Blind Pass
alim@theguidon.com
One goal conceded, three goals scored, two clean sheets. Two draws, one win, and zero losses—undefeated; a telling statistic not even met by group leaders and defending Asian Football Federation Suzuki Cup Champions, Vietnam.
Nobody expected the Philippines to get as far as they did, to defeat the defending champions or to finish second in the group.
It’s a rare thing to read, hear and talk about—the Philippine Azkals’ immaculate record. And while their heart and determination have finally put them on the map of Philippine sports, they are not able to display their hard work in front of their own people.
But such is the nature of Philippine politics, nothing can be met without a dose of controversy.
Notes, public statements on every social networking platform sent out their pleas and messages of frustration. However, previously ousted (and later, reinstated) Philippine Football Federation President Jose Marie Martinez is seemingly set out to sabotage the chances of the team. It is because of Martinez that the Azkals have to play both their semi-final legs on Indonesian turf—something he could have prevented by accepting Vietnam’s kind gesture of offering their field as the neutral ground.
Moreover, Martinez’s reasons for declining Vietnam’s offer, citing ticket sales and the favorable support the team will receive in Indonesia, is completely unacceptable. First, Indonesia is one of the most football crazy countries in the world. Wherever the game is played, even if it is in the deepest clevises of the provinces, Filipinos will not get a hand on those tickets—Indonesians love their football.
Secondly, the approximately 3,000-strong Philippine population in Indonesia is nothing compared to the thousands of Indonesians who will be in attendance. So even if they were there to support, the Azkals would not hear even the loudest cry of ‘Mabuhay’, nor would they be able to hear each other amidst the overpowering noise from the locals.
If the Azkals had an actual ‘home’ leg, maybe the defensive mishap between Neil Etheridge and Rey Johnson could have been prevented, and the Azkals would not have lost that tie.
I have always believed that sports brings a nation together. In this incidence, Filipino sports aficionados have come together to share a united voice against the PFF, their own countrymen.
Philippine basketball is one that is fueled by money and powerful people, but throughout the years their progress on an international scale has been mediocre. If the Azkals were able to rise up the Asian ranks with minimal help and without an official practice venue, then what more if the nation finally came to its senses and invested in the sport.
Football, more than basketball, is the world sport. It is played in the poorest of countries and the richest of countries. Just like in Korea’s world cup bid, “Korea believes in the power of football,” so maybe the Philippines should too. Because if materialized, the heights it can reach will and can surmount Manny Pacquiao’s popularity.
