The Philippine Azkals dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Chinese Taipei last Monday to even their record at one win and one loss in the recently concluded FIFA window. The Azkals won their first game against Nepal, 1-0 last last week.
The Azkals came back from an early deficit right in the opening minutes when the visitors scored on a deflected ball. Goals by Mike Ott and Patrick Reichelt gave the Azkals a 2-1 advantage after the opening half. The second half, however, saw Chinese Taipei coming back with the equalizer in the 57th minute and the game winner in the 90th.
For Azkals’ Team Manager Dan Palami, the Azkals performed much better, despite the defeat, against Chinese Taipei compared to their game against Nepal.
“The first goal was very unfortunate for us but we got back, managed to score two goals before we were exposed in terms of fitness level of some players and we could not cope with our opponents by the 70th minute. Medyo kinakapos na sa hangin so the coach had to cope and make some changes,” Palami said.
Palami was also quick to defend newcomers Gio Pabualan and Jax Peña from the bashing they received after the game. The two made their senior’s team debut against Chinese Taipei and appeared listless during their stints on the pitch.
“I think the young players were overwhelmed by the level of play in the international competitions but I hope they don’t get too disappointed and depressed because of the fans. They should look at these opportunities as learning experiences. These should motivate them even further to show why they were called to play for the national team,” Palami explained.
Palami added that the Azkals youngsters will only get better once given more opportunities to play in the senior team. He said Pabualan and Peña played well during the camp and that was the main reason they were given the chance to play in the Chinese Taipei game. He believed that the newest Azkals’ mental fortitude will only get stronger with experience.
Palami also defended the calls made by comebacking Azkals’ coach Hans Michael Weiss during the friendlies. He says it was expected that Weiss made several combinations, substitutions and tinkered with his line-up.
“These are the best times for the coach to experiment and to check which combinations of players will click. He basically tested the players out. If not there and then, when?” he asked.
Palami said he was quite satisfied with what he saw in the two games. He said that there were a lot of positives in terms of how the Azkals played, especially in terms of controlling the ball in the first half. The team was very deliberate in its attack and were able to hold their opponents defensively. The game was very tight the whole time and the Chinese Taipei offense were not given so many chances that they had to resort to long balls.
“The fact that we came back from a deficit after just two minutes speaks highly of the character of the players even up to the last minute. And we have to understand that some of the Azkals are off season for a while, they are just getting back in shape,” Palami said.
Palami is hopeful that when the next FIFA window comes in September more Azkals will be fit, ready and not burdened by contract negotiations.
Overall, Palami said he was happy with the way things turned out for the Azkals. He is hoping that this will be the start of more positive things to come for the team. He is also glad that more Azkals die-hards came to support the team in the second game.
“I’m quite happy with the crowd turnout. Considering the heavy downpour and it being a working day, I would like to thank the brave fans who came in to support the team,” Palami added.
At least 3,758 fans watched the game against Chinese Taipei despite the strong rains. Most of them stayed even after the game cheering their favorite Azkals and in some way, even the visiting team.
Speaking of good things, congratulations to Azkals’ keeper Patrick Deyto for signing a new contract to mark his return in the Thai League 1. Deyto is now officially with Chonburi FC after the club formally made an announcement confirming their acquisition of Deyto for the upcoming season.
Special thanks to Bossing Raul Roque, marketing consultant of Forever Healthy Products for supporting the Philippine Azkals with ImunPlus, the team’s official energy drink, during their friendlies against Nepal and Chinese Taipei. Roque assures that their support to the Azkals will not end after friendlies.
“It is just the start. We are hoping for a long-term partnership with the men’s national football team. Basta Azkals todo suporta kami,” Roque said.
ImunPlus is a no-caffeine, no-sugar energy drink and food supplement that boosts performance and enhances muscle recovery not only for athletes but for ordinary people as well.
Speaking of support, my nephew, Jacob Marcus Puno Navarro and his Aspire Football Academy club teammates are on their way to participate in the 2023 Pyrenees Cup International Youth Summer Football Tournament.
Jacob, along with Noah Laus, Xian Chan, Lucas Boquiron, Javi Alano, Jose Bernal, Daniel Guerrero, Miguel Tagarda, Niall Enciso, Nesta Saw, Ryan Moti, Ginji Cruz, Andres Sumpaico, Aki Belza, Francis Desabille, Sef Tomas, Chloe Brillantes, Kavin Boiser, Nicko Enciso, Johan Baguilat and Populi Fortun are set to compete in the Under 11 and Under 13 divisions of the tournament. The coaching staff, on the other hand, include Anto Gonzales, Steven Rivera, Vince Aguilar and Karl Bugayong.
“I’m really excited to play in the tournament. It will be a once in a lifetime experience for me and I hope to learn more and further improve my skills as a football player,” Jacob, an incoming Grade 5 student of Ateneo Grade School, said before leaving for the trip.
But before going to the tournament, Jacob and his team will make a side trip to Barcelona, specifically a visit to Camp Nou and a possible training session with FC Barcelona youth coaches. Barcelona is about 150 kilometers away from the Pyrenees.
Pyrenees is located between France and Catalonia and the Pyrenees Cup, or officially known as Challenge International Du Sud de la France, is an international football competition between Spanish and French clubs based in the region. In the past few years, however, the Pyrenees Cup has been opened to include teams from other countries. Jacob and his teammates will be the first Pinoy side to represent the country in the Pyrenees Cup.
As of today, more than 234 teams featuring at least 3,500 players are expected to participate in the Pyrenees Cup that is set to unfold on June 29 until July 2.
Jacob and the Aspire Football Academy team are great examples on how far a football team can go with the right program, a group of corporate sponsors, supporters and, in their case, loving parents who will move heaven and earth, including their savings, just to support their kids realize their dreams. Parents, like Marc and Ruth Navarro, who would invest in experience to prepare their kids to be better athletes and in general, be better persons. Winning is just a bonus.
Good luck Jacob and Aspire Football Football Academy, continue to make us proud!
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