The Road for Glory of the Philippine National Football Team – the Azkals

The Philippines many moons ago ranked as high 26th in the world and even a powerhouse in the Asian continent, but since the immense fascination of its people to basketball and even boxing is so strong, the sports slowly became unpopular and the Filipinos eventually became the perennial whipping boys in the Asian continent particularly in South East Asian region.

But this sad scenario is about to change since the Philippine Football team which is also known as the Azkals thanks to the reinforcements it got from players playing in various countries is now slowly turning into a fierce and mighty team.

In the qualifying round of the 8th Suzuki Cup in Laos, (a tournament that pits the five lowest ranked countries in South East Asia) the vaunted Philippine Azkals finally displayed the vast improvement they have had achieved after years of hard work. The Philippine team beat Brunei 2-0, Timor Leste 5-0, and Cambodia 1-0 and was held to a 2-all draw against Laos to qualify into the main draw of the Suzuki Cup in Vietnam unbeaten with an impressive 3 wins and one draw.

The core of the team includes fierce strikers Phil Younghusband (from United Kingdom, now unattached and once suited up for Chelsea) and Ian Araneta (Philippine Air Force), Goal Keeper Neil Etheridge (Fulham, Scotland), Defenders Rob Gier (Ascot United, Scotland), Ray Jonnson (Grindavik, Iceland), Alexander Borromeo (Team Captain, Kaya) and Midfielders Jason de Jong (Veendam, the Netherlands), Mark Ferrer (Philippine Air Force), Emelio Caligdong (Philippine Air Force), Chieffy Caligdong, James, Younghusband (United Kingdom unattached)and Chris Greatwitch (Morris Country Colonials, the United States), which forms the nucleus of the team. The team’s coach is Briton Simon McMenemy.

In the Suzuki Cup (which is held every two years) in Vietnam, the Philippines showed class especially in the closing minutes of the game. In a game where they are expected to be blown away from one of the favorites in the tournament which is the Singapore, The gritty Filipinos showed tremendous defense and vicious counter attacks. The Filipinos fought the Singaporeans toe and nail as they escaped with a 1-all draw, which will matter as a win for the team longing for attention and redemption.

The Filipinos are not yet done with their upset conscious ways. In a game against one of the best teams in Asia which is the defending champion Vietnam, the Filipinos displayed one of their best fighting form just as yet. The Filipino booters essayed a masterful 2-0 conquest of the favored Vietnamese side. The Vietnamese controlled the majority of the ball possessions but unluckily cannot convert any goal against the tough defense of the Filipinos and its goalie Etheridge. This breakthrough victory by the Filipinos is one of the greatest upset posted by the country after so many years.

The win propelled the Filipinos of earning a berth in the semifinal of the Cup by just scoring at least a draw against cellar dweller but dangerous Myanmar. And when the draw matters most, the Filipinos did not disappoint, sure enough, the Filipinos once again scored a draw to formalize their entry into the semis. The Filipinos battled the emphatic Myanmar squad to a scoreless draw, to clinch the second spot in Group B with five points, joining their prey Vietnam which has 6 points in the next round of the competition.

The entry of the Philippine team in the semifinal round is their first ever and cause tremendous elation and awareness back home. The monumental feat of the Filipinos in the tournament was even voted as one of the best soccer story in the year 2010 by Sports illustrated overshadowing the great news provided by higher ranked countries that participated in the recent World Cup which was held in South Africa and other high profile ball clubs from the four face of the planet. But the Filipinos’ luck runs short on their semifinal duel with another crack team, that is, the Indonesia. The Filipino soccer players were beaten twice with an identical 0-1 verdict, and kissed their title aspirations goodbye. The Filipinos missed the chance to host one of the games, in the home and away series, no thanks to some problems back home, which could have made some impact in favor of the resilient and persevering Filipino footballers.

Overall the Philippines is already overachieving. Prior to the tournament, they are not even tipped to qualify in the semifinals or perform well against their opponents. The Filipinos also won a sportsmanship award, dubbed as “Fair Play” award in the tournament, a testament that the team thrives on crisp and clean games. The team’s ranking also soar to 150th, which is their highest in years. Whipping boys no more, the Filipinos showed too much intensity on each game they played. Although still in the developmental stage, the team displayed vast improvements. Their raw plays will be more formidable in the coming days with solid trainings and if the team will put things together in good stead, the Filipinos will be dangerous a team to deal with.

Riding to the crest of their remarkable performance in Suzuki Cup, the Philippine team is expected to showcase their fierce fighting form in the coming days as they finally shed off their mundane ways.

The Azkals will be busy with their schedule next year. The team will host a game versus Mongolia on February 9, 2011 in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup qualifiers in Panaad Stadium in Bacolod and a good performance here will help them earn a crack at one of the best teams in Asia.
By mid-next year the Filipinos will be participating in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and will wind up their campaign on foreign soil in the South East Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia in December, 2011.
The Azkals will also be competing in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers that begin by mid-next year and the year-ending Southeast Asian Games that will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The groupings for the World Cup qualifiers have yet to be determined by FIFA.

Finally the most popular game in the world is slowly making its dent on the Philippine soil, a country who loves basketball and boxing so much. The Philippines will finally experience the electrifying feel and enormous joy, that can be whipped out by football or soccer.

Suggested Readings:

The Impressive Philippine Azkals

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The 2010 Soccer World Cup :: Group of Death :: Teams and Young Players to Watch

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The Impressive Philippine Azkals

(News Update and Result Philippines Versus Mongolia, March 15, 2011)

Philippine Azkals lost to Mongolia 1-2 But Still Advances in the Next Round

The Philippines battling extreme weather and chilly wind at -20 degrees Celsius Centigrade lost to Mongolia 1-2 on their second home-and-away game in Ulan Bator in the AFC Champions Cup but still wins the tie via 3-2 aggregate.

But the winning effort of the Mongolians is not enough to help them push through the second round since they lost a 0-2 decision last month and must at least win by a margin of 3 goals.

The Philippines thus  earned a spot in the  Group Stage of the AFC Champions Cup against host and fellow South East Asian rival Myanmar, Palestine and Bangladesh in the

Phil Younghusband scored the first goal of the match but failed to finish the game after suffering a hamstring injury. Mongolia gave the Filipinos as they scored the last two goals of the game to win 2-1 at the end. But the gallant effort of the Mongolians was in a naught since they are trailing the Filipinos 2-3 on points aggregate.

(News Updates: Philippine Azkals Beat Mongolia Lead Home and Away Series)

The Philippine footballers which carries the moniker Azkals made big news in the country as they gate crashed through the semifinal round of the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup by beating host and defending champion Vietnam and scored two draws against Myanmar and Singapore.

The entry of the Philippine soccer team to the semis was even voted as one of the finest in football worldwide this year by the Sports Illustrated as it was stalled as 10th nosing out other major football news. Although the Philippine team yielded to Indonesia last December no thanks to troubles back home. The Philippine team didn’t play one of the games on its home turf which could have brought wonders to the team. The Indonesians dash the Philippine campaign in the tournament by winning twice by an identical 1-0 score.

The perennial whipping boys in the continent and in the South East Asian region, the Azkals provided a Cinderella finish, by holding both Singapore and Myanmar to draws before hacking out a shocking 2-0 triumph over Vietnam over a stunned crowd. The win by the Philippines was monumental since in can be likened to Brunei winning over the Philippine team in men’s basketball.

The Philippine footballers which is consists of several Filipino-Foreigners wielded the axe on their Vietnamese counterpart with a fluid and cohesive counter attacks and tough defensive stratagem. The Philippine finished with five points in Group B just one point behind their victim Vietnam which wound up their campaign with 6 points. Both Vietnam and the Philippines advances into the semifinal round. The tournament awards three points for a win, 1 point for a draw and nil for a loss.

Both Vietnam and Philippines secured semifinal berth and they are pitted against Malaysia and Indonesia respectively.

Now hope is high for the team that is thirsty for attention and accolades as they set their sights in several tournaments in the year 2011, including the South East Asian Games

Suggested Readings:

The Latest Heartthrobs in Philippine Sports – Phil and James Younghusband

The Road For Glory of the Philippine National Football Team – The Azkals

Philippine Azkals Images or Pictures

The Sights, Sounds and Highlights of the 2010 Soccer FIFA World Cup

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The 2010 Soccer World Cup :: Group of Death :: Teams and Young Players to Watch

Funny and Hilarious Football or Soccer Images

Asian Teams in the World Cup

The 16th Guangzhou Asian Games in China

The 16th Guangzhou Asian Games kicked off last November 12, 2010 showcasing the vast, distinct and colorful culture of the world’s most populated country in the world which is China.

Countries from all corners of Asia are here for the conclave sending their best athletes in various sports discipline (ubiquitous and traditional), with hope that they can collar some measure of respect in the region by bagging the medals at stake or rip some existing records.

The Far Eastern countries represented host China, South Korea, Japan, Hongkong-China, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Mongolia and Macau-China boasts athletes that can perform very well even in the world stage, are the perennial favorites in capturing most of the medals up for grab. And halfway through the games, the region amassed a lion’s share of the medals. Far East Asian countries especially China, South Korea and Japan, are heavy favorites in swimming, judo, taekwondo, table tennis, dance sports, gymnastics, chess, athletics, archery, cycling, weightlifting, fencing, shooting, softball and canoeing and kayaking.

The former territories that formed Union of Soviet Socialists Republic (USSR) like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyztan and Tajikistan which comprises Central Asia are also contending for top honors in the event. The region is strong in chess, dancesports, gymnastics, cycling, boxing, athletics, tennis, football, basketball, rowing and canoeing and kayaking.

The Game’s darkhorse, the Middle East or Western Asian countries are locked for a battle and will surely make their presence felt in events like basketball, football, judo, taekwondo, and wrestling. Iran, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Kuwait, Palestine, Syria, and Jordan form the Middle East bloc.

The South Asia which is consists of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Seychelles are pinning their hopes in events like cricket, khabaddi, tennis, chess, athletics, shooting, weightlifting, and boxing, billiards and snooker.

Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei and Timor Leste from South East Asia are force to reckon with in boxing, chess, bowling, golf, sepak takraw and billiards and snooker.

The games which will end on November 27, 2010, will truly showcase the strength, wit and courage of the participating athletes from all over Asia.

China as expected is leading charge in the medal tally followed by South Korea and Japan.

Related Links:

Philippines Beat India in Fifth Round to Wrest Second Place in Asian Games

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2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou China

The Complete Lists of Filipino Medalists in the 2010 Asian Games

Philippines Loses to Japan in Asian Games

RP U-16 Team Cops Fourth Place

Johor Bahru, Malaysia – Iran eked out a win over the though Philippine Team 83-73, in overtime to finish third in the Fiba Asia U-16 Men’s Championship Friday night at the Bandaraya Stadium.

Jeofrey Javillonar missed an easy layup in regulation that could have have lifted the Philippines to a win for the Smart Gilas Team, whose offensive game did’nt flourish well in overtime thus allowing the Iranians to secure the win by virtue of a 13-o run to clinch the third place trophy.

In the championship game, the mighty and tall China crushed South Korea 105-69, to bag the much-coveted championship. China and South Korea clinched the two berths to the Fiba World-U17 Men’s Championship in Hamburg, Germany next year.

This is the second heart-breaking loss for the Philippine quintet against Iran. The Philippines lost a 70-76 in their quarterfinal meeting.

The fourth place dished out by the Filipinos, is the best in years. Ravena collected 18 points, four rebounds, and four steals to lead the losing cause of the Filipinos.