Soccer Blog # 1

I think I'm one of the chosen and favored few here in this country who count football as their favorite sport. From the moment I saw Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" and the "Goal of the Century" goals as a 6 year old, I was hooked to the game. I would kick a rather limp volleyball and use the gate as a goal, and when I got older, Nikko and I would join our league in Sun Valley then, he as a defender (whom I could never get past) and me as a midfielder/forward. I never seriously thought of joining a varsity team and to my regret I didn't get to join a club - but when I got to play, I played, bad eyesight and all, for the love of the beautiful game.


I've been able to see games that stand out a lot for me - Beckham's sending off and redemption against Argentina, Man United's comeback in Barcelona, Zidane using his head for the right reasons (France '98) and wrong reasons (Germany '06), Ronaldo at his worst and best, Baggio's missed penalty in USA. On the local front, I watched as my friend Chrissy and the rest of DLSU's women squad beat the crap out of UST 6-1 for their championship. Most importantly, I and my dad (from whom we got our football genes) and Nikko were there when the Philippines beat Malaysia in 1991, 1-0, the first ever win in SEA Games history and propelled the country to 4th.

This game has meant a lot for me. I would sacrifice sleep because of the time zones to watch at 4am or 5am. I did not sleep on the day I arrived for the last camp in Baguio because the Champions League final was on (I don't even remember how I made it past the campers that day). When the 2002 World Cup finals was held in Japan and Korea, the three footballers in the family desperately made our way to Little Teheran, that small shawarma shop being the only place showing the final within a mile of our place. When I go home to Manila, it's all FIFA '06 WC or FIFA '07 on the PC. I root for Manchester United, England, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Juventus, Italy, France, Argentina and hate Chelsea, Arsenal, Germany and Jose Mourinho. Heck, I even go as far as Danao to play here in Cebu (though I think I should start in San Carlos already).

It is such a shame that the world's game is not popular here in this country. We know that in the Philippines it's basketball first, everything else up for grabs. Though I do like hoops, we can also excel in football if we really put effort into it. When we do, we will excel and people will sit up and notice what the sport can offer. Look at boxing and billiards. If Pacquiao and Bata did not win, then we wouldn't be falling on ourselves trying to get into their bandwagons. But they also had to sacrifice and make an effort.

Many people don't know this, but the first Asian to play professional football in Europe was a Filipino in Paulino Alcantara. Though partly of Spanish descent, he still played in the national team and played for Barcelona. See? We have a rich history of the sport. We were once the best team in Asia. Sadly, just like everything else, we are confined to the memories of what-might-have beens, when the future can be bright.

The team now is good, with a lot of Fil-foreigners. Though I have nothing against them, it would be great if football really developed at the grassroots, training kids at a very young age to appreciate the sport. This is not a sport for the rich or middle class, mind you. Pele was seen kicking a ball in the streets, for crying out loud.

If I can see the country play in the World Cup even just once, then it would be a source of great joy for me.

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