It was Azklas challenging Friday night, 7th of October, an International friendly game against the RED lions at Singapore Jalan Besar stadium. The stadium was packed with Filipino supporters, cheering with the national team Azkals and shouting the name of Phil Younghusband, their idol, born in England and the son of Englishman Philip Younghusband Sr. and Filipina Susan Placer. Around 90% of the crowd were Filipinos, lively supporting their national team even if it lost against Singapore lions on 2-0 score.
The match ended with a 2-0 score in favor of the Lions. Two goals were made on the second half, a good strike from Shaiful Esah and Aleksander Duric of the lions. The lions deserve to win considering that they played well as a team, accuracy in ball passing, ball control and speed indeed teamwork leads team to win. Socccer football core is teamwork and football skills among the players which the lions have this edge over the Azklas during the match. Azklas lacks the ball control and passing, accuracy and speed, passing and receiving ground balls and performing a one-two (1-2) and a wall pass around the defender.
The defense of the Azkals were weakened on the second half, distance between fullbacks widens which opens an opportunity for Lions to made two goals. There were numerous strike attempts made by the Azkals however these were failed shot attempts. Azkals has played defensively on the first half of the game while the lions squad aggressively trying to penetrate and challenge the defense. As if the lions were eager and wanted a goal on the first half. The second half of the game were reverse in order, Azklas has played offensively after the first goal made by the Lions, penetrating aggressively to break the defense of the Lions, aiming to counter and strike a goal. Unlucky Azkals were not able to break the defense squad of Lions until the game is over.
On every strike the Azkals attempted, the crowd overwhelmed with cheers from the Filipino supporters. As if it was a hometown game of the Azkals, the stadium was packed of Filipino supporters in each section of the stadium. A group of supporters carries Philippine flag and some supporters painted their face in symbol of the Philippine flag. It shows how Filipinos proud they’re in supporting the national team even outside the country. One reason why the Azkals has captured the heart of Filipinos because on their success on the Asian cups and the good looking half-blooded Filipinos which are among the players on the squad. Filipino guys were watching to see how the Azkals plays soccer football professionally while the ladies watch to cheer and want to see their idols in person. Soccer football is slowly become famous in the Philippines which might divert the interest of the locals to shift sports from basketball to soccer football.
Filipinos has a potential on soccer football sport to climb to the international league considering the size and physical structure for Filipino men. Unlike for basketball, size and height really matter to compete on international arena. Of course achievement can only be obtained if there would be a full support from the government and private sectors which can allocate fund or generate profit from these sport to sustain the soccer football club and the players.
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