Azkals get a boost for the upcoming Suzuki Cup

In the picture: (from middle L-R Simon McMenemy, Dan Palami, Chito Manuel, Ton Gatmaitan and Aly Borromeo


Azkals get a boost for the upcoming Suzuki Cup

by rick olivares

The Philippine Men’s National Football Team got a nice send off yesterday November 23, 2010 at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) House of Football as Gatorade, the world’s leading sports drink, came on board as a team sponsor on the eve of their participation in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup 2010 that will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam from December 1-19.

“Having Gatorade behind us is literally a big boost for us,” said an exuberant Dan Palami, the national team manager. “The press con, the media being present – I don’t think this team has ever seen so many media persons in one room interested in writing about them – and having the backing of a multinational like Gatorade definitely lifts up our spirits.”

“Football is one of our three priority sports for 2011,” underscored Gatorade Brand Representative Ton Gatmaitan. “We are excited to be able to be behind not just the national team but also Philippine football in general. Not only will we provide them with powered Gatorade to last them from Thailand (where the team will train briefly) all the way to Vietnam but we will also have equipment such as coolers, towels, water bottles, and next year even sweat tests to determine a hydration plan for all of the players.”

The Nationals qualified for the biennial tournament when they placed second in the Qualifying Stage last month in Vientiane, Laos. The Philippines beat Timor Leste 5-0 in its first match before they drew their final two matches against eventual group winner Laos 2-2 and Cambodia 0-0.

Laos and the Philippines will join the top six seeded ASEAN nations – Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand – in a battle for the AFF Suzuki Cup trophy and US $100,000. The Azkals, as the nationals are fondly nicknamed, are bracketed with defending champion Vietnam, dangerous Singapore, and Myanmar.

“I’m expecting three very very tough games where we’re the underdogs in every match.” said head coach Simon McMenemy who had one international cap with Brunei as a contracted foreigner and was a former assistant manager with non-English Premier League team Worthing Football Club. “Being here is already achievement but were certainly not satisfied with that. We’re in for a tough fight but if we start out well against Singapore in our opening match then who knows how far we can go? Anything we achieve in the tournament is a bonus. We know we are capable of beating the other teams. Whether that works in our favor on game day or not, without wanting to be very cliché-ish about it, football is a very strange game where the ball is round and anything can happen. The way the lads have been training, we are certainly capable of doing things.”

“None of the other countries are expecting anything from us,” noted team captain Alexander Borromeo. “We always play better when we’re underdogs and we’re in high spirits now so that has to be a good combination.”

The composition of the national team is a balance of veterans like Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong, Borromeo, Ian Araneta, Anton del Rosario, Phil and James Younghusband, Neil Etheridge, Matthew Hartmann, and Eduard Sacapaño; and newcomers Michael Atienza, Jerry Barbaso, Yanti Barsales, David Basa, Christopher Camcam, Jose Alfe Caminos, Joel Ballo-Allo, Jason de Jong, Mark Anthony Ferrer, Roel Gener, Robert James Gier, Peter Jaugan, Ray Anthony Jonsson, Manuel Ott, Ray Mark Palmes, Jose Paolo Pascual, Gino Angelo Pavone, and Kristoffer Relucio.

Assisting McMenemy is former Ateneo High School and Air Force coach Edwin Cabalida, Edzel Bracamonte, and Rolando Piñero as well as physiotherapists Walfred Javier and Josef Malinay.

The Philippines sees its first bit of action on December 2 when they go up against Singapore at 5pm at the My Dinh Stadium.

They play hosts Vietnam on December 5 at 730pm once more at the My Dinh Stadium before they close out their group stage assignment Myanmar of December 8 at 5pm at the Hang Day Stadium.

One of my fave players -- Emelio "Chieffy" Caligdong of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo -- explaining in his own way the difference between the system utilized by current coach Simon McMenemy and former team mentor Aris Caslib. It was hilarious I assure you. Not sure if I can post the video though.