This is a 2007 article recovered from Philfootball.info
Q & A with Chad Gould Q: What age did you first start playing football?
A: I started playing football when I was around 4 years old. I remember my dad taking me to the park and teaching me basic skills like kicking and heading the ball. When I started school, my friends and I played football at every opportunity possible. Break times, lunch times and when school finished we would all go and play football in the streets till our parents called us in.
Q: Who or what inspired you to play football in the first place?
A: First and foremost I'd say my dad inspired me the most as he was the one who first introduced me to the game and made me see how extremely enjoyable it can be. I was very passionate about football from an early age. I find it amazing how the game can make you experience great highs and lows. I believe this is why it is the most popular sport in the world. Anyone can play it. All you need is something to kick about and you're playing football. I know that when Maradona was a kid he used to practice with an orange, as he didn't have enough money to buy a football. Along with the all time greats like Maradona, Pele, Van Basten, and Zidane the other big inspiration for me is Alan Shearer. I would say that Shearer is the most prolific striker I've ever seen. His all round game is excellent and his striking ability is phenomenal.
Q: What motivates you to do your best in a game?
A: There is nothing worse than losing. The feeling is terrible. The biggest motivating factor for me is visualizing victory at the end of the match. Other aspects that motivate me are my fellow teammates, coaching staff and supporters. I don’t want to let anyone down so this is a huge driving force inside me to succeed. When I step on to the pitch everything becomes clear and all my concentration and focus is directed on scoring.
Q: Are there any adjustments you think you need to make to your game?
A: I believe that there is always room for improvement and adjustment in every player's game. I am always looking to improve myself. Playing in South East Asia is very different to playing in England. I believe that I must adjust my game to suit the style of play. I want to improve my speed for the forthcoming SEA games. The Philippine style of play tends to be more through balls than build up play. In England strikers tend to hold the ball up more so that the team can attack as a unit.
Q: What can you say about the leadership of coach Aris Caslib?
A: Coach Aris is a very shroud character. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of his team and plays certain tactics according to the opposition’s style of play. As a leader he is very good. He has the respect of all his players, coaching staff and committee, which are integral for any manager, especially at International level.
Q: You haven't played with a lot of these guys on the team. What are your impressions so far?
A: I am impressed with the standard of football in the Philippines. It surpassed my initial expectations. Until last year I didn't even know the Philippines had a national team! Although we are very much behind of the rest of the football world, I believe that this new generation of players coming through is very good and can achieve better things in the next decade compared to the last. Hopefully we can keep this progression rolling with the younger lads in the youth teams and maybe in years to come we will see the Philippines become big contenders in competitions rather than just another team in a group.
Q: You come from different places and have different backgrounds, do these differences affect the way you play with one another on the pitch and the way you treat one another off the pitch?
A: In the team there are all different types of characters and personalities but when it comes to playing its like there's no language or culture barriers between us. The team became really close throughout the training camp and tournament and I made some very good friends that I'm sure I will have for life.
Q: How do you feel you played and how do you feel your team played overall?
A: We didn't play to our full potential. I think everyone involved in the team will agree with that. We all knew that we could of played better in all of our matches. With more experience I believe the performances will increase. On a personal note, I think that in the games I played in, I played well. I scored against Malaysia and when I came on against Thailand I felt that I gave us a much-needed boost. I was disappointed when my goal against Thailand was disallowed. It could have got us right back in the game, but it wasn't to be.
Q: Did you have a great time playing for the Philippines?
A: Playing for the Philippines has without doubt been the highlight of my football career so far. I only wish I had taken more pictures!!
Q: What is your fondest memory of Tiger Cup 2004?
A: When I scored against Malaysia for sure!! Although we lost 4-1 it was a very proud moment for me and a memory that I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Q: What have you learned from Tiger Cup 2004?
A: I learned many things in the Tiger cup but most importantly everyone else has learned is that the Philippines can no longer be tainted with the nickname "The whipping boys". We showed the world that we can now compete with the best of South East Asia. A double figure goal line result against us is a thing of the past.
Q: This latest performance in the Tiger Cup has made a lot of people, including some skeptics, happy and proud, how do you feel about it?
A: I'd agree. Tiger Cup 2004 was a big turning point for Philippine football. It can only get better from here onwards.
Q: Do you think the Philippine team is at a competitive level in South East Asia?
A: Yes I do. We're going to get better as well. I think the Philippine team will be big contenders for the Tiger cup in 2010. We have a lot to work on in the next five years but I think that as we gain experience in International fixtures we will become much better.
Q: What is your goal for the coming SEA Games?
A: Obviously the main goal is to win it but realistically we need to build on our last performances. We had one win in the Tiger cup. So lets aim for better than that for the meantime. I think it is important to set realistic targets as if we never manage to meet them the team and country will become extremely negative. A positive atmosphere in the training camp is very important for us psychologically and as long as we keep progressing with results and performances we'll know we're on the road to success.
Q: What do you think does the Philippine team need to improve on for future success?
A: The most important aspect is training facilities. Other teams in South East Asia have greater financial support, which in turn enables them to have the best training conditions available. It is hard to compete with these teams when we don't have the basic fundamental training facilities. They have excellent playing surfaces, FIFA regulation training equipment and their living conditions are at the highest quality. You all know by now that Ultra is not the best location for an International football team to prepare for competitive games. The proudest thing I can say about the Philippine team is that despite having none of these factors every player there was there because they wanted to play for their country more than anything. The poor conditions didn't stop any of us. The hunger to make the final 22 that traveled to Vietnam and Malaysia was immense. Everyone was fighting for a place in the team from the word go. Well-done lads!! If you can remember, back in 2002, Roy Keane left the Ireland World Cup squad because he thought that Ireland had been issued poor training facilities compared to the other nations involved. He should come and do a training session with us at Ultra!!!!! That would give him the shock of his life!!!!!
Q: Any suggestions on how to make football more popular in the Philippines?
A: It's all about getting kids into football from an early age. Promoting the sport throughout the country should be a priority for the PFF so that they could get more funding through sponsorship deals, which in turn would increase the profile and success of the Philippine team. The kids would then have Philippine football role models to look up to. This would increase the popularity of the game with the youth. Basically, we need to get as many people interested in the game as possible. I think that with success the mass media would catch on and would really want to promote football throughout the country. It would be a tough campaign but at the end of the day, if the Philippines don't put money into football now, we can’t expect to be competing at the highest senior level in the future. I'm a firm believer in the saying "you get out what you put in".
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