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14/01/11
Jump on the bandwagon; there is plenty of room…
Soccer in the Philippines is an up and coming sport, thanks mostly to the National team the Azkals amazing performance at the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup where they beat the defending champions Vietnam 2-0 to qualify for semi-finals.
But it is also greatly thanks to the diligent and impressive coverage of the sport by my Philippine Daily Inquirer Sports mentor, Cedelf Tupas (follow him on twitter @cedelfpt). He has been following and reporting on the team for years and have trailed them all over the world to file stories at midnight when no one else really cared, creating life long sources and friendships along the way.
Just like in Australia, jumping on the bandwagon seems to be common practice. With the success in Vietnam came media attention from all the other papers and soon all of the Philippines began to take notice of the team. Giving Cedelf somewhat of an expert status when it cames to HIS team the Azkals.
Starting the new season just last week I went along to a training session with Cedelf, to watch and conduct interviews. The players of mixed Filipino race trained for two-hours, working on fitness for the looming tryouts and in preparation of the arrival of new German Coach, Michael Weiss.
I watched as the ever popular, Younghusband brothers joked and took photos with fans. I spoke at length with the captain, Aly Borromeo who was very friendly and professional and even had a chat with the manager, Dan Palami about his thoughts on the new coach.
HOWEVER not wanting to sound like a gossip column, 'Guess who, don't sue.' I was unfortunate enough to do an interview with one young Filipino-English mid-fielder, out of professionalism I want mention his name, who was already too big for his overly large soccer boots.
After nodding his head once to accept an interview, the 18-year-old went on to give me one-word answers, though he did have one point he wanted to stress, "I am not here to trial. If they want me they will know it. I DON'T trial."
I guess it really doesn't matter where you are in the world, even a third world country, there are always complete and utter, well you know…
Two days later my story appeared in the Sunday paper with my FIRST individual by line :)
(And yes I realise the photo that accompanies the story about Soccer is of the PBA Basketball lol-I had no other photos when I posted this)
From Manila lots of love,
Stace
xxx
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