MANILA, Philippines – The Fil-foreigners may be available for the Peace Cup but the locals need their experience.
That’s the message that the Philippine Football Federation released on the official Azkals Facebook page on Wednesday, August 6, after mounting debate over the exclusion and diminished roles of several veterans for the tournament set to begin on September 1 in the Philippines.
The post asserts that the players who have anchored the team may not be released by their home clubs in Europe for tournaments like the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup, which runs from November 22 to December 20, because it isn’t an official FIFA event.
“Bottom line, our National Coach Thomas Dooley [needs] to have a team ready which consists more or less [of] our local players to compete [in] events like the Suzuki Cup,” reads the post. “To prepare this team, he [needs] to give the local players game practices in tournaments like the Peace Cup and friendly games on official FIFA dates to make sure the team [that] will go for the Suzuki Cup will represent our country and give its best appearance.”
It added: “The Suzuki Cup is unfortunately not an official FIFA date, which means the overseas clubs do not need to release the players for their National Team, since most of the overseas clubs have ongoing league games on this dates. As a result, the National Coach has to prepare a team for the Suzuki Cup by having in mind that the overseas player might probably not [be] available, since the release is not mandatory for their clubs.”
Dooley, a former American national soccer team standout took over the squad last January after the exit of Hans Michael Weiss.
The Philippine football scene has been in upheaval this week after long-time Azkals Dennis Cagara and Stephan Schrock announced Monday that they would be withdrawing from the team due to clashes with Coach Dooley. (RELATED: Why the Azkals are upset with team management)
"As long as coach Dooley will lead the team, I won't wear the jersey of Azkals again," the Filipino-German Schrock, 27 said via Facebook. "I hope I will give my comeback one day!!"
Cagara, a left-back who was born in Denmark, tweeted similar sentiments.
"Dooley is also the reason why I won't play for the Azkals for the moment,” wrote Cagara, who was left off the Peace Cup roster along with Fil-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
Of the Azkals pool of 38 that will be cut to 24, 7 are currently members of foreign clubs.
Azkals team manager Dan Palami also released a statement on the withdrawal of the two players via the team’s Facebook, stating:
“It is unfortunate that Stephan and Dennis have made their decision (not to suit up for the Azkals for now). The level of skill and depth of experience they bring to the game will surely be missed. It is natural even amongst family for differences to arise, especially when changes are introduced. At the end of the day, however, it is good to be reminded that every single one on the Azkals family actually shares the same dream: To unite Filipinos through their love for the beautiful game and to bring Phil. Football to the world stage.
“Because of this, and through sustained dialogue forged on mutual respect, I am optimistic we will reach a resolution that will be most beneficial to the team and that will bring us even closer to our common goals.”
The Philippines has won the Peace Cup in back-to-back years but found their football program skyrocket in popularity in 2010’s Suzuki Cup when they defeated defending champions Vietnam 2-0. Fil-Europeans Chris Greatwich and Phil Younghusband scored the Philippines’ goals.
The Azkals were clustered in Group A of the Suzuki Cup alongside Vietnam and Indonesia. –
with reports from Jaelle Nevin Reyes/Rappler.com
Why on facebook again?!? That was the exact reason why they resigned!! Because of the damn lack of communication and therein respect! I hope they told Schroeck and Cagara beforehand about this!
ReplyDeleteNabawasan ng tatlo may pag asa na ang kamag anak na nasa trng.pool ngayon
Deletepagbalik ni shrock at cagara sa team gawing coach at assistant para malaman nila ang pressure ng isang coach
DeleteI think this is a valid point of selecting players that are most likely going to be available for the AFF Suzuki Cup. The Peace Cup is supposed to be part of the preparation for the Suzuki Cup and so we must put together a team that will surely be complete for that tournament. I think that's a valid reason. However, the management needs to communicate that to the players. We need Schrock, Cagara, and NE however these players are not guaranteed to be available on non FIFA games so why include in the preps when they could be missing anyway. This is all a breakdown in communication. It's unfortunate, but I think they'll get their acts together.
ReplyDelete