|
Post by cjeagle on Mar 28, 2016 13:20:10 GMT 8
|
|
|
Post by kroner on Mar 28, 2016 14:52:52 GMT 8
Juani Guirado announces retirement from the Azkals Another key player bids goodbye to the Philippine men’s national football team, as Juani Guirado announced that he will be retiring from the Azkals after their final World Cup/Asian Cup Qualifier Group Stage match against North Korea on Tuesday, March 29. Guirado made the announcement Monday morning at the Azkals-North Korea press conference to the shock of those in attendance. “I want to take this moment to announce; tomorrow will be my last game in National Team. I made this hard decision a few weeks ago because I feel myself still young, but my body is not the same anymore for the games in the national team,” Guirado said. The 36-year old Fil-Spanish defender began his stint with the Philippine National Team back in 2012 and has since been a key cog for the Azkals with over thirty international appearances. He also served as team captain in the absence of Phil Younghusband against Uzbekistan, and will be doing the same against North Korea. During the announcement, Guirado went on to thank Azkals manager Dan Palami and coaches Michael Weiss and Thomas Dooley for the opportunity and the trust, as well as the staff and all his Azkals teammates who he said has been like his family during his four year stint. He also said that he believes that the future is bright for Filipino football, and closed by proclaiming his pride in being a Pinoy. “Today, I can say more than ever, I am proud to be Filipino. Laban Pilipinas!” Guirado becomes the fourth Azkal in the last twelve months to hang his spikes, joining former skipper Rob Gier and most recently, Jerry Lucena and Paul Mulders. Aside from being one of the Azkals’ top defenders, Guirado also skippers reigning UFL Champions and 2016 AFC Cup participants Ceres-La Salle FC. sports.abs-cbn.com/football/news/2016/03/28/juani-guirado-announces-retirement-azkals-10070?platform=hootsuite
|
|
|
Post by santongbusabos on Mar 28, 2016 16:03:28 GMT 8
thank you, juani!
|
|
|
Post by cjeagle on Mar 28, 2016 17:34:51 GMT 8
Muchas Gracias Senor Guirado por jugar para nosotros.
|
|
|
Post by cjeagle on Mar 29, 2016 6:04:50 GMT 8
“Tomorrow (Tuesday) will be my last game in the national team,” said the Ceres La Salle centre-back. “I feel myself as still a young person, but my body is not anymore. “We have a busy schedule with our club and here (with the) Azkals. I have to focus on my team and my family. “This has been the most beautiful experience of my life as a person and a footballer.”
|
|
|
Post by xyz1000 on Mar 29, 2016 7:07:07 GMT 8
Thank you for the contributions! Best wishes.
|
|
|
Post by kroner on Mar 29, 2016 13:53:46 GMT 8
Juani Guirado: I Will Miss Everything ICKO DE GUZMAN It was Juan Luis Guirado’s turn at the microphone during the pre-match press conference for the Philippines versus DPR Korea. Everybody thought he would just exchange pleasantries with the media and perhaps give a brief statement about his thoughts on the upcoming match. That’s what Juani usually did, anyway. But not this time. When the 36-year-old defender took a breath after his usual greetings to the people in attendance, he took his phone out and read a statement saying that the game against DPR Korea would be his last for the Philippines. “I want to announce that tomorrow will be my last game for the national team,” said Guirado calmly. After 33 international caps for the Azkals, Guirado has decided to finally call time on his Azkals career. “I will miss everything,” said the defender. “The opportunity to play football with this group has been amazing.” Guirado was a late bloomer as far as the Azkals were concerned. He made his debut at the age of 32 against Malaysia in February 2012. His arrival came at an opportune time. Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo had been sidelined with an ACL injury, and there were concerns about the Azkals heading to the Challenge Cup that year especially on the defensive end. The man from Malaga was the right reinforcement for the Azkals, steering the team to a third place finish in the Challenge Cup by scoring the winning goal in the 4-3 win over Palestine. “I will always remember (the Challenge Cup) in Nepal,” Guirado reminisced, “I scored my first (international) goal there vs Palestine.” Guirado served for several more tournaments, helping win the Peace Cup in 2013. The defender also skippered the team last week against Uzbekistan and will captain one last time in his final game. Despite calling time on his Azkals career, Guirado maintained that the future is bright for the Azkals defensive line. The defender noted that the young players in the lineup, particularly Amani Aguinaldo, has a promising future ahead of him. “You see a lot of young players coming (to the squad),” said Guirado. “They have to learn more.” And on his last match for the Philippines? The soft-spoken Guirado had this to say, “We will give our best.” As he always has. The Philippines face DPR Korea tonight, 8:00pm at Rizal Memorial Stadium. — CAL - See more at: football.com.ph/tag/fifa-world-cup-qualifiers/#sthash.Z2KbxKb8.dpuf
|
|
|
Post by Wiking on May 7, 2016 14:08:42 GMT 8
I remember UF was abuzz with excitement when the then 32yo came to the Philippines. I even had his pics when he was picked up from the airport when he got to the Philippines in my blog back then. I remember his first practice in the Philippines, his passes were better than our midfield crew back then. Between him and Geir we probably had the slowest backline is SEA but more than made up for it by superb positioning, veteran savvy and coolness under pressure. The best game I thought they ever had was this game wikingandtheazkals.blogspot.com/2012/10/azkals-vs-redsbahrain-time-for-old-men.htmlMuchas Gracias Juani!!!
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Jun 11, 2016 10:20:46 GMT 8
|
|
|
Post by cjeagle on Jun 15, 2016 1:35:06 GMT 8
football.com.ph/juani-leaves-ceres-high-note/13 Jun Juani Leaves Ceres on a High Note Icko De Guzman It was a fitting farewell for defender Juan Luis Guirado. The Ceres La Salle defender officially announced his retirement from competitive football last Saturday. The veteran who came to the Philippines in 2012, ended his playing career with a 16-0 win over Pasargad. In that game, Guirado scored his final goal, a back header that sailed in to the top corner at the 77th minute mark. “I was thinking about this a long time ago,” said Guirado about retirement. Months after retiring from the National Team, injuries have become a cause of concern for Guirado. It became even more apparent in their untimely exit in the AFC Cup last month. It was the deciding factor to finally call time on his career. “My target was to finish the AFC Cup (campaign),” said Guirado. “I didn’t recover well from my last injury and I’m still not yet 100% fit so I thought of what’s better for me, my family, and my team.” Guirado ends a memorable career in the Philippines with two League titles, first in 2012 with Global and second in 2015 with Ceres. Last season was particularly challenging for Guirado as he “played more than expected” for both club and country. “I’m so proud for the achievement we made and it allowed me to push harder,” added Guirado. Now officially retired, Guirado cannot wait to spend time with his wife Andrea, and his two children, Daniel and Adriana. “I played a lot of games,” said the defender. “Now, I need rest and enjoy life with my children.” Ceres coach Ali Go had nothing but praises for Guirado in his last match. “It’s sad that (Juani) cannot finish the season, he has given 110% of his effort for the club,” said Go. “We parted on very good terms and I wish him all the best as there is still life after football.” Despite the loss of Guirado to retirement midway in the first round, Go is still confident that they can continue to mount a challenge in the League. “The transfer window is a month from now and we are preparing already for some changes,” added Go. “The team will undergo a little bit of change come the second round.”
|
|