FRUSTRATING. Disappointing. Irritating. But more sad actually.
This is to sum up the recent announcements made by Mico Gutierrez, team manager of the Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT). Well on my side at least.
Gutierrez’s take on possible tune-up games for the national team and ongoing recruitment of players to represent the country is quite shaky to say the least. It is not comforting either.
If I understand it right, whatever tune-up games that we might have will depend on the goodness of the heart of any foreign national team willing to pick up the expenses that comes from inviting our side to play with them.
Following this train of thought, can we expect that there will be no exhibition games for the PMNFT before the Maldives away game next month?
We already saw the team play against Timor-Leste without any tune-up game, which could have helped a lot for the new coaching staff and the players to know more about each other. It was very fortunate that we won both games, but what if we split the points in the match-up or worse, lost a game in the two game series?
I’m sure there will be a lot of fallout if that happens. A lot of excuses too but less of accountability perhaps.
Yes, it is a given that our teams have been winning. The PMNFT currently sits on top of Group A in the ongoing Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. The Women’s U17 side has booked its ticket in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup finals after topping its group, winning all their games in the group fixtures, in the Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Yes, these wins should be the narrative and not the issues or concerns being raised against the Philippine Football Federation.
But no, the more pertinent subject now is how we are preparing for the game against Maldives.
Someone will ask, what are the issues or concerns The Designated Kit Man is talking about?
First, what about the allegation that a player took several stops, while flying coach just for him to be present in the game against Timor-Leste in Darwin? He was so challenged by the ordeal that by the time he arrived in Australia, he was so gassed out and was actually sick from the experience.
Do you think that after this, his mother club, which pays him to be tournament fit all the time, will allow him to play for flag and country again? Probably on international FIFA windows, but if it can find a way not to do so, it will definitely not for sure.
And what about the other players?
Another issue, there are claims that all the staff and players that worked in the last two games against Timor-Leste were given P5,000. This is a far cry from the usual $1,000 given by former team manager Freddy Gonzalez per window.
For sure, a lot of the players and staff were not happy. “The whole staff last night were absolutely gutted and demotivated,” someone who knew what happened said.
Again, some apologists would say that their work and sacrifices are nothing, but a privilege for serving in the national team. This is the same logic or excuse given why so many public servants work for the government despite the low pay, long hours, no support and not being appreciated by the boss. One thing is sure, this is not acceptable.
On the status of recruiting high-profile names for national duty, Gutierrez said that “Apparently, it’s not as simple as if you have a Filipino mom or a Filipino Dad, then you can instantly get a Filipino passport.”
True. No argument here. It takes a lot of effort, time, patience, balde-baldeng pawis at luha, and tons of money to identify, scout and recruit foreign-based Filipinos to come and play for the three stars and the sun. Just ask Dan Palami or Jeff Cheng.
Just two points though before moving on. One, it took you this long to realize this and the second but more important concern, what do you intend to do about it?
The call for foreign-based Filipinos who are interested in playing for the country to put their papers in order on their own is very noble. Just hoping that someone will eventually do this, and soon.
The Designated Kit Man reached out to Gelix Mercader, the general secretary of PFF, on his comments on these concerns. I’m still waiting for his reply.
This is personal.
How true are the reports claiming that after a game, this manager brought some of his players to a casino?
Given that the players are old enough to do whatever they want after a game, still this is something not expected from an organization supposed to be run by professionals. But then again.
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
