Football Fascination

I vividly remember the days in college when I was taught a little bit of the sport and how it is played- even got to pass and play a real ball on the pitch a few times. I used to own a stuffed football which stayed in my room until the time when I played with it with friends. At one time, somebody (I do not intend on naming names here), offered to give it a wash after our pass-and-throw game, sine then I did not see that stuffed foozeball as we used to call it.

I thought that was the end of the love for football. But I guess I was wrong.

Years has gone past and never did I see or watch football matches- whether live or on TV- up until now.

Since the start of the year, I had gone on working at home and kind of having the liberty of my time. Although I know I am not getting as much as I would if I had a regular job, I am liking what I have been doing so far. Part of this is having more TV time than I know I should. Plus, I get all the distractions that I could. This is where football addiction comes in.

Since I am at home most of the time, I realized that I have watched too many football games in the past weeks. I guess it all started when I saw the friendly match between the men's Philippine Football team, otherwise know as the Philippine Azkals, and the Malaysian Tigers.

I had my eyes focused on the Philippine goalkeeper, Neil Etheridge, and how good he really was in defending the goal. He'd fly and dive just to protect the goal from the ball. Then, I started noticing how much the team had improved so well from their last matches. They've worked so hard from the trainings they got in Dubai. Oh, and that match ended up with a 1-1 draw.

Since then, I was on the look out for their game schedules, especially that the week after the match was the start of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in Nepal. I knew I had to watch each game and cheer for them, even when I am just in the comforts of my own home and I had no one with me.

I was right in front of the TV set during the matches between North Korea, India and Tajikistan. I saw how hard they've played it out to against previous champs. I figured it wasn't just about Phil Younghusband or Angel Guirado, although they were the ones who made goals, but it was more of playing as a team and having the heart to represent the country.

I was furious that I had to be some place else during the game versus Turkmenistan for the semis. I didn't even get to see the game replay. I wanted to know how and why Neil Etheridge got his red card, Which was in itself, already bad news. Although they did not make it to the finals, my hopes were still high for the third place and I knew I had to see them play against Pakistan for the place at bronze.

I also realized that yellow cards and red cards is unavoidable sometimes, especially on a heated match, but all those that the coach placed as replacements of the suspended players stepped up to their and gave it all they've got.

For winning the bronze medal and Phil Younghusband being awarded the golden boot trophy, it truly was a great feeling of Pinoy Pride. It just has to end with well deserved cartwheels and happy victory dances.

Now back in the Philippines, my football fascination doesn't just end with AFC as I have just  found a TV channel which airs some of the best football matches to watch in the United Football League or the UFL.

I have been watching a lot of football matches on TV, I do hope I'd get to see a live football match soon.

We all have our preference on what sport to support. Filipinos are, more than usual, lovers of basketball but we can still give that kind of support to our Philippine football. I heard once in an interview that we are closer to the ground than we are to the hoops. A little bit of support to the sport of Philippine football will go a long way.

My football fan mode continue on to twitter and facebook as I have followed some of our Philippine Azkals and the UFLPhilppines account. I have got to be in the know for game schedules and news.

One more thing, the UFL and the Philippine football supports the 'say no to racism' campaign, which I think is totally cool.

#Azkals #UFLPhilippines #PinoyPride

mtniere