In Ed We Trusted! PHI 1 – 0 SIN

Tweeted around 4PM, Nov. 15 (I bow my head in shame)

It’s the Azkals’ last game before the Suzuki Cup, and oh boy, despite my misgivings (especially about our goalkeepers), they did not disappoint.

The absence of several key players like Misagh Bahadoran, Carli de Murga, Jason Sabio, Angel Guirado, Jerry Lucena, Dennis Cagara, Neil Etheridge, and Stephan Schrock in the lineup was hardly felt as the Azkals’ deep bench more than made up for it. It wasn’t a championship match, but it sure felt like it, as the Azkals worked hard for a win in front of the very enthusiastic Cebuano crowd.

The Azkals were off to a shaky start, with many blown chances by its key strikers. Patrick Reichelt, although unselfish in passing the ball, was quite unlucky, and threw away potential chances to score. Our mid was quite problematic even if Jason de Jong held it up as brilliantly as he could. Our back line, on the other hand, was impressive, with Rob Gier and Juani Guirado successfully commandeering the defense.

The inclusion of the Younghusband brothers and winger Marwin Angeles in the second half, however, spelled the difference for the team. The substitute Angeles scored Philippines’ only goal at the 55′ mark, off a pass by Phil Younghusband, also a sub. I gotta admit, though, that the brothers were kinda selfish in their passes, opting to dish out to each other even if there were others who were in far better positions than them.

The brightest spot was definitely Ed Sacapano, who in the absence of Number 1 and 2 keepers Neil Etheridge and Roland Müller, respectively, stepped up to the plate in terms of goalkeeping. Sacapano’s (first) moment came right before halftime, when the referee (mistakenly) called a penalty against Jeffrey Christaeans on Singapore’s Amri. He brilliantly stopped the ball with his right hand, resulting in a missed open chance by the Singaporean side. This was Sacapano’s second penalty save in recent memory. I’m actually starting to think he might actually be psychic. :p And just as I was writing this, Sacapano makes another brilliant save off a dangerous free kick from Singapore. WOW. Pure class. I think we don’t need to worry as much if Neil or Müller cannot make it. OKAY ED MAKES IT THREE ON THE 88′ MARK. I think no one deserves Man of the Match honors more than he does. (I’m sorry I’m writing this piece while watching the game so bear with me with all the corrections, hehe) Thirteen shots on goal. None came even close. WOW. In Ed we trusted, and he delivered with a clean sheet. This has got to be one of the best performances of a keeper our country has ever seen.

9PM November 15

I am definitely eating (with gusto) whatever I said about him not being ripe enough for the Suzuki Cup. With all the uncertainties hounding our goalkeeper position this Suzuki Cup (Neil allegedly chose to extend his loan to the Bristol Rovers to help them escape relegation, while there is still no word if Roland Müller will be released my MSV Duisburg), one thing is for sure. Manong Ed will step up to the plate if he is needed. Will it be another occasion for us to chant “In Ed We Trust”? Only a few more weeks to find out.

On to the Suzuki Cup! Our Azkals are finally ready.

 

 

Unfriendly friendly: On the PHI – IDN match

Third match I’ve watched at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and the Azkals did not disappoint. Well, maybe a little, but not as much as if they came out with a loss.

I was really lucky to get Grandstand tickets from my Tita at the very last minute. I was okay with the bleachers tickets I was already scheduled to buy since it was nearer the loud Kaholeros (who by the way, make really good chants), but I had to admit, the Grandstand seats proved to be really good.

Traffic along Taft was terrible so Ham (that’s my sister) and I had to alternately walk  and run, then dodge both pedestrian and vehicular traffic just so we could reach the RMS in time for KO. Our efforts were rewarded as we arrived just as the players walked on the field.

The Azkals wore their dark blue kits while Indonesia wore red shirts coupled with white shorts.

The Philippines has faced Indonesia 20 times in its footballing history and has never won a match against them— with the most positive scoreline a draw back in 19-freakin’-77 (PLEASE CORRECT MY HISTORY IF I’M WRONG ~A). It was also Indonesia who dealt us a very humiliating 12-0 loss some years back. The Azkals also faced them in the Suzuki Cup last year where there was a home and away format, which supposedly should have allowed the Azkals to play on home turf. Sadly, none of our stadiums passed FIFA standards and we were left with no choice but to play the supposed home game in Indonesian soil. If you haven’t heard the news, we lost.

You bet the Azkals came out looking for the blood of redemption.

My take on the Moy, Guirado issue

Before anything else, let me make this clear. I have been an Azkals fan for the past eight months and while some may consider this as only a short time to be a fan, my support for the team cannot be questioned. This, however, does not make me a blind fan, oblivious to any wrongdoing PROVEN to be committed by any National Team member. The support I give to our National Team is for the pride and honor they bring our country, may it be a win or a loss.

A few days ago, a sexual harassment complaint was lodged against two Azkals, Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado, by match commissioner during the PHL-MAS friendly, Cristy Ramos. As an Azkals fan and as a female, I felt so strongly about the issue and thought I have to put my two cents in.

While I would never condone sexual harassment in any form, I have several reservations about the complaint lodged by Ms. Ramos on the issue.