International Friendly Game -- Philippine Azkals crash Nepal Ghorkalis!
5:33 PMThe Ghorkalis ranked 135th compared to Pinoy pride Azkals, 166th in world ranking. With the Philippine Football Federation's effort, a friendly match was organized in preparation for the coming AFC Challenge Cup summer of next year. Azkals and Ghorkalis belong on the same group for the coming challenge cup, together with Palestine, India, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and the reigning Queen... (beauty pageant?! hahaha! Just kidding!) I mean the defending champion, North Korea!
October 11, 2011
Game Day
Unlike Azkals previous games where tickets are sold like hot pancakes, game tickets are still available even an hour before the game kickoff with discount. I remember last game against Sri Lanka Brave Reds, online booking was a chaos. I set aside about 4-6 tickets and asked for the CC number of a friend, when I get back, pc freezes and after I refresh it... viola!! Tickets no longer available.Darn! T_T
Tickets reservation for this Ghorkalis-Azkals game was easy-breezy. A friend bought our ticket at National Bookstore in Greenbelt and presto... That's it! Pansit!
0330PM - 0400PM --->> Meet up at Mini Stop Columns
As usual we are 30 minutes behind our schedule, and then we set our sail to Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. Funny how we all dress up for the said event! Perfectly the same outfit! uhmm.. not identical but the same! Azkals requested all the fans to be in blue that day, but not necessarily in "kipay" shorts. Kipay shorts are on trending topic that day, we looked like we will be having a good damn dance number at half time! teehee!
0530PM - 0630PM -->> In the Stadium Pre-Game PhotoShoot/Facepaint/More Photos
Since we are behind our schedule, we decided to first drop by to nearby mall to grab something to eat. Tummies are dead complaining! A supposed to be to-go foodies turned into dine-in lunch-slash-snacks because a lot of game-goers literally loitered in Mickey D's. They hover at the other end of the store proudly wearing Azkal's kits, while on the other side you'll see a group busy on perfecting a face paint of a Philippine flag. Early that night, the game energy is slowly taking over me! "Cheeseburger meal with upsize Coke and Fries, Thanks!" :D I need to have my stomach ready for this so called energy, ei! LOL
0645 -->> STADIUM
Our seats are located near the goal, specifically the green bleachers. It was like 20 minutes before kickoff, my-lovies-azkals are currently doing their warm up when we had a grand entrance. Our seat is not that favorable (soo much sa pagtititpid kasi! LOL) so instead of ranting and ranting, photo ops... Ready, get, set GOOOOO!
Shots taken on different angles, wacky, not so wacky and the wackiest. As you can see the green bleacher has this small gate where they have a bouncer, to keep people from crossing to the next bleacher which will cost you a little higher compared to where we are. As you can see, the stadium wasn't full packed so around 10 minutes before kick off, we we're allowed to cross that discriminating gate!!! Or should I say we crossed it when the bouncer wasn't looking. LOL
Instant ticket upgrade huh?! We ended up at center bleacher where the kaholeros are stationed. Luckily the seats where empty when we got there, so we comfortably continue our stuff (pichur! pichur!) until the whistle was blown.
Game Kickoff
Both flags we're carried to the field and national anthems we're played. Although not the packed Rizal stadium compared from past games, cheers from fans are undeniably powerful. Present in the venue are group of friends, (just like us) the football diehards (kaholeros for sure!) and some are having their family day (suhweeet!).
It was said that it's the first time for the Philippines to host an international friendly game. Although we no longer have a chance to qualify for the world cup, this is a chance to improve our FIFA ranking and I know for sure that Azkals will fight with all their might and pride.
Credits to Owner -- Pau Timtiman
It was all more exciting when I learned that Fil-foreign players traveled halfway the globe just to join and participate to the said match. Fil-European players who plays in different leagues abroad like Neil Etheridge (my first love), Rob Gier, Ray Jonsson, Jason De Jong (wiiih!*kilig*), Jerry Lucena, Dennis Cagara and Paul Maulders came home to wear their Philippines kit.
With the dream team line up and home crowd advantage, Azkals crashed the Ghorkalis, 4-nil! 4-nil, baby! waaahhhooooo!!
Credits to Owner -- Pau Timtiman
I can see clearly that night how the Nepalese bored our cutie goalie, as they never had a decent goal for the entire game. Even their coach was so disappointed with his youngsters that seems so prepared, not for the game but to attended a football camp which is facilitated by my lovies! hehehe!
Our midfielders, Paul Maulders and Jason De Jong was in their excellent form. Their tag team in the midfield gave intimidation to the Ghorkalis. I love how the bad boy image and his tattoos scare the hell out of our opponents. His timely tackles and superb footwork, haaayyy! I love you De Jong!
James Younghusband and Dennis Cagara played their part very well. They do set up plays, defense, offense... what can i say!! Big hand to both of you! Paaak!
Chieffy and Ian never fails to scare the defense team of the Nepalese, they have several attempts the nearly counted as a goal.
We have a lot of new talents who joined the team but luckily even our veteran whom they loved calling "Papa Gier" was quite prepared for the said match.
As they said, the guys are playing with more fluidity this time. I think this invitational games and experiences they get will help them to be more precise and concise with their set plays.
Most of the Asian countries live and breathe football. Every game is a big game for the Azkals. Rome was not built in a day.So I'll cheer my heart out whenever, wherever, azkals-ever! :D
It was a bonus to have a picture taken with a fan who got Rob Gier's Kit.
After the game recap with lovely friends at Chic-Boy Jupiter
PS
After several international games Azkals is now at 158th in FIFA World Ranking! Teehee!! Apir! Apir!
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