The odds were stacked against the gallant Azkals and yes we lost at home 2-1 to a superior Kuwaiti team last July 28 . But still our support for the Philippine Men's Football Team never wavered. In fair weather or foul, in victory or defeat, we Kaholeros barked for flag and country!
Arriving at 1pm with the Kaholero contingent from Cavite, we assembled at McDonald's Harrison Plaza...
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| Photo courtesy of Craig Burrows |
To borrow a line from drum master Jean Peaul Zialcita, my drumsticks are my lightsabers...
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| Photo courtesy of Jean Paul Zialcita |
Coach Rudy Del Rosario with the green headband, Master Jean Paul Zialcita with the shiny pate...
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| Photo courtesy of Jean Paul Zialcita |
Ebong Joson, aka the Blue Haired Fanatic, our pied piper, the leader of the Kaholeros, being interviewed by ABS CBN's Niña Corpuz before the match...
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| Photo courtesy of Jean Paul Zialcita |
To the battlefield called Rizal Memorial Football Stadium we Kaholeros march...
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| Photo courtesy of Jean Paul Zialcita |
4-0 says fellow Kaholero Jerry Vale Cruz!
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| Photo courtesy of Jean Paul Zialcita |
PILIPINAS!
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| Photo courtesy of Jean Paul Zialcita |
My best buddy and high school teammate Alan Trinañes spotted me outside the stadium...
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| Photo courtesy of Alan and Tina Triñanes |
A rainy Thursday didn't dampen our spirits nor did it prevent Pinoy football fans from filling the coliseum.
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| Photo courtesy of Alan and Tina Triñanes |
WE BELIEVE! Spot me wearing the yellow raincoat below the 3rd E...
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| Photo courtesy of Craig Burrows |
With my officemates and fellow Kaholeros Chat, Mye and Lyn...
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| Photo courtesy of Lyn Vega |
Game on! Azkals Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge keeps the Kuwaiti attack at bay with several great saves. Throughout the game, even when it rained intermittently, we cheered the team on, Aquadrums beating as one.
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| Photo courtesy of Craig Burrows |
Fil-German Stefan Schrock scored the game's first goal with a thundering right-footed screamer....
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| Photo courtesy of Craig Burrows |
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| Photo courtesy of Craig Burrows |
...sending Rizal Stadium and the whole nation into jubilation! To quote Craig Burrows, "After the goal, who cares about spelling?"
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| Photo courtesy of Craig Burrows |
Two goals scored by Kuwait in the 2nd half ended the 2014 World Cup dream for the Azkals. A poignant moment captured on film, defender Ray Jonsson's expression below says it all...
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| Photo courtesy of Craig Burrows |
But the dream lives on! This temporary setback will only serve as fuel for the Azkals to keep on improving. For a young RP squad, once the favorite whipping boys of Southeast Asian teams for decades, to have pushed powerhouse Kuwait to their limits, speaks highly of the tremendous leap that football has made in this once predominantly basketball crazy country.
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| Photo courtesy of Mardy Gonzales |
After a post game pep talk by the Blue Haired Fanatic, we all went home after the game still wearing smiles on our faces. We may have been defeated today, but victory was still ours...for the Azkals, for the Kaholeros, for Philippine football.
Like the Azkals, the Kaholeros will strike back. We shall bark and bite with all our might!
2 comments:
It's just the beginning for Azkals. They'll learn their lesson and have a room for improvement.
Regards!
football panatic, in philippines, azkalz
|Playgroup Singapore
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