 by Daryl Lagos The Philippines build-up towards the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 has reached one of it's 'Periodic Exams" battling Bahrain to a 0-0 Draw in Manama before slightly losing 2-1 to the home side Kuwait. The Azkals did not entirely fielded the lineup who won the Philippine Peace Cup 2012 but did have the Younghusbands, Guirado Brothers, Lucena, Cagara, Jonsson, Mulders, Muller & Neil Etheridge for Kuwait which proved to be a handful for both middle eastern countries to just hammer away a win on the Philippines. We are trying to get what we like to call in the music industry the "Final Mix" for our ultimate goal this year, the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 out of the deep bench in the Azkals disposal. The draw in Bahrain proved to be a substantial result against a team that used to be 44 in the world! GCC Champions & Arab Champions in 2011 and is always a force to reckon with in the Middle East & Asia. Kuwait proved to be a step ahead exhibiting speed, stamina and fitness. Sitting at 112 world wide, Al-Asraq proved to be a bench mark for the country to break. The regular gulf champions has kept the Philippines from advancing in last year's world cup qualification. Huge Improvement The Azkals exhibited discipline and class throughout the field & game and even proving hard to crack easily on defense. The Philippines did not settle for an all defensive action without counter attacks or trying to set up a formation to get a win unlike our previous match in Kuwait. I can see Angel Guirado, Dennis Wolf, Phil Younghusband in the Kuwait match battling with their defensive match ups to get on the score sheet, the Mid-Field was on war and our Goal Keepers in both matches were highly up to the challenge. Roland Muller highlighted a great save from a Bahrain attack the could have been the most dangerous for the Azkals. Neil Etheridge was more than outstanding and produced one of the best goal keeping for the nationals I have seen so far, multiple saves from several attacks and what capped it off was a penalty effort saved from a Kuwaiti striker and yet again saving the rebound only seconds right after. His loan to the pirates kept him sharp and focused. I once said to myself, Bristol Rovers has the entire Philippines guarding their goal now. 3 Stars and a Sun! You can never take away anything from the team against these 2 countries. We even won a lot of respect and experience. OFWs in particular are ecstatic to see our team go head to head with the host countries, because for them it is not just football but playing for their pride, honor and recognition. Many might not have seen this part of the pitch but the not only did our team came there, they saw the people who looked up to them and conquered the notion that one day we will be there to win a game and prove Filipinos are truly up to the global challenge in and out of the pitch. I admire that people on Twitterverse that has already learned the importance of not only producing goals in match, its every little thing that should come together as an entire piece, an entire team. Decisions are made by the coaches & management based on how they become to see it and people are starting to appreciate the bigger picture. Healthy and constructive arguments that results to deepening relationships between the supporters and football. A lost or a draw cannot just dictate the massive improvements we have come upon till this date. We still lack some cohesion, but just a little bit of tweaking here and there we will get that engine running. I am pleased with the Azkals experience in the Middle East! Add Comment 
by Daryl Lagos Baptized by Fire & Ice, Indonesia has found a new rival in the north eastern part of their archipelago. Indonesia traveled to Manila to meet the Philippines on a FIFA sanctioned friendly game that ended in a 2-2 Draw & 3 Red Cards. The Philippines for the 1st time in their match against the Indonesians controlled possession all through out the game. A slightly off beat 1st half for the Azkals who were trying to assemble an attack that can break the Indonesian defense was seen early. Filipino-Danish Dennis Cagara who just flew in to join the squad was remarkable with his precision passes saw great chances for the Philippines to take an early lead. The 1st half ended with no goals, but the 2nd half is where it all begun. Philippines coach Weiss started fielding in the starters that saw Philip & James Younghusband, Neil Etheridge and Jerry Lucena come in for Wolf, Mulders, Angeles and GK Roland Muller. In the 58' mark, Wanggai from a cross connected with a low header breaking the stand off 1-0 in favor of Indonesia. A minute later, James Younghusband would equalize following a determined interception of a ball that he clinically finished on a 1 on 1 against a very experienced Indonesian Goal Keeper. A clearance by Indonesia was met by Carli's header only to bounce off finding a Garuda Star Striker Irfan Bachdim racing towards Neil Etheridge who tried to sweep the ball but only to see it slip off in between his legs finding the net the gave Indonesia the lead 2-1 in the 61st minute. Rain fell as dramatic as ever, it tried to cool off the pressure but rather became the baptism of fire and ice. Misagh Bahadoran came in for Angel Guirado earlier was fouled on a possession, a complaining Chieffy Caligdong was a recipient of a hot headed Irfan that pushed the Azkals captain starting the confusion and Manny Ott got involved immediately. Irfan continued pushing Chieffy Caligdong until Dennis Cagara from behind came in to push the Indonesian Idol back to knock it off (Face Me Style!) The Referee pulled out 3 solid red cards that sent the Indonesian Idol Bachdim to an early after rain shower. Chieffy & Ott was off the pitch as well. The Philippines with 9 Men Vs 10 Indonesians scuffle back to reorganize the set piece as a free kick was underway. Cagara made a precise kick for James Younghusband to head bounce pass it close enough to Phil that would make no mistake in volleying in the 2nd equalizer of the match. The Philippines could have even won this game after Phil's well timed shot was critically saved by another Indonesian Idol Goalie Marcus. He then went down on the pitch as if in pain burning the critical 5 mins added for injury time. The game ended in a draw 2-2. The Philippines fought with heart all game but the cohesiveness of their play made things difficult at the end. The Azkals had so much talent on the bench and coach needed to use the game as an experiment to bring out possible scenarios that could come in the future. Some players might not be available during games and the team needed back up fire power that can be tapped in easily. A glimpse of an upcoming Suzuki 2012 match was seen and a new rivalry is born out of it. It started off in AFF Suzuki 2010 when Indonesia through their Uruguayan naturalized striker shot 2 goals that took the Philippines off the semi-finals. The 2 national team shall meet again in this year's edition...the only difference is that the Azkals are now ranked 3rd in the entire region. Stats Summary : Indonesia Vs The Philippines 
 Raphael Phoebus M. Ubales Azkals United Earlier today (March 16, 2012), the Philippines witnessed football history for our country during the semi-finals match of the AFC Challenge Cup between the Philippine Azkals and the Turkmenistan Green Men. An optimistic nation (amidst the controversies back home) embraced the challenge to beat the Turkmenistan team in the hopes of clinching a spot for the finals. Although we had a very nice first half, we were not able to sustain a 1 – 0 score from the goal hungry Turks, ending the game with 2 goals later for the Turkmenistan team. It was almost a dream come true when Paul Mulder’s cross from the right made a perfect combination with Phil Younghusband just in time to nick the ball with his chest to take advantage of the moment, making it 1 – 0. It was when Amanov saw the opportunity of given time and space outside of the box to chip in the ball to beat our goalkeeper. It was followed shortly by Chonkaev’s ball-handling skills and attack that slotted the ball and sealed the deal for their finals berth. As the ball pressed forward to the Turk’s post during the added injury time, an agonized Chonkaev was down. Confusion broke on the field and the final call was a red card for Etheridge. This is where the photo comes in...  According to the ref’s call, Neil was given the red because of an incident that was caught on cam. But now, looking at this photo, do we have another perspective that was left buried after the final whistle? Who would have thought that the reason for Neil’s behavior was his response to this stimulus? You cannot deny what happened in this shot. We could have played dirty, but Football is a game for the friendly. I was personally more disappointed than disgusted. The photo may also somehow show that the Turk’s were intimidated with the Azkals that they needed to resort to such cheap tricks. I don’t know, this is just my opinion. Football is definitely a game of chance. We could’ve won if things turned out differently, but as a young team, we did splendid. Amidst the controversies that the team is now facing, they kept fighting for our country. These Filipinos fought hard and they played fair. At the end of the day, I couldn’t have been more proud with how these boys including Coach Weiss and the people behind them strived hard to put Football in the Philippine limelight. Your thoughts? 
By Cedelf P. Tupas Philippine Daily Inquirer KATHMANDU—The journey of Mt. Everest-like proportions continues for the Philippine Azkals here. Along the way, a squad growing in strength with every game is making history. Displaying the resiliency and fighting heart that the team has been known for, the Azkals came back from a goal down to nip Tajikistan, 2-1, Tuesday and reach the semifinals of the AFC Challenge Cup for the first time at the Halchowk Stadium. Strikers Phil Younghusband and Angel Guirado struck in a sensational second half as the Azkals, hounded by a sexual harassment controversy back home, responded resoundingly from a halftime deficit to eliminate one of the fancied sides in the tournament. As the final whistle was blown, the Azkals formed themselves into a circle at the touchline and celebrated their biggest accomplishment yet since reaching the semifinals of the Suzuki Cup in Vietnam in December 2010. The ecstatic players hugged each other, while captain Chieffy Caligdong raised the Philippine flag in front of a group of Filipinos who braved the chill to support the team. The Filipino fans later sang the national anthem as the players whooped it up with a celebratory dive on the field with a rainbow serving as a fitting backdrop to one of the Philippines’ greatest moments in the sport. Azkals manager Dan Palami, soaking wet from all the celebration, was at a loss for words. “It’s unbelievable,” Palami said. Nothing short of spectacular The Azkals’ run has been nothing short of spectacular. They needed to go through prequalifying, winning over Mongolia in a two-leg affair, before hurdling the qualifying round in Myanmar last year. Before they left Manila, Guirado and Lexton Moy were accused of sexual harassment for their conduct during a match with Malaysia last Feb. 29 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The odds were certainly stacked against the Azkals as they were also grouped with former champions North Korea and India. But the Azkals rose above adversity, even after going into halftime a goal down. “I’m proud of this team,” said the Azkals’ German coach Michael Weiss. “This is not only fantastic, but a victory most deserved.” The Azkals created the clear-chances in the first half, but the Tajiks took the lead through defender Negmatov Alexey’s header off a corner in the first minute of first-half injury time. Caligdong looked to have cleared the ball from going past the line and Japanese referee Ryuji Sato had to discuss the play with the linesman before awarding the goal to the Tajiks. Tajikistan was on the front foot in the early stages in the second half, but it was the Azkals who made the most out of their chance in the 54th minute. Guirado did well to keep the attack going and sent a low cross for Younghusband. With Tajik keeper Alisher Tuychiev already beaten, Younghusband slotted it into an empty net for the equalizer. Looming penalty shootout Guirado earlier came close with a header that went over in the first half. And just when it looked like a penalty shootout was looming, the Filipino-Spanish forward rose above his defender and found the bottom corner to make it 2-1, 10 minutes from time. Phil and James Younghusband and Paul Mulders came close to adding to the tally late in the match as the Azkals finished with a flourish. Picking up from where they left off in the 2-nil win over former champion India, the Azkals started lively with Phil Younghusband coming close in the eighth minute with a shot from a tight angle that was saved. Tajikistan enjoyed a good stretch of possession in the first half, but couldn’t craft a clear-cut chance as Carli de Murga, Ray Jonsson, Jason Sabio, Rob Gier and Juani Guirado proved more than equal to the challenge. Neil Etheridge was called into action with an early clearance, but apart from that he was hardly troubled and was a commanding presence. “You have to hand it to the guys, they played like there was no tomorrow and the results just came,” said Palami. “There’s talent here but they played with their hearts out.” 
By Daryl Lagos The Philippine men's squad are now on their final practices to their first ever match Vs North Korea in the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 tournament. Amidst the unlikely news going on involving 2 of the team members, Lexton Moy & Angel Guirado, the team is put to the test on and off the pitch. The ever popular team moniker "AZKALS" has been tarnished by reality as the former 1st lady commented that these "Stray Dogs" should behave. In J. Henson's article, Rafa Garcia, was in the room when the incident happened said that the boys were on the hype and ever excited to play the game, talked about men stuff - Girls - when the commissioner came in. In the men's locker room, I don't expect everybody to be wearing gowns and tuxedo, I also can't imagine bantering while on those, for the mens locker room is where the adrenaline starts pumping. It might have been a misunderstanding, but with all due respect to Ms. Commissioner, a complaint such as "Sexual Harassment" might have been too uncalled for. This might have been a lesson learned, one way or another not only for the team, but also for everyone. ************* A look on brighter side is that we are going head to head with AFC Challenge Cup Participating Countries in full force. Neil Etheridge has vowed to make a solid stand for the Philippines as he was allowed by his English Club Fulham FC to participate in the tournament, further to this the Azkals will have Paul Mulders, Stephan Schrock, and Dennis Cagara on their side as the battle looms ahead. As you might have already known, Team Vice Captain, Chieffy Caligdong has already announced his availability for the tournament. Last time while the team was in Qatar, I asked him about how he was with the injury, he said that it was quite uncomfortable but he is working hard to get back in to shape just in time for the Cup. I'm glad that he is back and fighting for pride and country. Azkals Line Up for Nepal · Rob Gier · Ray Anthony Jonsson · Nestorio Margarse · Stephan Schrock · Nathaniel Burkey · Paul Mulders · Dennis Cagara · Roxy Dorlas · Juan Luis Guirado · Marwin Angeles · Joshua Beloya · James Younghusband · Phil Younghusband · Ian Araneta · Misagh Bahadoran · Emelio Caligdong · Roel Gener · Angel Guirado · Carli de Murga · Lexton Moy · Neil Etheridge · Eduard Sacapano · Jason Sabio The Philippines is in a group of death as it faces North Korea, a qualifier to the World Cup finals last year; and former Challenge Cup titlists India (2008) and Tajikistan (2006). The champion will automatically earn a spot in the AFC Asian Cup 2015 , One of the most awaited and prestigious tournament in ASIA. | Author
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