Phl XI enlists Fil-Spanish striker

MANILA, Philippines –  Newly recruited Fil-Spanish striker Angel Aldeguer Guirado said the other day he can’t wait to suit up for the Philippine team if and when the Azkals beat Mongolia to qualify for the group stage in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup in Myanmar on March 21-25.

Guirado, 26, wasn’t listed in the Azkals’ lineup for the Mongolia rematch in Ulan Bator on March 15 but will be in the roster for the matches against Bangladesh, Palestine and Myanmar – provided the Philippines advances.

Guirado has been assigned No. 12 by the AFC – a confirmation of his eligibility to play for the Azkals. It’s an unusual number for Guirado who wears No. 14 for the Spanish Division III club Deportivo Ronda of Malaga. In the Spanish league, Guirado explained that No. 12 is reserved as the symbolic reference to fans. Since football has 11 players on a side, the fans are considered the “12th man” just as in basketball, the fans are known as the “sixth man” because a team deploys five players at a time.

Guirado, who speaks only Spanish but is slowly learning English and Pilipino, flew in for tryouts Tuesday last week. He reported for practice four straight days, impressing coach Michael Weiss. Guirado went back to Spain with a thick English-Spanish dictionary and a vocabulary index in his cellphone last Tuesday but will be back for the Myanmar campaign.

Guirado’s first cousin Rafa Garcia, whose brother Caloy is a Rain Or Shine assistant coach in the PBA, paved the way for the tryouts. Garcia contacted Azkals liaison officer Patrick Bright and sent a video showing Guirado in action. Bright showed the video to Weiss who recommended bringing in the 6-2 forward for tryouts.

Guirado said Weiss, who speaks a little Spanish, knows what to do to take the Azkals to the next level. “Coach Weiss knows his football and is very intelligent,” said Guirado. “But more than anything, he’s a good person. He’s a coach who knows what each player can do and can’t do. He fills in the gaps. He knows the only way we can win is if we play as a team.”

With Guirado’s entry, the Azkals could realign its formation to 4-3-3 instead of 4-4-2. “I hope to be able to contribute so we can be a better team,” he said. “It will take a lot of effort, hard work and patience. Fan support is critical. We must concentrate on playing as a team, offensively and defensively. If I play with Phil (Younghusband) or Ian (Araneta) or another striker, we could give each other opportunities. I could draw the defense towards me and give others the space to attack or they could do the same for me. We can’t be effective if we do things alone.”

Guirado, a right midfielder and second forward in Ronda, said his brother Juan Luis, 31, plays left midfield for Spanish Division III team Lermeno of Burgos and could also play for the Azkals.

“I spent four days with the Azkals,” said Guirado who stayed at the H2O Hotel at Ocean Park in the Luneta. “I wasn’t able to communicate with the players because of my limited English and Pilipino but I got along with Anton (del Rosario) and Aly (Borromeo). I like all my teammates.” In his first scrimmage only hours after flying in, Guirado booted in two goals.

It was Guirado’s second visit to Manila. Six years ago, he came with his Filipina mother Angela Aldeguer, Spanish father Juan, brother Juan Luis and sister Cristina to visit an ailing grandmother.

Guirado said he hits harder with the right foot but can also kick with the left. His football heroes are Ronaldo of Brazil and Zidane of France because of their fluid styles of play. “I can’t compare myself with any player because that’s something others should do, not me,” said Guirado. “I consider myself a thinking and technical player who’s quick for his height.”

Guirado said his most memorable games were when he made his Division II debut as a 19-year-old playing for Cordoba against Racing de Futbol in a match that ended 1-1 and when he scored the only goal for Estepona over Marbella to keep the club in Division II as a loss would’ve dropped it to Division III last year.

Guirado said he’s excited to play for the Philippines. “When I came for my first visit, I discovered my Filipino roots,” he said. “I brought a Filipino flag back to Spain with me. There’s a Filipino flag painted in each of my football boots. I have relatives in the Philippines, including first cousins. I wouldn’t mind living in Manila if there are opportunities for me, particularly in football. I have a Spanish girlfriend but I know there are many beautiful Filipinas. I’m proud to play for the Philippines.”

On his first trip to Manila, Guirado was chased by a group of gays in a mall. He had never experienced it before. “I’ve been asked if I could sing or act but my focus is football, nothing else,” he said. “I only sing when I shower.”