IT�S really quite hard to rate how 2011 was for Philippine football because frankly, there has never been a year like it.
On the one hand, we set a lot of records that it seems every Azkal game is a historic one and every match, is a battle for Philippine football, and on the other hand, the team, and the officials did stumble, a lot.
But still, for 2011, I give Philippine football seven points out of 10.
Why the relatively high score?
It�s simple. Back in Dec. 31, 2010, I posted 10 wishes for football in 2011 (The 10 things I want to see in 2011), and I while reviewing some back posts, I realized Philippine football hit seven of 10.
It could have been eight, but seven�s not bad, isn't it?
First on the list was national tournaments for the age groups and we had that�albeit a bit rushed�for the Under 19s, Under 23s and we even had a club championships of sort.
I also wished for more stories about the UFL�our premier league�and mind you, I think Santi Araneta and the rest of the Football Alliance are in heaven with the latest edition of the UFL Cup. We also had international friendlies against Singapore and Nepal and an exhibition where David came to bend it.
Football tourneys aren't exactly held every month so friendlies are helpful for the team, and of course, for the sports� promotion. I guess that fact that there were more girls in the Galaxy match than guys means a lot of newbies are starting to follow the players.
The past year also saw more exposure for the ladies, youth teams and I wished for that because I wanted the new fans to know there�s more to Philippine football than the Azkals.
We have the UFL too, and I only wished for a local football show but instead, got two live local club matches, per week!
And of course, in the UFL, we now have Azkal players seeing action, which has raised awareness for club football in the country and in the middle of this year, Cebuanos, got to see the players train three years after seeing the team rout a local selection, 6-0.
Though there was that rather comical incident when a staff in the hotel said they were under instructions not to reveal the players were staying there while the Azkals were tweeting, �We�re at Plantation Bay!� but, nevertheless, it was a good experience.
What are the misses?
This was my no. 2 wish last year and I think it�s self-explanatory, �A comprehensive preparation for the Southeast Asian Games.� There�s no need to self-flagellate again because we all knew what happened, or didn�t happen.
Another wish, one that has been in the pipeline for years, is the long-awaited recognition for Paulino Alcantara, the legend from FC Barcelona (Yep, Lionel Messi�s Barcelona) who once played for the Philippines.
I think the two leading proposals is for the PFF to name a stadium in his honor, or, barring that, for the PFF to give the Paulino Alcantara trophy for the Filipino footballer of the year.
That didn�t happen this year, and, with the way things are going, I don�t think it would.
Which is a pity because I think the guys in Barcelona would do more than smile if they learn we have the Paulino Alcantara trophy.
And finally, I also wished for the former PFF president to be held accountable for the three wasted years and for every single centavo he spent.
This could have been the eighth goal Philippine football achieved but I was told the current admin decided not to for humanitarian reasons.
And let�s leave it at that.
I haven�t made a list for next year, but, I hope after a year when the players, and the sport, gain unprecedented popularity and following,
I hope next year the players won�t forget where they came from, I hope they won�t forget how it was when they were nobodies.
A smart guy once said, �Stay hungry, stay foolish.� I hope they don�t forget that because if not for one "foolish guy" who spent millions in 2010, 2011 wouldn�t have happened.
I hope, too, that we are going to have a healthy football media, where constructive criticisms will be the norm because praising the team to high heavens�in social and traditional media�makes them complacent.
How about you? How do you rate football in 2011 and what�s your wish?
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