THE 4-0 loss against defending champion Thailand at the Thammasat Stadium in Bangkok has eliminated the Philippine Azkals from progressing further in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022.
Thai football great Teerasil Danda scored twice before the halftime break with Adisak Kraisorn and Suphanan Bureerat adding a goal a piece as the War Elephants completely dominated the visitors. The Azkals, boosted by a 5-1 win against Brunei at home in Manila, were hoping for a good result against the Thai squad. But instead, the boys in white got manhandled by a well-prepared and far better team. Despite missing several key players, the Thais were never threatened in the match.
The massacre showed the great divide between the two nations when it comes to football.
The defending champions were sharp, on point and exploited every weakness the Azkals had during the match, especially the mismatches. Which are the basics for them. Plus pitting our young ones against the best of the Thai squad during the match? It was not rocket science why a football icon like Danda managed to give his team a comfortable lead after the first half. They were well-rested too. Moreover, the fans showed up to support the team. The Azkals, too, had their share of fans, which can’t be discounted. A few of our kababayans cheered for the boys, despite their inexperience and awe of their seasoned opponents.
It is what it is.
The fans have already expressed their disappointments and anger at the loss against Thailand. And I will not defend the team from their ire or even ask for mercy and understanding. Much has been said, especially by those using dummy accounts, and the criticisms and bashings could have more impact or meaning if they came with real names and identities of those who could easily say hurtful things and below the belt bashings against the team, the Philippine Football Federation, Dan Palami, Stephan Schrock and other Azkals, who they felt should have done better.
My respect goes to the ones with real names and pictures to boot. Not only did they talk the walk, they also walked the talk. Mabuhay po kayo mga sirs at ma’ams!
Palami, the Azkals’ team manager, admits the defeat and the elimination of the Azkals really hurt.
“This is really a painful process for us. It also showed the great disparity between our team and our neighbors. Our local-based Azkals really need to step up and we can only do this by playing in high-level competitions and quality games in the Philippines Football League. Our local players will always be needed especially during tournaments or event scheduled during non-FIFA windows,” Palami said.
It is what it is.
There were so many points raised by the fans, whether trolls or not. There were many observations and suggestions to make the team better. Fire Palami. Fire Nonong Araneta. Give the management of the Azkals to other people like Jeff Cheng. Bring back more foreign-based Azkals to the team. Others said the local players can’t hack it against more experienced, stronger and better opponents. And many more. Most of the arguments and reactions were correct.
Despite the fallout, Palami says the team will now set its sights on the next cycle of Asian Cup and the World Cup qualifiers which will start next year.
Lost in the volley of bitterness and disappointments were some comments like “Win or lose, my love and support for this team will never give up. In their most critical events, the more they needed our support. Yes, losing is very painful, but if we carry each other’s burden, it lessens the one who is in pain. They carry their pain, I help carry theirs. And I will still wave my Philippine flag. ‘Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil.’ The fight goes on.”
Comments like these give me hope. They also give me something to look forward to, no matter if it may take some time, that someday the Azkals will be better, with a very supportive national sports association and the Filipinos rallying behind them. Win or lose, especially when they lose.
“The Azkals will continue to develop as a team. It is a continuing process of restructuring. The good thing is we have had good responses from players who are seeing action in high-level competitions in Europe to be part of the team for the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers starting this 2023. We are getting in touch with them and many of them have already agreed to play for the Philippines,” Palami said.
The Philippine Azkals will conclude its campaign in the Mitsubishi Electric Cup against Indonesia on January 2, 2023, at Rizal Memorial Stadium. A good result will somehow lessen the impact of another failure to advance in the knockout stage of the biggest football tournament in the region. It will also serve as a fitting send-off to the veteran members of the team who will be playing what could be their last game for the flag and country. The need to manage our expectations, however, is a must. Indonesia is no pushover and the team will come to Rizal targeting to take home the full three points and seal their spot in the crossover semifinals without any complications.
“We are not too happy with the results, but at the same time, our expectations had always been tempered because we can’t really assemble and send the complete line-up we wanted. Clubs have the prerogative not to send their players to suit up for their national teams,” Palami added.
Palami is also aware of major changes needed, not only among the players, but also in other aspects of the team. He said these concerns will be addressed the soonest possible time.
But for the meantime, it is what it is.
Happy New Year! 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
