At least seven new players will make their international debut when the Philippines faces Vietnam and Indonesia as the second round of the World and Asian Cup qualifiers resumes this June.
Based on the call up list released by the Philippine Football Federation, the latest members of the team formerly known as the Azkals include Dylan Demuynck, Alex Monis, Kristoffer Reyes, Zico Bailey, Adrian Ugelvik, Scott Woods and Finn McDaniel. There is no better way for them to wear the uniform than making their debut against formidable and perennial foes.
The men’s national football team, at least most of the players, are in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for a training camp in the last four days as part of their preparations for the away games in Vietnam on June 6 and against Indonesia on June 11. Fifteen players plus two goalkeepers are already in the camp. The rest will follow after finishing club commitments.
“We have added players who really love to play for the country. I see smiling faces, I see people who are happy to join the team and are really eager to be here and that’s the most important thing I always said for your country. You can be a brilliant player, but if you are not spiritually with the team, then forget it,” head coach Tom Saintfiet said.
Saintfiet explained they based the list on the games against Iraq and acknowledged the disappointment of some people including players who were not included. Again, he came up with the perfect answer.
“My goal is not to win tomorrow. My goal is to build a legacy for Philippine football for the coming five to seven years. We want to play in the 2027 Asian Cup and to aim for the 2030 World Cup,” Saintfiet said.
As of now, no friendly or tuneup game has been announced before the crucial games in hostile territories nevertheless the Philippines needs to win both matches to entertain any thoughts of advancing to the next round of the World and Asian Cup qualifiers.
“We know it will be tough and I won’t say that we are gonna win but the intention that we have is to face Vietnam first and try to get three points there,” Sainfiet added.
The call up list, as always, was met with mixed reactions. There were several names present and some more popular names were not included. Some people likewise pointed out that at least two players are nursing injuries but still their names were called. Some also questioned the presence of another player who barely saw action for his mother club over the more established names in the position. I also heard that no invitations were sent to the Pabebe Azkals Wannabes which is for me, a big step forward by Coach Tom Saintfielt and company. Let’s concentrate efforts to bring those who really want to play for flag and country rather than waste another minute on those who have remained non-committal for the longest time. But then again, it is Saintfiet’s call to make.
“I’m very happy about the level of training. I’m very happy with the quality of players, of the organizational infrastructure so I can’t complain as a coach. I’m a happy coach,” he explained.
Rather than dwell on the perceived negatives, I would rather see the positives in the lineup assembled by and his coaching staff. Of course, there are several reasons why these are the players who will play against Vietnam and Indonesia. And one of them probably is that they are the ones who said yes.
Meanwhile, another basketball league is set to unfold in July. The Perlas ng Silangan Basketball League or PSBL, hopes to be several notches above the usual cage league in the country by tapping into communities not only obsessed by the country’s number one sport but also bringing into the fore opportunities to benefit residents and small businesses of local government units (LGUs) fielding teams in the league.
“Perlas ng Silangan Basketball League hopes to provide the venue for young basketball talents in the country and we will do this by partnering with LGUs and local businesses. Our partners will then set up their teams from as young as eight years old all the way to 21 years old. We have at least six age brackets,” said Christian Ensomo, founder of PSBL.
Ensomo also said that the PSBL is not only supporting grassroots programs for basketball but whole communities as well. LGUs which are participating can also showcase their local micro small medium enterprises, tourist destinations and local brands during the tournament.
The league aims to have at least 16 teams competing in several age brackets initially in the National Capital Region for its initial tournament. Eventually they aim to bring the league to other regions within the year. PSBL will have a formal media launch on June 12, 2024 at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
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