Big win for football

I missed the first 14 minutes of last Saturday’s game between the Philippine Azkals and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

I was out for dinner with some friends and caught the game on TV at the 14th minute.

While many people I know were in Manila to enjoy the live action, I had to be contented to watch it on television as I had to fly south to host the awards ceremony of the Santa Lucia Interclub.

Although I might have missed the early part of the game, I caught the goal of David Beckham and saw the visiting team go up 2-0 then Phil Younghusband managed to knock in the lone goal for the Philippines before the half-time whistle.

The second half was an all-LA Galaxy show. They scored four more goals for the final tally of 6-1. Last Friday, I told sports editor Manny Villaruel that the game would have Galaxy scoring a 5-0 win.

I was wrong, but right about the difference in goals.

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The Philippine team may have lost big in the game, but football earned a lot in the exhibition match in terms of recognition by the people.

Basketball still has a bigger following, but football, which is the world’s number one sport, is now gaining a lot of ground in the Philippines.

We might not have a very strong national team yet and many continue to question why Filipinos abroad are being tapped to play for the team displacing many local talents.

Indeed, there are so many things to be done to uplift the standard of football in the Philippines, but we should start being happy that we see these things happening now.

Looking at some comments on the Pinoyfootball page on Facebook, I would feel bad when I see statements made by so-called ‘purists’ who seem to only find fault.

Can’t these people just chill a little and enjoy the fact that the sport they claim to love so much is now getting this much attention and airtime on television?

This never happened before and better things are coming if we all offer a little help or encouragement and not act like crabs or maybe snobs.

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There is major work ahead for the Philippine Football Federation and the various local associations under its banner to develop a good grassroots program.

There is so much to look forward to for the United Football League (UFL), which will become the breeding ground for the national team members.

There could be many more big name teams that would be coming to play in the future.

Just thinking of what is to come can get me very excited, but at the same time I am worried.

There are some people who seem to be good at killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Greedy sports officials and politicians, please stay away!

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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to my favorite entertainment writer and radio program host Ryan Mark Borinaga of Banat News and dyRC, who turned a year older last Monday. The same goes to my cousin Josephus Lebumfacil, Jerry Rapes, and Michael Lim.

Belated greetings also to those who turned a year older yesterday like my Delta companymate Lt. Col. Leo Ramoran and my good friend Elmer Karaan.

Today’s greetings go to my compadre Ramoncito ‘Don-don’ Arquiza, my comadre Desiree ‘Cookie’ Queblatin-Chan, Dr. Sheila Jorgio, and karateka Joseph Co.

More power to all of you! - THE FREEMAN