But were the Azkals truly triumphant?

Recah Trinidad


They have succeeded in painting a triumphant picture of the Philippine Azkals despite a resounding setback in Mongolia Tuesday but one big question lingered.
Happy�but proud enough?
There�s a sketchy report on the actual condition of the national football squad which proceeds to Myanmar despite bowing to Mongolia, 2-1.
A more objective look, however, bared the celebrated Azkals had barely survived.
* * *
The celebration by Mongolia, the winning side, was borne out of genuine triumph.
Team manager Dan Palami himself did not sound truly victorious and admitted they had gunned hard for a win.
A draw, maybe a 2-all stand-off at the final whistle, would�ve served as a perfect goad as the Azkals, by virtue of a higher aggregate, advance to the next stage after snatching a berth in the group qualifying tournament of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup.
* * *
Anyway, if it would help, the Azkals could use a crisp congratulatory message from President Noynoy Aquino, their No. 1 fan.
�Their excellence is not borne out of luck, but of the perseverance that characterizes true athletes,� Aquino said in toasting the Azkals.
Either the President or his writer did not have the luck to watch the match, played in sub-zero conditions.
Majority of those who were able to follow the game live on television, your reporter here included, were clearly stung by the setback.
* * *
The national team�s German coach, Hans Michael Weiss, was honestly direct to the point.
Weis said the team �played only 60 percent� of its full potential.
Like everybody else in the national squad, Weis blamed defeat on the freezing conditions in Ulan Bator.
Manager Palami termed the numbing weather torturous.
* * *
The Azkals would, however, be unfair to themselves if they put the whole blame on the cold weather.
They�ve been propped up by more than enough advance alibis on the road to Mongolia.
But the Azkals often played half-crippled, mainly in defense, due to loose, soft spots in their overall game.
And this lameness�as when there would be no receiver of a clear pass for possible goal�could be remedied only if they soon stopped talking about the weather.
In the first place, how would have James Younghusband sparkled with a curler of a handsome goal in the fourth minute if conditions were truly thatr] impossible?
Speak of breaking the ice in icy conditions.
* * *

inquirer.net