Azkals Success Could Have Big Impact on PHL Football’s Growth
BALL IS LIFE in the Philippines, a nation long been known to be basketball crazy. But football also has deep roots in the country’s history, from participating in Asia’s first-ever international fixture in 1913 to giving birth to the Asian Football Confederation in 1954.
The country, however, has never qualified for the AFC’s flagship tournament until recently, when the Azkals won a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Tajiks, securing a spot in the Asian Cup.
The team’s 113th rank is an all-time high in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking for the Philippines. They are now ranked ahead of regional rivals such as Jordan, Bahrain, Thailand, and Tajikistan – a far cry from their 191st position back in 2005 and from their performance in the 2002 Tiger Cup where they were soundly beaten by Indonesia with a score of 13-1.
A comeback win over the Tajiks made the historic qualification of the Philippines for the Asian Cup possible. The Tajiks scored the first goal in the game. It was only in the 74th minute when the Azkals evened the score. The decisive goals came in the 91st minute courtesy of Phil Younghusband.
At only 30 years old, Younghusband has been with the national team for 12 years already. He considered this most recent success long overdue for the Azkals who have endured plenty of setbacks in the past.
“It’s been up-and-down,” he acknowledged, speaking to ABS-CBN. “We didn’t qualify for the last Suzuki Cup, and then this. So yeah, it has been up-and-down [but] it’s been amazing too, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I just feel very blessed that I get to play the sport I love, and enjoy it in a country I love.”
Qualifying for the Asian Cup and the rise in the world rankings are not the only things Filipino football fans are celebrating. In January, Ceres Negros, one of the country’s biggest clubs, beat Australian A-League outfit Brisbane Roar to win the AFC Champions League. Such milestones are indications that football is truly on the rise and may soon be on the same level as basketball and boxing in the Philippines.
Hopefully, this (qualifying for the Asian Cup) is the catalyst for more growth,” Younghusband said. “In 2010, we got a lot of support from the private industry, and hopefully, this can spur a resurgence.”
Thomas Dooley, Azkals’ head coach, led the Philippines to this victory. He’s confident that recent triumphs will result in more Filipino players from around the world declaring for the Azkals.
“You have players in Germany playing in the first division, who might have a chance to play for Sweden or Denmark, instead of playing for the Philippines because they’re qualifying for the European Championships or the World Cup,” Dooley told Reuters. “What do we have to offer? A beautiful country and playing for your country – but we need more.
“But if we get to the Asian Cup and we are in the top 100 in the world and are more visible and people are talking about the Philippines and what’s going on, then when those players are making those decisions, they will say: I want to go. We have lined up players already that would like to come and they are waiting. Waiting for what? Qualifying for the Asian Cup is very interesting for them,” added Dooley.
“That could be the spark and it will spread in all directions. The potential is there – we just need to have the plan.”
via FIFA
