MANILA, Philippines — The overachieving Philippine football team takes on powerhouse Indonesia this Thursday at the start of their two-game semifinal playoffs in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup at the Geloga Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Since their shock 2-0 win over defending champion Vietnam in Hanoi last week, the national booters, fondly called the Azkals, have sparked renewed interest in football, a sport largely ignored in this basketball-crazy part of the world.
The Azkals have graced the front pages of major newspapers and made it to prime time television. They were mobbed by fans during their open workout at the University of Makati on Monday.
Before their departure Tuesday, the Azkals made a courtesy call on President Aquino at Malacañang.
In less than two weeks, the Azkals have converted many Filipinos into believers.
“I do believe that we have a lot of football fans in the Philippines. It’s just that there was nothing to celebrate about before. Now that we have something to celebrate about, then everybody’s united,” said team manager Dan Palami who has spent a small fortune bankrolling the squad.
On Thursday evening, the Azkals get a chance to write more history against a team that has won all its three matches in convincing fashions.
The Indons crushed Malaysia, 5-1; edged Thailand, 2-1; and slaughtered Laos, 6-0.
British coach Simon McMenemy is undaunted.
“We’ll try to break them down instead of them trying to break us,” said McMenemy, hinting a possible change of tactics. “We expect them to play hard and tough.”
The Azkals reached the semifinals on the strength of their defense, yielding only one goal in three matches while scoring two improbable goals against the Vietnamese.
The team is a merry mix of homegrown and Fil-foreign players assembled by Palami, a businessman with a deep passion for the sport.
Fil-Briton goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has been the team’s pillar of strength and source of counter-attacks. His wicked right-footed punt can cover three-fourths of the pitch past the midfielders and into the on-rushing strikers.
McMenemy, however, is not about to raise expectations.
“It’s difficult to say. But we’ll go out and give our 110 percent and we’ll try to represent the Philippines as we best we can,” said McMenemy, whose defense-oriented system has come under fire from opposing coaches.
Bacolod City was supposed to host the match, but the Asian Football Federation (AFF) ruled that the Panaad Stadium does not meet international standards.
The Filipinos will play before a hostile crowd of 80,000.
“It will be overwhelming to playing before 80,000 people,” team member Anton del Rosario said. “Some of us are scared, some are excited. Pressured din kasi. It’s a difficult task, but we always know it (winning) could be done.”
Team captain Aly Borromeo, a member of the squad since 2004, said they hope to get inspiration from their win against Vietnam in the eliminations.
“Hindi kami nagpaapekto sa crowd nung naglaro kami sa Vietnam. Besides, we’re used to playing outside the country kaya medyo sanay na rin kami sa ganung atmosphere,” Borromeo said.
The second semifinal match – the “away” game – will also be held in Jakarta on Sunday.
The team with the most number of goals in the two semis matches will advance into the finals slated December 26 and 29.
Kristel Satumbaga, Manila Bulletin
