Fil-Spanish booter eyes Asian teams

By FRANCIS SANTIAGO

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine football team striker Angel Guirado opted not to re-sign his contract with his Spanish club this year as he intends to play for either a Japanese or Indonesian club so he can be closer to the Philippines and be readily available if ever his services are needed by the Azkals.

The Filipino-Spanish, who scored a goal in the Azkals’ 4-0 demolition of Sri Lanka during the first round of the World Cup qualifying tournament, played for the third division Spanish club Club Deportivo Ronda.

He’s now in the midst of negotiation with football scouts for possible club stint in either Japan or Indonesia.

“I told him that instead of signing in Spain, we’ll take a look out of Spain and see what others have to offer. And of course, he’ll be near to the Philippines and if the Azkals will need him, he’ll be available. At least when it comes to the weather, he’s already acclimatized,” Rafael Garcia, Guirado’s cousin and interpreter, said.

The 26-year-old Spanish-speaking Guirado, whose mother hails from Ilagan, Isabela, visited the Manila Bulletin headquarters in Intramuros on Thursday for his photo shoot for the Sports Digest magazine.

If ever the 6-foot-3 Guirado lands a job in an Asian club, Garcia said they would demand a clause in the contract that will allow him to be released whenever the Azkals would need him.

Sporting a shaggy hair and black headband, Guirado said nothing is definite about his career at the moment as he also got offers to play for clubs in the United Football League, a local club tournament.

If nothing happens, Guirado may just end up staying in Spain.

Garcia said the only definite thing for Guirado is he would play for the Azkals in March next year for the Asian Challenge Cup finals, which Nepal will host.

“We’re not sure yet,” Garcia said when asked of the likelihood that Guirado will suit up for the Azkals in the Long Teng Cup, the first tournament lined up for the Azkals after their two-round stint in the World Cup qualifiers.

Manila Bulletin