Along with Head Coach Hans Michael Weiss, several Azkals are also returning to the national team after a while.
These players include Martin Steuble, Daisuke Sato, Dylan de Bruycker and of course, Patrick Deyto.
Deyto, who had a four-month spell with Stallion Laguna FC in the domestic league, is finalizing his contract to play with a Southeast Asian team, while being in the national training pool for the tune-up games against Nepal and Chinese Taipei.
Deyto and The Designated Kit Man got acquainted first when he manned the sticks for Global Cebu FC in the old domestic league before packing his bags and cleats to Thailand. He told me that he is quite happy to be called again to play for the country’s three stars and the sun after missing out on the national team since 2019. Four years later, he is back in the Azkals’ fold.
A calmer, more focused and probably more mature Patrick is joining the team.
“I was called three times since 2019, but I wasn’t able to go due to personal and other issues which were beyond my control, such as the club’s decision. It is not easy to be away and I’m so happy that I’m here without any conflicts or problems,” Deyto said.
After moving to Thailand, Patrick got married to Natasha and now doting parents to precocious daughter, Yara. For Partrick, who was so passionate about football during his younger days, these wonderful changes have made him realize that there is more to life than just getting the Ws and keeping clean slates.
“Family pa rin ang important. Win, lose or draw after the game, I can see my family there. I can carry my daughter and it gives me a good feeling regardless of the result. Even my perspective has changed. The priorities have changed. There is something bigger than myself,” he explained.
Deyto has undergone major adulting moments in his stay in Thailand. Foremost of which was when his former club decided to change its coach. He said that it is normal for new coaches to bring his players in the club, to include his goalkeeper — a development that led Deyto to take the number 2 spot in manning the post. Unlike the younger Deyto, he took the changes in stride, willingly taking the “demotion” just for the sake of the team. He gave it a try for a few weeks, but when his club offered to release him with pay of course, he took the opportunity as calmly as possible, or to be more specific, as professionally as he can.
Deyto said he was confident that he will get a new team soon after moving from his former club. But then again, his expectations didn’t materialize either because the season is still ongoing or that every team already has its own goalkeeper. His agent even told him that it would be easier to find a club before the start of the new season.
Instead of sulking or ranting, Deyto decided to go home.
“I was actually planning to rest because I have been playing in Thailand for four years. I played a lot of games in Thailand. I was tired mentally and physically. So I planned to rest for six months but if I want to play in Thailand in the new season, I need to play. I need to be fit,” Deyto said.
Fortunately, Deyto had two options when he returned to the country. He eventually chose to play for Stallion Laguna FC until the end of the domestic season with the end goal to find a new team abroad by June.
“Sabi ko while I’m here I can help the team. I can guide the younger players and let’s see what will happen,” he said.
The last four months have been good to Deyto. He was able to play again in the Philippines Football League and reconnected with his former teammates, friends and even the game officials. He had fun during his stay. But he is happier now that he got another call up to be part of the training pool for the tuneup games against Nepal and Chinese Taipei.
“I can guarantee that I will train 100%. If I get to play, I will give my 100% and I will enjoy it because you know, sometimes we take things for granted. And when it is no longer there, you really want to become a part of the team that represents your country in international competitions. This is also an opportunity for me to be with my old teammates whom I haven’t seen in a long time. Gusto ko lang talaga to go there and enjoy,” he added.
While the Azkals have a new coach and there are so many new faces in the team, Deyto remains optimistic that the current squad is capable of making the country proud, of making the die-hard Azkals’ fans rally behind the team once more.
“Sana this is the one that will kick start Philippine football again because believe it not, Azkals playing abroad are hoping that the Philippines Football League will come back to what it was before,” Deyto said.
He maintained that this is among the most fervent wishes of players called in every national training camp. Deyto said every Azkal would like to see the domestic league, sooner than later, to rise once more, with more teams competing, simply because the country deserves to have a strong, competitive and sustainable football league.
Deyto says there is a big possibility that he might be leaving after the friendlies to join his new team if things fall according to plan. But for the moment, Deyto is taking the tune-up games against Nepal and Chinese Taipei very seriously. He also vowed to enjoy them as well.
“It is still different to play at home in front of your family, friends and of course, the fans,” he added.
Speaking of playing, The Designated Kit Man would like to believe that former Azkals team captain Stephan Schrock has “unretired” and has been called back for national duties once more.
Schroecky, who played his last game for the Azkals in January this year, is among those invited and in fact was present during the training of the national team at the Rizal Memorial Stadium for the past several days now. And from what I heard, El Capitan is showing that he is not taking the opportunity to play once more for the flag and country for granted.
Good luck bro!
On a personal note, let’s rally behind the Azkals, not only against Nepal and Chinese Taipei, but in their future games as well as they embark for bigger campaigns by November this year. This is the time to feel optimistic, to be hopeful once again, no matter what the doubters and so-called keyboard warriors would want us to believe.
A true fan will always support the Azkals, especially when it is no longer convenient or “uso” to do so.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at [email protected] or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat