Footballing like it's 1991
Norman Fegidero. He was the man. One night during the 1991 SEA Games in Manila, when my dad brought me and Nikko to watch the Philippine national team take on Malaysia. We got there at halftime expecting a blowout. Imagine our surprise when it was still 0-0 into the second half. There was a palpable sense of excitement that night, the host country of underachieving football players against the then defending gold medalists. I don't remember them being called already "Azkals" that night, but the team hung in there. I remember the goal like it was only last night, Fegidero breaking the offside trap, receiving the through ball and slotting it home, bottom left corner. I can remember a near sell-out crowd jumping up and down in excitement, us included. I don't think I ever saw dad so happy in my entire life. That game, a 1-0 win for the Pinoy booters, was a defining moment for me, as it reminded me why I loved the sport so much, having played it since I was 6 years...