We lost the Away Game against Kuwait, with a 3-nil score last Saturday.
It was sad, yes. Everyone was so optimistic and rooting for the underdogs to end the game with a draw as Phil Younghusband almost equalized the score with a one-on-one that got saved by the Kuwaiti keeper. 90 minutes after and with less than 5 attempts on our side, we succumbed to the heat and prowess of one of the top teams from the Middle East.
Fast forward to two days before the home game, fans everywhere are still hoping, believing. Of course, being realistic at the same time, admitting that 3 goals is quite a steep climb to equalize, the Team Manager and Coach of the Azkals said so themselves. But they aren't giving up. They've come so far already to just let it all pass by.
I, on the other hand, must admit to my chagrin, am losing hope. I'm sorry to say it but it's the truth. And to distract myself from the upcoming Home Game and the much-feared result, (i know fans everywhere will start to berate me if they find out), I decided to watch old European football matches instead. You know, after telling myself that I've almost had enough of the Azkals Mania, go back to English Premiere League, Champions League and just relive their moments, their victories. At least, watching these teams lose wouldn't be so heartbreaking since their not my fellow countrymen anyway.
Which is how I stumbled upon the video in Youtube of the AC Milan and Liverpool 2005 Championships. (please watch video at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHtjmofqBeM&feature=player_embedded)
Halfway through the video, I was already teary-eyed, goosebumps all over me. It was truly one of the most AMAZING, TIDE-TURNING videos matches I have ever seen. AC Milan scored 3 goals before the 1st half even ended, crushing the Liverpool side. A lot were already sure that they have the Championships in the bag. But lo and behold, the next 45 minutes were one of the most dramatic and tension-filled in the whole of European football history, i bet. Liverpool scored 3 goals to equalize the game and push it to penalty kicks.
Guess what? Liverpool won.
They won because they didn't give up. They won because they wanted to win so badly. They were fighting and playing like there's no tomorrow. As if their lives depended on it. And they got it. They were awarded the Champions.
When their score was down, they didn't focus on the numbers and who have the upper-handed. Oh, I'm pretty sure they worried about the score but instead of getting overwhelmed by it, they used it as leverage to focus on the play and do what MUST be done to succeed. And they succeeded.
And THIS is how the Azkals will bounce back on Thursday. I'm sure it won't be easy. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's going to be heartbreaking. But whose heart will break after the game? I sure hope it's Kuwait's.
Because that's why they are called Azkals. They survive in whatever adversity they are subjected under. The strong will they have to fight and continue are what sustains them. And that is what will sustain our team this Thursday -- THE WILL TO WIN AND BRING HONOR TO OUR COUNTRY.
I almost lost my hope and was close to giving up on this team. Come on, 3-0 is tough. Heck, even the coaching staff said so. But after watching the video and seeing how everything turned out for Liverpool, I realized, now is not the time to give up on this team. Not when we're in the middle of a fight. Hell, no.
Because anything is possible. Absolutely anything. But only if you believe.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
"United We Stand, Divided We Fall"
So, I have not written anything in a long time, I was caught up with a lot of things, I still am. In fact, I wouldn't be writing again today had it not for the unfortunate rumors/news circulating around about again, the Men's Football National Team.
I do NOT claim to be a blogger for the sole purpose of defending The Azkals. Heck, I have a lot on my plate to be doing that. I have a life, thank you very much (I guess, unlike others who have obviously made it their life's passion to ruin people who are successful in whatever way they can).
I am inclined to think that professional journalism has somewhat gone down the drain with the publication of that article WITHOUT actual proof and investigation. Oh right, what am I saying, there was proof, so I must be careful with the words I throw out (something that others seem to have no knowledge of). But the proof mentioned doesn't seem to be legit. I believe, the source of such proof is not even credible.
I pity the tabloid for printing such "news". I guess business nowadays are really slow and such money-making schemes are needed to keep it running. I apologize for the outright putting down of said tabloid who on a daily basis publishes headlines such as, " Co-ed, Pinilahan Bago Chinop-chop!" or "Superliit" dubbed as major news that makes me want to say what the f*ck?! It's not so much that the so-called news they put out is not important. I'm sure it is, to their few patrons who couldn't even distinguish the difference between their left foot from the right.
I have always believed in the saying that we should always think before we speak. But there are a lot of people out there just speaking, no brain activity involved at all. But then again, how do you keep a brain active if it is non-existent after all?
This issue is just preposterous. And disgusting.
Preposterous that such news could even be considered a headline in a tabloid. But wait, what am I saying, it IS a tabloid. Hence the need to make up and print such inane news in hopes of reaching high sales for the day. How low some people would go for fame and money. Talk about pathetic.
Disgusting that the people involved even have the gall to PRETEND that they were only in SEARCH FOR TRUTH when they have never written anything true for the past months about the team and now all of a sudden they realized they want to be the hero of Philippine Football and weed out the bad apples who are not, in his words, "taking into heart their responsibility to be good examples to the youth". Seriously? You want to rid the team of these bad examples now? After all the months that were spent in writing negative things about them, you suddenly realized that it's up to you to help this poor victim (if she even exists). Seriously.
You have got to be kidding me.
In the "search for truth", I wonder what were the options for choosing the person to share the "proof and evidence" with, considering, The Azkals are such big names now, why go to a small-time tabloid when you can go directly to the major dailies who are also in search of the latest scoop. Probably because the big ones would immediately ask for the said evidence, check its authenticity and do their own research on the matter -- something the small-time tabloid writer wouldn't even dare to spend time and effort on.
I actually am annoyed that the people behind this think that the fans are so stupid and gullible as to quickly believe a lie and not exercise their own judgment. C'mon, thanks for the insult, chap.
How sad to see that crab mentality is so rampant in our nation. What, because the Azkals happen to be enjoying the moment? The boys deserve it. And it's not like they're basking in the glory all by themselves. Didn't these people notice the name -- The Philippines Men's National Football Team. It's not just The Azkals, nor was it named Dan Palami's Men's Football Team or The Weiss Team. No. It's the Philippine Football Team. OUR COUNTRY'S Football Team. The glory is not just theirs, it's OURS. Can't we give them that?
I hope that for the sake of everyone -- the players, fans, supporters and haters, all Filipinos alike, we may exercise prudence in what we read and write and share to others. This is not the time for issues like this. We have far greater things and concerns to be spending our time and effort on, instead of sowing seeds of discontent and mistrust wherever and whenever we can.
In all these, I find the saying is true -- "United We Stand, Divided We Fall". Let us continue to support and believe, because the glory of this one team, is the glory of all.
I do NOT claim to be a blogger for the sole purpose of defending The Azkals. Heck, I have a lot on my plate to be doing that. I have a life, thank you very much (I guess, unlike others who have obviously made it their life's passion to ruin people who are successful in whatever way they can).
I am inclined to think that professional journalism has somewhat gone down the drain with the publication of that article WITHOUT actual proof and investigation. Oh right, what am I saying, there was proof, so I must be careful with the words I throw out (something that others seem to have no knowledge of). But the proof mentioned doesn't seem to be legit. I believe, the source of such proof is not even credible.
I pity the tabloid for printing such "news". I guess business nowadays are really slow and such money-making schemes are needed to keep it running. I apologize for the outright putting down of said tabloid who on a daily basis publishes headlines such as, " Co-ed, Pinilahan Bago Chinop-chop!" or "Superliit" dubbed as major news that makes me want to say what the f*ck?! It's not so much that the so-called news they put out is not important. I'm sure it is, to their few patrons who couldn't even distinguish the difference between their left foot from the right.
I have always believed in the saying that we should always think before we speak. But there are a lot of people out there just speaking, no brain activity involved at all. But then again, how do you keep a brain active if it is non-existent after all?
This issue is just preposterous. And disgusting.
Preposterous that such news could even be considered a headline in a tabloid. But wait, what am I saying, it IS a tabloid. Hence the need to make up and print such inane news in hopes of reaching high sales for the day. How low some people would go for fame and money. Talk about pathetic.
Disgusting that the people involved even have the gall to PRETEND that they were only in SEARCH FOR TRUTH when they have never written anything true for the past months about the team and now all of a sudden they realized they want to be the hero of Philippine Football and weed out the bad apples who are not, in his words, "taking into heart their responsibility to be good examples to the youth". Seriously? You want to rid the team of these bad examples now? After all the months that were spent in writing negative things about them, you suddenly realized that it's up to you to help this poor victim (if she even exists). Seriously.
You have got to be kidding me.
In the "search for truth", I wonder what were the options for choosing the person to share the "proof and evidence" with, considering, The Azkals are such big names now, why go to a small-time tabloid when you can go directly to the major dailies who are also in search of the latest scoop. Probably because the big ones would immediately ask for the said evidence, check its authenticity and do their own research on the matter -- something the small-time tabloid writer wouldn't even dare to spend time and effort on.
I actually am annoyed that the people behind this think that the fans are so stupid and gullible as to quickly believe a lie and not exercise their own judgment. C'mon, thanks for the insult, chap.
How sad to see that crab mentality is so rampant in our nation. What, because the Azkals happen to be enjoying the moment? The boys deserve it. And it's not like they're basking in the glory all by themselves. Didn't these people notice the name -- The Philippines Men's National Football Team. It's not just The Azkals, nor was it named Dan Palami's Men's Football Team or The Weiss Team. No. It's the Philippine Football Team. OUR COUNTRY'S Football Team. The glory is not just theirs, it's OURS. Can't we give them that?
I hope that for the sake of everyone -- the players, fans, supporters and haters, all Filipinos alike, we may exercise prudence in what we read and write and share to others. This is not the time for issues like this. We have far greater things and concerns to be spending our time and effort on, instead of sowing seeds of discontent and mistrust wherever and whenever we can.
In all these, I find the saying is true -- "United We Stand, Divided We Fall". Let us continue to support and believe, because the glory of this one team, is the glory of all.
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