INSIDE SPORTS: KEEPING THE FAITH
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 17 Mar 2012
No matter what the outcome of the semi final match between the Philippine Azkals and the youthful Turkmenistan side in the AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu, Nepal, with majestic Mt. Everest looking down imposingly on the field below, our Philippine team has indeed scaled unprecedented heights in so short a time and deserve praise for their efforts against seemingly difficult odds.
Indeed the Azkals have been on a fairytale ride carrying with them the hopes and the best wishes of millions of Filipinos who, despite a few uninformed and carping critics, have kept faith with the Philippine Azkals and coach Michael Weiss.
It would do well to remember that most of the stronger and more accomplished teams in international football have been nurtured through years of patient, hardwork and commitment not only by the players and football leaders, coaches and managers but backed up by tremendous resources.
We enjoy no such luxury but rely on indomitable courage, faith in one another, a growing camaraderie among the players, a coach who knows what we need to do in order to reach the heights the Azkals are capable of reaching and leaders like PFF president Nonong Araneta and manager Dan Palami who feel an unquestioned love for the game.
To be sure we don't have all the players we would wish to have had in Nepal but rather than moan their absence our players and coach Weiss buckled down to work to achieve amazing results that are a credit to their fighting spirit.
In the semi finals we will surely miss James Younghusband and Angel Guirado who has been particularly outstanding while silencing his handful of critics by his often remarkable moves on the field.
The header that sealed the 2-1 win over former champions Tajikistan was a classic comparablle to some of the best we've seen in the high profile English Premier League while the brace scored by Phil Younghusband against another former Challenge Cup champion team India and his first goal against Tajikistan were things of heart-stopping moments for Azkals supporters and demonstrated Phil's footballing finesse.
Those whose role in life seems to be to destroy rather than to build must surely feel at least a tinge of regret if not shame over their meanness in seeking to put down the Azkals in the face of their remarkable composure in the face of such attacks. That showed more than a touch of class just as coach Michael Weiss has ignored the self-serving criticism of those on the fringes of football.
While it is undoubtedly true that in the beginning the good looks of the Azkals drew the fans, it is now more evident than ever that the handsomeness of their game and the unbridled passion and pride they demonstrate in representing the Philippines accounts for their following.
It is incumbent that all of us stand as one behind the Azkals just as we should support any other individual or team that wears our country's colors. To do anything less would be shameful.
It would be most appropriate to express the people's thanks to ABS-CBN's top honcho Gabby Lopez and vice president for Sports Peter Musngi for telecasting the games "Live" on Studio 23 and to commend the tandem of Bob Guerrero and injured Azkals skipper Ali Borromeo for an excellent job despite Nepal TV's sometimes shockingly long and ill-timed slo-mo replays.
We must also, to be fair, acknowledge the efforts of AKTV IBC 13 in giving football the attention it deserves by their coverage on television. With the commitment and resources poured into football by TV, the quality of the game is certain to improve and the following for the sport bound to increase.
We have personally been involved in years past in Philippine football and have realized and kept faith with the contention that this is our game and - make no mistake about it - this is our time!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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