Euro 2012 Football Championship

Image Source

It's been over a week now that Europe is all agog over this tournament, second only to the World Cup in terms of importance and prestige. Never mind the crisis, serious enough to make their nations, Greece especially, bankrupt. They forget all their worries and problems once their countries play.That's how passionate Europeans are about football. National pride, passion, at times plain arrogance and hooliganism. Football to them is everything.

Such major sporting event yet it pains me that local media doesn't even bother to prominently report it. No news in major broadsheets and if ever, just a very tiny space likened to reporting the result of a barangay basketball tournament. And I thought that we are suppose to promote football now. If we are to promote this sport nationwide, media should play a very major role in promoting it, through its reporting, broadcasting, etc. Look at how they play up NBA. Basketball is already very popular in the country, and everybody is reporting it, giving it headline news in the sports pages and giving news at the scores. One major TV network even scrap their morning programs to beam live the on-going NBA finals when it is already actually covered in other channels. Good thing, Solar Sports ( which I think started sport coverages before other networks followed) is showing replays of the Euro Cup in the evenings. For the stories, Business World ( and perhaps the other business newspaper too) cover it regularly, including the other European and South American Cup championships.

Because of the TV coverage, we saw how NBA players play; and we follow their moves, their set-ups, etc which enhance our skills and basketball sense or IQ. Imagine if the same coverage is shown to us when Messi, Ronaldo, Rooney, Drogba, Lampard, Gomez, Roben, Shevchenko, Van Persie, et al show their wares.

The Euro 2012 is now in the quarterfinal stage.. Azkals fans, catch them and see the real  football.

The Azkals Has Arrived!

Image Source

If we are to gauge the performance of our men's football national team (represented by the popular Azkals) the last two years since that eye opening Suzuki Cup performance, then, indeed, we can now say that finally, Philippine football has arrived. Their performance in the on going friendly games against long time regional tormentors, Malaysia and Indonesia has cemented that observation. Gone are the days when those two ASEAN neighbors, long dominant in the regional games, would outclassed our national teams by such forgettable scores as 7-2, 8-3, margins considered in football as massacre. Now, they can not intimidate us anymore. Now, they can not under estimate us anymore. Now, they are showing us respect.

Last week's friendly game in Malaysia against the host nation was played to an exciting and fighting draw. The team was not even complete with the inavailability of the Younghusband brothers and Neil Etheridge sitting out a one game suspension. In their last friendly a few months ago, played at Rizal Memorial, Malaysia was just lucky to even the game scoring in the closing minutes of the game, following a lapse in defense. Up 1-0 then with time ticking out, it could have been a sweet victory for our revered Azkals. Last night's game against Indonesia played in our own turf was also another heart rending game. Played in rain, it was marred by a bench clearing altercation following a Malaysian foul and which resulted to two red cards issued for the Philippines and one for the visiting Indons. But it proved beneficial on our side as the penalty kick which resulted on that early foul prior to the altercation resulted in a beautiful goal, courtesy of our No.1 scorer, Phil Younghusband. A penalty kick, a header pass to Phil in a crowded area in front of the goal, which he simply volleyed to a stunned Indon goalie.  It was a goal tying kick, 2-2, on the 80th minute which droved the highly partisan crowd in frenzy and uproar. Angel Locsin, wherever she maybe at that time, could have surely jumped from her seat. Now, the Azkals are flying to Bacolod for their 3rd friendly match against Guam, minus the hometown favorite, Ilonggo star and team captain Chieffy Caligdong who was one of those given the red card. How I wish the prolific Stephan Schrock will be there but he did not play last  night because he flew back to Germany on an emergency.


Philippine football has still a long, long way to go to even just be a contender in Asia, much more in the world. A generation or more perhaps. The question lingering in our minds will be: after Azkals, what? They will aged, most will go back to their country where they grew up, mostly in Europe. But now, even for just the popularity and attention revived, and the grass root development  that we now see, Sportydad is happy. Happy in the thought that I have something to cheer about in the sport I first loved, the sport I first played even before I entered school.

Leonel Angel Coira: Newest Soccer Child Prodigy

While our football officials are going out of their way to scout and recruit talents from Europe and the US to reinforce our Azkals football team, now comes the news of a 7 year old kid signed up by Real Madrid, one of the world's most popular and greatest club teams. Isn't that fantastic and great? Or on the other hand, weird, scary, or exploitation? Well, that's the latest news breaker in the world of football which I first learned and heard on ANC's Hardball.

Image Source

His name is Leonel Angel Coira of Argentina. Three years ago, his family moved to Madrid where his father coaches a local youth team. This is where he was discovered.  Ironically, his favorite team is Barcelona, the arch rival of Real Madrid and his idol is Barcelona star striker and fellow Argentinian World Footballer of the Year, Lionel Messi. But Real Madrid got the first crack for this talent and signed him for a 1 year development contract to join their youngest team, the "Benjamin' squad composed mainly of kids under 9 years old. Is signing also came on the heels because another Spanish Team, Atletico Madrid was likewise hot on his trail.


Apparently in Spain or in Europe, signing up children in soccer is nothing new. They have extensive youth academies where they train and develop future stars. Spain's national goalie and also Real Madrid's goalie, Iker Casillas joined he Madrid Youth System at age 9. But there is also a commercial strategy to this. It is a club's tactic to enlist young talents to avoid huge transfer fees when they become full blown stars.


 Many doubt whether these kids will eventually  bloom into the levels of a Pele, or a Maradona or a Messi who himself is still young in early 20's but already on the peak of his success. As for this new sensational kid on the block, nicknamed Leo, we'll have to wait till he becomes 16 when he now be legally allowed to play for the first division tournaments and perhaps the national team and the ultimate, the World Cup.

After Azkals, Can Wesley So and Co. Be Left Behind?

Image Source

Relegated  in background news amid the euphoria of the Azkals match with Kuwait and the arrival of NBA stars led by Kobe Bryant who played two games against the PBA stars and our Smart Gilas national team was a strong chess tournament participated only by all the grandmasters of our country. I hope the day will come when chess will also find place in our country's top sports priority.


In chess, size does not matter. Therefore, this is a sport where Filipinos can excel and compete with the world's best.

Historically, we did made significant strides in the international scene. Eugene Torre was Asia's and our country's first grandmaster. His fait accompli was done in Nice, France Chess Olympics sometime in early 70's while playing top board for the Philippine team. Considering that the top boards are normally manned by the best grandmasters of every country, such feat was indeed a great accomplishment. For a while, Torre has remained one of the top young grandmasters in the world. Our 2nd grandmaster, the late Rosendo Balinas, earned his grandmaster norm after topping and winning a strong chess tournament in Russia (USSR then), the home of the world's grandmasters. Before him, no other foreigner has won a chess tournament in Russian soil. After them, however, came a drought of grandmaster in the making. Meanwhile, China, Vietnam, and India have started to produce many and top grandmasters, including women. In recent years, thanks to the support by the Philippine Chess Federation led by its president, Prospero "Butch" Pichay, the controversial former congressman from Surigao, through various  international exposures and local  chess tournaments, our number of grandmasters has grown.


Leading the pack is teenage sensation super grandmaster Wesley So from Cavite. For quite sometime now, he is our country's No. 1 player and one of the top young grandmasters in the world. Barely 17 or 18 perhaps, he has performed well in strong chess tournaments abroad, winning some, and/or  placing among the top finishers. He has beaten a number of super super grandmasters like Gata Kamsky of the US and others. His ELO rating of 2670+, a super grandmaster level, is the highest rating a Filipino had. His performances here and abroad weighs more than other performances we toast. Wesley So, surely, should be our country's pride.

Thank You, Azkals!

Philippine Azkals and Kuwait  Al Azraq battled it our at Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila

Well done. It was a game worth the wait, worth the hype, and worth watching, live; despite the rain. We lost to a more superior and more experienced team, the Al Azraq of Kuwait. It was victory though for Philippine football. Never has football gained nationwide popularity and recognition in this country which is still more passionate on basketball. The whole world, including our ASEAN neighbors, though, are football crazy.

So much has been said about the game. I have to add my take.

The game was again lost in the 2nd half. The Azkals played a good fighting first half, punctuated by that classic goal by Stephan Schrock in the closing minute of the first half to go 1-nil.. But the 2nd half was a different story.. It was apparent that the lax on defense did them in. Despite playing with only 10 men after a member was thrown out following  a hard tackle on Chieffy Caligdong, the Kuwaitis never panicked . Their short passes were always a threat. Our players was not able to capitalize on the Kuwaitis manpower deficit. They were quite slow in going back to defense after a failed offense. The first goal was a shocker. The 2nd goal was the result of not being able to go back fast on defense.  They simply were just passed by a streaking Kuwaiti from the center of the field down to the top of the penalty area. On this one on one situation, goalie Neil Etheridge was forced to go out of the goal and meet the head on the rushing Kuwaiti, leaving the goal wide open. In football, a split second lapse can be punished severely. Most often, this will cost the game.

My hats are off to Fil-German Stephan Schrock. He was my MVP. He was everywhere. From defense to orchestrating offense. From left field to center to right field. His defense was superb, spiked by those spectacular saves and tackles. His bullet shot from way out got the whole stadium and the whole country in frenzy and wild jubilation. That shot was a reel highlight. I saw it coming. We were seated just in front of that area and the resiliency of Chieffy fighting for that ball near the corner marker before Shrock got the ball was not lost on me. And have you seen Schrocks' very Filipina looking mother, Maria, who flew all the way from Germany to watch his game?

We don't know when we will see another  football game of this caliber in the future. There is the Under 23 SEA Games in November this year and the AFC Challenge Cup next year but will be played somewhere else. For now, we hail our heroes, our Azkals, for a job well done. We thank too the coaching staff and the Philippine Football Federation. for making this happen. In a gesture of this gratitude and admiration, we in the crowd, did not leave the stadium immediately after the game. We waited and cheered as our Azkals heroes made their traditional oval run. That was also their way of thanking the Filipino fans for all their support and love of the team. It was a touching moment; for us; and for them too.

Football, the beautiful game, has finally arrived in the Philippines.  

Go Azkals!

Make or break. Do or die. Go or stay home. Experience vs. upstart. Mission impossible. Will it rain for the Azkals? These are some of the descriptions of sportswirters and buffs for today's game of our own dear Azkals team vs. Kuwait. What else could I say but GO AZKALS.

All roads will lead to the fabled Rizal Memorial tonight. One of the biggest events in recent memory. One that unite our people. One that excites the nation. One that make us proud. Only Manny Pacquaio has surpassed this phenomenon. Win or lose, the Azkals has already made history. It's a joyful day, rain or no rain.

What's up for tonight. A very tall order. We have to overcome that 0-3 deficit. Almost a miracle. That's what Phil Star Sports say in bold letters: BELIEVE IN MIRACLE! Okay. Miracles do happen. How's that to happen?

My two cents worth. From defensive mood in the first game, we should play aggressive offense. We have to score. And ideally, we have to score early. That would inspire us and perhaps rattle the Kuwaitis. Fil-German Stephen Schrock  is expected to orchestrate the flowing offense and will also be at the forefront of defense with Aly Borromeo also back into action.. The offense should step up. We almost scored  in the first half then; perhaps their defense is not rock solid. Expect then that they will change strategy. Protecting their almost insurmountable 3-0 lead,I anticipate they'll move backward in defense, also in respect to the abilities of our attackers. But watch out for their offense too. They have strong attackers. And they can shift fast from defense to offense and vice versa. They are well conditioned .I don't think our weather will bother them as they are exposed to international events. Our Azkals should play as if this is their last. They have to run the full 90 minutes. Time is sticking. Obviously, while more on offfense, they should not throw caution in the wind on defense. The 12th man should come in all the time. The hometown crowd. Let's go rah rah rah.

I look forward to a good game. Such high caliber football does not happen here every day. A 2-1 Azkal win is doable. 1-0 is realistic. But 3-0 or 4-0? Come on! Kuwait is champion of Gulf Cup of Nation and West Asian Cup titles last year; both high level Asian tourneys. Football is Kuwait's national passion, perhaps more then Filipinos adore basketball.

I'm taking my family to the game. To support our Azkals. For our country. For the love of football.

Homecoming for SportyDad

SportyDad went on a weekend break to attend the UP HS Iloilo homecoming where our class was one of the honored jubilarians. T'was so good to be home. Home is UP Iloilo (now UP Visayas) where we spent the best years of our student days. The campus looked the same, the old buildings still standing and defying time, serving as mute witnesses to our growing up years. The playground now looked small; it looked big then when it was the main venue for our Sportsfest, student teach-ins, bonfires, etc. The reunion in sum was best described by Sen.Franklin Drilon, a member of the Golden Jubilarian class 1961  and adjudged as the Most Distinguished Alumnus. Indeed, he said, "this reunion uplifted our collective spirit and renewed our bond." And when Push on UP and UP Naming Mahal hyms were played, it was the older batches who seemingly sang the loudest.

Here's our batch with the Oblation. On my left, in blue shirt, is Nonong Araneta.

After the Saturday (July 22) dinner ball (which was the highlight of the affair), we proceeded to watch the Kuwait leg of the Azkals-Kuwait FIFA qualifier. We settled at the lobby of Smallville 21 hotel, located at Smallville, Iloilo's version of Eastwood. With us was our classmate, Mariano "Nonong" Araneta, Jr., the president of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF). His phones were busy, messages from Kuwait,  from local news reporters, and from many others. In between, we talked about the game, our prospects, strategy, personalities, skills and background of the players, news coverage, etc. Excitement, anxiety, rolled into one. 15 minutes from kick-off, he received a text message of the starting line-up. Definitely, the absence of Borromeo and Schrock necessitates some adjustments. He already sensed the weakness of the line-up; the left field to be manned by Jason Sabio. True enough, this is the left wing where the Kuwaitis made a killing on their attacks.

We jumped in excitement when Phil Younghusband had a clear opportunity to score the first blood as he left all defenders and faced one on one with the Kuwaiti goalie. Alas, to me he misfired that premature kick which was deflected by the goalie. Had he dribbled and side stepped one more, no way the goalie could have reached it. And Guirado's header which hit the bar was also very unlucky. We could have scored first and this could have definitely altered the complexion of the game. In the next ensuing play, the Kuwaitis, fast and superior in ball handling and movement counter atttacked. When near the corner area the Kuwaiti attacker was free, I could almost anticipate the next move. Kick to the center for a header cross. I've seen this over and over in European leagues, and indeed that was precisely done. The area was  quite covered but as luck would have it, Kuwait scored the first goal on a header. Still, there was hope. The 1-0 halftime score was acceptable.We went out of the hotel lobby and had ice cream at past 1 in the morning across the street. Somehow it cooled off the heat and tension. Our Azkals, we hoped, should concentrate more on defense in the 2nd half. But it turned out not to be. They lost focus, they found it hard to regroup and no substitute was called in for fresher legs. The Kuwaitis in turn displayed why they are one of the top teams in Asia.

We expect a closer game come Thursday at Rizal Memorial Stadium. Borromeo and Schrock will be back, perhaps the fancied Jerry Lucena and Mulders can play. Put in the hometown crowd. It will be an exciting game. A close game and a close Azkals victory is possible but a 4-3 aggregate which could make us advance to the next round is a tall, tall order.

Azkals Next Stop: Kuwait

The victory celebrations are not yet over but the grim reality of the tougher road ahead for our new found heroes, the Azkals (You may join the conversation about Azkals here.) , looms prominently just a few weeks from now. I would say Mongolia and Sri Lanka were lightweights and our twin victories were sort of a given. Mongolia's main sports I think is weightlifting and some amateur boxing while Sri Lanka, cricket, the national game of the Commonwealth countries. But Kuwait is far far different. Like all Middle East Arab countries, soccer is their passion and they play and can now even sort of match with European teams. If memory  serves me right, Kuwait has once qualified for the main draw of the FIFA World Cup. And this is indeed something.

The Azkals should be more in their tip-top shape for this "home and away" game. But the suspension of skipper Aly Borromeo  and Fil-German Stephan Schrock owing to the two yellow cards they earned each in the two games will definitely be a big blow to our cause. I felt then that they should have restrained with those fouls last Sunday since the game was already in our hands. Borromeo is a stalwart in our backcourt defense while Schrock is a gem of a midfielder who orchestrated the Azkals offense in their 2 game match against Sri Lanka. In soccer, the midfielder is basketball's point guard and that's how important he is to the team. We just hope the reported replacement, Fil-Danish Jerry Lucena and Fil-Icelandic Ray Johnson will more than be able to fill in his shoes. But these two have not played yet with the team and we haveto see their prowess and most of all, their coordination with their teammates.

Come what may, the Azkals have already made history. Come July 28, we will again be trooping to Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, rain or shine and cheer to our hearts out for our team. For love of country and for love of football.