The Philippine Azkals lost, 1-0, to host Bahrain a few nights ago. From an expected massacre or a blowout, the Azkals somehow managed to hold the host scoreless for the rest of the international friendly after yielding a goal in the opening half.
The Azkals, in fact, had several chances in the opening minutes of the game and they can hold their heads up high inspite of the circumstances they have to deal with, even before taking on the Muharabi Dilmun at the Sheik Ali Bin Mohammed Stadium.
The team lost several players due to injuries and six Kaya FC Iloilo players went back home two days before the Bahrain match due to club duties. All of these were very unfortunate, considering that these players were dying to play for the country after a remarkable performance against Kyrgyzstan two days before. Audie Menzi, in fact, scored the winning goal while “Manong” Simone Rota, in his return to the national team, also played well.
With the injuries and the departure of the Kaya players, only 16 players, three of which were goalkeepers, suited up against Bahrain. For those who bashed the team after the loss, you should look at the mirror and assess if you are indeed fans of the Azkals or “mga mema lang.” No matter what the team does, under every imaginable and tangible concern and circumstance, you always find fault. As our managing editor Joyce Panares would always emphasize, “everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but not to their own facts.”
Fact is, despite the obvious lack of available players, the Azkals played a solid second half and inspite of the conceded goal in the first half, the whole game in general. With Bahrain ranked 50 notches higher than this “palaging talo” team, many true Azkals fans expected a beating, or a minimum score of at least 5-0. Even a former member of the squad, if my memory is correct, said he was betting on a 10-0 scoreline or something to that effect, in favor of Bahrain. No wonder you are no longer on the team and I can’t even remember your name.
Another fact. Head coach Michael Weiss’ faith in the team remains solid despite the loss. “The team is making steady progress and understands each other very well, knows the way they have to play which is according to their abilities, based on running and fighting for each other and a combination of passing and long diagonal style of play,” Weiss explained.
Despite the lack of superstars and big names in the team in recent camps, Weiss maintained that he will have to do with what he has. Like what the Azkals did in the second half in the Bahrain friendly. He said that the Azkals might even get better results and team performances with that kind of mentality and motivation that they have shown lately, especially during crunch time.
“We have team spirit and fighting mentality,” he said. He also added that the previous camps have contributed to the players’ familiarity with each other.
He also commended the contributions of three Azkals—OJ Porteria, Kevin ingreso and Patrick Reichelt—who recently reached personal milestones with the team.
Both Porteria and Ingreso notched their 40th caps for the team, while Reichelt has appeared in 80 games for flag and country.
“All three players deserve the biggest respect for sticking with the Azkals. Despite playing in not so favorable conditions and environment, they perform and put their hearts and souls out for the country,” Weiss added.
Weiss has also accepted the reality that not all on his wish list will be present come November. But it doesn’t mean he is giving up. “The team that will be there in the end will have to do it. We will make the best out of the players that we will have,” he vowed.
When asked about what they can say about the team’s performance against Bahrain, several Azkals fans commented on the upside.
“All things considered, it was quite a decent performance. They looked promising pero ideally, I’d love them to do much better,” said Ardee Bedro.
“Overall, satisfied, unmarked goal lang ang Bahrain. At hindi sila nag-panic. To be honest, expectation ko 4-0 due to the unfortunate situation ng squad,” added Jun Paulino Cornelio.
Clyde Caberoy, on the other hand, praised Weiss by saying that “better than the old coaches. At least kilala na niya ang player na huhugutin. Kulang lang talaga sa players (sa game). Kala ko tambak, pero wow. Iba ang feeling ko now sa Azkals, ‘yung alam mong may chance na talaga manalo unlike dati na simula pa lang tagilid na kahit lower ranked teams.”
Primo Santino said the recent camps have given him an idea of the Azkals who will be in the November qualifiers. And like the others before him, and definitely not those toxic fans, scammers and trolls, he is optimistic of the Azkals’ chances. “Weiss was pushed against the wall and yet managed to bring an A game despite the lack of manpower,” he quipped.
Justin Rey Leonard probably summed it best. “Clearly different from the team we saw in the last two years. Medyo bumabalik na ‘yung kagat ng Azkals. Marami pa need ipolish pero we’re getting there. So not a bad result na rin,” he said.
We can all agree that we wanted the team to win, that is given. Are we disappointed with the loss? Aren’t we all? But unless you (referring to the bashers, para malinaw lang po) apply your high Azkals standards in everyday life, like voting for the best candidates in the upcoming barangay elections for starters, or making your local politicians answer for poor services and non-existent accountability of where our taxes go, then rant all you want against the team.
And one more thing, while we are at it, it would be also good if you can watch the Azkals live at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Nov. 16, 2023 as we open our Olympic and Asian Cup qualifiers against Vietnam. Be one of the 10K strong that the Philippine Football Federation is hoping to show up in our first home match, in the game that really matters. Dami niyo hanash, sana manood kayo ng game live para maiba naman.
The Designated Kit Man is also hoping that the booboo in recalling the Kaya players before the big match against Bahrain will not happen again. To put it simply, it could have been avoided with common sense.
Please tune in this Sunday, October 22 from 2-3:30 p.m., to Larong Pilipino aired live over DZME 1530 Khz and streamed over the station’s official social media account. Dan Palami, the Azkals Team Manager, and “Pambansang Kamao” Manny Pacquaio are expected to be part of the show.
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