The Philippine National Men’s Football Team (PNMFT) has the odds stacked against its favor literally days before the Merdeka Cup.
Losing its coach just a few days before competition? No problem.
Notable names begging off due to injuries? No problem. Although one of them is seen practicing with his club. But then again his club has every right not to release him.
One day training before the actual game? No problem.
The team, however, failed to anticipate a very incompetent official in its game against host Malaysia last Wednesday night at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
The team gave the host fits throughout the game and even got the lead courtesy of Paul Tabinas in the 27th minute. Malaysia, however, scored two more goals – the equalizer four minutes before the halftime whistle and the game winner from the spot at the 73rd minute – the rest of the game to win, 2-1 to book their spot in the finals against Lebanon. The Philippines will next face Tajikistan in the battle for third this Sunday.
The game could have a different result, however, if two fouls were called against the host after Patrick Reichelt and Sandro Reyes were brought down inside the box. The referee did not make the calls even if most of us last Wednesday saw what happened just watching the game via streaming. Heck, I even saw a Malaysian commenting “the Philippines should have had two penalties, I believe. Not good for our image.”
A friend commented also that “tournament nila ‘yan kaya lahat gagawin para manalo sila.” Another one commented that because of the win, “the official’s two-day stay at Legoland Malaysia, with packed lunch, has been secured.”
Kidding aside, the team gave the hosts a good game and could have done more if not for the questionable non-calls, but moving on. there were quite a few good spots during the game. Several players stood out, particularly Tabinas and JB Borlongan, the team’s last sub, but made an impact in the few minutes that he played. He almost made an assist with a spectacular lob to Jarvey Gayoso in the closing minutes. Gayoso, however, failed to convert the opportunity to tie the game, missing the ball by a few inches. Bjorn Martin Kristensen and Matthew Baldisimo also made their debut for the national team. For Baldisimo, it was a sorry start after a tackle that eventually resulted in a penalty kick and the winning goal for Malaysia. But then again, the referee was probably a chef in his spare time.
Credit is also due to interim coach Norman Fegidero, who despite suffering his first loss as coach of the senior team in an international competition, stood his ground and made the best of what was available to him. Good job pa rin Coach Noy!
We still have another game this coming Sunday, and I’m hoping that eventually, the team will find a way to win the game and end a five-game slide. While there are so many things that we can’t control, a victory is very important. It is also important for the team to take on the frustrations, the disappointment and the losses and use them as a motivation. I would rather have our team lose now and even in the King’s Cup next month, as long as the win streak starts in November when it matters most. Sana maubos na ang kamalasan ng team ngayon o sa October.
November is the bigger and more important story.
Speaking of what is available, the Philippine Azkals will conduct a tryout this Sunday, September 8 from 4 p.m. onwards at the McKinley Hill Stadium. The team will see action in the Asia 7’s Championships in Kuala Lumpur next month and do that, it needs players who can help win games in Malaysia, but more importantly, continue the Azkals’ legacy.
Team Manager Ace Bright says he is hoping that after the tryouts, he will have an idea who will be tapped to play and represent the country. Initially, former Azkals team captains Stephan Schrock and Misagh Bahadoran were named to lead the team.
After weeks of technical concerns, Larong Pilipino sa DZME returns to the studio with guests Ryu Policarpio, Atty. Jiboy Cabochan and Red Lions’ Team Manager Jude Roque. They will discuss the university’s NCAA 100 Season Pass, the latest project of the San Beda Alumni Association to benefit its basketball team and other varsity teams competing in the centennial season of the NCAA.
Bahadoran and organizers of the Asia 7’s Championships will also be on the show which will start at 2 p.m.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
