| Fil-Brit dismayed by RP team snub |
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| Sunday, 16 March 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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LONDON - I got an e-mail from RP team footballer and Filipino British Chris Greatwich telling me to call him because he had important things to discuss with me regarding his non-inclusion to the current RP national squad that will see action in the Asian Challenge Cup set on May in Iloilo city and Barotac Nuevo Iloilo. I was honoured and surprised. Now I know at least I have readers here in England. So I gave him a call. It was wrong timing. He was about to go to the Bognor Regis Town FC stadium for a match against Cambridge in the South Conference League. However, he managed to squeeze in some thoughts on why he was snubbed by the current RP National men’s team manager Norman Fegidero for the Asian Challenge Cup tournament. Since he was in a hurry I decided to stop the conversation and promised to call him again in the night. I called him again at night. His mobile was busy. But 30 minutes later Chris called me and poured out his heart. `I have been with the team since 2004 and even captained the team during our last three matches and now I have been dropped without even a call or an e-mail,’ he said. He added that if only he (coach Fegidero) has communicated to him and explained the reasons then he would understand. `If he had communicated I would still be upset but I will understand,’ he said. He also said that he could not understand why the coach announced in the press that all players should undergo two months tryout and training in order to make it to the RP team. Chris also added that FIFA allows only two weeks for national team players to excuse themselves from their clubs before they could see action for a certain tournament. `But the current coach announced that the players should train with the team for two months before the tournament’, he added. He added that he is in contract with his current club and he could not just leave them. Aside from playing for Bognor Regis Town, Chris is also working as a consultant in a business firm in Brighton. He has a degree in Business Administration. Despite of the disappointing treatment from the RP team coach, Chris said that we would be very happy to play for the nationals even if he would be called two weeks before the tournament. `I had unforgettable experiences playing for the RP team. I have seen places which I only wished to have seen before. My team mates were great and I am honoured to have played for one of the best managers in South East Asia, Aris Caslib’, he added. Chris added that under Caslib, the RP team became a team to beat in South East Asia. Before the Caslib’s reign the RP team was always the beating boys in the region. `When he came, he recruited us Fil-foreign players and that raised the level of the squad. He also said that he was always in contact with coach Aris before he was elbowed by the new PFF administration in favour of Norman Fegidero. Chris said that he just wants football loving Filipinos to know that he is not un-patriotic. He wants to play for the nationals but the management behind the current squad seems does not want him. Chris mother Carolina Barbon was born in Davao but grew up in Manila. The Borbon family however are from Bohol. Another controversy The new Philippine Football Federation (PFF) administration has been trying to wake-up football in our basketball crazy country since they started their reign in January. Their main concern when they started was to build a strong national team for their first big time project, the hosting of the AFC Challenge Cup elimination. But this administration started in a wrong foot when Negros refused to host the tournament (see my previous column). I do not have Fegidero’s number so obviously, I do not know his side on Chris Greatwich complaint. Poor man his team has not played a single game but controversy is already hounding the squad. But the PFF has actually invited controversy by getting rid of Caslib and appointing Fegidero. How serious is the PFF in improving the national team in the first place? After his appointment, Fegidero announced that he is just good for one tournament. After the Challenge Cup, he said that he will go back to Bacolod to coach West Negros University. Why appoint a manager who is not willing to commit to the national team’s cause. Norman Fegidero is considered a hero in our tiny football community in the Philippines after his heroics in the South East Asian Games in Manila in 1991. He has massive experience with the national squad as a player but he has never coached a team in an international tournament. If you look at his line-up, although it is not yet final, the squad has lots of college players. Some college players from his University team. Where are the Fil-foreigners? Remember we are hosting the tournament. How can college players pit against the national squads from Tajikistan, Bhutan and Brunei Darussalam. Of course Bhutan and Brunei are football minnows just like us. However, do not expect them to send college students. They are expected to send their full senior squads. But what about the central Asian Republic of Tajikistan? Tajikistan used to be a member of the USSR. Didn’t the Soviets used to rule the sporting world before the Iron Curtain came down in 1992? And do not forget, Tajikistan won the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup beating Sri Lanka in 2006 in the final. Me and my wife will have our second honeymoon in Hong Kong late April and then we will proceed to RP to visit our relatives. We are planning to squeeze in our schedule, the Challenge Cup. But with this current development, I am having a second thought. The RP squad can however test their mits if they want to and if the PFF has the budget. There is a big tournament in Cebu from late April to early May. Queen city Football Club is organizing the Cebu’s Inter-Club Invitational Football championships. Top teams from all over the country and the Armed Forces have been invited to join this tournament. Why not call the organizers to try the national squad before the real thing in Iloilo. If the national team makes a good performance, I might change my mind and cheer for the Azkals. GOD BLESS Email the author
Argyle
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| N.Fegidero is favoring his fellow Negrense that's why he cast out one of the uprising star of the Phil Football...I knew Chris Greatwich and seen him playing here in England...if that's his rule in coaching,his team will never succeed in a big tournament...We need Fil-foreigners in our team...and that's a fact...he must consider that Chris is playing here in England,and under contract with his club...it's not easy for him to go home in just a one snap of his fingers...hopin' that Norman F. will notice this mistake that he made! |
Dominique
said:
| Guys! lets just all come out on May and cheer for the Askalz! prepare all your blues and well rock Philippines! One BIG fight azkals! |
juliano
said:
| I respect your comment on my post, We just hope the present coach knows what he is doing. We are all hoping for the best of the teams performance, no matter who is in it right? |
juliano
said:
| Locotes, do you know what you're talking about? after last year's ASEAN tournament in Bangkok, the national team was disbanded.that means we didn't have any national team for the past year. thats why try-outs were needed so we could have the best possible team. and coach fegidero invited the players you mentioned. i think the old players also need to prove themselves, especially with new talents coming in. Chippy? he got outplayed by Arnie Pasinabo in the negros open. still, i think chippy is the best left sided winger we have. as for Aly? norman fegidero scored against him twice in the negros open in 2006.but of course, aly is still the best defender we have and has vast international experience. and although they lost, fegidero made his point: he still is one of the most dangerous strikers around.and the fact that he hasn't played competitively for quite some until that time showed his work ethic of getting back into shape. fegidero will take that work ethic into the rp team. my point is it is rare for a player to play at a high level all the time. so how do we compensate for this? by preparing early. make cohesion and conditioning a priority. do you actually think that we had the best national team ever in bacolod with the fil-foreigners around during the ASEAN qualifiers? i think we did but the team could have done better. we wasted one game against Laos, which was winnable.we were left asking what could have happened if Phil Younghusband and Chris Greatwich trained with the team earlier? but i know the circumstances wouldn't allow it. let us give fegidero a chance to prove himself, too. he is not forming a varsity team, i tell you. in the 2002 national open, he also held tryouts for the negros team.his training was so demanding that some of the better players quit the team halfway.in the end, he didnt have the most talented team then but he formed probably the most well-conditioned team in the tournament and they won the title with a late second-half goal. opinions should always be backed up by facts and i hope this will do. |
Reddevil
said:
| I am pretty sure Norman will clear up a lot of things and I am eager to hear his side. I think we are going to see a lot of the PFF's problems which are all rooted in financial difficulties. Salaries and allowances for the Coaching Staff and Players is one big problem as mentioned by our readers here. For example, I know Anto Gonzales and he is the type who wont pass up an opportunity to play for the country. If you ever played for any coach worth his salt, especially someone like Bob Salvacion, it will be engrained in your mind that playing for the RP team is what you aspire for. I can only sympathize with his dilemma with his job. I can see that rather than pass up the opportunity to be involved in a tournament like the AFC Challenge Cup this May, the exposure for the Philippines and our players were probably the main reasons for commiting despite the time constraints. The PFF will be heavily criticised again if they do not compete since the team was not represented in the SEA games. However, they pay the price because the lack of time to prepare led to all these problems with the coordination in holding the tournament in Negros, the hiring of the new coach, informing the foreign based players and getting their commitment, etc. All of these issues we are talking about here is because of the circumstances of the PFF. I dont think they can do much about it with so little funds to work with. What will hurt is if we find out that funds have been mismanaged. Now that will suck to high heavens. Knowing what I know now, I have an idea where Coach Norman is coming from, even without his explanation. I dont think he could have done a better job especially with the Fil foreigners. He is not blind to the fact that these guys can play but it causes a lot of problems if they cant commit to the end of the tournament. I think the debate about Chris Greatwich lies in the issue of team chemistry. Have him come one week early, play one week and leave before the conclusion of the games. How will that effect the team in terms of tactics and morale? At its best its a patch up job and you need to make a decision which I think Coach Norman did. He will just train the team as best as he can to help them prepare for those wars this May. Thats the only thing he can do. Its a situation, not even the most experienced manager can change. I think we can all move on and just give the support to our National Team and hopefully Coach Norman can give them the edge. If we cant put the best team on the field, there is no one better than Coach Norman to instill in them the heart and determination needed at this level. |
jackbiantan
said:
| Readers, I had a long chat with coach Norman a while ago and he cleared lots of things. Just me a little time to write about it. ABANGAN NYO NA LANG |
MikeH
said:
| locotes, i dont think the tournament is on the FIFA calendar, and therefore he doesnt need to follow the 2 week rule. As far as i know, the Philippines have always conducted long try outs and training camps. Before the SEAgames on homefield, the team had a long preparation time, from June or July. The team needs to prepare coz the other nations will also be well prepared, the other nations have national leagues, which the Philippines dont have. But i get your point. Chris is outstanding and profiled player for the RP team. He and coach Norman have their reasons though. Other good players arent invited either or arent available, and they all have their reasons for it. |
locotes
said:
| I know Fegidero is a football veteran, but the way he handles and decides for the azkals shows he is still a greenhorn. Does he know that FIFA only allows players to leave their teams for 2 weeks for National duties? Fegidero needs players to commit more than two weeks, thats impossible for players that are currently employed by clubs, for his college player its ok. FYI coach Fegidero, a National coach doesnt have the luxury or convinience to conduct try-out every time there is a national duties specially for old mainstay players. You should be familiar with old players before accepting the job. Try-outs are for those who has not recieve a CAP or never played for the National team. If we conduct tryouts every tournament, its like starting from scratch everyday. You should give a slot for the mainstays(Chippy,Phil,Chris,Ali etc..)which performed well before and conduct tryouts for the promising talents. We are not building a Varsity team right here,we are recalling players for the team. THIS IS A FOOTBALL NATIONAL TEAM coach, not a varsity team. Gosh you frustrate me. I hope you read the forum so you would get an idea. |
juliano
said:
| I just got off the phone with coach Fegidero and informed him about whats going on in our forum. Jack, he is expecting your call. I finally got to clear some things up on Chris Greatwich. Again, Fegidero said Chris Greatwich was one of his two preferred Fil-foreigners, the other being Phil Younghusband. It was the PFF which emailed Chris and he said he will only be available for one week before the tournament and then for one week during the tournament. So it is clear now that the PFF is contacting fil-foreigners, not Fegidero. Because of this, I suspect that the PFF wasn't able to inform Chris about Fegidero's stand on things.Fegidero said he was only allowed to pick 4 fil-foreigners on the team by the PFF. I don't know why. The coach's stand is clear: he wants commitment. Of course, he isn't ignorant of Chris' talent. But as a coach, he also wants the best preparation for the team. Football is a team sport right? So unless, Chris commits for at least two weeks before the tournament, he cant make the team. For local players, Don't you find it unfair that you train hard for 7 weeks with the team, while some guys come in just a few days before the tournament and still make the cut? You entertain some problems on team chemistry and morale, which is not good just a few days before the tournament. As for Anto Gonzales and Japeth Sablon, they are now working and cannot commit for seven weeks on camp. You see, the PFF cannot offer these players something that would force them to take a leave from their jobs. They'd rather make a living than playing football for the country. It's not unpatriotic, because in the end, it boils down to economics: food on the table. And I think thats the reality in Philippine football.For as long as the PFF or any entity doesn't have "enough" to fully-support our teams, this will always be a problem. |
Reddevil
said:
| I agree with Mike H. Juliano has cleared a lot of things up. Of course, the best would be a comment by Norman. Further, i have no doubt the footballers mentioned are among the best in the country today. Any training and exposure they will get with the Philippine team will all add up for a better set up. At the end of the day, the PFF is not moving quickly enough. How can you change your coach if you havent got his financial terms sorted out and a major tournament in a few months? How can you expect him to move around the country and look at the players? I cant imagine we have to rely on the AFC and the PSC for funds for the Coach. I wouldnt be surprised if Norman doesnt stay for a long time considering how this is going. With this new info, I think its unfair to put Norman in this situation to prepare for a major tournament given so little time. Maybe the best thing would have been to keep Caslib. In retrospect, Caslib had the same problems when he was in charge. It came to a point where he had asked various clubs to chip in for national player's food and transportation needs. On the issue with Chris Greatwich, It seems there are mixed signals coming from the player as Jack had talked to him and what the PFF told Norman. Thats why its best that Norman contact the players themselves. Get it straight from the horse's mouth. If the PFF is not talking to the players like they are suppose to, it will definitely have a serious impact on our chances in May. They need to have smooth communication channels so that there wont be misunderstandings. |
Dominique
said:
| whoah...! seems like evrybody is logged in 24/7 here huh... to juliano, thanks fro sharing. i agree with mikeH. the players chosen form bacold/negros base are yes, competent to be in the RP squad... we all know that they are the finest collegiate students here in the country. and it is not that we dont believ in them of course we do. but the thing that is really itchingly talked and pulled out here is 1. the absence of the seasoned and veteran players (at least the good ones) in the squad who represented the country in past intentional tournament. i think the right combination for a player to have is both competence (skills, talents, good, team player, attitude, even the awards) and competitiveness (experiences, exposure, measures up to the opponents) in this such big event... 2. and the so unbecoming omission of duties of the people in the posts to at least tell and/or communicate with the Fil-halfs players the reasons why they were not invited or why they wont be accommodated (and the like) if they will choose to be in the squad practices only a week or two before the event... formality sake lang kumbaga... this was the only thing mentioned by Chris G. right? P.S. Kawawa naman pala si Fegidero, wala ng sweldo, pinupukol pa ng intriga dahil sa kabalbalan ng PFF... : ) Only God knows... truly. |
jonny
said:
| Fegidero told Sun Star Bacolod on March 11 this about Chris Greatwich : Fegidero said he decided not to get Fil-British Chris Greatwich "because he can't commit to come earlier and stay longer than about a month." |
MikeH
said:
| Juliano, forgot something. Where are players like Zerrudo, Andres Gonzales and Sablon? They did a very good job last time. Arent they available for the team? |
jackbiantan
said:
| Juliano, Good points there. At least now I have Norman's number. Thank you for the infos. I will try to contact Norman tomorrow morning (UK time-afternoon in RP). God Bless |
MikeH
said:
| Juliano, good points you got there. I dont think anyone doubts the talents of the players that coach Norman have selected. Most people are questioning the abscence of the fil-foreigners. The team has a lot of talent, but some may lack of experience. That can be fall of the team. I hope they will win their games, but as far as winning the Challenge Cup? I dont think that will happen without the best players, and even if the best players tagged along, they would still have a very hard time winning the Challenge Cup. But thanks for your opinion, it clears up some of the questions, at least for me it does. |
juliano
said:
| I would also like to mention that University of St. La Salle?s Arnie Pasinabo and Floriano Pasilan are also good additions to the pool. Of course, Pasinabo is one of the best right wingers/strikers in the country. He showed this during the men?s open in 2006 where he was named MVP. He has good feet, scored many crucial goals there in Iloilo and I agree that he should be in the pool, just like before. He played in the SEA Games and actually did well coming on in as a halftime substitute against Myanmar in the ASEAN Cup in Bangkok. Pasilan is one of the quickest players around. He is a former MVP in the negros provincial open in 2007, which was spiced by a number of Manila reinforcements. In short, he wasn?t just up against players from here but players from Manila as well. He is short for a striker but his pace could cause some problems for opposing teams. Our national keeper, Michael Casas is currently in La Salle complying with residency requirements so he could play next year in school-based events and I doubt if he would be joining camp. But Fegidero mentioned that he is also interested in taking him in. My point is the players Fegidero picked from Negros Occidental?s schools --- West Negros and St. La Salle --- are the best in the current crop of players in the province and I hope they do well to make it to the team and eventually help us win the Challenge Cup. |
juliano
said:
| *It is best that we let Mr. Fegidero explain his decision not to sign a long-term coaching contract. His number? 639176006804. I don?t want to go into details but isn?t the botched Challenge Cup staging here in Bacolod a reflection on how everything is turning up for Philippine football in general. As much as I want to share with everyone all my off-the-record conversations with Mr. Fegidero, I feel it is improper because I also don?t want to ruin his trust. As far as I know, since he took over the coaching chores he has not received any money from the PFF. WNC is even paying for plane tickets to Manila. His allowance, he says, will come from the AFC ? which has some sort of grant for national coaches --- and PSC. The PFF is currently processing this. *The guy has a job at West Negros, where he is a regular employee and knowing him, security of tenure is very important. * The last time I talked to coach Fegidero was March 9. He knows what his team needs, a good left full-back and a midfielder who can take charge, among others. That?s why he is amenable to having Phil Younghusband join camp on the last week of April, despite his declaration that players should join camp starting march 24 in Iloilo. As for James Younghusband, Fegidero said he is in Manila for a series of modeling stints. Coach Fegidero wants total commitment and doesn?t want work to get in the way of James? training with the team. * But this is clear to me: Fegidero WANTS Chris Greatwich. I just deemed it fit that this question should be answered first, before we make sweeping conclusions. You can ask Juan Cutillas, Jojo Rodriguez of PFF or any member of the coaching staff if Fegidero did not mention Greatwich to them when he was asked who are the players he wanted for our team. Fegidero said it is the PFF?s responsibility to contact the players and he has been told that Chris? schedule is too tight. Chris will be coming over about a week before the match then needs to come back immediately, even before the games are over because of work, he told me. I will verify this tomorrow to give everyone the information everyone needs need. * As for Henry Brauner, he doesn?t have a sure-spot on the team yet and Fegidero is more than willing to give him a trial. Anton Del Rosario, through Aly Borromeo, was able to talk to Fegidero and he will also be joining camp. He is still recuperating from an injury. * As for Fegidero?s players in West Negros making the team, I believe they are also not yet sure of getting spots in the team. All I know some of them are good enough. Fegidero told me Joven Bedic, an 18-year-old striker, was scoring at will in scrimmages during camp in Manila. As a 15-year-old, Bedic, who stands about 5-8, of Barotac Nuevo was the best striker of the National U-19 tournament in 2005. Bedic, of course, doesn?t have any international experience and this will come into play when Fegidero makes his decision Has anyone seen Robert Caņedo, Lemuel Unabia and Joel Ballo-Allo play? In my opinion, Caņedo is one of the best collegiate players in the country. In the last national open last year, he scored about 6 goals for Negros. He is creative, which our national team lacks, and is a threat from long-range. He has good goalscoring instincts, rescuing West Negros from embarrassment when he sneaked into the far post to score the equalizer against De La Salle in the Unigames. He has scored many of the best goals at Panaad. Isn?t that proof of his pedigree? At 6-2, Unabia was able to show his worth in last year?s Negros provincial men?s open, where he went up against the El-Habbib brothers, Aly Borromeo, Ruben Doctora, among others. When he started, WNC held La Salle scoreless until Joshua Fegidero was called for handball in the 97th minute. Borromeo made the spot kick, of course. Ballo-Allo?s deficiency is ceiling. He is a very short defender for international play. Fegidero went as far as telling me that Ballo-Allo?s play is deteriorating and he needs to do a lot of work just to make the cut. Ballo-Allo?s most notable accomplishment was the best defender award in the 2006 National Men?s Open in Iloilo, where Negros won the title. |
Dominique
said:
| Funny nag noh, they put up a sign at the PFF website calling Fili-halfs football players to join the squad... then unbecoming things happen. sad! here's one more thing... si Phil Younghusband pa ang naka display sa site... hehehe |
Reddevil
said:
| I really sympathize with Chris. Ive seen him play and he can improve the team and what is more important you can see how he has love for the Philippines and its people. The guy has international experience which should be a major factor in how you set the team up. While I have the uptmost respect for Norman, even at his old age we are all a bit star struck when he suits up to play some 7 a side games, I have to bring up his intention to only stay as National Coach for this tournament. If this is true, then the PFF has made a huge mistake. Caslib has been the national coach for a long time and has given the Philippines a lot of self respect in this part of the woods. A lot of his work through the years will go to waste when the PFF hires a Coach who wants to start from scratch andd who will only stay for a few months. Why do this? Why appoint someone without a long term commitment and disrupt whatever gains we have painstaikingly made over time? Arent they concerned that with such a set up, we may actually lose ground? I can understand Norman does not want to rely too much on Fil-Brits and raise the level of our local players (then they should take off that message on their website encouraging fil-foreigners to join the national team, since obviously its just propaganda that they wont implement). He wants to stamp his own style and I rspect that. But Chris captained the side and a national player deserves some respect in terms of communication. Coaching at this level is not just about training your players and motivating them. You need to have people skills and this shows where Norman is still inexperienced. He should have talked to all of them to explain the team policy, even if it hurts. I just hope he hasntburned his bridges with these Fil-Brits. Caslib is both a technically proven coach as well as a great motivator. He never looses his cool and never talks down a player but everyone respects him for that. Marlon and Caslib are the only Coaches with the AFC A licences. I wonder what the PFF had in mind by replacing him? Is this politics? I hate to start something here with Martinez hardly warming his seat, but hiring Caslib was one of the few bright decisions the previous PFF President did. I think if they wanted to replace him, at least hire someone who is committed to the long term goals and who can respect good work done by the previous coach and continue in the same direction. I dont think anyone who knows Philippine football will disagree Aris did a good job. I think this is a very public job, so Norman should state his side one way or the other, even if he just wants to say, "Shut up and just watch me". I admit, he is not under as much pressure as Capello but he is still accountable to the public and not only the PFF. To Chris, hang in there man. Its not the end of your international career and just continue to keep fit and play your best. Try to get some video coverage of your games and send it to the PFF, even if it is unsolicited. They should see what they are missing. You have a lot of support here and I hope you keep that in mind. |
MikeH
said:
| Jonny, i dont think this is the issue. If thats their policy regarding the Challenge Cup, then why is Phil, Henry and Anton invited? This year the Cup is held at a later date than last time, and more players available, even if the league in England isnt done, Chris couldve made himself available. I think there is more to this than non fil-foreigners policy. And only way to find out is if Jack manages to get hold of Norman or someone in the PFF. I dont think he can say that he will say that he wants to see if the local boys are up to it, coz this will be the only tournament he will coach. Anyway, i will still support the team. But its clear that the RP team wont have their best squad, unless he decides to surprise us a couple of weeks before the tournament. |
jackbiantan
said:
| Johnny, Thanks for the info. Do you know how to contact Norman Fegidero? I want to get his side? |
jonny
said:
| Philippines played in Asian Challenge Cup in 2006 in Bangladesh with only one fil-foreigner , Leigh Gunn. Maybe it is PFF policy to play mainly with homebased players in Challenge Cup ? Anyway PFF should tell the regular fil-foreigners like Chris Greatwich why they are not wanted in May. We dont know the complete team for the training camp, 8 names are missing. I guess they are mainly Manila based players. The team will be reduced from 26 to 18 when they play in Challenge Cup and I expect some of the younger players to not make it. Hopefully coach Fegidero will find some new talent for the NT. Some were asking for schedule . Schedule can be found on PFF website and pinoysoccer forum. First match is against Brunei on May 13 |
Kiddo
said:
| While it is great that these college kids get a crack at the national team, wouldn't they be better off in joining 20 & under or 22 and under international tourneys first before joining the Senior team? Scary stuff if ask me. while the intentions are good but hey you don't see nations fielding college teams to say world cup qualifiers now right? I'm seeing the things that happened during the 90's happen again... Sad...so sad. |
sugbo
said:
| i'm sure mr. fegidero want's to win ACC reason why he needs to have two months commitment coming from his squad. since this is how he plans to win we might wanna respect that as well. coaching is not rocket science but you have to have a good sense of logic to figure out necessary things, essentials that will help in situations that calls for such degree of speculation and thinking. experience is one good way of developing this skill which mr. fegidero, is lack of and PFF as well. PFF has the mandate but does not have the wisdom and honest forward thinking when it comes to Philippine football development and management. why? we would not have these forum if it were not for PFF's blunders. if i want to win ACC my primary objective is to look for players who can help me do it. i will listen to suggesetions on where to find such players and review past players who have been significant in such endeavor i will be welcome to change to achieve my goal. if i need to change my college players finding out that there are better players coming in two weeks before the said tourney i'd be more than happy. it will be a good chance for my college players to learn and raise thier skill level. plus ASKALS will have a better opportunity comes ACC time. at the end of the day i am not Fegidero, and i am dying to hear from him to keep us in the light. |
Dominique
said:
| Part 1 And again a new story to talk about... Well for some reasons while reading this newly uploaded article I was feeling a lot. I dont know if I should be really really angry/ dismayed or keep mum about whats happening in football here in the Philippines. First- there is the venue issue. Second- the new coach. Third- the line-up. Oh my God! Only God really knows what will happen to Philippine football after all of these. I have found some forums here in the internet that talk about the new line up of the RP team for the Asian Challenge Cup and it really generated a lot of opinions from the readers. True--- there are a lot of newbie in the squad --- thats pretty surprising! But what is more surprising is that there are more players that we?re expecting to be in that were not listed? not even James Younghusband. Chris and Philip Greatwich. Chad Gould. And I even doubt if Anton del Rosario was in and others? SEA games and ASEAN CUP veterans. |
Dominique
said:
| Part 2 While the newbie in the team is a positive sign that: 1.Yes football is gaining exposure and momentum in the country signified by a number of ?new players? joining the training camp to be qualified in the national pool if they pass the tests (this may indicated that the coaching staff will have the luxury of being able to choose the ?cream of the crop? of the footballers active in the country may it be in the collegiate level or otherwise?) 2.This means that there will be young bloods in the squad (means more vitality and assures continuation of roster if ever the present composition of players become over aged or retiring) 3.The younger the players are- the earlier they are included in the training program- the more exposed they become- the more learning the riper they will be if ever they will be sent to represent the country. (Long stay in the squad = longer training = better performance) 4.This will I think supports the PFF thought of having a longer time for the team to be acquainted with each other- gelling well-knowing the style of playing of each other- familiarity? etc. (Friendship kumbaga). |
Dominique
said:
| Part 3 What about not including the players who matters most. I mean I do not underestimate our homegrown talents here. I still have faith in them. But hey isnt this Asian Cup Qualifier our ticket into a bigger horizon of football here in Asia? And yes there are a lot of players freshly baked from the ovens of collegiate football. Again, I do not underestimate the guys but please- kaya nga tinawag to na Asian Cup kasi ASIA-hindi UAAP o UNIVERSITY GAMES or NOPSCEA dito sa Bacolod. Ano to liga ng mga barangay!? (Thats why this is called the Asian CUP because its on a continental level [Asia] not just UAAP, UNIVERSITY GAMES or NOPSCEA |
Dominique
said:
| Part 4 So why are we risking the chance? Yes the squad may pull out a great surprise out but remember- it is only American Idol that can pull a superstar overnight The team may have the basic essentials- Training-check Time frame-check (Uhmmm. That is pretty the reason why Mr Figedero wants everybody to be in the squad 2 months) Talent ? check Exposure ? I doubt Maturity ? I doubt If the reason why these players were not in the team is that time factor -the team managers now must make sure they can pull out a player (within his one month training) as equally talented and skilled and good and equipped as what we will miss in Chris Greatwich or in Philip Greatwich. They should better be sure. Siguraduhin nila kayang punan at pantayan ng mga bago ang mawawala. |
Dominique
said:
| Part 5 I hope the coaching staff realized that it was Philip Greatwich who made the winning shot against Cambodia in SEA Games which gave the Philippine theire first ever win in like a decade? And I suppose they know that Chris Greatwich also scored against Timor Leste in the ASEAN Cup last 2006 So if for some important reasons they will not be able to comply with the team?s rule of being in the squad for a month_ should it be really an issue? Why not make exceptions? Even Newton?s 3 Law of Motion have exceptions. The appointment of a new coach is something that way beyond our hold.It is not our discretion and privilege? we are only spectators, right.But the question is:?Why have they continued on appointing Mr. Fegidero if first and foremost there is a clause that he shall be in the coach only for this Asian Cup Qualifier?? (Am I correct?) Let us say they qualify for the next round- who will then take charge? |
Dominique
said:
| Part 6 That?s one of the problems that we Filipinos have? we just settle for a short-term goal, not long term? Then if the next coach arrives, the team will gain adjust to the new style? etc. But still I have faith in Mr. Fegidero. I know he has something in mind to be able to carve a niche in the history of football here in the country. He did well as a player; he will do his best to be a good coach. Sir Fegidero, if you are reading? You are from Bacolod, and we have this saying in MassKara, ?sige lang sige lang bato kita? You can do it. Please if you wish, air out your side? So, with all this turn of events, I do not know what might come next. And it makes me anxious and excited. |
Dominique
said:
| Part 7 It is good to read the complaints of Chris Greatwich. How he was not informed and how the complication rooted. I know that late 2007, the players were sent invites to the upcoming Asian Challenge Cup? that?s why I don?t understand why they fail to further inform the players or to explain things to them. It is so unbecoming? (Like duh? May $.50 a minute po sa Globe? and 20.00 pesos an hour lang po ang internet? ganun na ba kahirap ang PFF/Pinas ngayon? Hay naku, heto dito kayo sa bahay mag chat or mag e-mail kay Chris. Free lang! Unlimited SmartBro to! Hahahaha! E ako pa nga siguro nag sabi kay Chris na wala siya sa line-up ah!? Madaldal!) Communication! This was also the reason why NOFA didn?t allow the hosting of Panaad right? Improper and lack of communication right? Poor ?communication? an alibi and scapegoat to our discrepancies. |
Dominique
said:
| Part 8 To Mr. Chris Greatwich, Of course, patriotism is not an issue here. By just trying out, submitting to the team trainings just like the others, playing for the country in the last to international events, wearing the national colors and just by telling the world you are a Filipino? is more than enough to prove you are a patriotic. Nowadays, heroes are not just seen in peso bills? they are also seen in the football fields? we?ll be waiting for you?re arrival. I am not threatened of Bhutan and Brunei? what I want to see Philippines play is Tajikistan? I hope college players can beat the defending champs! Hahahahaha I am also having second thoughts in watching the game in Iloilo. Though I am mobilizing all resources for me to be able to watch all the games, I can?t even have a schedule (not yet available) and the information for the tickets? so? Ano na? But I have to watch it. Come dragons or lightning? or else I wouldn?t be able to share something here, right? |
beck
said:
| sir, pls. raise the issue of chris greatwich to the concerned authority. this new coach of the rp team (fegidero), again is deploying a very ill-traditional practice of philippine football, which is the biase method of selecting the players evidently favorable to his players at his college team. again, kung papairalin na naman ang crab mentality kahit sa laro, malamang pupulutin na naman ang team phils. nyan sa kangkungan. ika nga sa bisaya " kaluoy gud ning bata-a" meaning "kaawa-awa namang mga bata"!!! i hate to see that we have alot of talents, especially reinforcements coming from other parts of the world, then still we are relying on small-time dork and trying hard jerks. how sa that we are not maximizing or better say we are mis appropriating the funds provided by FIFA... |
MikeH
said:
| Finally one of the players speaks out! Chris have some good points when it comes to FIFA and practicing for 2 weeks, but since the tournament isnt on the FIFA calender, then coach Norman can set his own rules. I agree with coach Norman that fil-foreigners shouldnt just come two weeks before and expect to be in the starting eleven, but in some cases exceptions can be made. Chris is, as i see it, one important player for the RP team. Leting him play will improve the team and midfield. He has experience from previous tournaments and he has experience playing at a higher level compared to some of the guys who are in the training squad. Why cant coach Norman make a couple of exceptions? The RP team needs the fil-foreigners, but who knows. Maybe coach Norman and the team will put up a good tournament and produce a couple of surprises. Only time will tell. As for the coaches announcement that he is only good for one tournament, then why did the PFF hire him in the first place? Wasnt Aris Caslib interested or are there other issues we dont know about? |
