MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals team manager Dan Palami is counting on the fans to support the team even more as controversies threaten to rock their preparation for the last two major tournaments of the year.
The Azkals have lost two of their veterans Fil-German Stephan Schrock and Fil-Danish Dennis Cagara due to a conflict with their new coach Thomas Dooley.
While Palami laments their decision to quit, he is not losing hope that the two parties will reach accord in time for the AFF Suzuki Cup in November.
“It is unfortunate that Stephan and Dennis have made their decision [not to suit up for the Azkals for now]. The level of skill and depth of experience they bring to the game will surely be missed,” Palami said in an official statement released to the media on Wednesday.
Palami, who is responsible for pumping life to the country’s football program with his managerial skills that brought sponsors, Fil-foreign talents and coaches, would rather dwell on the positive rather than the negative.
“It is natural even amongst family for differences to arise, especially when changes are introduced. At the end of the day, however, it is good to be reminded that every single one on the Azkals family actually shares the same common dream: To unite Filipinos through their love for the beautiful game and to bring Philippine football to the world stage,” Palami said.
The Azkals manager, who is also managing his alma mater UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP men’s basketball, has already planned a step to mend broken fences.
“Because of this and through sustained dialogue forged on mutual respect, I am optimistic we will reach a resolution that will be most beneficial to the team and that will bring us even closer to our common goals,” Palami added.
The internal conflict stemmed from the reduced roles of the veterans and the new direction of Dooley to give more exposure to the younger players.
An injured Schrock felt disrespected that he was not able to finish the final match of the AFC Challenge Cup which Palestine won, 1-0, over the Azkals while Cagara rued the fact the was not called up for the Philippine Peace Cup which falls on international FIFA dates.
Dooley and the Philippine Football Federation have already scheduled a press conference on Thursday to formally address the situation.
Palami, though, hopes that the controversy will not be a setback to the teams’ preparation.
“I would like to thank the fans and supporters of the Azkals who continue to believe in the team. Fans and football observers – whether informed or misinformed, have expressed strong opinions on the choices that players and management should make, and I choose to take that as evidence of how much we have all come to care for the future of the Philippine football,” Palami said.
“We count on your support even more now as we focus on the Peace Cup in September and the AFF Suzuki Cup in November-December,” Palami added.
The Azkals will start training for the Peace Cup on Aug. 18 to 29 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The 34-man training pool has been reduced to 33 after Schrock’s shocking announcement to quit the team. Cagara, who only played one match in the AFC Challenge Cup due to a conflict of schedule with his mother club, was left out.