Notes: an entry so long overdue but definitely not late!
“ Azkals made a remarkable feat by popularizing football in the Philippines.”—@hotmanila
Next to basketball, football is now gaining more attention from many Filipinos worldwide, sports enthusiast or just an ordinary vendor along sidewalks.
Football is the most popular sport in the world. Some famous names in this arena are David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas —- names that even a three year old kid knows. But who would ever thought that names like Aly Boromeo, Neil Etheridge, James Younghusband, Phil Younghusband, Rob Gier, Stephan Schrock, Chieffy Caligdong, Anton Del Rosario, Simon Greatwich, Jason Sabio, Ian Araneta, Roel Gener, Ray Johnsson and more from the Philippines National Football Team or simply known as the PHILIPPINE AZKALS could make a name internationally! Not as popular as Beckham, Casillas and Ronaldo, but definitely in international level!
I was never a fan of football since birth. I just learn to love the sports when I got to know a college friend who plays football. Honestly, I find the game a bit boring. I don’t know why. Maybe because, I fell in love first with basketball. But, not until I got my first ever experience of watching football live.
I told myself, “Wow! This sport is now starting to get me curious.”It made me feel the excitement and the frustrations all at the same time. It was really a different experience watching it live than watching it on the on the couch in front of the big screen. Since then, I already become a follower and a fan.
Yet, thinking that it could be popular in the Philippines is too far as a dream made into reality. I never thought that it could be possible. Why? Because, One, Philippines is known to be a basketball country. No one seems to be interested with football, except for those who learn to love it since their birth suits age. Two, some, if not all, Filipinos thought it was only a game for the elite. Well, it was an opinion of some people I asked before.
I can still remember my first glimpsed of a live SEAG football game way back in year 2006. It was also my first sighting of the very famous striker, Phil Younghusband! The team is playing against Brunei at the Panaad Sports Stadium here in Bacolod City.
The stadium at that time is NOT filled with screaming fans! I can actually count how many were there watching. Most of those are football lovers. Some are players of their respected colleges and high schools. Few are just by standers who happen to be in that place at that time.
And after five years, another international event, a qualifying match of the Philippines against Mongolia for the AFC Challenge Cup, was held in this stadium. What amazed me most is that once an almost empty stadium 5 years ago WAS FILLED with eager, a thousand folds, screaming fans.
It was then a phenomenal breakthrough for football in the Philippines. Months later, it was experienced again not just once but twice, when football fans paraded to Rizal Stadium to watch the qualifying match for the World Cup 2014 of the Philippines against Sri Lanka and Kuwait. Rain or shine, these fans filled the stadium with pride and hope for our national football team.
WE BELIEVE! It was everybody’s shout outs, even those fans that can’t be there in the stadium and just opt to watch the game in front of their televisions. Social networks were filled with shout out like this. And when the game was started, everyone simply stopped whatever they were doing just to witnessed the battle of our football heroes inside the pitch.
I, myself, was touch with these remarkable support my fellow kababayans showed to the national football team. Even in the Philippine Azkals’ home away games, the love and support is very much visible. Filipinos overseas and back home supported them all the way.
Win or lose, we, Filipinos, all over the world screams at the top of our lungs because we are proud of our national football team, whether be it on a stadium, pubs or just in front of the television. Who would not, if these football heroes we got here give us reasons to be proud of our own race. They fight for our own pride, for the country, for the Filipino race in one color and in one flag.
“Soccer (football) is now a real thing to Filipinos.”—-Raymund Miranda
To be known globally, is just a dream of all Filipino football aficionados many years ago. But, PFF or the Philippine Football Federation, the guardian of football in the country did a great job in making that dream into reality when the Philippine Azkals reached the second round of the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait last July 28, 2011.
Though they failed to be qualified for the next stage, they still proved to the world that Philippine football team is not that easy to beat —- that we got reasons to fight and win it and we are not just the underdogs.
Strong defense and aggressive and intellectual players inside the pitch makes it hard for our every opponent to beat us. Philippine Azkals gave them the challenge. Plus a very dependable goal keeper in the name of Neil Etheridge, a magical striker in the person of Chieffy Caligdog and brave, gravity defying stands of our defenders, Aly Boromeo, Rob Giers, Anton del Rosario And the rest of the team members.
“ Through bruises, cuts and broken bones, game in and game out, the Philippine Azkals have evolved into a mean fighting unit known for its toughness, resilience and a never say-die attitude that has endeared them to the Filipino sports faithful.” —- Cedelf P. Tupas, sports.inquirer.net, “Azkals Shines through Pain
What happens back then is a very disappointing moment for the players as well as for the hopeful fans. But, then again, the team definitely gave a very excellent effort and did fight until the end of the 90 minutes. Looking at the bigger picture, they’ve done a very good job and they already gone a long way since their humble beginning.
“ Malayo na ang narating natin, “ according to one sports analyst I badly forgotten his name.
As a football follower and a die-hard fan, I share same sentiments with Coach Michael Weiss. The Philippine team has a bright future in football arena. We might not be qualified for the World Cup 2014, there still World Cup 2018. Who knows, fate might intervene.
Our national team got lots of potential. Given the time, motivation, support and enough training, WE CAN BE A POWERHOUSE IN ASIA WHEN IT COMES TO FOOTBALL!
“WE ARE JUST STARTING, “words came out from the mouth of EL CAPITAN, ALY BOROMEO in one interview.
The battle is just starting for the national football team of the country. And I hope, we, the supporters and a true football fan by heart and soul will continue believing for them. Someday, somehow, the success we all are aiming for will be ours.
KEEPING IN FAITH, RHEA FERL E. JEMINA—- A true football fan learned by heart..
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