Post by Usapang Football on Jan 1, 2013 7:28:57 GMT 8
Here it is folks, UsapangFootball.com's annual year-ender. In this edition, we look back to the year it was. 2012 was supposed to be the year the world ended, and it seemed the prophecy was destined to come true with some unbelievable and unexpected accomplishments by the national team.
Below is the archive of the year the Azkals achieved all new heights, from establishing a record FIFA rankings to a podium finish of a major tournament. We look back to the year it was.
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The year 2012 provided us Filipino fans with a priceless treasure trove of unforgettable moments that will always be looked back on as the years go by. It was a year when we were given several reasons not to believe but were proven wrong by our national team.
Even if the rewards which we craved for did not come to fruition in this year, we were shown promise and hope by the team which only gives us a reason to look to the future with excitement and optimism.
Here's to a good year, from all of us here at UsapangFootball.com we wish you all a Happy new Year and we join you in wishing that 2013 will be an even better year for Philippine football!
Below is the archive of the year the Azkals achieved all new heights, from establishing a record FIFA rankings to a podium finish of a major tournament. We look back to the year it was.
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January
"You are Not Alone"
"You are Not Alone"
Fresh from total devastation from Typhoon Sendong, the Azkals took part in a series of charity games to raise funds for the victims. They took on Internationale de Madrid CF from Spain, a match they lost 3-1. Just a couple of weeks after they lost on penalties to Korean team Incheon United after finishing 1-all after added extra time.
February
Return to the Desert
As preparations for the upcoming Challenge Cup in Nepal, the national team returned to their regular overseas training ground, the Middle East. This time, they made camp in Doha, Qatar and Dubai in the Emirates. They took on the Australian Olympic Team (lost 0-1), Uzbekistan Olympic Team (lost 0-3) and won 3-1 against Qatari club Al-Ahli SC.
Return to the Desert
As preparations for the upcoming Challenge Cup in Nepal, the national team returned to their regular overseas training ground, the Middle East. This time, they made camp in Doha, Qatar and Dubai in the Emirates. They took on the Australian Olympic Team (lost 0-1), Uzbekistan Olympic Team (lost 0-3) and won 3-1 against Qatari club Al-Ahli SC.
Testing the Mettle
A preview of the Suzuki Cup later in the year, the Azkals faced the regional champions Malaysia in Manila. Denis Wolf sent the fans into euphoria with an early strike before Ahmad Ali broke Filipino hearts with an equalizer deep into injury time.
A preview of the Suzuki Cup later in the year, the Azkals faced the regional champions Malaysia in Manila. Denis Wolf sent the fans into euphoria with an early strike before Ahmad Ali broke Filipino hearts with an equalizer deep into injury time.
March
Rising Up to the Challenge
Being pitted into the so-called 'Group of Death', the Azkals were given very little chance at success by critics. However, they rose to the challenge and toppled notable foes such as Tajikistan, India and Palestine to claim the country's first podium finish in an international footballing competition in recent times.
Striker Phil Younghusband also bagged the Top Goalscorer award for his six-goal effort in the tournament.
Rising Up to the Challenge
Being pitted into the so-called 'Group of Death', the Azkals were given very little chance at success by critics. However, they rose to the challenge and toppled notable foes such as Tajikistan, India and Palestine to claim the country's first podium finish in an international footballing competition in recent times.
Striker Phil Younghusband also bagged the Top Goalscorer award for his six-goal effort in the tournament.
April
All New High
After their performance in the recent Challenge Cup, the Azkals skyrocketed in the FIFA Global rankings, taking their highest ever ranking at 148th place.
Embroiled in Controversy
The Azkals' happy days were short-lived as they were thrown into controversy with sexual harassment allegations from former Philippine Olympic Committee President and AFC match inspector Cristy Ramos.
June
Familiar Foes
As part of their preparations for the Suzuki Cup later in the year, the Azkals versed traditional regional rivals Malaysia (drawing 0-0 away) and Indonesia (drew 2-2 at home). Both matches showed ugly unsportsmanlike scenes and at both occasions, the national team were given a dose of cold reality as to the challenge that lies ahead.
The team also beat Guam, 3-0 later in the month.
August
The American Dream
In a bid to recruit US-based players and as part of their year-long preparations for the AFF Championships, the national team opened camp in the United States playing a few tune-up games notably with Chicago-based side Chicago Inferno where they lost 3-1.
September
Schrock and Awe
Interested in facing another regional foe, the Azkals versed the mighty Singapore Lions who were then three-time AFF Suzuki Cup Champions. With the match held in Singapore and bearing in mind the outcome of their previous friendly which resulted in a lopsided 0-2 defeat for the Philippines, little hope were given to the Azkals. But the perennial underdogs once again proved they were not the type to be underestimated and prized midfielder Stephan Schrock shocked the Lions by completely dominating the midfield battle, en route to a decisive 2-0 victory for the visitors.
Emilio Caligdong put the Philippines ahead on the 8th minute before Phil Younghusband sealed the win with a neat finish just four minutes after the restart.
Champions!
With confidence on their side after an impressive win against Singapore, the Azkals cruised to three straight wins against Guam, Macau and Chinese Taipei to clinch the nation's first international football title in over a century. A historic achievement for the national side.
All New High
After their performance in the recent Challenge Cup, the Azkals skyrocketed in the FIFA Global rankings, taking their highest ever ranking at 148th place.
Embroiled in Controversy
The Azkals' happy days were short-lived as they were thrown into controversy with sexual harassment allegations from former Philippine Olympic Committee President and AFC match inspector Cristy Ramos.
June
Familiar Foes
As part of their preparations for the Suzuki Cup later in the year, the Azkals versed traditional regional rivals Malaysia (drawing 0-0 away) and Indonesia (drew 2-2 at home). Both matches showed ugly unsportsmanlike scenes and at both occasions, the national team were given a dose of cold reality as to the challenge that lies ahead.
The team also beat Guam, 3-0 later in the month.
August
The American Dream
In a bid to recruit US-based players and as part of their year-long preparations for the AFF Championships, the national team opened camp in the United States playing a few tune-up games notably with Chicago-based side Chicago Inferno where they lost 3-1.
September
Schrock and Awe
Interested in facing another regional foe, the Azkals versed the mighty Singapore Lions who were then three-time AFF Suzuki Cup Champions. With the match held in Singapore and bearing in mind the outcome of their previous friendly which resulted in a lopsided 0-2 defeat for the Philippines, little hope were given to the Azkals. But the perennial underdogs once again proved they were not the type to be underestimated and prized midfielder Stephan Schrock shocked the Lions by completely dominating the midfield battle, en route to a decisive 2-0 victory for the visitors.
Emilio Caligdong put the Philippines ahead on the 8th minute before Phil Younghusband sealed the win with a neat finish just four minutes after the restart.
Champions!
With confidence on their side after an impressive win against Singapore, the Azkals cruised to three straight wins against Guam, Macau and Chinese Taipei to clinch the nation's first international football title in over a century. A historic achievement for the national side.
October
Arabian Nights
Returning to the middle east for their final training camp before the biennial Suzuki Cup competition, the Azkals salvaged a well-fought draw against a higher-ranked Bahrain senior side while narrowly losing to World Cup qualifying tormentors Kuwait, 1-2. Although defeated, the performance given by the team gave positive vibes to their fans just before the start of the AFF Championships.
November
No Fluke
Kickstarting their AFF Suzuki Cup campaign, the Azkals lost their opening game against hosts Thailand 1-2 before picking up a last-minute victory over Vietnam in a repeat of their 2010 victory which catapulted their reputation in the region. To seal their spot into the semi-finals for the second time in a row, the national team beat Myanmar 2-0, proving that their 2010 performance was not a one-off thing.
December
So Close, Yet so Far
Facing Singapore in the semi-finals, an opponent the Azkals had already beaten twice in the year, gave them confidence that they were going to make the Finals of the regional competition.
The first leg was the historic home leg in Manila which the national team were denied of in their first campaign in 2010. In front of their countrymen, the home side failed to score a goal in a match that ended in a goalless stalemate.
The second leg proved to be more crucial on the other hand, as a solitary away goal could be the difference in the match. Sadly, the goal never came despite countless clear chances on goal. Singapore's Khairul Amri broke Filipino hearts with a goal at the half hour mark that sent Singapore to their first Suzuki Cup finals and ultimately, their fourth regional title to give their departing coach Radjko Avramovic the perfect farewell gift.
Arabian Nights
Returning to the middle east for their final training camp before the biennial Suzuki Cup competition, the Azkals salvaged a well-fought draw against a higher-ranked Bahrain senior side while narrowly losing to World Cup qualifying tormentors Kuwait, 1-2. Although defeated, the performance given by the team gave positive vibes to their fans just before the start of the AFF Championships.
November
No Fluke
Kickstarting their AFF Suzuki Cup campaign, the Azkals lost their opening game against hosts Thailand 1-2 before picking up a last-minute victory over Vietnam in a repeat of their 2010 victory which catapulted their reputation in the region. To seal their spot into the semi-finals for the second time in a row, the national team beat Myanmar 2-0, proving that their 2010 performance was not a one-off thing.
December
So Close, Yet so Far
Facing Singapore in the semi-finals, an opponent the Azkals had already beaten twice in the year, gave them confidence that they were going to make the Finals of the regional competition.
The first leg was the historic home leg in Manila which the national team were denied of in their first campaign in 2010. In front of their countrymen, the home side failed to score a goal in a match that ended in a goalless stalemate.
The second leg proved to be more crucial on the other hand, as a solitary away goal could be the difference in the match. Sadly, the goal never came despite countless clear chances on goal. Singapore's Khairul Amri broke Filipino hearts with a goal at the half hour mark that sent Singapore to their first Suzuki Cup finals and ultimately, their fourth regional title to give their departing coach Radjko Avramovic the perfect farewell gift.
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The year 2012 provided us Filipino fans with a priceless treasure trove of unforgettable moments that will always be looked back on as the years go by. It was a year when we were given several reasons not to believe but were proven wrong by our national team.
Even if the rewards which we craved for did not come to fruition in this year, we were shown promise and hope by the team which only gives us a reason to look to the future with excitement and optimism.
Here's to a good year, from all of us here at UsapangFootball.com we wish you all a Happy new Year and we join you in wishing that 2013 will be an even better year for Philippine football!