‘Sisig’ wars

 By

 Erel Cabatbat

December 5, 2024, 9:10 pmA source has told us that some of our neighboring countries and competition in the tournament will make it hard for us to secure our players featuring in their respective domestic leagues. Initially, there were no club fixtures scheduled in December. This would have allowed our players to come home to Manila and be available for the Mitsubishi Electric Cup.Our source, however, revealed they recently found out that some Southeast Asian leagues have decided to schedule some of their games in December. This development, while not entirely shocking and unexpected, will surely impact our campaign. We need all the best possible and available players for the squad, but aside from injuries, paperworks and other commitments, we have to deal with this reality that clubs are not really obligated to release players that could help end our title drought in the biggest football event in the region. These clubs, whether they will admit it or not, are expected to help their national team’s cause in their own “little and subtle” ways.On another note, the Mitsubishi Cup will serve as a preview of a bigger power play in the region. In the race for football supremacy, several countries have been on full speed when it comes to naturalizing players to boost their respective squads.

For several weeks now, Indonesia has been very active in announcing several acquisitions to its national team. Even Vietnam has joined the fray. Other countries are expected to do the same sooner or later – which is actually legal and within their right to do so.

Several years ago, the Philippines has been the subject of criticisms, ridicule and insults for having the Azkals with players coming from different parts of the globe. We have seen the worst comments and derogatory remarks from fans of our rivals because of our players who they see as not Filipinos, but rather foreigners. They are wrong, of course, because these players are Filipinos no matter how foreign their names sound, and their faces look. They may come from Iceland, Norway, Germany, Japan and the United States, to name a few, but they are true-blooded Pinoys.

Now our rivals have upped the ante. They have naturalized players, to include those players with local lineage, left and right. We can expect a very different Asian Cup Qualifiers by March next year.

I just hope that fans who have been so critical of our Azkals will be ready to reap what they sow. Just like what I’ve been saying in the past, if you are too eager to give bull, then be ready too to get the shit in return. Criticisms, insults and ridicule go both ways. I just hope, however, that at the end of the day, when all the shitstorms, passion and rabid adulation of our respective national teams have subsided, we can all relax and watch the beautiful game in peace.

Speaking of rabid adulation, our previous column regarding the possible new moniker for the team formerly known as the Azkals have generated various reactions, mostly bad actually, to include the mundane and the hilarious. Funny due to the fact that several fans have reacted violently to the suggested Fighting Filipinos moniker without actually reading the whole column. Saddening also that there are still so many out there who can’t seem to get past the headline and yet have so much to say.

A recent chat with someone close to the national team made it clear that there is nothing definite yet on the new moniker.

“A new moniker is not set in stone,” the source said.

While the reaction so far is an indication, “we will just have to let this play out and see what comes up and what sticks with the fans,” the source added.

The source admits that no matter what the new moniker will be, someone will always have something negative to say.

“I feel that they would be mad at any new moniker no matter what it was at this point. Just have to see what eventually sticks,” the source explained.

This person also believes that success will eventually calm even the worst critic of the moniker change.

“When we start winning, they’ll end up loving whatever the new moniker is,” the source added.

On a personal note, The Designated Kit Man had the opportunity to talk with Denis Lucindo, founder and CEO of Matchday Media. Among the many things that we discussed in the possible launch of the Matchday app in a few weeks that is expected to elevate how fans can experience football and other sports. More on this in the next column.

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