Why the Azkals are upset with team management

By Ryan Songalia

A lack of communication about roster changes and disorganization within the PFF are the reasons why some players aren't pleased with management, says a source after Stephan Schrock and Dennis Cagara quit the team

he source says that the players found out that Schrock and Cagara had left the team through social media, and are often unaware of who will be seeing action until shortly before the games. They’re also not informed of why decisions on which players will play are made and are left only to wonder.

“Individual players have issues with Dooley for whatever reason, not being selected to the squad, not being selected to games. People understandably are going to be unhappy about that; that’s the nature of sport,” said the source.

“I think more so it’s the manner in which it’s been handled – players being left out of teams and not being informed, players not being told why they’re not on the squad.

“The main issue that players have is that coaches make decisions based on who they think is best for a particular game. Obviously some of those decisions were questioned but that’s natural. I think the main problem is there isn’t any reasoning behind his decisions. If someone is left out from the team, why? If you’re an experienced player and you’re just out from the team, it’s like, what’s the reason for it? They deserve an explanation, maybe it’s something they can fix.”

In an interview with German news outlet Nurnberger Zeitung, Schrock voiced his discontent that some of the older players had been displaced in key games. The source says that the team generally shares the same sentiments, as Dooley’s preference to go with younger, less-experienced players in the recent Challenge Cup where the Philippines lost 1-0 on a late goal against Palestine in the Final may have cost them a tournament win and a berth in the 2015 Asian Cup.

“It just started to get to a head because they’re starting to get to a stage where the prizes are really big. They’re not competing for small-time tournaments anymore; they were competing for the Asian Cup, that’s the biggest one you can play in this region. You can’t help but think maybe it’s all those little things that add up over the course of the preparation."

The source also points to the Philippine Football Federation and their lack of organization for the team’s discontent.

“Then obviously there’s from the administrative side, the organization of things, having to go to endless events, the travel arrangements for the teams when they go abroad. After a while it becomes draining for the players.”

National pride, not financial incentive, is what drives the players to leave their regular duties with clubs in Europe, flying across the world to represent the Philippines.

“I think a lot of the players feel used, like they’re pawns in their little game. It’s hard for the players to feel appreciated when essentially it’s the players who are doing all the work. I think it’s time that players should stand up for their rights and what they believe in, and ultimately that’s what a lot of the players have decided to do.

“I think if things continue the way they are, players will continue to be treated in this manner, there is a possibility that other players will follow suit.”

“The ironic thing is, the players will always pull through. Whatever bullshit that’s off the field, they still do the business on the field. You saw how they performed in the Challenge Cup. They go above and beyond every game 100% and that’s something that perhaps is to their own detriment because you know you can treat them like shit and they’ll still put in the performances.”

– Rappler.com