Madrid booters play for pride, so don't take them lightly

MANILA, Philippines - Although they could just take it easy against the Philippine Azkals Alyansa, CF Internacional de Madrid chairman Stephen Newman feels a lot is at stake for his Spanish club in tomorrow’s charity game at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

He’s primarily thinking about the prying eyes of Spanish football fans who will be seeing the “Dili Kamo Nag-iisa” friendly live on TV via Telemadrid.

“We have to be aware of the fact that we’re projecting our image to people back home in Spain who will be watching this game on TV. So clearly we want to show good example of how we play and also the fact that we’re representing the Spanish nation in the Philippines,” said Newman, already in Manila ahead of the team.

He’s also thinking about showing that CFIM is better than their Filipino opponent, a combine of mainstays from the Phl national team and standouts from UFL. 

“We’re playing a kind of de facto national team, it’s not full-strength but it is (bannered by) national team (members),” said Newman.

The Azkals and the CFIM booters will have their practice games tonight at The Turf at Bonifacio Global City.

CFIM currently ranks 13th in the 20-team Tercera Division Grupo 7 of the Spanish League System. It had a shaky start due to injuries but had regrouped by end of 2011 by racking up four wins and one draw against one loss in its last six outings.

A 22-man side spearheaded by captain Juli, forward Rufo, and defender Joaco, will be coming over to Manila.

They will be up against an Azkals Alyansa side that features a Fil-Spanish stalwart, Angel Guirado, in a country that’s been enjoying a renaissance in football, giving CFIM extra motivation to chalk up a win.

“It’s beginning to be recorded in the (Spanish) press that Philippine football is growing in popularity,” said Newman, a Spain-based British married to a Filipina. 

“Also, Angel Guirado is now becoming fairly known in Spain. The fact that he’s a Spanish guy with a Filipino mother who’s in the second division in Spain, came over to the Philippines and did well, it’s a success story and the press in Spain like that angle,” he added.

The CFIM-Azkals Alyansa 4 p.m. showdown aims to raise funds for the victims of typhoon “Sendong.”