CITING “personal reasons,” midfielder Jason de Jong, one of the most
improved players under national football team coach Thomas Dooley,
yesterday announced his retirement from the Azkals.
improved players under national football team coach Thomas Dooley,
yesterday announced his retirement from the Azkals.
The 24-year-old De Jong, the reigning Golden Ball winner in the United
Football League,
said he has already informed Dooley of his decision not to play for the
national team’s next major tournament, the AFF Suzuki Cup.
Football League,
said he has already informed Dooley of his decision not to play for the
national team’s next major tournament, the AFF Suzuki Cup.
The move comes as a shock as De Jong has been an integral part of the
team being developed by Dooley. It also leaves a big hole in the Azkals
midfield as they prepare for the Suzuki Cup.
team being developed by Dooley. It also leaves a big hole in the Azkals
midfield as they prepare for the Suzuki Cup.
“My heart is not in it anymore and I want to spend more time with my family,”
said the Filipino-Dutch standout, who has played 49 times for the Azkals
since 2008.
said the Filipino-Dutch standout, who has played 49 times for the Azkals
since 2008.
De Jong told the Inquirer that, unlike the “resignation” of Stephan Schrock and
Dennis Cagara early this year, his move to quit the team wasn’t because of a
falling out with Dooley.
Dennis Cagara early this year, his move to quit the team wasn’t because of a
falling out with Dooley.
“I thank boss Dan (Palami) and coach Dooley for the opportunity they gave me,”
said De Jong. “It was certainly an honor playing for the national team.”
said De Jong. “It was certainly an honor playing for the national team.”
De Jong has been part of almost every PH side that achieved milestones the
past four years. He played in the AFF Suzuki Cup side in 2010 and 2012 as
well as the AFC Challenge Cup squad that reached the final against
Palestine early this year.
past four years. He played in the AFF Suzuki Cup side in 2010 and 2012 as
well as the AFC Challenge Cup squad that reached the final against
Palestine early this year.
Meanwhile, the Azkals will face Thailand on Nov. 10 as part of their buildup
for the Suzuki Cup. The Azkals will no longer play Malaysia on Nov. 8 and
instead will fly to Nakhon Ratchasima for the duel with the Thais,
the losing finalists toSingapore in the 2012 Suzuki Cup.
for the Suzuki Cup. The Azkals will no longer play Malaysia on Nov. 8 and
instead will fly to Nakhon Ratchasima for the duel with the Thais,
the losing finalists toSingapore in the 2012 Suzuki Cup.
Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/166630/de-jong-quits-azkals-ahead-of-suzuki-
Wala kc nangyayari sa soccer dito. Pa draft n lng sia sa pba
ReplyDeletepwede! at least may makakalarong azkal sina henry sy, lucio tan, at john gokongwei. nagpaplano na rin kasi silang bumili ng team at maglaro next year.
DeleteSound more like he wants to focus on club football more since that is where his actual income is..
ReplyDeleteCan pff stop playing friendlies on non fifa dates??
You are destroying players careers if they indeed have one like schrock.
pff is such in hurry to reach the world cup completely disregarding the players' means of feeding their families.
Deletehelloooo!! grassroots, mga sir. yung mga selection teams ng local FA's niyo based primarily on size and financial capacity ng players. there's also that kumpare system. kailan ba mawawala yan?
That's a shocker! Anyway... I don't think De Jong was keeping track that well... he actually has over 50 caps, not 49!
ReplyDeletei agree that players are having club issues when international matches are not set on non-fifa dates.
ReplyDeletewe should not be greedy and give these athletes a chance to earn a living.
well life goes on anyway marami namang ipapalit diyan
Deletemarami nga, low quality naman. if you are a top-level professional football player and you see that this is the state of our national team, would you put yourself on the same situation?
Deletehigh quality nga pusong banyaga naman
Deletepusong banyaga? just because they're pulling out does not mean ganyan sila. you have to understand that they have to earn a living. setting matches on non-FIFA sanctioned dates will always be a problem to professional players.
Deletemoney face ang puso
Delete