RP Men’s National Football Team: The quiet before the Suzuki Cup storm

RP Men’s National Football Team: The quiet before the Suzuki Cup storm

by rick olivares

HANOI, VIETNAM -- Whenever the Philippines participates in an international sporting competition, save for Manny Pacquiao or our legion of billiards players, our national teams are always underdogs. Massive underdogs who aren’t even given a second thought.

In the press conference at the start of the 2010 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup at the Sheraton in Hanoi, Vietnam, the ballroom was crammed with an amazing 200 journalists from the entire region.

As the national coaches of eight ASEAN countries sat atop the dais, there were only several questions posed by the media. And they were directed at the coaches of host Vietnam, the obvious favorites to repeat, and perennial regional powerhouse, Singapore.

It seemed that the media only cared about who would be who and who would win the coveted title. It made for bigger news since they were both bracketed in the same group alongside Myanmar and the Philippines.

Questions asked. Media session over.

Philippines head coach Simon McMenemy looked perplexed. No one even bothered to ask him anything.

The Philippine National Men’s Football Team is ranked at #151^st, the highest the country has placed since FIFA has been taking stock of standings.

Lost in the clicking of cameras and the lights from television crews is the voice of the coach from Thailand. “The Philippines is quiet. They can be a surprise.”

The problems of the Azkals, as the Philippine team is fondly nicknamed, go beyond the neighboring powerhouses. It is mostly from within. The politics that has besieged the governing Philippine Football Federation (PFF) through the years has affected the team management to its coaches to its players. The latter will tell you that they do not care for it but in a roundabout way, they show their knowledge and dismay by disrespecting officials for honeyed words that were only unkept promises.

But more than leaders, the coaching staff has to worry about never having an intact lineup to regularly train and teach. More than a third are Fil-foreigners and that means some of them usually arrive a few days before the competition. One like, Fil-German Mark Drinkuth who plays for BV04 Dusseldorf, arrived on the day of the competition itself. So chemistry is a fragile matter. Others are in the Armed Forces and the team management must make a formal written request when they would need the players to be available.

“Really no one expects us to win here,” said McMenemy while sitting down in the hotel lobby and watching his players avail of the free wifi connection. “if we do some good here that is a bonus. But don’t think we’re going to settle for a draw or keeping the score low. We will go out and try to win our matches.”

Up against Singapore with its multi-ethnic squad is always considered a daunting task. “They got veterans and a lot of experience,” noted McMenemy. “We’ve got youth and speed. We’re about to find out which will prevail.”

Both squads run a basic 4-4-2 formation. It’s a formation meant to cover the team’s lack of cohesion while keeping key positions manned by its veteran players. The game plan is hinged on how well the Philippines can defend against the attack-minded Singaporeans. “We plan to limit their capabilities,” said Assistant coach Edwin Cabalida. “Singapore’s Serbian coach Radojko Avramovic likes his team to attack in numbers so if we miss on our offense, it is important that we sprint back. That’s how Laos hurt us in the qualifiers.”

“It’s important that we get off to a good start because it can put us in a position to get a point somewhere,” added McMenemy.

At forward in the team’s formation are Ian Araneta and Phil Younghusband. At midfield are Jason de Jong, James Younghusband, Chris Greatwich, and Emelio Caligdong. The back four protecting the goal are Anton del Rosario, Rob Gier, Ray Jonsson, and team captain Aly Borromeo.

The RP team plays Singapore today at 5pm (6pm Manila time) at the 40,000-seat My Dinh National Stadium.

The Philippine Men’s National Football Team to the 2010 Suzuki Cup: Ian Araneta, Jerry Barbaso, Yanti Barsales, David Mark Basa, Joebel Bermejo, Alexander Borromeo, Emelio Caligdong, Christopher Camcam, Jason de Jong, Anton del Rosario, Neil Etheridge, Mark Ferrer, Roel Gener, Robert Gier, Christopher Greatwich, Peter Jaugan, Ray Jonsson, Nestor Margarse, Reymark Palmes, Kristopher Relucio, Eduard Sacapaño, James Younghusband, and Philip Younghusband.

Coaching staff and management: Simon Alexander McMenemy, Edwin Cabalida, Edzel Bracamonte, Rolando Piñero, Walfred Javier, Josef Malinay, and Dan Palami. The team’s media officer is Rick Olivares.