Football!

I woke up today to news about Philippine Football.

I can't believe it, people are actually writing about this team and the sport (basketball is our poison of choice, after all)!  Its the game the whole world loves, except in the Philippines.  Well, I hope that's about to change.

Tonight at 7PM (8PM here in PH), the Azkals face the Merah Putih (Red and White) in our "home" game at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.  The Indons are the toughest in the field and quite frankly, it would be easy to think that our "street dogs" probably won't be reaching the finals after this.

Of course, the Indons are looking at making it a 2-game ambush of the the Filipinos (tonight and on Dec 19).

Merah Putih
(photo from AFF website via bleachersbrew.blogspot.com)

But, its been an improbable run so far at the AFF Suzuki Cup.  I say, BRING IT ON.

Younghusband interviewed at their practice session at University of Makati, PH
(from abs-cbnnews.com)

Despite the current politics and problems at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) the Philippine Football team is now an overnight sensation, with TV coverage (finally!) to boot.  Plus, more girls are now taking notice.  Ayos!  Watch an interview here.

UNFAMILIAR SIGHT:  Talking about football on the internet (gmanews.tv)

And, here's another one from GMA Network:  click here

Check on these links from local PH newspapers.

1.  INQUIRER:  There's talk of hosting a Manila Beer Cup in 2011!  This bodes well for Philippine Football.  Click here.

2.  PHILIPPINE STAR: Noted Sports Columnist and fellow TLS/ DLSU alum Joaquin Henson writes about the ff:

 - petty politics in the utterly mismanaged PFF and why the home game wont be in Bacolod, PH:  Make clickie here

 - ousted PFF president on the warpath.  click here

3.  PHILIPPINE STAR: An interview with coach Simon McMenemy, only 4 months into the job:  here

Nice quote from the McMenemy and why I think the ousted PFF president is at the wrong side of the fence:

"(ousted PFF persident) Mr. Martinez wants to revamp the team and bring in a new coach. I don’t understand and it disappoints me. A lot of the boys were disappointed reading that. I cannot understand how he can even say that. It’s so disrespectful as if we haven’t done enough for the country."

4.  THE MANILA TIMES:  nice article.  here

5.  MALAYA BUSINESS INSIGHT:  here

My problem NOW is, where I can see it on local TV?  I dont think we have Star Sports and ESPN on Global Destiny Cable.  *argh*

The Azkals (picture from www.inquirer.net)

Go Azkals!

XOXO,

GeloCim