Azkals to prepare for 3 major events in 2011

Basketball may still be the country’s favorite pastime, but the Pinoy Azkals gave Philippine football a new lease on life. At least three major events are being lined up next year for the Filipino booters, who made a big stir in making the semifinal round of the AFF Suzuki Cup recently. The Azkals will play in the AFF Challenge Cup on Feb. 9 and 16 against Mongolia, including a home game, likely to be held at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City. A July qualifying event for the World Cup is also being targeted, as well as the Southeast Asian Games football event in Palembang, Indonesia slated Nov. 11. The Pinoy booters last participated in the SEA Games in 2005 hosted by the Philippines. Participation in these events is being planned amidst the power struggle in the Philippine Football Federation, where FIFA-recognized leader Mari Martinez and Philippine Olympic Committee-backed Nonong Araneta are disputing leadership.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Despite the Azkals failing to make it to the finals, team manager Dan Palami expects his team to get better. “We’re upbeat. This is just a little bump on the road, but we will be better in the years to come," said Palami. Ian Araneta, one of the Azkals’ reliable forwards, saw how the team improved by leaps and bounds. “Dati, Indonesia beat us 13-1," said Araneta. “Now, nagulat sila, 1-0 lang, pahirapan pa." For Phil Younghusband, the Azkals’ successful campaign in the Suzuki Cup was an eye-opener for Filipinos. He believes the team created an immediate impact on Philippine football. “It’s an eye-opener. I think people back home realized how important football is," said Younghusband. For their part, Neil Etheridge and Chris Greatwich, two other Fil-British players who bolstered the Azkals, have yet to erase the stigma of their painful semifinals setback. “I had a chance of scoring a goal. It would have given them (Indonesia) more pressure and we would have gained more confidence," said Greatwich. Etheridge cannot forget the two goals scored against him by Uruguayan-born Christian Gonzales of Indonesia. “Those were the only goals in our semis match," said Etheridge. “I was hoping to stop them, but I failed." - KY, Rey Joble, GMANews.TV