Philippine Azkals: A Heartbreaking yet Inspiring Loss

Angel Guirado Aldeguer hugs a crying Misagh Bahadoran after their loss to Kuwait on 28 July 2011. (interaksyon.com)

It's finally over. Their dream to reach the 2014 World Cup has finally come to a heartbreaking but inspiring end.


After a 5-1 aggregate in favour of Kuwait, all hopes broke down as the Philippine National Football Team or the Philippine Azkals bowed down to Middle East superpower the Kuwait Al-Azraq for the home leg of 2nd round of the World Cup 2014 qualifiers. Although a glimmer of hope was lit as German 2nd Division Bundesliga midfielder Stephan Shroeck striked a 25-yard goal at the last minute of the 1st half, it was backfired by goals by Yousef Naser and Waleed Jumah on the 2nd half.

Indeed, it was not yet their time.

How heartbreaking their loss be, the cheering Filipino audience at the Rizal Memorial Stadium never stopped chanting "Azkals! Azkals!" in support of their national team, together with a standing ovation. It was nevertheless a proof of the Azkals winning Filipino hearts and bringing their consciousness to football.

Over the web at that moment, the hashtag #azkalswebelieve trended worldwide on the social microblogging site Twitter. Messages of support, sympathy, and affection poured in from all walks of life in the social web. No wonder Filipinos have this much support that can shake the world by storm. Other nationalities might wonder who they are, what teams they have battled with, and the challenges they have gone through if this continues.

This is just the beginning of marking football as one of the sports in which the Filipino can shine and unite. From their outstanding win in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, to this inspiring loss in the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers, these fixtures have struck the consciousness of every Pinoy who believed in them. Who knows what goes ahead of them.

For now, the Azkals will focus on the following competitions:

  • AFC Challenge Cup
  • AFF Suzuki Cup
  • Long Teng Cup
  • The 1st ever Manila Beer Cup invitational games
...and the list goes on.

The Philippine National Football Team have gone a long way. This was the first World Cup qualifier they participated in eight decades. Maybe in the future editions of the World Cup we would finally see them play in the finals.

It's not yet now. It will be on God's own time.


Tuloy ang laban! We believe!

Cheers,
KENNETH

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