 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 @daryllagos Great Shots by Anton Sheker The Azkals coming off a strengthening process after reaching historical milestones such as the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 3rd place finish are approaching an almost new phase in their preparations for the the region's most prestigious tournament, the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012. The Philippines started off with a draw in Cambodia, 0-0 Score line last Wednesday did not really reflect the story that went with it. We had the upper hand as to controlling the match tempo and creating chances but was just not able to finish with a goal. Quite unlucky too as we could have scored but it's either the post saving it for Cambodia, or us missing it an inch wide and hitting it a little off target. The pitch was horrible and as if it was not meant to be for us...rain made it even more worst. No argument, many people said that we could have done better but this is football. One big revelation however, is the quality shown by Filipino-Belgian Patrick Reichelt who came in as a impact-sub in the later half. Expectations are high but these friendlies are tests for the team to know where and when to put on the needed adjustments. Winning is great, but the journey towards it is even greater. 
Friday, Sept. 7, 2012 saw the Azkals battling regional football powerhouse Singapore. The Philippines twisting history again by defeating The Lions 2 - 0 in what many would describe as a glimpse of our potentials best displayed. Bob Guerrero would account this win for the Philippines as the 1st in the last 40 Years. FIFA would revealed our country defeating Singapore in 1972 with the same score. 
Chieffy Caligdong scored in the 1st goal creating a shot for himself at 8' minute mark, followed by a precise curve shot by Phil Younghusband for the 2nd goal in the 48' minute at the 2nd half. Our defenders being led by Rob Gier, Jason Sabio, Carli De Murga and Jeffrey Christiaens were solid to help fend off Singapore's attack providing much needed defensive cover for our No.1 GK Neil Etherdige at the post. The arrival of Filipino-German Stephan Schrock and playing along side with the team Vs Singapore is one big boost for the Philippines. Schrock was involved in a number of visionary passing that helped scored both goals. An assist to Chieffy and a great ball to set Phil Younghusband made a lot of difference. Stephan would then say that he is just a small piece of the team and that everyone played a great game. 
Everyone has been waiting for the most formidable Azkals squad ever, but the hardship of trying to get our best team is always a work in progress since many of them still play for their European clubs. Having get them to play together for a short period is a leisure for both the country and the management but it is never impossible. The Azkals is now enjoying a little bit more flexibility in trying to field the best squad in every match. The move of Fil-Europeans like Jason De Jong, Dennis Wolf and Patrick Reichelt for instance to our United Football League (UFL) is instrumental to the success of the national team. Younger players are influenced and more Filipinos are taking on the challenge than ever before with the emergence of professional football in the country. A young 9 year old Filipino kid Sandro Reyes has been accepted to Barcelona's Futbol Escola, the development of our grass root programs and the recent partnership of DEPed & PFF. The many more undiscovered young Filipino talents in the country with football genes waiting to be polished...the future looks promising. The Philippines National Football Team is now on its 3rd and final ASEAN 3-Nation tour in Laos. They will play a friendly game with the host country on Monday, Sept. 10, 2012. The Azkals will miss the services of Phil & James Younghusband which is due to a very important family commitment, while Jerry Lucena has been recalled by his club, the final line up for LAOS is listed below from the Official Site. 
Success is wanting to reach a pinnacle with no limits.- @daryllagos
The following national team players have been called up for the friendly against Laos on September 10, 2012. Goalkeepers: Neil Leonard Etheridge, Eduard Sacapano, Ref Delany Cuaresma Defenders: David Mark Basa, Robert James Gier, Jason Abbott Sabio, Carlos Alberto Martinez de Murga, Roel Gener Midfielders: Marwin Angeles, Marvin Angeles, Misagh Bahadoran, Emelio Caligdong, Jeffrey Christiaens, Jason Nicolas Maria De Jong, Nestorio Margarse Jr., Paul Mulders, Jose Elmer Porteria, Andres Crisanto Gonzales, Patrick Reichelt, Stephan Schrock Forwards: Ian Araneta, Denis Wolf 
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 
 by Rick Olivares Posted in The Bleacher's Brew When told that his name is a mouthful, Carlos Alberto Olaivar Martinez de Murga laughs. “Si, it is long,” smiled the new right back/midfielder for the Philippine Men’s Football National Team. “Call me ‘Carli’ instead.” Even the place where the 22-year old Fil-Spaniard is from is a mouthful -- El Puerto de Santa Maria, Provincia de Cadiz, Andalucia, Spain. “I’m from Cadiz,” he laughed once more. “And I play for Racing Club Portuense in Tercera División.” The Tercera División is the fourth-level of the Spanish football league system with up to 22 teams competing for promotion to the next level. The Fil-Spanish footballer heard about the Azkals from a friend in Cadiz who read about another compatriot, Angel Guirado, who last played for Club Deportivo Ronda, another third division club and suited up for the Philippines in the AFC Challenge Cup and the recent 2014 World Cup Qualifiers. Through social networking site Facebook, Martinez de Murga learned more about Guirado and his cousin, Rafael Garcia, the brother of basketball coach Caloy Garcia who is half-Spanish and half-Filipino. Garcia, who speaks fluent European Spanish, has served as a liaison for the Fil-Spaniards although Carli’s English is passable and much better than Guirado’s.  When asked if he was named after the famous Brazilian footballer who played alongside the great Pele on Brazil’s 1970 World Cup winning side, Carli shook his head. “I was named after a telenovela star,” quipped the FC Barcelona and Cadiz CF fan. His hometown team of Cadiz, affectionately known as El Submarino Amarillo (or The Yellow Submarine for its reputation of last ditch rallies to remain afloat if not shoot up to the top of the standings despite flirting with relegation earlier in the season), was relegated to the second tier following the 2005-06 season. Carli made his debut with the Azkals in a friendly match with Ceres-Negros, the PFF Suzuki Under-23 National Champions, last September 13, 2011 at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod. The Azkals despite missing several first team regulars, beat the home side 3-1 with a brace from Mark Hartmann and a goal from Ian Araneta. Ruben Doctora Jr. scored the lone goal for Ceres-Negros.The Fil-Spaniard, whose mother hails from Quezon City and says that pancit is his favorite Filipino food, will be joining the nationals in the 2011 Long Teng Cup that will be held in Taiwan from September 30 to October 4 and hopefully, for the U-23 team that will compete in the Southeast Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia in November this year. “I see some very good players in the Younghusbands, Mark Hartmann, and some others,” noted Martinez de Murga who in all probability will have “Carli” on the back of his jersey instead of his long surname. “I hope that I will be a big part as well. I am happy to compete for the Philippines. It is an honor.”  Cali Supports Azkals United! | Author
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