A conversation with Team Socceroo's Hector Zaghi

A conversation with Team Socceroo’s Hector Zaghi while watching the Nomads-Green Archers match at UMak.

Hector (sidling up to me): I hate that team (points to my Boca Juniors shirt).

Rick: Haha. I guess you root for River Plate (Boca’s arch enemy).

Hector: No (shakes his head vociferously). I’m a Corinthians fan.

Rick: Oh, yeah. I forgot that you’re Brazilian. I’m a huge fan of Juan Roman Riquelme (pointing to my Boca shirt). Two places I'd love to watch before I die -- Anfield and the Bombonera.

Hector: I like Riquelme too. Very good football player. I like him when he wears an Argentina shirt but not Boca. (I laugh).

Rick: Too bad Riquelme didn’t do well with Barcelona. Maradona?

Hector: Again a very good footballer. But no. Not Boca. Only for Argentina.

Rick: As for Brazil, I root for Santos.

Hector: I hate Santos.

Rick: Is there any team that you like at all outside Corinthians? (I laugh harder).

Hector: Sure. But you just said the two teams I do not like.

Rick: So you don’t like Neymar?

Hector: Only for Brazil but not for Santos.

Rick: Hahaha. I understand. But you know, I like England but I don’t root for Wayne Rooney (the damned United). Isn’t that weird?

Hector: (his turn to laugh). Yes, it is weird. Football can be weird too. 

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What's in a football shirt? My fave football club of all time is Liverpool but here are the other clubs I root for: Schalke 04 (Bundesliga), Lyon (Ligue 1), Juventus (Serie A), Ajax Amsterdam (Eredivisie), Real Madrid (La Liga), Boca Juniors (Primera Division), New York Red Bulls (MLS), Santos (Campeonato Paulista), Benfica (Primiera Liga).

Growing up, I watched a lot of Brazil football. And these Brazilian one-named wonders have made me become fans of certain clubs. I was such a huge Juninho fan that I began to root for Lyon. I have vacillated back and forth between Real Madrid and Barcelona (the former had Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo while the latter had Rivaldo and Ronaldinho). The tip in the balance has been the great Zizou (Zinedine Zidane) and Mesut Ozil although I love Xavi Hernandez' game. Perhaps the only club I have not really swung allegiances is Liverpool. I once liked Bayern Munich because they had Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, then players like Karl Heinz-Rummenigge and Lothar Mattheus. Then they brought in Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski. Currently, they have one of my fave players in Franck Ribery. So why Schalke 04? Well, I still do like and watch Bayern Munich. But Schalke has Raul. As for the French Ligue 1, I loved watching Paris St. Germain but when Juninho came over to Lyon, I followed the free kick specialist. Speaking of free kick specialists, there's Roberto Carlos as well.

Kampihan na sa PBA: Jeep pila

Love this PBA commercial done by AKTV. Good choice using Jason Castro and Asi Taulava (one of my all-time fave PBA players) Good job, guys! Keep it up.

Bleachers' Brew #312 Red Phoenix rising. On Pachanga's UFL Division Two campaign.

This appears in the Monday, May 28, 2012 edition of the Business Mirror.

This is Pachanga's very own water bottle.

Red Phoenix rising

by rick olivares

The Red Phoenix are focused.

On Pachanga’s first possession of the match, they strung up eleven consecutive passes before they attempted a shot. A throughball was attempted before a Manila All-Japan defender intercepted the ball. The expatriate team of Japanese nationals attempted a counter-attack before Pachanga defensive back Janrick Soriano stole the ball to restart their offense.

Eight passes later, Pachanga’s forwards – Jovin Bedic and Freddy Gonzalez – raced forward like a pair of sleek sharks moving in for the kill. The finish was less than exquisite as Gonzalez blasted wide but the Red Phoenix were coming closer. The Japanese had all their players on their defensive half of the field and that meant any shots on goal were to be contested.

That’s when Pachanga sprung a trap. Deliberately opening the midfield, the Japanese saw an opening and raced forward. Once more Japanese players committed to the attack, Pachanga closed their net. The speedy Soriano stole the ball and sent the ball up to winger Gino Palomo who sent a long cross inside the box.

The backpedalling Japanese defenders tried their best not to let any Pachanga player win the aerial battle for the ball or control of the first bounce. But Red Phoenix defender Neckson Leonora, who joined the attack, won the ball. Unable to get off a shot, he tapped to ball Bedic who was swift in his reaction. Bang. Goalkeeper Yuta Aoki never had a chance.

One-nil, Pachanga. More importantly, the Red Phoenix scored their 100^th goal of the season. It was an incredible feat. One they had earnestly looked forward to. Pachanga would score six more goals against Manila All-Japan in a 7-0 shutout for a total of 106 goals; an astounding tally in any contest. Yet aside from their offensive juggernaut, the Norman Fegidero Jr. coached squad was more proud of the fact that this was the 13^th time in 18 matches played so far where they’ve kept a clean sheet.

Since that disappointing 2-2 draw with Diliman to close out the first round (the Red Phoenix scored the first two goals before Diliman equalized), they’ve not conceded a goal in the second round.

In less than a year’s time, Pachanga reached the semifinals of the Smart Club Championships and the quarterfinals of the last UFL Cup. In their first year in Division Two football, they have been on top of the standings for all but two weeks save for the time that their closest pursuer, Diliman FC, played one more game.

Eighteen minutes following Bedic’s historic goal that went largely unnoticed (the match was not televised), Gonzalez, a ruthless and relentless predator up front, scored to double Pachanga’s score. Gonzalez would add another later in the match bringing his league total to 29. Now consider this -- that’s 13 more than Sunken Garden’s Romnick Jover (who wasn’t really known as a scorer during his college days at FEU).

Gonzalez is in the midst of an amazing comeback into competitive football following his long career with Kaya, the national team, Ho Chi Minh Police Football Club, and Persebaya Surabaya. Not only does he bankroll Pachanga but also he’s provided needed scoring sock up front with the departure of Alu Kigbu for Kaya. Alongside Bedic who himself is a fantastic scorer (13 goals thus far) with a superb first touch, that’s a deadly strike partnership.

The scores may be lopsided but that is because the team’s collective eyes are on the prize – promotion to the top-flight division. They are a well-organized, well-coached, and well-run team that takes its football seriously.

Although they are playing in a different time with more teams (and arguably a diluted talent pool), the team cares about leaving its mark. Global was promoted with a 13-1-0 record with a plus-50 goal difference during the 2009-10 season.

This year’s Division Two features 12 clubs that arguably had four clubs at the start of the season capable of challenging for the title – Pachanga, Diliman, Laos, and Agila.

Currently, Pachanga totes a 17-1-0 record with 106 goals and seven conceded. They have a plus-99 goal difference. In their next match, they not only get an opportunity to hike their scoring total but they also increase their goal difference to over a hundred.

The team still remembers the loss to Global and how they felt they were dealt a bad hand in the match preceding Global where Navy played them tough and dirty that resulted in cards and suspensions to four starters.

They are becoming accustomed to difficult situations. They’ve had to face questionable referees (one suggested that if they wanted to complain about the rough and dirty play then maybe they should opt out of football and instead do the laundry), a difficult promotion (three teams from Division Two were promoted last season while this year it’s only one), and opponents parking the bus.

Instead, Pachanga has hunkered down and focused on laying the smackdown on foes. They’ve also managed to keep many of their players who were being wooed by other Division One clubs while running their affairs professionally.

Against Manila All-Japan, the team was missing four starters – goalkeeper Kenneth Dolloso who was still nursing a shoulder injury, defender Yves Ashime and forward Chris Ojamire, both out on cards, and midfielder Shirmar Felongco who along with reserve defender Ronald Batisla-Ong were with the U-22 team. But Pachanga is deep and talented with most of the players coming from head coach Norman Fegidero Jr.’s West Negros University with some from assistant coach Marjo Allado’s team from the University of Santo Tomas.

Playing their finely tuned passing game, they repeatedly went back to their offense to dissect Manila All-Japan and never let them into the game after that.

With four matches left in their schedule and five points clear off Diliman, the Red Phoenix are not taking any chances. They want to collect the maximum points to complete their promotion to UFL’s Division One. Like a phoenix from the ashes.

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Listen to the Bleachers' Brew podcast with Pachanga striker Freddy Gonzalez here. 

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Some may dismiss the 106 goals scored by Pachanga as done against inferior competition. Really? some teams are built on national players. Let's see how you fare without them. And this calls to mind a time when the Chicago Bulls won 72 games (out of an 82-game season) and critics dismissed the accomplishment as coming during a time when the NBA expanded. Said Michael Jordan: "Any one else win 72 games? I thought so." My sentiments exactly.

At the 2012 Adobo Cup

At the 2012 Adobo Cup with organizer and good friend Bob Guerrero. Played defender and keeper for GroupM (1-1-3 in our maiden campaign). The old man in me conceded two goals. Went home with red skin and a scarred knee. Hahaha. But do we as GroupM get points for our cool blue and white kit? Love it. As keeper, I wore Ray Jonsson's Grindavik shirt. 

GroupM United. Standing (L-R) Jay-P Bautista, me, Franco Alvarez, Robbie Manauis, Osborne Bautista. Crouching (L-R) Reg Geotin, Anna Romero, Bon Castro and Ivy Tabares. Not in photo: JP Narag, Cedelf Tupas, Maan del Carmen, and Oz Arcilla. We have a complete team photo somewhere. Had fun this Saturday! Thanks to GroupM, Mizuno, and to the Adobo Cup organizers -- mabuhay! As playing coach, I made an effort to let everyone play. No benching. We came to have fun and try to win. I fielded mixed teams at all times (unlike others). 

The new FC Barcelona shirts from Nike (plus that amazing recycled tech)

Check out the new Barcelona kit for the 2012-13 season. I like the new design as Nike softened and fused the lines that divided the blue and red colors. The away kit is a brighter orange to celebrate the team's effervescent style of play. Plus, the new kit makes use of the ground-breaking recycled polyester that makes the fabric lighter, more absorbent, and more smooth to wear. That's 13 bottles of plastic per shirt. Whoever thought of this should be given an award. It's brilliant.

I already have one of these shirts in the away version of Portugal. Aside from the cross in front that I believe makes it attractive, I love the feel of the shirt. It doesn't drag across my skin. I have come across a similar shirt in the last week when I purchased the Hoffenheim shirt from Puma. Now I really don't like all the new designs for Euro '12 but the shirt in itself is fantastic. As for my verdict on the new Barcelona kits --- I like! Therefore I will get.

Here's a video featuring the process in which the new kits are made out of recycled plastic bottles. Amazing.

Ateneo Football League Week 6: There’s life in these old blue bones

Blue Guards FC: Age is a state of mind as they play quality football after all these years. With Pim Daza, Mike McCloud, Butch Ledesma, Jing Fernandez, Bert Honasan, Ver Velasco and company.

There’s life in these old blue bones

by rick olivares

Last Sunday began with a penalty shootout in the UEFA Champions League finals. Hours later and thousands of miles away, the last day of the elimination round of the second season of the Ateneo Football League ended with a shootout between the whites and the blues.

Blue Guards, the alumni team of Ateneo (and wearing white), were down 5-1 to a Puzakals team (wearing blue) that suddenly found signs of life with the addition of Joao Pajaro in the last two weeks. Just when it seemed that it was all over with some players sitting on the sidelines and smoking cigarettes (seriously!), Blue Guards launched the biggest comeback of the AFL’s second season.

While the match was a non-bearing one as the two squads were already set to meet in the semifinals in the coming week, this was all about pride. At the reset, Blue Guards moved regular goalkeeper Ver Velasco to a field position while 70-year old Jing Fernandez tended to the net. The strategem worked as Blue Guards, missing several of their workhorses, saw Velasco score with five minutes left to play to make it 6-4. Then Raul Felix headed in a fantastic cross to make it 6-5 and to send a disbelieving Puzakals on their heels. The younger team frantically tried to stave off the hard-charging Blue Guards but Fernandez was firm at goal.

With seconds left to play, Omar Arabia scored the equalizer to send the match into the decisive penalty kicks.

Into sudden death, Velasco, who had won titles both with Ateneo and UP, switched with Fernandez, but the score remained tied 3-3 heading into the fourth kicker. The previous three Blue Guards penalty takers sent Puzakals keeper Rico Feliciano diving to his left beating him each time. Thinking that Feliciano would not fall for the same trick a fourth time, Butch Ledesma scoffed his shot that went high up and straight to the Puzakals netminder who did not have to move to parry the ball. Sergio Onate made good on his PK to give the match to Puzakals.

The Blue Guards weren’t sure whether they’d feel bad or not. They topped the seniors divisions with a 4-1-1 record (earlier in the day, they piped second place Oscariz 1-0 on a beautiful finish by Pim Diaz off a Butch Ledesma assist that was sufficient enough to give them the three points for the pole position). On the other hand, they were dealt a loss that even after somewhat stung. Yet it was a magnificent comeback. Even better than Team Freedom’s comeback from the dead while playing in muddy conditions on opening day against Oscariz. Jing Fernandez summed it up nicely when he spoke for the entire team: “Not bad for an old man.”

In one of the earlier seniors matches, Oscariz’ early two-goal (from Joey Sulit and Dick Sucgang) lead was enough to hold off the spirited rally by Team Freedom who outplayed the former in the second half but only managed one goal when Aris Ladaw broke free from a tackle to pull back one. Despite carving up Oscariz’ defense with a series of deft passes, Freedom’s inability to finish and the sterling goalkeeping of Joey Gomez saw Oscariz repeat over last year’s high school jubilarians. Like the Blue Guards-Puzakals match, this one was also a preview of the semifinals match up that begins next week.

Over at the Mixed Division, B2002 piped TeamBa 4-3 with a hat trick from Raul Grapilon and goal by former UST player Pat Perlas. King Filart, Jonika Piñon, and Kat Sison scored for TeamBa.

In the Mixed Division Group A, Caf Bench kept its unbeaten slate (7-0 and one of four undefeated teams in the tournament aside from 6-0 Aria in the High School-College Division, the 6-0 Los Tontos in the Alumni 30-and-below Division, and 7-1-0 ACU2 in Group B of the Mixed Division). Caf Bench won 2-0 with Jobi Millar scoring one of the goals of the tournament. Mercado instinctively controlled a Duane Tumale cross from the right with the back of his right foot. The ball remained suspended in the air for a second and in one motion, Mercado volleyed it past the ACU2 keeper for the first score of the match. When asked if he stopped the ball on purpose, Millar smiled and said, “That was all instinct.”

Caf Bench will be facing the Roger Lastimado-led Team Popoys in the semifinals match up next week.

Goal scorers? Paolo Bediones of Psykicks scored a hat trick in a 5-2 win over Danke Schon that gave his team its third win of the season. Benj Mendoza of MyTunes scored his 21^st goal of the tournament to not only lead the Mixed Fun Division but the entire AFL. Former Ateneo Blue Booter Alvin Perez who plays for Budacamp was also second to him in both categories with 18 goals.

The shin guard-less Celine Lopez of the undefeated Caf Bench vs ACU2. Caf Bench won 2-0.

Blue Guards' Bert Honasan fires wide as Oscariz' Joey Gomez denies him the angle.

Hopefully, by next week we will have a preview of the semis match ups.

Random thoughts this Wednesday...

Thoughts about today….

I had the opportunity to conduct a one-on-one interview with Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler but I botched it. Now I’ve been lumped with a group interview that is somewhat unappetizing. I mean, it Robbie Fowler, right? He’s only the reason why I became such a massive Liverpool fan. The thing is I am flying in to Singapore using my own money and not my media group so that is what makes it doubly difficult. In a group interview, I get to ask at most two questions so that’s like 5K per question. Urgh.

I hope you got to listen to my podcast interview with Pachanga’s Freddy Gonzalez. That was a long time coming. Two months late. I remember watching Freddy before with Kaya back when no one watched club football save for the players, family, and relations. In 2007, I saw him play for Kaya one last time as Kaya played Loyola Agila. He blasted a goal right before the end of the first half. Amazing one touch volley where the keeper never had a chance.

Covering Pachanga and getting to know Freddy and his team better has been a writer’s dream.

Some people asked if I can cover their team like how I did with Loyola during the first round of the 2012 Singapore Cup. The answer is always a yes. I have been doing that for several years now beginning with the Ateneo Blue Eagles then with the NU Bulldogs and Letran Knights. I covered Smart Gilas and the Alaska Aces in similar fashion. Hopefully, I’ll get to do other sports and other teams.

This past week, Diliman fell (although not surprisingly) to Cebu Queen City. That loss put Pachanga five points clear in the race for promotion. With five matches left does that mean the battle is over? Not by a long chance.

I met up with UFL Chairman Santi Araneta today and we had a nice long talk about various football stuff. Some will be revealed in their own time. One thing I brought up in the discussion was the poor officiating. I find it lamentable when a player threatens a referee with his life and as a result, the officiating swings over to his team’s favor. That is highly deplorable. I find it disappointing when a referee informs a team that if they do not want to get hurt playing football they should take up another sport. What the hell?!?

The level of football has certainly gone up in the Philippines but the back support and officiating has not. Something has to be really be done about this.

I am late with my Ateneo Football League story from the weekend. If not by tonight then certainly by tomorrow morning.

Shootout at the OKC Corral

My latest column for ph.nba.com. Sorry I missed last week's column as I was out of the country. I really tried to write one but couldn't get into that mode.

Thanks for reading!

Bleachers' Brew Podcast #9 Interview with Pachanga's Freddy Gonzalez: on being invited to the national team, Pachanga & playing in Vietnam & Indonesia

This is a long time coming. We planned to do this podcast about two months ago? But better late than never. With former national football player as well as current Pachanga striker and club owner Freddy Gonzalez. Interview done at the Coffee Bean @Burgos Circle.

A post-Loyola Meralco Sparks-Geylang United interview with the Eagles' Michael King

Got to interview Geylang United’s Michael King (who once suited up for English side Burnley) who had this to share about the match with Loyola.

Rick Olivares: Michael, for what it’s worth, you played well and that was a marvelous goal. I hope that the strong performance in the 2012 Singapore Cup will see Geylang do better in the S. League.

Michael King: Thanks! We sure need the confidence.

Rick: How do you analyze Loyola's game? What do you think of their play?

Michael: They played quite direct with the ball, they had a couple of tall players who caused our defence trouble all night, so they played on this and it was effective. Out of possession they worked very hard and got behind the ball, especially in the first half, which is why so many players were suffering with cramp, that and the heat of the country of course.

Rick: Who do you think played well for them?

Michael: I'm sorry but I'm terrible with names. Haha. The tall striker was a threat against us all night, and the tall centre midfielder was comfortable on the ball, and found the striker well.

Rick: Were there any adjustments for Geylang at the half? After 90 minutes?

Michael: I was being marked by two men every time I got the ball in the first half which is why I moved to striker to try an get more involved in the game. We didn't change too much though, as we were creating chances. We just didn't get the luck we needed on the night.

Rick: Geylang displayed great sportsmanship. What do you think of your club after the match? I thought you guys gave a strong performance especially in extra time.

Michael: I agree. I thought we played well, and with a few differences in the match it could have been a different outcome. But the only thing that matters in a cup competition is the result, so we can take nothing away from Loyola. And I wish them all the best in the rest of the competition.

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Here's my interview with Michael King prior to the match: 

http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.com/2012/05/interview-with-geylang-uniteds-michael.html

The new Liverpool kits from Warrior will be available in the Philippines

The new Liverpool kit from Warrior will be available in the Philippines any time from June 11 to 13, 2012. Initially the new shirts were planned to be released on June 1, the same day it goes on sale everywhere else in the world. Unfortunately, because of shipping delays, it will be available locally two weeks after.

Warrior will be exclusively distributed by Planet Sports and will be available on launch day at the Planet Sports branch at the Power Plant, Rockwell Center.

The first batch of Warrior Liverpool kits available will find 88 men’s shirts (Small to XL) and 44 women’s shirts. There will be succeeding batches.

We are pleased to announce that we will be offering the products at a much cheaper price than Singapore. Please refer to the price list below.

Home Mens short sleeves Jersey (Red) – Php 2, 650.00

Home Ladies short sleeves Jersey (Red) – Php 2,350.00

Home Junior short sleeves Jersey (Red) – Php 1,150.00

Away Mens short sleeves Jersey – Php 2,450.00

Away Mens Goal keeper Jersey – Php 3,050.00

Jacket (Black) – Php 3,995.00

After launch day, the shirts can be purchased in Trinoma, Alabang Town Center and later in the year, Bonifacio High Street. 

There are great plans for the Warrior kit that will be unveiled over the next few days/weeks so keep it here to Bleachers’ Brew for more info.

Now that's Ateneo Pride, Rico Villanueva!

You go, Enrico! One Big Fight!

I took this screen shot this morning from the PBA website while looking for some info. Cool, ain't it?

Excited for the new Liverpool kit.

I love the retro look and feel on the new Liverpool kit. And the yellow on the shirt is back! Getting my shirt very soon.

My first pair of Havaianas and I used them during the Singapore Cup

My first non-Singapore Cup post is all about Havaianas... not. Because it's still related. I first wore them in Singapore during the 2012 Singapore Cup! Ole!

I am probably one of the most unfashionable people. I prefer to be in jeans, rubber shoes or boat shoes, and a football shirt. I think the only branded stuff I buy consistently are my football tees as I do not wear knock-offs. Er, wait. I love K-Swiss, adidas, and also wear Asics. But I have digressed. 

As for Havaianas, I do get them for my kids but never for me. I'm fine with simple unbranded flip flops. After the Pachanga-Lions match, I was chatting with the coaching staff of the Red Phoenix and team owner/comebacking striker Freddy Gonzalez. Freddy asked me to drop by the Rockwell Tent to get my own Havaianas on the same day that Pachanga manager Jojo Rodriguez was getting for the entire club. I was actually at Rockwell during the opening and the person I met with had three pairs of flip flops. Little did I know that I'd have mine as well. 

Super thanks to Freddy! My old Ateneo high school classmate Gary Villanueva who organizes this event every year and Marc Alejo who put my very first Havaianas together. 

Bleachers' Brew #311 Analyzing the Loyola-Geylang match

At the Jalan Besar Stadium at 530pm match day.

This appears in the Monday, May 21, 2012 edition of the Business Mirror.

Analyzing the Loyola-Geylang match

by rick olivares

A lot of people have been asking me about my analysis of the just concluded match between Loyola Meralco and Geylang United. And here it is.

Q: Why didn’t the team field its full lineup? Where were Lawrence Ikegwuruka and Alex Camara?

A: Clubs taking part in the competition could only field four foreigners. Ikegwuruka and Camara had passport problems. There was a gamble of playing Matthew Hartmann that didn’t work out. There is an obvious disconnect between Loyola and the PFF.

Q: Why didn’t Davide Cortina start?

A: He should have. But up to the final day of practice he was penciled in as a starter. However, during the player registration, the FAS inspector was concerned about his International Transfer Certificate. He brought his card from Germany and was in German. FAS needed more documents. From the time that Loyola learned they were taking part in the tournament, they immediately went to the PFF for help in securing the document. It was not secured by the NSA.

Cortina’s paperwork came in only 15 minutes before the team arrived at the Jalan Besar Stadium. That’s as close to a photo finish. The lineup cannot be changed anymore because it will make a mess of things. They practiced with that starting eleven and it’s a no brainer they start with that.

Q: Did we play a quality opponent? Geylang after all is in the bottom of the S.League right now.

A: Of course they are a quality opponent. I think it’s ridiculous to assume to that all of a sudden Philippine clubs are better until that is put to the test. It’s a Cup competition. In case you don’t understand how it works, take a look at the English FA Cup or even our very own UFL Cup. It’s a different competition. It’s a chance for teams to pip the big ones.

Geylang lost several key players in the off-season and even at the start of the season and that really hurt them. They’ve even had a coaching change. Their most successful coach was even fired. While they've had some galling loses, they've had good performances such as the recent come back from two goals down to draw with Singapore Armed Forces that has its usually bevy of national players.

Did the Eagles come to play? They sure did. Their current league record doesn’t mean a thing in this competition. One of the current S.League leaders Tampines Rovers was in a dogfight as well with Phnom Penh Crown and it took a late goal by Aleksandar Duric to pip the Cambodians, 4-3.

Some people say that Loyola is nothing more than the Younghusband brothers. That is the farthest from the truth. They've got very good players such as Mark Hartmann who can be one of the best if he puts in a quality effort every game out. They've got excellent midfielders in Jake Morallo, Anto Gonzales, and Davide Cortina. Their much-maligned defense has the consistent Roxy Dorlas and Pat Ozaeta. Defender Minho Park atoned for his earlier boo boo that led to Geylang's first goal by firing the late winner.


On the other hand, the Eagles know a thing or two about being branded as a two-man team. In the post-match presscon, Geylang Coach Kanan Vedhamuthu was asked by the local media if their side relied too much on Slovakian midfielder Josef Kaplan and English midfielder Michael King. And, the answer is no. Not at all. Ishak Zainol and Syed Fadhil had scoring chances for their side as well. It’s just easier for the viewers to spot the Caucasian looking players. But I really like the quality of Michael King. Great skills and a mean free kick as well.

Q:  How was the match played?

A: Loyola played a 4231 while Geylang went out with a 433.

For the home side, it was a bold move. A departure from their previous 4231 that they ran against Singapore Armed Forces. They also went with the standard 442 in their previous matches.

Initially, their three forwards gave the Sparks trouble. Once the Sparks' defense took shape then it was all good.

What worked for Loyola? The two holding midfielders of Mark Hartmann and Anto Gonzales. While everyone played their role to perfection, I thought that the two were important to winning the game and it showed. They were the ones constantly running up and down the pitch. Switching from defense to offense. And Mark Hartmann played one of his best games in a Loyola shirt.

When Loyola began to dominate possession, Geylang dropped another forward back to a 442.

The Sparks controlled the regular 90-minutes. But come the extra 30-minute period, it was Geylang. Especially in the last 15-minutes. At the end of the game, Davide Cortina not starting turned out to be a blessing. He was fresh for the endgame and his energy and pace gave Loyola some menace up front.

Q: Why did Amani Aguinaldo look lost?

A: For one, it was a high level game unlike anything he’s played before. Second, he got confused from the different instructions his teammates were giving him. Right, Adrian Semblat? Give the kid a break. He’ll do fine.

Q: Was the team poorly conditioned and unfit?

A: No. They have been playing in the UFL haven’t they? They train regularly. Even in Singapore they did. There were no sightseeing or shopping trips save to buy gear and equipment.

They took their hydrite tablets, drank their Gatorade, warmed up, jogged, and stretched. Everything. The physio staff of the club did their jobs well.

The whole team was struck by cramping and there was no exception. When I asked the players about it –individually – they said the same things – it was the combined intensity of the match, the humidity, and the turf.

What does that mean? Roxy Dorlas, Pat Ozaeta, and Anto Gonzales are very very particular about conditioning. The last time that Dorlas suffered cramps in a match was four years ago! In a discussion with uber fan Ria de Leon the other week, she remarked to me how many players would fake their cramping. As a registered nurse, she knows how difficult it is to immediately stand up after cramps. In this match, no one was acting. Hence the early substitutions that the coaching staff didn’t count on.

The turf was excellent but hard unlike what you see on BGC (I did walk on it myself before the match). It was as simple also as getting used to the pitch. But you did see how marvelous the quality was. Think of how the UFL matches would be if played regularly on artificial turf?

Q: Who do I think is the best player/man of the match?
A: I’d love to go with Mark Hartmann but I’m going with Anto Gonzales. James Younghusband deserves a mention in there because even when he was clearly bothered by cramping, he was a gamer up front. I love how James confronted Josef Kaplan about his lack of fair play (Kaplan did make up for it later on when Elnar went down with cramps and I tip my hat off to the Slovakian). He conserved his energy for promising runs and ran when he had to. Ref Cuaresma shook off a shaky start to play well. But I’d give this to Gonzales. His energy and leadership on the pitch showed. I don't think the television broadcast did justice to that. With our excellent vantage point, we could see everything unfold from changes in formations to build-ups. And Gonzales was everywhere. We could all hear him from up high in the media tribune of the Jalan Besar Stadium. He was running up and down the field making passes and disrupting plays. He got in a good tackle or two. They way he marshaled and organized the defense was incredible. Did he complete all his passes? I think he did. And if you didn’t notice, he was the one player not really afflicted with cramping. When Alex Elnar went down with cramps, Gonzales slid back into the right back position and played exceptionally well.

Mark Hartmann was awesome. Scored the goal to get us back into it. Maybe I am looking at it from a technical standpoint, but I thought without Gonzales’ leadership and play in the back, we would have been hurt more. And if you recall in the recent second round match with Kaya, he also plugged the hole in right back.

Q: What does this match mean for Loyola, the UFL, and Philippine football?

A: While walking around Clarke Quay with Phil Younghusband, I posed him that question. He said that it comes close to the epic 2010 Suzuki Cup win over Vietnam. I felt the same way and he only confirmed what we all had in our minds.

It showed that we can compete given the right training, facilities, and players. The UFL undoubtedly feels proud of the moment. For four days, club allegiances or biases were put aside to support Loyola in the tournament.

I was with Solar Sports when we first broadcasted the matches of the Azkals. I was there in Vietnam for the Suzuki Cup and I was with Loyola for this start of this Singapore Cup. Like them, I feel blessed to be a witness who was up close to all this history in the making. Now it isn't only the Azkals who opponents will take seriously. They will have to take a long hard look at our clubs.

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Tampines Rovers' forward and Singaporean scoring machine Aleksandar Duric went to watch the game in the stands. This reminded me of how Singapore coach Raddy Avramovich blew off any questions about the Philippines before the 2010 Suzuki Cup kicked off. After the 1-1 draw with Singapore and the 2-0 win over Vietnam, Abramovich and the other Lions players hung out with us at the lobby and we're sharing insights and stories. At least we know they are watching.

The Loyola Meralco Sparks in Singapore Part 4: Aftermath

The Loyola Meralco Sparks in Singapore

Part 4: Aftermath

by rick olivares pics by brosi gonzales

May 19, 2012

The Loyola Meralco Sparks left the Jalan Besar Stadium late in the evening. The shuttle stopped at Clarke Quay for a late night dinner. However, the team was clearly fatigued. Minho Park and Byeong-Yeol Jeong couldn’t walk anymore and had to go back to the hotel via special service. Anto Gonzales, tired beyond belief, pulled a chair from a riverside bar and sat down.

The match was a one-for-the-ages match where Loyola came back from a goal down to win the opening round of the 2012 Singapore Cup in extra time. It was the latest in the club’s list of thrilling finishes. But not many wanted to talk about the game over dinner. “I just lived it,” said goalkeeper Ref Cuaresma who half meant it. The keeper from Dumaguete City is one of the most cheerful players on the Sparks team. Tired or not, Cuaresma still managed enough energy for a megawatt smile.

After dinner, some retired for the night while a few like goalkeeping coach Dang Cecilio and Cuaresma had a few beers in a nearby pub.

Alex Elnar, a vicious victim of cramping the night before, buried himself in bed. But still he felt the pain in his lower body that snaked up to his back. “At least panalo,” he beamed the morning after.

Midfielder Davide Cortina, whose late entry in the game gave the team a badly needed shot of energy, pace, and determination, grabbed three hours of sleep then got up with his fiancée, Belle, to go to sightseeing at 6am. “It is my first time here,” said Cortina. “I want to see Singapore. Make do with the time that we have.” Acting team manager Belay Fernando, Roxy Dorlas, and team support staff Mike Yamomoto and Ressa Regacho joined Cortina and his fiancée in their early morning jaunt. After the sight seeing they had some kaya toast, long planned since the team’s arrival in Singapore. 

Loyola co-captain Pat Ozaeta went straight to bed after returning to the hotel. He woke up several hours later to ‘surreal feeling’. “Didn’t we just have a game?” he asked. “Oh, yeah. We won!”

When the team cleared customs at Changi’s budget terminal, a replay of the match was being shown in the waiting area. The whole team cheered, laughed, and teased one another; whooping it up when Mark Hartmann equalized. They gave head coach Kim Chul Su an ovation when he was shown on television, and yelled out aloud when Minho Park scored the winning goal.

When Park exited the stadium the previous night, the fans outside did not recognize him. I had to announce to all that it was the Korean who scored the winning goal. Only then did a few ask for photographs. One local journalist thrust her tape recorder in front of Park and began asking questions. Park looked confused then mumbled sheepishly, “Don’t… ah…. speak good English.”

There has been talk about disconnect between the Sparks borne out of backgrounds, pay scale, and ethnicity. Whether real or perceived, team management hoped that the Singapore trip would bond the team.

The delicate moment that could have broken the team came the morning of the match when Cortina’s match availability was uncertain while Matt Hartmann was once at the center of controversy. Loyola club president Randy Roxas spent the previous night arguing with Philippine football officials about the situation. In a moment of defiance, the Sparks placed Hartmann on the reserve list. When an anonymous text reached Adrian Chan of the Football Association of Singapore, the local official, to his credit, did not think the Sparks were trying to pull a fast one on the league. But Loyola and the FAS arrived at an amicable settlement that saw Hartmann stricken off the game roster much to the unhappiness of the Fil-British midfielder.

Thus, the team took to the field with a chip on its shoulder. They were going to do this for themselves, their supporters, and Philippine football. No one else.

After defeating the Geylang United Eagles, FAS' Chan, complimented the Sparks on their historic win. “I think that the Philippines through this win will show everyone else that football has come a long way in your country.”

A couple of Singaporean fans joined the several dozen Filipinos who patiently waited outside the Sparks’ dugout entrance for the players. “We are Singaporeans and we are fans of football,” said Mahali, who lugged a camera of his own. “We appreciate great football and now we are loving Loyola.”

It's not Liam Gallagher. It's James Younghusband.

The feel good vibes lasted all the way until the team arrived in Manila. Nine club supporters went to NAIA’s Terminal 3 to  officially welcome the team back. Then a couple of dozen fans came over to ask for pictures or autographs.

As good as the gains are for Loyola, the team will lose some of their players over the next few days. Simon Greatwich might have played his first and last match with Loyola. “I will train with the team for the next few days but I’ll be going back to the States on June 5,” said the Fil-Brit. “I’ll have to consider the state of my finances and what is really viable for me. If things happen with Loyola then I might be back.”

Two others are leaving. Ecuadorian keeper Gabby Vorbeck will be depart on May 24 for his country of origin to play Division One football. Since he joined Loyola, he’s suited up for six matches. He understands that the game and football scene is growing locally. “It’s not perfect yet but the important thing is it is growing,” he noted. “But I hope to play regularly and going to South America might be good for me. Football is established there, you know.”

Reserve player Gabby Borja will likewise leave for Pennsylvania to study and play football.

Master Kim, attempted to express himself as he pulled me aside. “This I will remember forever,” he said rather eloquently of last night’s game. 

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With 'Japanese' import Jayson Cutamora, Gabby Vorbeck, Pat Ozaeta, Davide Cortina, and Ref Cuaresma at the airport.

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Much thanks to Randy Roxas, Woowee Evangelista, Kim Chul Su, Vince Santos, Gil Talavera, Dang Cecilio, Doods Lansang, and Belay Fernando. Cebu Pacific. Gatorade. To Sobban of the Football Association of Singapore and other friends I made over there at your association. Monark & Noreen Buhain. The good people of Goal@313 Somerset. Kinokuniya. HMV. And the players and staff of the Loyola Meralco Sparks. It was a honor to serve again with you guys. OBF!


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Check this out for video interviews with the team (hey, media people who steal stuff, give credit okay).

http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.com/2012/05/loyola-meralco-sparks-post-geylang.html

http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.com/2012/05/loyola-meralco-sparks-in-singapore-part.html

http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.com/2012/05/back-four-bums-podcast-episode-12-live.html

http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.com/2012/05/loyola-meralco-sparks-in-singapore.html