Post by stellarboy on Nov 23, 2012 23:21:06 GMT 8
Preceded by: Pilipinas Futbol: One Year On...
Children playing football in some grass field in the Philippines. Two years on, this scene isn't only seen in the Visayas anymore.
(Credits to BNFootball blog)
Pilipinas Futbol: Two Years On
Success Stories in the Making
Children playing football in some grass field in the Philippines. Two years on, this scene isn't only seen in the Visayas anymore.
(Credits to BNFootball blog)
Pilipinas Futbol: Two Years On
Success Stories in the Making
We are now counting down days to two years after December 5, 2010, now since fondly called National Azkals Day, coined by 2010 Suzuki Cup hero Chris Greatwich. It was the day when the Philippines saw the resurgence of football, a sport that has been in deep slumber for almost a century and has been an object of neglect, disinterest, ridicule and discrimination for a long time. On the second year of the emergence of the beautiful game in the country, we saw how the national team's recent successes bear fruit to all corners of the football community.
This special discussion thread focuses on the success stories that are unfolding through of the increasing popularity of the sport in the country. We will not only focus on the Azkals, but we also want to share how we have witnessed and followed these teams and individuals who are becoming trailblazers for a brighter future of Pilipinas Futbol.
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Pinoy Clubs Can Attract Crowds, Even Away from Home
Loyola Meralco Sparks creating a spark in South East Asian club football.
(credits to: Riverarvi on Wikipedia)
In the increasingly-expanding United Football League, our neighbours in South East Asia began to take notice on our club teams. Singapore, in particular, saw a potential on one team, the Loyola Meralco Sparks, and invited them to one of their local club competitions, the RHB Singapore Cup. And since their first appearance where they painstakingly defeated Geylang United, it was becoming evident that Filipinos are expressing support not only of the national team, but also of local club sides like the Sparks.
Through thick and thin, the Sparks, bannered by the Younghusband brothers, pushed themselves to their limits to break the doubts of many who witnessed them. As the first league side in about 60 years to participate in a foreign competition, it was indeed a difficult task for them to progress, but it indeed bore fruit. They reached the semi-finals of the competition; an unprecedented performance for a newcomer. Combined with a massive Filipino crowd, they were never alone.
Who knows, sometime next year, another club team goes out there to battle the best clubs in the region, with a loud and supportive crowd in their backs?
The Success of Other Sports Can Intertwine and Complement with the Success of Football
(credits to Bob Guerrero)
Sometimes, we tend to forget that we should not ignore nor loathe over the success of other sports and their national teams. For instance, the overwhelming success of the Philippine Volcanoes, and rugby football in general, can still be attributed to the success of the football scene in the country. During those home games they had in the Rizal Memorial for the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Division 1 tournament, you can see the same faces of die-hard Azkals fans supporting the Volcanoes.
Seeing how the PRFU is doing great things in their operations despite their meager funding, recruiting players of Filipino lineage, developing grassroots piece by piece, and how they pushed on with the sport they love in spite of their then-anonymity, the successes of rugby can be intertwined with football in the country. It cannot be denied.
Now that the Volcanoes qualify for the Rugby World Cup of Sevens in Moscow, the venue being the Luzhniki Stadium, coincidentally the venue of the finals for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, what a perfect time it is to intertwine the fate of the Azkals to themselves and bring better successes to Philippine sports.
Somewhere Out There, A Precious Gem Can Indeed Be Found
(credits to: Edmund Reyes a.k.a. sandrosdad)
In the middle of this year, we were captivated by the life of a wonderkid by the name of Sandro Reyes. Sandro is your typical Pinoy kid, enjoying life through the things he love most. However, as we go deeper into his story, we see an emerging great talent that we Filipinos can be proud of; someone who will bring pride to our country someday.
And it did. And it exceeded expectations. FC Barcelona, one of the most storied clubs in the world, took notice of the kid and sent an invite to Sandro's family to let the kid enter their Escola academy. As we have seen it, they took the bull by the horns and ran with it. They pursued the rare opportunity which is indeed something Pinoys can be proud of.
As days go by following Sandro, through the words of his father, we begin to realize there is so much talent, so much gems that need to be sought across the country. We don't have to seek through our foreign-based population, they may just be found in our own turf, in our own backyard.
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Now, here's your chance to share your stories, whether they may be big or small, of football wonders waiting to unfold in our country. You may also share how have 2 years been so relevant to you these days in terms of following football and the national team. We hope it would be interesting as well.
Cheers!