David Perkovic: Year
One
by rick olivares photo by len pestano
In a few weeks, Australian David Perkovic will have
been in the Philippines for a year as head coach for Kaya.
A year. It’s a sign of stability for a club that went
through three coaching changes in the space of a year with players going
through the revolving door. The 18-year old football club has yet to recover
its imperious form from the 2012 UFL season where they finished a close close
second to then-champion Global losing only via goal difference.
When Perkovic took over, the club was in disarray. By
mid-season, the ship had been righted and Kaya climbed the table to finish
fourth. They were the only club to defeat Global twice. Not even eventual
champion Stallion was able to take the three full points from the Brian
Reid-coached club. Kaya finished with an 8-7-3 record. “If we only won a few of
those tied matches, it would have been an entirely different season for us,”
said team manager Justin Tolentino.
For all the changes, the club has settled down and
has started to play better this season. They are currently at third place in
the table with a 5-1-2 record but is 10 points adrift of leader, Loyola, 26-16.
We took the time out to talk to Perkovic about his
‘Year One” in the country as well as to solicit his thoughts about the outlook
for Kaya this season.
Rick: You’ve been here for a year…
David: By March it will be one year.
Rick: So how was the transition from Australia to the
Philippines?
David: The football in Australia as compared to the
Philippines is very different. The main adjustment would have to be dealing
with the smaller pitch that we currently play in at the Emperador Stadium. The
ability to keep the ball is more difficult. It promotes a more direct style of
play which is for me not the way modern football is heading. Although I have to
say that the field is better suited for the fans in terms of excitement.
My personal transition began long before I got here.
The appointments of Paul and Justin Tolentino started all this. The team is now
very different to the squad when I first got here. We’re more fluid and as
individuals, are able to play the style of football that we as a club want to
implement.
Rick: Aside from the improvement of Kaya, in that year
you’ve been here, have you seen changes and growth in Philippine football?
David: The level of football in the Philippines is getting
better. In the near future, with the implementation of a national league will
only further its development.
I think the UFL Youth League is a great way to get
kids playing more football. I also think the decision of the UFL to place a cap
on the number of foreigners is a fantastic move. Last season we saw many teams
with a lot of foreigners on the roster. That includes Kaya. Now we are seeing
more and more Filipinos players receive significant playing time. That will
only strengthen the national team.
Rick: Can you cite three of your team’s most memorable
matches in this first year? And why do they rank so high up there?
David: Both games against Global last season. We were
trailing 2-0 for both games but we ended up winning them, 3-2. The other would
be this year against Pasargad. We were losing 1-0 at half time and ended up
winning, 3-1. We had nine shots on goal in the first half with nothing to show
for it. They only had one shot on goal and they scored. We showed patience and
great composure for all three games.
Rick: Are you enjoying yourself then?
David: Most definitely! Kaya has given me a great
opportunity to implement my ideas about football and how it should be played.
And I can only be grateful for all of this.
Rick: Having said that, have you picked up on Filipino as
a language?
David: Have I learnt the local language? I know the very
basics. I actually started having one of our PTs giving me lessons in Filipino
but it didn’t last very long because she had to go abroad. Now that she is back
I should really get started on those lessons again!
Rick: How do you assess Kaya’s chances this new season?
David: Well, we are a third way into the season and we are
in touch with the league leaders after eight matches (Kaya figured in a
scoreless draw with Loyola, thrashed Army 9-1, defeated Pasargad 3-1, and
crushed Green Archers United, 3-0 to take points in their last four fixtures).
I have been happy with our efforts in our last three performances. If we can
maintain that effort and of course, get better everyday at practice, then we
have a chance.
Rick: This is a different Kaya team. Who among the
newcomers are performing well?
David: In terms of the new signings, all of them are doing
well. (Ghanaian defender) Alfred Osei in his last game was outstanding. (Australian
midfielder) Richard Greer has been getting better with every game. (Forward) Jovin
Bedic has shown real commitment to come back from injury to start most of the
games this season. I expect that as the season goes on, more and more of our
players will develop further.
I am also proud of the fact that six of Kaya’s
players have been called up to the national team with Nick O’Donnell
(goalkeeper), Drew Liauw (defender), and Kenshiro Daniels (midfielder) all
receiving their first call up.
Rick: Nice! Thanks for taking the time to answer the
questions, coach.
David: Thanks, Rick. I hope to see you at the games as
soon as you are feeling better.
No comments:
Post a Comment