Philippine Azkals: My 5 Cents
Puro pacute lang ang Azkals. Publicity2x eh di naman nag sa stand out. Kawawa naman ung ibang mas deserving at mas magaling na atleta jan. -@greenboyBSEE
I thought to myself this time: Is this skyrocketing fame of the Azkals a publicity stunt, or a beg for action?
While the Azkals' games were breathtaking, I can't help but think that the Azkals have not yet matured enough in terms of teamwork that Pinoys expect of them.
Here are my observations of them so far:
1. Leaderships are meant to be appreciated and emulated. Fil-Am team captain Aly Borromeo (#11 on the above photo) got a yellow penalty card in each of the 2 rounds of the qualifier leg. This made ground for him to be barred from playing at their match against Kuwait on July 23rd. In the first round of the leg, here's a fan commentary at the Azkals.com forums:
He has to define refinement when he gets back in the game. He is a leader after all. (And put our Pambansang Watawat in the right position, will you? It's not World War III yet.)
2. Being too aggressive won't get you around. Goalkeeper and Fulham mainstay Neil Etheridge (#1) is being targeted by critics at local sports forums and mainstream sports media due to him being "too aggressive."
While the Azkals' games were breathtaking, I can't help but think that the Azkals have not yet matured enough in terms of teamwork that Pinoys expect of them.
Here are my observations of them so far:
1. Leaderships are meant to be appreciated and emulated. Fil-Am team captain Aly Borromeo (#11 on the above photo) got a yellow penalty card in each of the 2 rounds of the qualifier leg. This made ground for him to be barred from playing at their match against Kuwait on July 23rd. In the first round of the leg, here's a fan commentary at the Azkals.com forums:
Borromeo's boot was so high that any [referee] with a good look at the challenge would watch in horror holding his red card like a wild west cowboy holds his gun (ready for a quick draw just in case). The light contact was enough to warrant a foul and the very high boot that, by the way, was nowhere near the ball was given a yellow card. Yes the contact was so minimal that it might not even be a foul but the boot was so high that the ref actually saw that minimal contact was enough the contact to stop the dangerous challenge Borromeo just made.Even if the move was short of being a foul, this does not mean that he was careful enough of his actions. At previous games such as the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup qualifier, he almost got booked as well. Are we getting a aggressor of a captain? Are we too complacent or too confident about Aly's actions? Will his absence at the Kuwait game weaken the team's strength?
He has to define refinement when he gets back in the game. He is a leader after all. (And put our Pambansang Watawat in the right position, will you? It's not World War III yet.)
2. Being too aggressive won't get you around. Goalkeeper and Fulham mainstay Neil Etheridge (#1) is being targeted by critics at local sports forums and mainstream sports media due to him being "too aggressive."
The Sri Lankan defender didn't have the pace at all during the match. With the defender's loss of skill and that much yard space in mind, Neil would have had the attacker on his hands face-to-face. But no, he didn't. The attacker had that much yards to outwit him, like an instant penalty shot. The Brave Reds got that damn score of 1 because Neil was too aggressive that he missed out the real point.
Oh, you would tell me, "he should've charged the attacker!" But that's like having your cake and eating it too. It's impossible to resist. Are you willing to get a punishment for that? Are you willing to have a great loss to your team just for the sake of releasing your grunt?
While you're in Britain, young lad, enjoy your time home. Calm down a little. Don't waste your petrol. Keep your hot gas under your bonnet. We know you would do better.
Oh, you would tell me, "he should've charged the attacker!" But that's like having your cake and eating it too. It's impossible to resist. Are you willing to get a punishment for that? Are you willing to have a great loss to your team just for the sake of releasing your grunt?
While you're in Britain, young lad, enjoy your time home. Calm down a little. Don't waste your petrol. Keep your hot gas under your bonnet. We know you would do better.
3. While the head is away, the chest will play. Emelio "Cheiffy" Caligdong (#13) may take the captain's seat for a while since he's the co-captain of the team. (Duh.) While Aly's out because of those booking moments, the Ilonggo has to get the team on the straight path.
I do expect Chieffy to set strategies on how they would outwit the striker and forwards of the Kuwaiti team, and how to avoid the seemingly sharp-eyed goalkeeper (Neil, take note). The crown jewel team of the Middle East have all their stellar people around them, including their government.
PNoy government to support the team? Weh?! Malay natin. Ano kaya masasabi mo d'yan, Kuya Chieffy?
4. They need their inspirations. They do. What a sweet thing to know that Phil Younghusband (#10) is rumoured to be dating Filipina actress Angel Locsin! And his elder brother James (#7) is seen with a girl on his latest Twitter profile picture. And I can't help but smile seeing Chieffy's kid cheer for his team's win.Most of all, we can't help but shed tears over Neil's British grandad (photo at right) who passed away during the Azkal's practice in Germany. At that moment, Neil could not keep his emotions as he proudly shares his mix of grief and happiness, as he dedicated his victory to his inspiration. Through that shirt with the photo of him and his grandad, it's just heartwarming to see how they keep on giving their all for the sake of someone dear. Seems quite Pinoy, isn't it? It doesn't happen a lot on pure Brit footballers I've seen for a while. I wonder why...
----------NSFW Alert!----------
5. Why are die-hard fanatics exploit their "yummy" bodies and faces too much? I do respect your appreciation, ladies and LGBT peeps. But, I'm a little scared of the billboard of Aly in Bench Body underwear (sans freckles on his face, washboard abs on show) over EDSA. It's a driver's threat to me, greater than the controversial "slim" Sharon Cuneta billboard.
With the counterpart vinegar Silver Swan Sukang Puti, James is just hilarious out there battling against TV and radio personality Winnie Cordero. (And I'm just hungry right now with those food.)
And yes, those fan Tumblr logs and gay blogs who exploited every Azkal's chiseled torso in photos, congratulations sa pagbuhay ng katawang-lupa ng nakararami, 'ika nga ni Aiai delas Alas.
Let's see then if they will overcome the crown-jewel Kuwaiti team. Azkals are underdogs, but I do believe that they can outwit them, if they know how to control their aggressiveness.
Then and there I will disprove my brother's critical tweet.
Kick. Believe. Win.
Cheers!
KENNETH P.S. Check out this link on a commentary on sports programs in the Philippines: http://www.mulatpinoy.ph/homeless-azkals-a-commentary-on-sports-programs-in-the-philippines/.
