tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post2058598896322385826..comments2023-11-02T17:20:52.428+08:00Comments on Cebu Football: The failed U23 experimentCebu Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13687605372320638418noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-77543656398391038422011-11-12T14:50:21.497+08:002011-11-12T14:50:21.497+08:00saNDugo is also AZcaholic Anonymous :-)saNDugo is also AZcaholic Anonymous :-)Azkaholic Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301139018050619113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-86213560474052901952011-11-12T13:43:01.339+08:002011-11-12T13:43:01.339+08:00it was mike! goosebumps. that backline still kills...it was mike! goosebumps. that backline still kills me though i hope theyd be more aggressive.Azkaholic Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301139018050619113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-59807028048633561652011-11-12T01:35:35.781+08:002011-11-12T01:35:35.781+08:00To Sandug, chriscorn, MD and the rest of the guys ...To Sandug, chriscorn, MD and the rest of the guys who commented here.<br /><br />That win was something!Cebu Footballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13687605372320638418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-72072244449528537042011-11-11T03:57:40.970+08:002011-11-11T03:57:40.970+08:00mike, chriscorn, everyone -- we will remember, 10-...mike, chriscorn, everyone -- we will remember, 10-20 yrs fm now, how our football was pushed/tossed high by the internet. social networking is core now in communication. it even brings down tyrannical (sp?) governments. in a way that never happened in my generation 70s-80s and yall's 90s, these networks also stand in the way of anyone prone to whatever evils that influence the pips who are running the show in our football journey. people will know, the fans will be made aware. the bad guys will be put in the spotlight. oh yes, it's a deterrent, if you will. massive "infrastructure" of the common fans and football combined.Azkaholic Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301139018050619113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-3692807310193279072011-11-11T01:08:19.390+08:002011-11-11T01:08:19.390+08:00To Chriscorn,
Last year's Suzuki Cup really c...To Chriscorn,<br /><br />Last year's Suzuki Cup really changed it. I still remember it. The upset win, the front page, the regular mention in the newscast.<br /><br />And I firmly believe--whatever happens in the SEAG (we got three games left) Philippine football--not just the men's and U23 team--will improve. As to how they do it, well, it's going to be a wonderful topic.<br /><br />If you played in the mid 90s internationally, we may have some common friends No I never suited up for the flag. (Wasn't good enough) But I know some who did.<br /><br />Speaking of FB, some posts generate 2,000 comments! And the Azkal fan page has some 300,000 likes! People always say that the media played a key role in the renaissance. But I think the social networks, and the fan interaction, helped push mainstream media to cover football.<br /><br />"See you" in Laos vs. Philippines.Cebu Footballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13687605372320638418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-73638102341812433782011-11-10T23:07:48.912+08:002011-11-10T23:07:48.912+08:00You know what Mike, differences in opinion aside, ...You know what Mike, differences in opinion aside, reading the comments here in your articles and on other articles as well like on FB or other blogs, makes me smile inside cause this just shows how things have changed. football is now being TALKED ABOUT in the philippines. A few years ago, if you wouldv told me that this was gonna happen, i wouldv laughed at ya so hard. Seeing even girls on FB post intelligent comments, not just commenting about the good looking players really amazes me how Filipinos have now become more knowledgeable about football. i was talking to my old coach the other, we talked about how when you were playing more than a decade, nobody even gave a crap. The only people who knew we were going abroad to play were our parents.LOL. But now, even the local leagues are getting broadcasted LIVE on television. Amazing! Seeing articles being shared on FB get 200 comments or more really amazes me to no end. People are really paying attention now. this really did not seem possible at all in the past. I do apologize for resorting to name calling in my previous post. That has no place in football. moving forward, all comments will intelligent and relevant to the topic at hand. nothing personal. Viva Football!Chriscornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16857237958548354711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-29930987976309095382011-11-10T02:16:19.867+08:002011-11-10T02:16:19.867+08:00no worries, mike. i got mad love for our country&#...no worries, mike. i got mad love for our country's football. nothing personal dandan palami, sangkay! mike, i heard you're buying drinks this friday?Azkaholic Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301139018050619113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-39815313703772358462011-11-10T01:11:34.483+08:002011-11-10T01:11:34.483+08:00To Yes Sir,
I'm don't bash for the sake o...To Yes Sir,<br /><br />I'm don't bash for the sake of bashing. Even pre-Suzuki Cup 2010, in al my criticisms of the PFF, when I wrote that Mari Martinez should step down, I never hid behind an identity.<br /><br />To Mr. Anonymous, I understand how you can say that these criticisms are too early (fact is, it has been my practice not to criticize team selection/preparation when a tournament is ongoing) But I felt I hado.<br /><br />To Mr. anonymous (the one commenting about Coach McMenemy). Yep, he isn't coming back, besides, what many tend to overlook is that he repead the benefits of Des Bulpin's system.<br /><br />I regret that "pa-pogi" term, it looked good when I was typing it. Now, it has been misinterpreted. <br /><br />To Codec: Thanks bay! And I agree, we may be disappointed but the future is bright, 100x brighter than it was just a year ago.<br /><br />To Chriscorn. Let's no go there, being literal won't get us anywhere. Yes, I like to think I have some pull with Mr. Palami, but I don't like to use it. These days, the only way I "use" it is when I have something to say and he obliges me by listening or reading what I have to say. And he has with this article. <br /><br />To Craig Burrows: Thanks for the assist Craig, as always, Azkalitis has no cure. This is but one of the symptoms.<br /><br />And to SanDugo and MD,<br />You guys are one of a kind. Often I've seen in football meetings, boardroom meetings folk who can see eye-to-eye or get personal because they can't agree on something.<br /><br />Learning to talk about contrasting points--and learning to listen--is what makes for a good organization.<br /><br />To the guys,gals or guy/gal who have called me talangka, racist for writing this.<br /><br />I've written about Philippine football and about the senior and SEAG teams since 2000. I've painted a damning picture of Philippine football in 2010, even cursing it in 2006, and even choosing to boycott writing about Philippine footie for the better part of 2009-2010.<br /><br />In the previous losses, when the senior team took a lot of bashing, I looked the otherway and focused on the positives. I even picked a fight with a few colleagues when they were nit-picking against the team.<br /><br />Do you know what hurts? Not the name-calling, I've learned that it goes around in this business. What hurts is that I had to write this.<br /><br />Thank you all for dropping by.<br /><br />This Friday, let's forget our disagreements for once and cheer for our boys.Cebu Footballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13687605372320638418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-11291894327741231292011-11-09T19:03:13.141+08:002011-11-09T19:03:13.141+08:00I'll look forward to that drink, Mike! But it&...I'll look forward to that drink, Mike! But it's great to have these conversations about football. I think we should have a genuine football congress where Mike buys everyone a drink. Surely, good things would come out of that! Drop me a mail and I'll look you up when I'm in Cebu. Until then, grassroots or not, I'll always follow your blog. Cheers indeed!MDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04313222463912080073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-85611971193070491612011-11-09T17:44:52.000+08:002011-11-09T17:44:52.000+08:00It will be a disservice to the fans and football a...It will be a disservice to the fans and football advocates if columns and news is all pure entertainment instead of informative. This article renders it service by making people become aware of mistakes made by the U23 coaching staff and their players. Whether we like it or not, in the bigger picture, lack of grassroots system and the absence of a decent football youth program at the national level by the PFF, is the essence of the causes for this past 2 games’ failure. Those that “like” the Azkals and football in general tend to only see things that are directly in front of them. The ones that “love” the sport see beyond just the image in front of them and feel the urgency to tackle reality in its rawest form. The minority of these two groups decided to tackle the reality and it is that the PFF is not doing a good job at making sure that the future of our football is secure; that there is no system set that provides conditions for our youth football players. Really, our country’s football following is delineated by these two groups. They’re not one and the same, but both are good for our football.<br /><br />We all want to believe things have changed in the PFF. It’s under new management. Weather the new management have utilized a different approach to address mistakes done in the past, or are better prepared for the future than the previous ones, we don’t really know. Clearly when it comes to popularizing the game in our country they have indeed done a remarkable job. LA Galaxy with Becks and Donovan in December, whoa, if that doesn’t intensify more cravings among football fanatics and would-be football fanatics, I don’t know what else will. But when one takes the time to examine the past year’s journey of our football, it’s not hard to see that our PFF gods had failed to develop a system, particularly an efficient strategic approach to the growing football competition in Asia. Notice the word “efficient” and not mere “effective”. Recruitment of Filipinos living abroad is effective, but NOT efficient. Fielding Filipino foreign-based players with more experience than our local home-based players on the pitch is effective, but NOT efficient. Composing on the fly a motley of players from different points who barely had the chance to get to know each other or bond into what is fundamentally known as TEAM for a shot at major competition for flag and all that good stuff is effective, but NEVER efficient.<br /><br />So you ask, why are fans and followers pointing the fingers at PFF? They had it coming from day one of new management when nothing was immediately drawn out to drastically address this problem of grassroots. Will we accept “it’s not that easy” as an excuse? No. Is it a complex thing to do? Yes, maybe. Is a creation of a blue-print for a grassroots football system for our youth so demanding it would take more than year to weave a general plan? Could be. Are there strong unseen forces preventing or influencing the creation of youth-system design? Ok, sure. Boy, have we got ourselves a long list of excuses?<br /> <br />Here’s a solution: ACTION! ACTION! ACTION! Put together a bunch of smart people and let them brainstorm a design. Task a study group to do a research on what other countries are doing with their football programs. Send people out there to look into these programs and copy/paste these programs into ours, then later adopt changes and make it our own. Liaise with football federations of other nations; send people to the moon, if that’s necessary. Find an attainable standard model that is flexible and more applicable to our needs. Turn that model inside out, decapitate it, break it apart, then put it back together. Develop. But more importantly, START the first step. Do something!<br /><br />Funding is a problem, you’d say. Of course. Classic. You’ll find a way PFF. You are already spending money. Effectively or efficiently? Neither, nor. 90% of that money should be grassroots or youth development program, the others can fight for the 10%.Azkaholic Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10301139018050619113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-73534119666711845562011-11-09T15:50:14.954+08:002011-11-09T15:50:14.954+08:00Mr. Anonymous,
Like you, whatever happens in the ...Mr. Anonymous,<br /><br />Like you, whatever happens in the SEAG, I will always support Philippine football.Cebu Footballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13687605372320638418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-87326582855240254132011-11-09T15:48:30.811+08:002011-11-09T15:48:30.811+08:00MD,
You present your ideas, thoughts very well. I...MD,<br /><br />You present your ideas, thoughts very well. I'll buy you a few drinks if we meet so we can all explore all these talks.<br /><br />Cheers.Cebu Footballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13687605372320638418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-41314617854374073682011-11-09T15:45:00.171+08:002011-11-09T15:45:00.171+08:00I don't think a grassroots program is the end-...I don't think a grassroots program is the end-all for our football woes. What I told an official was that the PFF should start taking the concrete steps to establishing one, to piggy-back on football's popularity.<br /><br />I have nothing against the Pinoys based abroad and changing course after two games isn't probably the best move. What I pointed out was we could have done better in preparing this SEAG squad.<br /><br />P.S.<br /><br />I didn't call the Filipino-Foreigners pa-pogi, it was the friendly that I called pa-pogi to highlight a point that the training was overlooked. In hindsight, not the best choice of word.Cebu Footballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13687605372320638418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-32297723981378947622011-11-09T14:52:55.825+08:002011-11-09T14:52:55.825+08:00Unfortunately Mike, it's not really "as s...Unfortunately Mike, it's not really "as simple as that." What amazes me is your absolute belief that a grassroots program will solve all of our football woes. Probably it can but to remind you, a grassroots program entails infrastructure, funds and political will. Sadly, if you don't have the first two, it's unlikely you'll have the will thing.<br /><br />Say for example Qatar, which now boast a spectacular grassroots program that aims to produce a competitive team when they host the wold cup in 2022 and they spend so much for it. But then they have oil and natural gas.<br /><br />But also the thing is, not all grassroots program works. See the dynamic grassroots program of United States but still always come short of expectations through the years. Because most probably, another criteria for a grassroots program to be effective is "the nation must actually play the sport."<br /><br />You see, we have the best boxer in the world, the 4th best basketball team in Asia and the world number 1 cue artist not because we have an effective grassroots program, but because Filipinos actually play those sports.And more importantly, they see this sport as a way out of poverty (that is why we have so much aspiring showbiz personalities as well).<br /><br />And this is where the tragedy lies. Football is still seen as a glamour sport in this country, played mostly by the elite and middle class. I guess, because it is still being played(at least in Manila) in exclusive subdivisions(w/ football pitches) and most pays a fee just to be able to play it (summer clinics etc). <br /><br />So that leaves PFF with not much options. With no funds, no infrastructure, they have to rely on popularity of the sport solely thus relying on a flawed system of mixing locals and Fil-For (which you irresponsibly labeled as mga papogi) to represent the squad. <br /><br />This is perhaps to sustain the interest on football (so being pogi really helps in a way) and hope that football really sips into the consciousness of majority of Filipinos until one day a kid dreams to really play football.<br /><br />Is U23 a failed experiment? Well they've lost to Vietnam & Timor Leste.<br /><br />Do we have now to change direction outright, drastically getting rid of services of Fil-Foreigners who affects team's cohesion? No and definitely not. And don't get me started about the benefits Fil-fors bring. <br /><br />That is why we are probably experimenting. Given that we don't have a proper grassroots program and won't be able to afford one anytime soon, we can only make do with what we have - sporadic local talent and lots of Fil-Fors. And I think we can think of a more creative way of getting results than just kicking the Fil-Fors out.<br /><br />It might have slipped your thoughts Mike that the exposure you are demanding for the locals, they are actually getting from playing with their more polished Fil-for counterparts. Maybe I'm wrong. <br /><br />But to say that Timor Leste win is a product of a strong grassroots program is disingenuous when their squad right now is composed as well of players coming from abroad.<br /><br />It's time to wake up Mike to the realities of Philippine society. We have to work with what we have rather than frustrate ourselves with our wishful thinking- unless of course you have natural gas and oil sitting in your backyard. Cheers!MDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04313222463912080073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-64912565184347345542011-11-09T14:48:36.927+08:002011-11-09T14:48:36.927+08:00Unfortunately Mike, it's not really "as s...Unfortunately Mike, it's not really "as simple as that." What amazes me is your absolute belief that a grassroots program will solve all of our football woes. Probably it can but to remind you, a grassroots program entails infrastructure, funds and political will. Sadly, if you don't have the first two, it's unlikely you'll have the will thing.<br /><br />Say for example Qatar, which now boast a spectacular grassroots program that aims to produce a competitive team when they host the Wold Cup in 2022 and they spend so much for it. But then they have oil and natural gas.<br /><br />But also the thing is, not all grassroots program works. See the dynamic grassroots program of United States but still always come short of expectations through the years. Because most probably, another criteria for a grassroots program to be effective is "the nation must actually play the sport."<br /><br />You see, we have the best boxer in the world, the 4th best basketball team in Asia and the world number 1 cue artist not because we have an effective grassroots program, but because Filipinos actually play those sports.And more importantly, they see this sport as a way out of poverty (that is why we have so much aspiring showbiz personalities as well).<br /><br />And this is where the tragedy lies. Football is still seen as a glamor sport in this country, played mostly by the elite and middle class. I guess, because it is still being played(at least in Manila) in exclusive subdivisions(w/ football pitches) and most pays a fee just to be able to play it (summer clinics etc). <br /><br />So that leaves PFF with not much options. With no funds, no infrastructure, they have to rely on popularity of the sport solely thus relying on a flawed system of mixing locals and Fil-For (which you irresponsibly labeled as mga papogi) to represent the squad. <br /><br />This is perhaps to sustain the interest on football (so being pogi really helps in a way) and hope that football really sips into the consciousness of majority of Filipinos until one day a kid dreams to really play football.<br /><br />Is U23 a failed experiment? Well they've lost to Vietnam & Timor Leste.<br /><br />Do we need to change direction outright, drastically getting rid of services of Fil-Foreigners who affects team's cohesion? No and definitely not. And don't get me started about the benefits Fil-fors bring. <br /><br />That is why we are probably experimenting. Given that we don't have a proper grassroots program and won't be able to afford one anytime soon, we can only make do with what we have - sporadic local talent and lots of Fil-Fors. And I think we can think of a more creative way of getting results than just kicking the Fil-Fors out.<br /><br />It might have slipped your thoughts Mike that the exposure you are demanding for the locals, they are actually getting from playing with their more polished Fil-for counterparts. Maybe I'm wrong. <br /><br />But to say that Timor Leste win is a product of a strong grassroots program is disingenuous when their squad right now is composed as well of players coming from abroad.<br /><br />It's time to wake up Mike to the realities of Philippine society. We have to work with what we have rather than frustrate ourselves with our wishful thinking- unless of course you have natural gas and oil sitting in your backyard. Cheers!MDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04313222463912080073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-38005815462218400082011-11-09T13:31:15.219+08:002011-11-09T13:31:15.219+08:00It is obvious that there is still a long road ahea...It is obvious that there is still a long road ahead and many challenges that Philippine football has to face. There's reason to be disappointed with the current U23 campaign in the SEA games and some valid questions have been raised. At least Mr. Palami has acknowledged that there is a need to "get back to the drawing board." That is a good sign, because at the end of the day what is going to be most important is to sustain the momentum Philippine football has at the moment so it can continue to grow and develop. The ball is in the PFF's hands, some harsh lessons are coming out of Indonesia. I hope something is done to address the issues that have been identified. If they are being addressed, then I think an effort must be made to communicate them more openly. As some comments here have indicated, the renaissance of Philippine football has only been a year old. Grassroots is crucial but the results of grassroots takes years, even decades to come to fruition. Also, while we are improving, our neighbors and regional rivals haven't been standing still either. Let's also try to keep that in perspective. WE BELIEVE!MoiraGallagahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14877025590459864432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-34507386862744661462011-11-09T13:02:37.634+08:002011-11-09T13:02:37.634+08:00Dear author of this article,
Finally someone who ...Dear author of this article,<br /><br />Finally someone who can talk some sense! Your article took the words right out of my mouth, bless you for speaking the truth. Honeymoon phase is over and given the individual talents of our players, there is just little or no room for excuse anymore. Honestly I feel disappointed in our coaching staff. I almost feel like the players and their "lack" of cohesion is not truly the issue anymore. Whatever the constraints may be this time around, a committed athlete will always produce the most remarkable and unexpected result especially when they know what is on the line. And that's what we've seen with the calibre of our Azkals. Right now, it's not only our junior Azkals that need to step up but the coaching staff needs to man up as well.<br /><br />Disappointed as I am though, I will continue supporting not just the Azkals but Philippine football in general, because that is what a true fan does. Yes, we may call out the team particularly when we feel they've made questionable plays on the field but that does not mean we're turning our backs completely on them. Some fans just can't stomach the fact that the players and the coaching staff will naturally commit mistakes. As a result, they be come so defensive when such things are brought in discussion and label dissenters as "haters" or even "crabs". And that is why I find your write-up a breath of fresh air. <br /><br />Now that football in the country is progressing, I hope the mentality of "fans" and other sports "journalists" can follow suit. As an emerging footballing nation, there are a lot of maturity stages we have to go through and those aren't necessarily pretty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-30864469965578910442011-11-09T11:13:49.803+08:002011-11-09T11:13:49.803+08:00@Chriscorn,
I've focused on the positive in a...@Chriscorn,<br /><br />I've focused on the positive in all previous losses that I'm getting accused of being a team apologist.<br /><br />After last Monday's loss, the team, for me, doesn't deserved to be told "you're doing a good job." They deserve the hard truth--we ain't happy.<br /><br />Sure they feel bad, but if they can't handle the pressure, then, perhaps they should have thought of that first before signing up for the team.<br /><br />Yes, I am the Monday quarterback, but if the team/coaching staff, will only listen to articles from those who've played the international game then they better start subscribing to papers/magazines from England.Cebu Footballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13687605372320638418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-42097411823410609162011-11-09T11:08:28.538+08:002011-11-09T11:08:28.538+08:00guys and gals,
Whether you agree with me or not, ...guys and gals,<br /><br />Whether you agree with me or not, what is important is that we learn to argue about football without getting below the belt or resorting to insults. <br /><br />ThanksCebu Footballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13687605372320638418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-23826577742607289202011-11-09T09:41:33.870+08:002011-11-09T09:41:33.870+08:00What do you mean exactly by "Perform"? I...What do you mean exactly by "Perform"? Is runnning, tackling, risking your health,going up against bigger opponents, not "performing" enough for you? Do you think those guys wanted to lose? Let me tell you this, if the fans feel bad after a loss, the players feel even 100x much worse than those fans on the stands or the writers covering the game. believe me, i have experienced being thrashed by international opponents in the past, and its no fun at all. no player/competitor wants to lose. PERIOD.Instead of just saying "we have no grassroots program", why dont you point out to Mr Palami what he needs to do? Do you have a plan in my mind? why dont you present it to them. Instead of writing these articles, which wouldnt do anything good, why dont you try to be an innovator. It seems like you have some pull with Mr Palami, why dont you use it? With the results we are getting with this team, i think its time for us to be constructive and not the opposite. Its so easy for us to be a Monday Morning Quarterback cause we are not the ones playing the game.Chriscornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16857237958548354711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-44436968297540114412011-11-09T09:37:43.418+08:002011-11-09T09:37:43.418+08:00What do you mean exactly by "Perform"? I...What do you mean exactly by "Perform"? Is runnning, tackling, risking your health,going up against bigger opponents, not "performing" enough for you? Do you think those guys wanted to lose? Let me tell you this, if the fans feel bad after a loss, the players feel even 100x much worse than those fans on the stands or the writers covering the game. believe me, i have experienced being thrashed by international opponents in the past, and its no fun at all. no player/competitor wants to lose. PERIOD.Instead of just saying "we have no grassroots program", why dont you point out to Mr Palami what he needs to do? Do you have a plan in my mind? why dont you present it to them. Instead of writing these articles, which wouldnt do anything good, why dont you try to be an innovator. It seems like you have some pull with Mr Palami, why dont you use it? With the results we are getting with this team, i think its time for us to be constructive and not the opposite. Its so easy for us to be a Monday Morning Quarterback cause we are not the ones playing the game.Chriscornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16857237958548354711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-69163214109027024902011-11-09T09:29:37.716+08:002011-11-09T09:29:37.716+08:00this article is what football right now needs, a s...this article is what football right now needs, a sober person that can tell us what is really happening, this is not a criticism but only a statement of facts... also we should ask the question, is the technical department of the pff really involve in all of this? or have they reduce themselves as stamp pads inside the pff office, for me the technical department should have played a crucial role specially in appointing coaches that we believe could have done much better, probably they are too afraid to rock the boat... <br /><br />in perspective regarding the grassroots, we cannot say it is the culprit in this campaign because we all know since 2006 its none existence, and this things clearly manifested in our past aff/afc appearances with both u13/14 u16 and u19, so if we are looking for some one to blame i guess you all know who your looking for... bu the management and he coaching staff knew this and that is why the team heavily relayed on filipno players based abroad for the team, in doing so also weiss has overlooked some capable local talents like gery barbaso who i believe could had been influential in the back four.<br /><br />For the hartmans probably nomads could offer them other sports to which their abilities could be in better use, why not try rugby? please and when you do try it please take your brother to do commentating also.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-27049410526197759302011-11-09T09:01:43.425+08:002011-11-09T09:01:43.425+08:00Sir Mike, I salute you for your courage and passio...Sir Mike, I salute you for your courage and passion in Philippine football. keep it up. If it will always go back to money, the Philippines is not getting any richer for the next decade but definitely, there are football-loving and passionatenFilipinos who will spend for the sportAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-40837807864380093252011-11-09T08:54:58.053+08:002011-11-09T08:54:58.053+08:00Hi Mike.
I'm happy to see that someone else ha...Hi Mike.<br />I'm happy to see that someone else had the same thoughts as I did. Posts like these are needed to give a wake up call to those who are both in the Azkals team management and the PFF.<br /><br />To all other people who are commenting:<br /><br />I suggest you reread Mike's post over and over again. This is the kind of criticism that I can call 'valid'. So before accuse him of 'crab mentality' and throw issues in like 'racism', comprehend first.<br />There are other guys who comment stuffs that are more 'talangka' thinking than this wonderful post.<br />Think before you click guys. Mike is right, the Azkals are not 'untouchable', so they too, can be criticized (in the right manner, though).<br /><br />Amidst the losses, I still support the PHI team. I'm actually quite excited to see the u23 field in our home grown players. Again, I agree with Mike when he pointed out that the team played better when some of the starting XI like the Hartmann's were subbed off. It was a very good sight to see during the latter parts of PHI vs TLS when they started to display their true potentials. <br /><br />I know we are all disappointed but I still see a bright future for us. This is not yet our time, we do need a good grassroots program, it all boils down to that.codecnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12569043.post-63041136153800836552011-11-09T07:38:09.601+08:002011-11-09T07:38:09.601+08:00I tend to agree with Mike. While the PFF with Ger...I tend to agree with Mike. While the PFF with German support has made strides in local Football, it is clear they could've done better, simply because the Timor-Lechekanginamos have done better. They showed that a better program can be developed, something the current PFF has not been able to do. <br /><br />Perhaps it is time for the PFF to humble themselves, and take a very long, hard, look a how the Timor-Lechians did their program. It is way more successful than ours.rhk111https://www.blogger.com/profile/18406321821956214690noreply@blogger.com