when the world cup qualifiers campaign goes RIGHT
First of, Congratulations Azkals - from the players, to the coaching staff, the medical staff, the management, and of course to us, fans! 2-1 World cup qualifiers opener! just wow! Clearly, we are the underdog. We always play the underdog, and we always manage to pull the rag. We surprised the bahrainis, we surprised the world, and I think we also surprised ourselves. I bet no one was expecting the turn of events tonight, we were hoping for a win, yes! but we got more than what we bargained for.
Misagh Bahadoran or Lord Misagh finally redeemed himself tonight, once again he proved to us why deserves a spot in the roster always. He is one of the most dedicated and hardworking player, running up and down the flank playing defense and offense.
Phil Younghusband is simply genius, I can’t believe the IQ of this guy on football. No wonder coach gave him the armband tonight.
Javi Patino, well we already know what kind of football he play, he plays with class. Obviously, Bahrain scout us but I think they didn’t expect Patino to be that great. what a clinical finishing he’s got!
It’s good to know Shrocky is back! No one beats this man’s skill. It would’ve been better if we saw more of him tonight, unfortunately he was injured, I’m crossing my fingers its’ nothing serious.
Stephan Palla the newcomer showed us what he can bring to the team. Wow! Honestly, he still reminded us how it is done overseas. Tough!
Rob Gier (alongside Juani Guirado - my forever duo), my forever captain, showed us what experience can do. I guess aside from Phil, he knows the azkals like the back of his hand.
Daisuke Sato, will go a long way! He’s learning from the best and he’s got skill himself.
Jerry Lucena and Martin Steuble too taught us experience and calm and football. This boys will remain the unsung heroes. for always.
Neil Etheridge, we missed you big guy! Although Roland Muller would’ve been as good as Neil, it was nice to see Neil don the #1 jersey again.
Iain Ramsay, is the game-changer. No wonder Boss Dan Palami wanted him badly! He’s a world-class player. I can’t believe his mastery and the chemistry he’s got with the other guys, more playing time with them, and they will be unbeatable.
Honestly we got a deep bench, we can’t afford to have those injuries and cards, but if faced with the unfortunate circumstance, I know we will make it through, we will have a choice.
Coach Thomas Dooley, is my Man of the Match. honestly. This guy showed us what professionalism is, taking back Schrock, Patino and Neil with open arms, leaving everything behind. Teaching the boys the right discipline on and off the pitch. Well, he’s not the former US MNT Captain for nothing, right? 3-5-2 formation. That’s very rare for Philippine Football but Coach always surprises us. I wonder what other things he has on his sleeve. This guy is the real master! He made Phil play midfield, decoy perhaps to remove him us the marked man. Wow! I can’t keep up with how he do things. A year, and he already assembled the Dream Team - strongest Azkals pool ever! Remedied the long passes and converted to short passes, made us play cohesive football and not individual football. what more can I say, I run out of words for this man.
Of course, praises to the Boss... Dan Palami. the only one who never gave up on the team, the very same man who believes in the future of football. The very same who is behind it all.
The Kaholeras who were visibly visible tonight. Oh that big big flag which was banned a lot of times, it was terribly missed.
The Ultras Filipinas, the rule-breakers, the terrace lads. we missed the drum rolls and their forever chants. they always manage to give life to the audience. I bet the boys heard them, alright.
Hats off to the whole team! It is truly a team effort from everyone!
and lastly, to God be all the glory!!!
