Aside from the names of those who will be called for the national training pool, one of the bigger concerns of Azkals fans is who will coach the national men’s football team in the upcoming 2022 Mitsubishi Electric Cup next month.
There were several names being mentioned before, but after the Azkals failed to advance in the final round of the 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers in Mongolia, nothing has come out on who will lead the team in the tournament formerly known as the Suzuki Cup.
Dan Palami, the Azkals’ team manager, earlier said they are vetting at least three to four possible choices.
From that shortlist, the choice is now down to two names.
Philippine Football Federation President Nonong Araneta exclusively said to The Designated Kit Man that Palami, the Azkals’ team manager, along with the management staff, will decide who among the two coaches will lead the team in the 2022 Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
“Tinanong ko nga sila, sino na? Sabi nila may dalawang coaches naman na ina-eye sina Dan at okay naman sila pareho,” Araneta said. He also said one of the initial coaches on the list is keeping in touch with him but Araneta said it is up to Palami to decide.
Araneta, however, refused to comment if former Azkals’ coach Thomas Dooley is in the shortlist. He likewise made it clear that Stewart John Hall, the PFF technical director, is only assisting Palami in preparing the players for the Mitsubishi Electric Cup, while waiting for the appointment of the new coach. Araneta said the Azkals’ line-up will be decided by the new coach.
“They have been calling up players. Sinubmit muna namin ‘yung list ng mga players na kailangan. At least 40 names ‘yung sinama namin sa list. Sina Dan at Stewart ang nag-uusap para sa mga players na kasama sa camp. I’ve been talking also to Dan kung sinu-sino ang mga foreign players at may tinitingnan pa siya,” Araneta said.
Araneta said the upcoming Mitsubishi Electric Cup will be the start of the transition for the national men’s team with new faces expected to show up in the training camp.
“May mga na-scout at nakausap na silang mga bagong players. I guess there will be new players and we can get some from our local players. The Philippines Football League will run until November 12 before taking a break, so we can have players from the domestic league,” he said.
Araneta said the Azkals will have enough time to prepare for the Mitsubishi Electric Cup. Aside from the camp, the PFF is eyeing to have two international friendlies before the start of the competitions.
“May friendly tayo sa Vietnam sa December 14. I-clear ko rin kay Dan kung gusto nila dumaan sa Laos for another friendly so that we can go to Laos from Vietnam. Magkakalapit lang kasi ang mga ito at hindi masyadong mapapagod ang mga players sa biyahe. After Laos, then we can go to Cambodia,” he explained.
Araneta says he is hoping that Palami will get more sponsors to help the Azkals prepare for the biggest football event in South East Asia next month until early January next year. Which brings us to the delicate question if the PFF is financially okay after a social media post by someone who is formerly with the team claiming that the federation is struggling financially. Araneta gamely answered these issues and made some clarifications.
“Mahirap naman magsabi sila na walang pera ang PFF. Tingnan niyo na lang ang deposit ng PFF. May mga expenses kasi ang PFF for the national teams. Sa women’s team natin may binigay na ang FIFA for our preparations for the World Cup. Right now nasa Chile sila. May pera naman ang PFF, but we spend all for the national teams. We have a lot of programs that’s why we are looking for sponsors for the national teams. Kaya si Dan naghahanap din ng sponsors,” Araneta explained.
Araneta also addressed reactions to Stephan Schrock’s Azkals Development Academy, which is set to kick off on November 22, 2022 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
“Ang sa akin lang naman, he has to discuss it with Dan (Palami). Si Dan kasi nagpa-patent ng pangalan na Azkals. Si Dan kasi ang national teams committee chairman so he has to take that up to him. So kailangan magpaalam siya kay Dan,” he said.
But more on this matter next Friday.
The indefinite suspension meted on Jose Rizal Heavy Bomber John Amores only shows that the National Collegiate Athletic Association is not consistent when it comes to punishing erring players. Amores, despite literally moving down the entire College of St. Benilde players, was still given a chance despite the gravity of his offense which was recorded in full, seen live and going on viral for a few days now. Which can’t be said about another player who was immediately banned for life in the NCAA for enrolling in two schools.
Moral lesson: Manapak ka na nang ilang beses on live TV, ‘wag ka lang mag-enroll sa dalawang eskuwelahan.
For more updates on the Philippine Azkals’ preparations for the 2022 Mitsubishi Electric Cup, please tune in to the next episode of the 3PTS–Pambansang Tambayan ng Sports this coming Sunday, November 13, from 2 to 3 p.m. at DZME 1530 khz with The Designated Kit Man and my partner Rommel Miranda. We will have no other than Dan Palami, yup the Azkals team manager, and Josef Malinay, the team manager of the Azkals Development Team, as special guests. A discussion on what direction the Azkals will take in the next few years is expected to be tackled, among many things about the team, during the program.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!