17 February 2011

Cold or not, Azkals ready vs Mongolians

MANILA, Philippines — Living in a tropical country like the Philippines, the closest Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong could get or feel a snow is when he opens a refrigerator.

But for his Fil-foreign teammates who grew up in Europe, winter season is part of life.

With players living half a globe apart, it’s no big surprise that the Philippine Azkals have contrasting opinions about playing under a freezing condition.

The Azkals will battle Mongolia on March 15 at Ulan Bator for their rematch in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifier, and whether or not the cold temperature there – which drops to negative 20 degrees – will work in the Filipinos’ favor remains to be seen.

Azkals team manager Dan Palami said the match is set at 1 p.m., reportedly the warmest time of the day at minus 10 degrees.

Caligdong, who scored the first goal in the Azkals’ 2-0 triumph over Mongolia in the first leg of their home-and-away series in Bacolod City, admitted the weather condition may affect their performance in Mongolia.

“Of course, it will be a little difficult for us to play under that condition because we’re not accustomed to it,” the 28-year-old product of Barotac Nuevo, said in Filipino yesterday. “But hopefully, through our training in Baguio City and maybe in Japan, we can get used to it.”

In his six-year international campaign with the national team, the ace striker from the Philippine Airforce said he has never played in a country as cold as Mongolia. He ranks his stint in the Suzuki Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam last year, where temperature is similar to Baguio City (about six and 8 degrees) as the coldest condition he’s ever been with.

While playing in Mongolia seemed a disadvantage for Caligdong, Fil-British Phil Younghusband, a former Chelsea reserve in England who has vast experience playing in cold condition, sees it otherwise.

“We have played many matches in Europe, in the cold. And I think it’s a lot easier playing under that condition. In the heat you sweat a lot… I’d rather play in the cold,” Younghusband, 23, said in a recent interview.

“With the Fil-Foreigners that we have in the team, the weather might be on our side after all,” Younghusband, who scored the other goal in the Azkals’ latest win, said.

Manila Bulletin

2 comments:

  1. That's okay boys, it's amazing how the body adapts to extreme weather conditions, you'll see. A neg 10 degree temperature ain't got nothin on your adrenalyn and passion to get 'er done for team and country. Some of you guys are active service members in the armed forces so, somewhere deep down inside y'al says you are capable of withstanding the elements for mission accomplishment, maybe you can tap on to that. Or better yet, just suck it up for 45 minutes and then some. No Mongolian team or what not can slow down your roll boys, you got this one on a lock down! Go get em!!!!

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  2. It's wrong to think fil-fors will have any advantage over Pinoys in ice-cold Mongolia. All serious football in Europe is played on natural grass. When the temp falls below zero frozen dangerous pitches mean no games are played (apart from a few major clubs which have underground heating).
    The main advantage to Mongolia will be the artificial plastic grass which they play on permanently. But it still won't be enough.
    Azkaleras won't be pleased to see the Azkals looking very unsexy in head-to-toe underwear
    but that's all it will take to come home victorious.

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