In February of 2011, the Philippine National Football team started their quest to conquer the 2012 Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup.What was once glorious dreams of making it to the actual tournament held this year in Nepal were met with demanding tasks.Tackling Mongolia was first on the agenda to a long uphill climb.
After the two game victory by aggregate, the team found themselves in a tough qualifying group alongside Palestine, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
Following a second place finish in the group qualifying stages, the team was in a spot in the AFC tournament.
With five matches invested in the goal for gold and a ticket to Nepal, the chance to fight for a slot on the podium was one step closer but yet so far.
The big challenge was finally met in Nepal, when the team was placed in what was coined the “group of death” left to battle it out with Tajikistan, India and defending AFC Challenge Cup champions, North Korea.
This long road prior to us landing in Nepal was a very difficult task for a developing team looking to make a name for the country in the world’s sport.
Personal journey
Prior to joining the team, I had an idea of the sacrifices and the hard work devoted to the goal — but nothing would prepare me for what I would learn and experience on such a personal journey.
It still inspires me to learn about the many steps the country has taken in the right direction when it comes to football. Hearing stories and meeting people who have been involved in this process for decades really enhances my appreciation for the efforts of individuals and groups who have dedicated their lives to a sport they believe in.
So, reaching the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup tournament is a true testament to not only the current squad, but to everyone who had paved the way for a new generation of hope.
With a strong gratitude for the past, confidence in ourselves and with a hopeful vision for the future, we embarked on a Nepalese journey that would rewrite the history books for Philippines football.
Prior to landing in Nepal, preparations took us through a tour of Dubai and back, playing Olympic contenders Australia and Uzbekistan.
Though we expected the difficulties presented in this Challenge Cup, we were nonetheless in high spirits and our optimism pushed us forward.
Nepal challenges
Arriving in Nepal felt like landing at our first base camp on our vertical ascent.
Being there days before the competition really gave us an advantage, as it took us time to get acclimated to altitude. Although we knew about the weather report and geographical location in our destination, most were unprepared for the conditions.
The bitter cold that haunted us even in our hotel rooms had to be combated with multiple blankets and electric heat lamps.
The constant power outages and frequent hot water shortages had to be endured with the most humbling acceptance.
The simple accommodations for our first week truly made us appreciate the things in life that aren’t always readily available to others.
It made us more grateful, it made us more hungry and determined to succeed, and most of all it brought us closer together.
The trip felt like a long outdoor adventure with a massive football objective at the top of a tall mountain.
Rewriting history
On our quest to reach the golden peak and a spot on the podium, we first had to conquer the group stages and make it to our next base camp: the playoffs.
Having lost to current champions North Korea 2-0, we knew we still had a chance to reach that next step, if only we could gain results against India and Tajikistan.
Our sights were fixed on breaking through the group stages and our focus remained on tackling one team at a time, first beating India 2-0 followed by a jubilant victory over Tajikistan.
By making it past the group stage and into the next round, we not only found ourselves rewriting the history books of Philippine football, but we discovered that we were the only team to ever start from the pre-qualifications, that made it through the qualifying group stages and succeeded to the playoffs — in contention for a medal.
As our summit to the top opened new opportunities for the team and new heights for the country, we were invigorated with a breath of fresh air and new life in the tournament.
Our focal point transitioned to the semifinals to which we were set to face Turkmenistan. Beating them would have meant we were guaranteed a silver finish if not the gold. Losing would have meant we had to battle it out for the bronze.
For everyone, such calculations came secondary to our drive to win.
The goal going into the tournament was to take each game to the fullest, to fight for the recognition, and to play for the pride of the country, so settling for less was not an option.
Fighting for bronze
Unfortunately, performance showed us a heartbreaking defeat in the last minutes of the Turkmenistan match and we found ourselves with a slightly shorter mountain to climb.
What was a gorgeous gold summit with a silver lining in sight quickly turned into a grueling fight to reach a bronze peak.
Nonetheless, with everything to fight for, we exchanged blows with Palestine for ninety minutes. When the final whistle blew we found ourselves with a successful third place finish beating Palestine 4-3.
We had reached the pinnacle in our journey and finally reached the highest point in our expedition.
Standing at the top of our bronze mountain, I couldn’t help but revisit the road it took to get there.
Our success in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup was much like the goal of climbing Everest as its accomplishments are attributed to the collective contribution and influences of many people, numerous events, various good fortunes, and countless misfortunes.
Dared to dream
Although we ended short of our original goal, we made it farther than most expected. This journey could not have been possible if it weren’t for all the players, staff, administration that came before us who started the voyage decades ago.
Our existence would not be fully appreciated without the recognition of loyal supporters who carried the weight from the very beginning.
Our experience would not be complete without those who opposed the team, only to reinforce it by uniting our will to succeed.
Most of all, none of this would have been possible if it weren’t for those who dared to dream the possibilities.
We are only the lucky few who had the chance to represent the country at this moment in time.
We remain a small piece of the continuing puzzle that is deeply routed in a developing country and I will forever be grateful for such an opportunity driven by the hope, dreams and pride of a growing football nation.
This experience is an example of an underdog’s journey that will forever remind us of the values consistent with small successes and the incredible path that takes us there.
From the base of a tall mountain of oppositions and challenges, I am happy to experience a continual upward climb, so that one day, we may all find ourselves in more established football prominence, never to forget where we started. – Rappler.com
Lexton Moy is a member of the Azkals, the men’s Philippine football team. Please visit SoccerPirrs.com/blog for more from Lexton Moy. Follow him on Twitter @LextonMoy.
After a long trip to Dubai and Qatar with the National Team, we returned to the Philippines to rejoin our clubs efforts in taking on the UFL League. Jason Sabio, Joshua Beloya and myself landed late Friday night with a couple things on our minds. With a 8 hour flight behind us, the main focus was rest and recuperation, but more importantly we had a very crucial Kaya FC match to concentrate on.
In the 2011 UFL Cup, Kaya FC faced Loyala Meralco Sparks in the Cup Semifinals for the first time since the revival of the UFL. With each team riding high on the wave of the football boom in the Philippines and recruiting big named players to the league, both have ramped up for the intense competition. Up until the semifinal rounds, the Loyola-Kaya match-up was one of the most anticipated games, as Loyola boasted Phil and James Younghusband, and Mark and Mathew Hartman. On the other hand, Kaya FC had our own set of National team players including Aly Borromeo, Anton Del Rosario, Jason Sabio, Nate Burkey and myself. Off the field, between the players that match was jokingly coined a “match between the Brit’s and the Americans.”
Just this weekend Kaya FC faced Philippines Navy in our 3rd game of the 2012 season. After our close win over Green Archer’s last weekend, the team was in high spirit. We came ready to hit the bumpy field of the University of Makati, and to display a performance different from the match before. We knew we had just barely escaped a one pt upset with Archers, and we knew that with our performance we were lucky to come out with a 3 point win. Determined to change this, we revamped and regrouped for the Navy match, only to find ourselves in a very similar situation. In both Archers and Navy matches, we played a game only conducive to the field conditions at Umak, and we did a good job creating goal scoring opportunities. Our only problem was finishing those chances when we are in and around the goal. Looking at the stat sheets to see our shots on goal compared to the last 2 teams we played, it is evident that are goal scoring percentages are extremely low. Where as Archer and Navy both capitalized on mere half chances. On paper the teams we have beaten, have higher goal scoring percentages than we do.
Yesterday marked the eve of Chinese New Year. As the day approached, I continued the tradition of cleaning the house and preparing for the New Year. With our Kaya FC vs Green Archers match to focus for, I was in the midst of thinking about family and home, and New Year preparations with the big game in the back of my mind. In many ways, the turn of the new year, really gave me an anchor and allowed me to feel grounded. Thinking about Chinatown, my home, my family and the things I was raised to do during this time of year, really made me feel quite homesick, but at the same it really allowed me to reflect and refocus the task as hand. In many ways, it gave me a chance to be reminded about where I came from and how lucky I am to have all the opportunities I have.
Last night Kaya FC played Air force in the United Football League opening game. With the league ceremony and excitement level sky high prior to kickoff, our team seemed pretty focused and determined to play the defending League and UFL Cup Champions. For me, it was the first time we’ve faced any armed forces team in competition. During the Cup we seemingly missed the opportunity to play a whole handful of teams due to the Cup format, so facing Air force was most certainly a big game for us, let alone having to face them our very first match of the season.
When tragedy strikes, it’s effects reach far beyond it’s immediate surrounds. The spirit of a nation is most closely tied to its effort to support it’s people. On December 16th the Philipines was shook by yet another typhoon this season. Its blow to the country hit far deeper than the Mindinao Region. Its impact effected people across the world and the cries for help were far more evident as the voices within were too moving to ignore. Contributions have been in the works and collaborations with companies, organizations and individuals have collectively contributed to the relief efforts. But much more can be done.
After years of playing with a unique group of Chinese players, my father and his friends had bonded over time and connected themselves to one another through a passion for soccer. This group was formed in a foreign country, in a far away place from home, by ethnicity, culture and love for the game. This brotherhood would soon find its way back to it roots in the years to come, reuniting with a past time through the very sport that brought them together.
After graduating university, I carefully chose to travel to Hong Kong in hopes to play on a football team in the first division. I signed first professional contract with Tai Chung Football Club and played one season in a city my father grew up in. With a dual purpose and a open eye for learning and exploring more than just my football career, I sought out family roots and uncovered more about myself, my heritage and my identity. My dream was to take the sport I loved and use that as a mode for exploration and a means for discovering my past, present and future.
As we entered the stadium for our first match in the 2011 Long Teng Cup against none other than the Hong Kong Representative team, emotions ran high. To play against former teammate, opponents, and friends from my first Hong Kong season meant a rush of excitement and competitiveness. To know that my father had traveled to Taiwan with other Chinese immigrants that reunited with a cultural past and represented a new era in Chinese accomplishment in a new country meant a surge of pride and triumph. To listen to the Philippines National Anthem for the first time in official competition in a loud stadium the echoed proudly, meant I was able to contribute to the identity of my mothers country and attribute my own identity to her unconditional and supportive upbringing.
