Full cast of Azkals topbill last match for 2011

It’s 30 minutes before the Azkals-Nepal friendly kickoff but unlike the previous matches, the Rizal Memorial Stadium was not teeming with fans clad in blue. You could tell that the ones present belonged to one of these three groups of people: family and friends, football diehards, or fangirls and fangays.

This was the first time in 14 years that the Philippines would be hosting an international friendly – which follows to say that we are now getting reestablished in the world football arena. The Fil-foreign players in the squad traveled halfway around the globe just to participate in this match. Although composed of younger players, Nepal is ranked 135th in the world. The Philippines trails behind at 166. This was a battle not just for FIFA ranking, but for pride as well. Nobody likes to lose, especially in his home field. In the case of Nepal, they wouldn’t like to lose to a lower ranked team. But with the lineup and home crowd advantage, the Azkals whipped the Nepalese, 4-0, on Tuesday night. Full force Thanks to international breaks, members of the Azkals who play in different leagues abroad were able to come home for this friendly. Half-Europeans Neil Etheridge, Rob Gier, Ray Jonsson, Jason De Jong, Jerry Lucena, Dennis Cagara and Paul Mulders were all present. And then you have crowd favorite Chieffy Caligdong who has his own cheer from the Kaholeros. Fellow Ilonggo Ian Araneta also got to start again after so many matches. Skipper Aly Borromeo and Younghusband brothers were also there to complete the first eleven. New talents also emerged as 22-year-old Matthew Hartmann made his first international goal at the 89th mark. However, a couple of regulars did not suit up in Tuesday’s match. Fil-Spanish striker Angel Guirado, although currently based in Manila, did not see action due to an injured ankle. Anton Del Rosario also sat out because of an MCL injury three weeks ago. While talent is unquestionable in this pool – you have veteran Gier coming off the bench – chemistry has always been the bigger concern. With more games together, the team is now playing with more fluidity. In fact, the no-look passes and crossovers are finally happening now. Pinoy Double Dutch Fil-Dutch Paul Mulders and Jason De Jong were the pair to beat in the midfield. Famous, or infamous, as the Azkals’ bad boy, De Jong is there for his toughness. His footwork and timely tackles intimidated the younger Nepal squad. It’s probably partly due to his tattoo-covered arms too. Mulders, on the other hand, returned to the Azkals after a leg injury. The crowd at the grandstand could not help but cheer and clap in awe as he brushed off three Nepalese players on his own. He wasn’t in the UEFA Europa League for nothing. Most hardworking player of the night This award is a tossup between James Younghusband and Dennis Cagara. Both guys were running from baseline to baseline with the older Younghusband even scoring a goal in the 29th minute. Although not a super quick winger, he makes up for it with his hard work. Cagara also helped a lot in setting up the plays. His bicycle kick in an attempt to save the ball would’ve been even more impressive if it hadn’t gone out of bounds. All the same, he wowed the Filipino crowd that does not usually see fancy football footwork. Defense, defense, defense This may not be basketball but the defenders of the Philippines deserve credit for holding up a sturdy backline. Someone from the crowd went as far as to joke that goalkeeper Neil Etheridge must have been bored during the match because Nepal had but one decent attempt at the goal. “Everybody remembers your last game" This may not be a tournament or a World Cup qualifier, but Coach Michael Weiss believes that the win would still dispel doubters. “Everybody remembers your last game so it’s good that we won this last one," said Phil Younghusband who scored two of the team’s goals. The senior Azkals would see action again in March 2012 when they compete in the AFC Challenge Cup. Training would resume in January. Given the three-month break, Weiss is expecting players to maintain high-level training in their respective clubs. He adds that the United Football League would provide the Azkals an avenue to continue training and playing with the best talents in the country. Even with the 4-0 win, Weiss says that there are indeed still points for improvement. “It’s good that we are getting to know each other better. But we still need better organization in set plays," he says. The younger Younghusband agrees with him, saying, “We can only get better." - OMG, GMA News