"Anything is possible if WE BELIEVE"

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.