Thursday, November 29, 2012

Homegrown Azkals stand tall in win over Vietnam


Homegrown Azkals stand tall in win over Vietnam
by rick olivares

Homegrown Azkals Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong and Eduard Sacapaño both stood tall in last Tuesday’s 1-0 win by the Philippines against Vietnam in the 2012 Suzuki Cup at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

In the 86th minute of the match against Vietnam, Caligdong corralled a chip pass from teammate Angel Guirado and volleyed from 10 yards to beat goalkeeper Duong Hong Son for the game winner.

“Nung hindi ako linagay sa starting eleven,” said Caligdong. “Dinasal ko na mabigyan ako ng isang pagkakataon para makabawi. Nabigla ako nung first game. Wala akong magawang tama. Nung pinasok ako para kay James (Younghusband against Vietnam), sabi ko, ‘eto na pagkakataon ko.’”

The goal was Caligdong’s 16th in international play.

Sacapaño on the other hand related his elation in joining Neil Etheridge in minding the Philippines’ goal in these two massive wins against Vietnam. “Malaking bagay na makalaro at maging kasama sa panalo dito.” The late strike by Vietnam’s Le Tan Thai where Sacapaño got a hand up to deflect the shot upward to the crossbar and outwards was a game saver. “Nakita ko yung volley niya. Instinct ko itaas yung kamay ko. Swerte rin na-block ko. This is a big win para sa bayan.”

Sacapaño, in his second Suzuki Cup campaign, saved eight shots.

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