 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 
Sex raps alarm Guirado's mom SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin Henson The Philippine Star Updated March 07, 2012 12:00 AM News of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) match commissioner Cristy Ramos’ complaint against two Philippine Azkal players for sexual harassment spread like wildfire in Spanish media as one of those charged Angel Aldeguer Guirado has roots in Malaga. Guirado’s mother Angela frantically called her sister Gloria Garcia by phone yesterday to ask what her son did. Gloria lives in Parañaque and is the mother of Rain Or Shine PBA assistant coach Caloy and Rafa who acts as Guirado’s translator. Angela, a Filipina-Spanish mestiza from Isabela, resides in Spain with her Spanish husband Juan. Guirado, 27, is the youngest of three children. His older brother Juan Luis, 32, recently joined the Azkals. Angela was in tears when she phoned her sister. Gloria was just as distraught because since Guirado arrived here to play for the Azkals last year, she has painstakingly made sure he would always be at his best behavior. “My sister was crying on the phone because Angel is being called a sexual offender in the Spanish news,” said Gloria. “Angel just isn’t the type. He’s very fun-loving. He likes to joke around a lot. His brother Juan is the opposite. He’s like a little boy, down-to-earth, serious. They’re different from each other. But they’re good boys. My sister raised them well, more like Filipinos than Spanish. My sister asked if Angel made any sexual advances or innuendoes or even touched Ms. Ramos. I told her no such thing. My son Rafa was in the dressing room when Ms. Ramos entered. The boys were rowdy and excited about playing.” In the complaint filed before the AFC Disciplinary Committee, it was apparent that the Azkals, at least Guirado and Lexton Moy, showed disrespect to Ramos as match commissioner. It seemed like they didn’t take her role seriously. “Rafa told me before Ms. Ramos entered, the boys were talking about things boys normally talk about in the dressing room – girls,” said Gloria. “I don’t mean to condone what the boys did or said. I think the topic was cup sizes. There may have been a sexist remark in her presence but I don’t think it was meant to demean her. I don’t think the remark was malicious or so my son told me. As for Angel coming up to Ms. Ramos in briefs, there was no intent to sexually harass anyone. Boys will be boys. I think there was disrespect but I don’t think it was sexual harassment.” * * * Neither Guirado nor Moy could be reached for comment as the accusation was made after they flew to Nepal where the Azkals will compete in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup on March 8-19. A football aficionado wondered if Ramos could’ve held off until the players were given their day in court. “Maybe, Ms. Ramos could’ve filed her complaint with the PFF instead of going straight to the AFC,” the aficionado said. “An investigation could’ve been made by the PFF before elevating it to the AFC. It’s like washing dirty linen in public.” But another aficionado backed up Ramos, noting that she is answerable to the AFC as match commissioner not the PFF and just did her job. Was the apparent disrespect shown to Ramos a case of sexual harassment? Would the players have been as disrespectful if the match commissioner were male? If Ramos was disrespected because she is female, then the concerned players deserve a severe reprimand – that would constitute a case of sexual discrimination. But would the players have been rowdy either way? To justify the players’ behavior by explaining it was typical dressing room banter among boys won’t wash. Ramos is a person of authority. She was a former POC president and member of the AFC Women’s Commission. Surely, her mere presence deserves a high degree of respect. She is, after all, a daughter of a former Philippine President. But to charge the boys of sexual harassment may be a bit harsh. They should be censured, at the proper time and place, for disrespecting an AFC official and the penalty should be commensurate to the gravity of the offense and consider the behavioral history of the players involved. It is unfortunate that this negative report came out just before the Azkals’ campaign in Nepal – they could do with less distractions. * * * The Philippines and seven other countries are playing in the Challenge Cup with the winner to advance to the 2015 Asian Cup. Defending champion North Korea is the only entry listed in the top of three levels of competitiveness in Asia. India, Turkmenistan, Maldives and Tajikistan are in the second level called developing countries. The Philippines, Palestine and host Nepal are in the lowest category called emerging countries. The first Challenge Cup was held in 2006 with Tajikistan beating Sri Lanka in the finals in Bangladesh. The second was in 2008 with India defeating Tajikistan for the crown in India. The third was staged two years ago with North Korea upending Turkmenistan in the championship match in Sri Lanka. The eight teams are split into two brackets. The Philippines is in the so-called Group of Death with 2006 champion Tajikistan, 2008 champion India and 2010 champion North Korea. The top two from each bracket will move on to the semifinals. The Azkals battle North Korea on Friday, India on Sunday and Tajikistan on Tuesday. The semifinals are scheduled March 16 and the finals March 19.  Daryl Lagos Qatar - (AU) Azkals United Philippine Football is on a renaissance, rebirth, being reborn, its like being back to zero again when the Filipinos embraced a religion in basketball, but then the AZKALS have stepped on so much achievement in such a short time that everybody notices that we have something to prove in the world's most popular sport. Ladies and gentlemen, this is football, we lose some and we win on some. We are at an early stage of coming back to the pitch on a Philippine flag represent. We have shown through the AZKALS that Filipinos can and will be a team not to be bullied on the field. Philippine International players born and raised in Europe or pure Filipinos grown in the country play side by side to battle a middle eastern powerhouse in Kuwait yesterday, we lost 3 - 0, but the score is not really a reflection of how we gallantly stood up to the much skilled Kuwait. playing defensively on a 4-5-1 formation we stuck on the strategy to block, tackle, clear any Kuwaiti onslaught, left to right, break away and long range strikes, The AZKALS would rather want to block all the shots with their leg, body and head and not let any ball pass them, Angel Aldeguer was physically tackled in the first minutes of the match as a Kuwait midfielder rushed in and sent Angel flying on a 360 and had him at his back shaken, he would suffer another tackle from behind as he tried to received a pass and turn it to a break away score fighting for the Philippines. We had chances to take the lead as Phil Younghusband manage to stay onside on a break away but was met by Kuwait's goalkeeper, on a corner however Angel Aldeguer almost heads in to score but unlucky to hit the crossbar in the early minutes. Phil Younghusband all alone in front tries to scorched in a perfect goal placer but was tipped by a hairline! via the Goalkeeper sending it hitting the top bar again. Unfortunately, the 1st goal was a skill, the 2nd was pure luck, and the third was fatigue, Neil Etheridge had defended his post all night as he was curled shot after shot and threatened by crosses on this evening. Ball possession was 80-85% for Kuwait. The pressure was tremendously at a constant build up, physical as it was, the brave AZKALS stood even at fatigue which was catching up on the adrenaline. Back in Manila, AZKALS and its united fans are eager to bring home the game for the 2nd leg in Rizal Memorial Stadium on July 28. Everyone had their opinions, constructive and destructive haters present as well. The AZKALS didn't lose without a fight, nor will they lay the flag down in the 2nd leg without having to put on a brave face, but you know a secret better than anyone else kasi Pilipino ka, Azkals are more dangerous when angered, bloodied and beaten, so expect the unexpected when the Kuwaitis come to the Philippines. We are proud of you AZKALS. Photo by: Tariq Al-Ali  Daryl Lagos Until the next Azkals' game, Supporters analyze and video scout the next opponent for the Philippines. a Former Asian Cup Champion in 1980, 10 Time Gulf Cup of Nations Champion, and having qualified to a World Cup in 1982, "Al Ashraq" or "The Blue" are a certain force in the Middle Easter part of Earth. While many sees a 1980-1982 Golden Age of the Kuwaitis in the football scene, they are certain and out to prove they can reach this era again. Proving themselves 10x on the Gulf Cup as they raise the trophy once again last year in the expense of another Gulf Champ, Saudi Arabia. The Score was 1-0. Led by Bader Al-Mutwa who made 38 Goals in 55 Caps , and their Veteran Mid-Fielder Capt. Jarah Al-Ateeqi the kuwaitis has a lot to show on the field when it comes to discipline, endurance and competitiveness As I watch them play here in Qatar in the last Asian Cup 2011, People talked of Kuwait as a nation to beat and beating them was not a walk in the park, high expectations for the 2010 Gulf Champions, the Kuwaitis were blanked in the recent 2011 AFC Asian Cup.  Knocked off on round 1 Beaten by China 2- 0, Uzbekistan 2-1 and Qatar 3- 0 but these doesn't mean they are no threat. Ranked 102 in the World. Kuwait has a lot to prove. Their coach has been giving the Team Stability since handling it 2 years ago, cohesion is eminent, they like playing long balls, and are extremely physical. Runs on a full tank and hungers for a comeback in the World Cup. Hugely underrated and under-regarded, Kuwait have a solid record in regional football, but key weakness is that their league is Semi-Pro, none to few Kuwaitis had venture out to play outside the region for Professional Football Experience. The Philippines sitting 159 at the FIFA World Ranking has indeed proven doubters of their deceiving looks, moreover turn tables of attention towards the country as an emerging football force in SEA. Their recent win Vs Sri lanka 4-0 has one of the best football ever seen from the Azkals. The closest the Philippines had experienced that is near Kuwaiit's prowess is Palestine in Physique, 70% Indonesian in Agility and Vietnam in Confidence, add shot precision and there you have your opponent. The Climate here in the Middle East, ranges from 45-50C when the sun is up, whille temperature mellows down at 32-37C at night. The Azkals can well adapt to this instantly when they meet Bahrain for friendly games in Mid July. Certainly, it will never be like the Mongolian match wherein, the Coldness froze out muscles while the team played. While playmaker Stephan Schrock will miss the 1st leg, Fil-Danish Jerry Lucena will come in for the team, along with Schrock, Aly Borromeo will be missing in action serving his suspension on 2 yellow cards from the Sri Lanka matches, Ray Jonsson was looming to come in from Ice Land but recent reports say that he may not be available due to his club's injury list of players and will badly need him, amidst the bad news, comes in a great one in Fil-Danish Dennis Cagara, who was reportedly available to suit up for the Philippine Squad. The Azkals must play smart, defensive and convert counter attacks to successful self-less scoring plays. They have shown effective on short ball passes and can really compliment controlling the tempo of the game Vs Kuwait, Keeping the back line solid and intact while the forwards press on from MF to Finish, we can pull this off. I really believe we can defeat Kuwait, its just that how the Azkals can stick to battle plan thats going make or break it. If we can draw the game in Kuwait, We can certainly try to qualify big in Manila. Our chances are 50% to win against a however 50 World Rankings Higher Kuwait. Weiss said " No Opponent is tough as long as we train hard. " he also reiterated that if the players gave more self-less plays Vs Sri Lanka in the 2nd Leg, goals would have come much higher. The game with Kuwait will certainly result to an instant map of the Philippines in the World of football. A Certified Middle Easter Champion Vs a Nation of Football Converts. The Azkals will try to bring on the rain to this arid part of the region. Daryl Lagos Azkals United  July 3, 2011 is a historic day when 13,000 Filipinos witnessed the rebirth of football in the country. Marking this day was an official World Cup Qualifying match that saw the Philippines literally obliterating Sri Lanka on a 4 - 0 dominating performance. Rizal Memorial Stadium became the Theater of Filipino Dreams when it hosted 1st Round Leg 2 of Philippines Vs Sri Lanka. Rain pour down on everyone the same time the whistle blew to start the kick off as if blessings poured on every Filipino on this day. Chieffy Caligdong had shown superb skills as he dribbles in front of the Sri Lankan box battling 3 defenders to strike on a lighting right foot that saw pass the keeper hitting the left post as it went in the 19th minute of the 1st half. This very goal served as the spark to introduce what will come in the next minutes of the match. The Crowd on their feet! as the first goal broke the ice in this history winning match! Phil Younghusband who suffered severe cramps all through out the match rained shot after shot that was either saved or deflected by the Sri Lankan defenders, but in the 43rd minute, he skillfully outwitted the defense to score his 1st goal via a quick left on the lower right corner of the net. Philippines 2 -0 Sri Lanka. The 2nd Half was neither short of the action! James Younghusband passed a precise through ball on a break away attack to Angel Guirado who skillfully evaded the Sri Lanka keeper and slipped in a shot that extended the lead of the Philippines 3 Goals to none. Stephan Scrock who was tackled in the box gave way to a Phil Youghusband penalty that topped off the "crush" party. The Philippines won a FIFA World Cup qualifying match for the first time in its football history winning 5-1 on Aggregate. | Author
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