13 July 2011

Heroic Azkals: Not everybody happy

By Recah Trinidad


Contrary to what was popularly projected, not everybody went home happy from the historic 4-0 victory of the celebrated Philippine Azkals over Sri Lanka at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last week. This was the gist of the Uppercut column in Filipino sent to the Inquirer by Danny Simon of the tabloid Policefiles. We took the liberty of translating Simon’s item.)

When no one gave a damn about the game of football in the Philippines, the local football federation could not do anything.
Football officials would beg on their knees, if only to gain attention for the sport that did not belong among the favorites of the Filipino.
Then came the luck of lucks, and the national team called the Azkals suddenly gained attention with the help of half-Filipinos that boosted and lent glamour to our national team while it languished at 159th in the world rankings.
Ever hungry for victories, the Pinoy embraced the Azkals who rode mainly on the highly paid half-Filipino players.
* * *
Despite the so-so wins over worthless foreign teams by the Azkals, the Pinoy could not be blamed for getting carried away, hungry as he ever was for international wins the national basketball team could not deliver.
Thanks mainly to media patronage, football suddenly gained tremendous support from practically all sectors.
Everything that had something to do with the Azkals were commercialized.
No wonder, the Azkals must’ve themselves started to feel like icons being worshipped by the masses.
* * *
Meanwhile, it cannot be denied that success has also gone into the head of many people involved in football, mostly officials of the Philippine Football Federation.
The majority of these officials became swell-heads, all too conveniently overlooking the fact that all it needs is a tiny needle to burst their overblown egos.
In fact, in the last match of the Azkals against Sri Lanka at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, organizers of the event went overboard as though it was the world championship proper they were hosting.
They priced tickets beyond the reach of the masses, with the lowest priced seat going for at least P1,000 (Bleacher seats across from the main grandstand cost P200 or P300 each).
* * *
The bigger name of the game during the Philippines-Sri Lanka match was arrogance.
While the masa was practically turned away by the expensive tickets, the media that had helped organizers tremendously were either given a runaround or totally discriminated upon.
The vicinity of the stadium along Adriatico Street and Vito Cruz was closed.
Next, men in black acting as PFF events marshalls sealed all the gates of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The regular security guards were also stripped of their rights and functions.
This, of course, was outright insult to the Philippine Sports Commission, whose officials were reduced to mere spectators.
* * *
Even our media colleagues who were in the vicinity not to cover the game but to work at the PSC-POC Media Center were denied entry into the PSC compound.
Fortunately, there was the veteran scribe Clyde Mariano of Tempo who stood up to the tyrannical men in black, thereby leaving them no choice but to let the reporters into their exclusive headquarters.
The saddest part came after national athletes were removed from their quarters, for one day and night, to prevent from either straying or peeping into the big game.
Yes, our pure-bred national athletes were shooed away from their homes just to give way to stray dogs, mongrels of doubtful pedigree.
Message to the Azkals and PFF: You have a long way to go. A main threat awaits you in your next assignment where, if you fail, you will predictably again go begging for the attention of Juan. Just wait and see.

Inquirer.net

21 comments:

  1. What's the point of this article? If it's to bring up the poor manner in which the media people were treated by the security personnel I get it. But there is so much hate, (maybe jealousy) and insults hurled left right and center that it's quite disgusting.

    This is a long time sports columnist too. Sad sad sad.

    Remember all the negative backlash Chieffy got for his comments, well this guy just took it to a whole new low.

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  2. absolutely right!!!
    Some officials are holding to complimentary tickets,waiting for their family & friends to be seated on the best seat.The worst of all which i took pity on is the NT reserve players who deserve to be upfront but was denied of it, not to even feel the field which they are a part of. Why in the hell will you put an injured player to play , just because the girlfriend is watching (who has more media coverage than top officials)...why was the line up changed and suddenly "Geraldo" was on it. Why did the coach let some of the reserve players play on the last minute of the game when we are winning , which could have avoided yellow cards given to tired , irritated, hot tempered players that needs rest .For me the only legitimate goal was the first from Chiefy no one else.Hindi umiikot ang mundo sa kakaunting players ng Azkals na pang commercial ang quality (we need game Quality). Add more to the fact that the game with KUWAIT will be the real test of strength of the so called "TEAM AZKALS". Maybe, they got lucky with their previous games and a match with weaker teams that brought them to this point. Yes "Bilog ang Bola" and anything can happen,but luck is not always handy. Well anyway media took care of it already, with how they presented the next opponent (Kuwait), it seems like losing is acceptable and they will still be heroes whatever happens.
    To Team Azkals and the officials , put your feet on the ground , baka masayang ang ginastos niyo sa football field at maging kangkungan na lang yan at doon kayo pare parehong pulutin.

    PS.The report/er was the first from media that has spoken the truth , buti naman napansin niyo rin. Media can Make or Break the team , because you hold a very important role in covering,advertising and promoting the AZKALS , but please I beg you set your priorities right... it is not the Azkals it is for the future of "FOOTBALL" ...DON'T BREAK IT... MAKE IT HAPPEN...

    Tip : the team might get lucky again because 6 top players of Kuwait are suspended and their playing with reserve players on their line up.

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  3. Mr.Sad Sad Sad ... It is really Sad to say that the Truth hurts ... sad know the facts...and sad to accept it.

    Without Media contribution , the whole Philippine Football "Bruhaha" will be nothing.Don't make them angry "you wouldn't like them when they do" . Don't create a huge monster out of this issue , they are allies and not foes. Criticism is part of their job, its up to the team and officials to do something about it for the improvement and development of the Sport.

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  4. "mongrels of doubtful pedigree"? is it coz they are half? what is up with the hate?

    I thought the quarters were vacated for security reasons because the president might show up. If that was just an excuse then that is pretty low.

    I think the crappy seats should have been priced lower.

    If it is a PFF event, shouldnt they be in charge of security?

    I still dont take the article seriously because of the name-calling. i'm pretty sure the players didnt make any logistics or planning decisions. So what if they are half-Filipino. I dont get it. So you have to be pure blood now to make the team?

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  5. when will the media stop using the race card

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  6. Jonny. I recommend that you take down this post immediately. I am sure it violates Norwegian and EU laws on hate speech.
    Funny that some Filipinos feel racism is acceptable. Imagine if the media in USA referred to President Obama or Tiger Woods in that way. Or Canada and Hooland with the De Guzman brothers? Or Sweden with Henrik Larssen?
    They would bever would again and their newspapers would be prosecuted and fined heavily.

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  7. Lets face it. You cant please everybody. Its natural especially if their personality is threaten or their line of work.he-he

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  8. “You can't be envious and happy at the same time”

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  9. Some people just hate the fact the futbol is gaining space. To the 2nd Anonymous guy poster. None of what you said would change how we see the team.Every single SHIT you just mentioned is totally wrong on our POV. If your not getting any just shut the fuck up.

    One thing you dont get, the players,coaches and managers may change thru the years, but the team we are supporting is still the Azkals.

    Win or loss, we still support the team to the bone. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!! Now tell me, how will you change that?

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  10. Mr. Recah Trinidad is full of hate. He is probably drunk to the bone with the power that media provides. A well seasoned journalist like him knows the power he has on his fingertips. Truly, this man did not hesitate to abuse the nobility of his profession by expressing his hate towards the Azkals.

    I’m pretty sure Mr. Trinidad knows what "social responsibility" means. Unfortunately his anger combined with his power blinded his social responsibility towards the Filipino readers and Azkal fans.

    If Mr. Trinidad was so upset with the way his media compatriots were treated, he should be able to address his issues to the right people properly. So why take out his anger on the team? His expression of hatred just makes me wonder about his maturity and ability to execute proper journalism.

    Giving him the benefit of the doubt, his actions would be understandable if he shared the same bed with Mr. Paul Weiller.

    If that isn’t true then someone should take him to an Anger Management class so we can all move on and enjoy some Futbol!

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  11. Recah is the local version of Paul...

    To 2nd Anonymous poster:

    you said:
    "Why did the coach let some of the reserve players play on the last minute of the game when we are winning , which could have avoided yellow cards given to tired , irritated, hot tempered players that needs rest "

    What your point? Do you anything about the "Laws of the Game"? Shut-up if don't know what you are saying. Looks like you are the "2nd Paul of PH". LOL.

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  12. Yeah, I agree. Take this down, please. We all know that if someone is succeeding in something there will always be others to bring him down. We don't have to put attention to these type of stuff. If they are legitimate claims then yes, they need to be looked at by the proper officials. But these things are just adding fuel to the fire. The same thing with the rape allegations. Real fans do not need to discuss these items. We can't make one step forward and two steps back.

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  13. Who needs Trinidad anyway? He was never a believer and never will be. I guess he has to write about Football because its now the hot topic. Typical crab!!

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  14. I think this guy didn't read the previous newspaper regarding the incident.It was actually explained there all the reasons why the national players residing within the stadium was asked to vacate and the very reasons were VERY understandable. You also emphasized that the players were not given the opportunities to watch the game? You're wrong sir again you didn't bother to read the newspaper. the players were given free tickets so that they can watch the game but many of whom SOLD THE TICKETS TO THE BLACK MARKET FOR MUCH EXPENSIVE PRICES!!!!!!that angered the PFF officials and expect they won't be given anymore next time. Regarding Phil's injury, for your information sir, the concerned medics gave a go signal for him to play he's fit to play the game but just so happen that football game last sunday is so strenuous and physical that Phil ended up hurting............LASTLY, SIR PLZ STOP BEING "RACIST" YOU SON OF A BI*TCH BCOZ U KNOW NOTHING OF FOOTBALL AS EVIDENCE IN YOUR WRITEUP, AND PUT A STOP TO THAT "CRAB MENTALITY"

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  15. Whoever wrote that vile racist crap should be banned from any sporting event in the country.
    He should be fired immediately. I get disgusted every time I hear or read somebody talk about pure blood. Everyone in the world is related to humans who came from East Africa. There are no pure blood Filipinos. We are all "Pure Blood Africans". Get over it!
    It is the 21st century. Join the modern world.

    Regarding ticket prices. The PFF is drastically underfunded compared to most of our AFF and AFC rivals. We have not had a WNT game at all in 3 years and no home game since the SEA Games. The Azkals had to play our "home" game in Indonesia because our stadium was not good enough. The WNT had to play a home game in Hong Kong because we could not afford to have a home game.
    Sorry but home games have to generate a profit or we will have to play our "home" games in other countries.

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  16. Some people here think they know better than the German coach about how players should be substituted or who should come into the game. Very obvious that these people are newcomers to the game and dont know a thing about football. Watch the EPL, learn about the game first before you make any comment that doesnt make sense. Football is not as easy as what you think

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  17. 2nd poster: "Why did the coach let some of the reserve players play on the last minute of the game when we are winning" -- most stupid comment i've read.

    it just shows how much you don't know about team spirit and strategy. you don't get "playing time" because it's your home country. you don't play for your own glory, one gets to play because of what his position and skill can contribute to the team. it wasn't just a friendly match where there were no stakes at all. it was the world cup qualifiers where we just made history.

    as for the media twats who keep complaining, i wonder if they were denied of any freebies or special treatment. that's a sad reflection of philippine journalism.

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  18. HEROIC AZKALS: CAN’T PLEASE EVERYBODY


    Contrary to what is being said, football is a sport Filipinos had been playing even before the media, sports officials and corporate sponsors started to notice the Azkals. Today, these same personalities embrace football as a sport worthy of their dime. But despite their absence from the football scene, football had been and is being played in school and club leagues throughout the archipelago. Kids, as young as 5 years old, have been playing the most popular sport in the world under the sweltering sun, the pouring rain and the mud-soaked pitch. Certainly, a sport not for the faint-hearted. I know. Just like the other parents, I accompany my sons early in the morning to their training and games while the rest of the nation sleeps.

    The attention the Azkals is getting now is due to hard work from a program that started years ago and did not just pop-out of pure luck. Nay-sayers trumpet that the Azkals are just riding on media hype and yet they expect them to be on top of their game. Some people even question their blood-line. But who are pure-bred Filipinos? As their name implies, they are Azkals and they are as mixed-bred as any Filipino.

    Even with all the football bashing going on, football enthusiasts came in droves to the stands and watched the games live and on TV. It is just unfortunate that someone could not see, even a flicker, the light that is descending upon Philippine football. As they say, you can’t please everybody, especially those who refuse to be pleased.

    Football may have a long way to go but the kids on the pitch will carry on the gains made by the heroic Azkals, proudly declaring ---- We are Azkals, and predictably, media, sports officials and corporate sponsors will follow suit. Just wait and see.

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  19. HEROIC AZKALS: CAN’T PLEASE EVERYBODY


    Contrary to what is being said, football is a sport Filipinos had been playing even before the media, sports officials and corporate sponsors started to notice the Azkals. Today, these same personalities embrace football as a sport worthy of their dime. But despite their absence from the football scene, football had been and is being played in school and club leagues throughout the archipelago. Kids, as young as 5 years old, have been playing the most popular sport in the world under the sweltering sun, the pouring rain and the mud-soaked pitch. Certainly, a sport not for the faint-hearted. I know. Just like the other parents, I accompany my sons early in the morning to their training and games while the rest of the nation sleeps.

    The attention the Azkals is getting now is due to hard work from a program that started years ago and did not just pop-out of pure luck. Nay-sayers trumpet that the Azkals are just riding on media hype and yet they expect them to be on top of their game. Some people even question their blood-line. But who are pure-bred Filipinos? As their name implies, they are Azkals and they are as mixed-bred as any Filipino.

    Even with all the football bashing going on, football enthusiasts came in droves to the stands and watched the games live and on TV. It is just unfortunate that someone could not see, even a flicker, the light that is descending upon Philippine football. As they say, you can’t please everybody, especially those who refuse to be pleased.

    Football may have a long way to go but the kids on the pitch will carry on the gains made by the heroic Azkals, proudly declaring ---- We are Azkals, and predictably, media, sports officials and corporate sponsors will follow suit. Just wait and see.

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  20. Oh please. I've had enough of big-headed reporters who feel the need to be treated like royals! Porke di pinapasok nanggagalaiti na! O baka di nabigyan ng sobre kaya nagwawala!

    Tapak din sa lupa mga hunghang! Sino ba yang Danny Simon na yan at F na F na owe ng Azkals sa kanya ang fame nila?

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