Azkals Suzuki Cup win boost to Phl football

MANILA, Philippines - Azkals coach Thomas Dooley believes a title conquest in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup would pave the way for more Filipinos embracing football and at some point in the future make “the beautiful game” the country’s new favorite.

“It might take a while but I’m pretty sure we will change that,” Dooley said in an article posted on the International Football Federation’s website, Fifa.com, yesterday.

Dooley, a former skipper of the US World Cup team, is tasked to whip the Azkals into shape as they bid for a milestone Suzuki Cup crown this November. Phl has made it as far as the semis of Southeast Asia’s premiere bootfest the last two editions, feats that triggered the Azkals’ meteoric rise in popularity and improved Phl’s standing in the world rankings.

“If we can get people looking up to football, I think that will help the change. (Suzuki Cup success) is very important. And if, for example, we were to win the Suzuki Cup we would go on a promotion tour and let everyone know that the only chance they have is with football. 

“Basketball you need to be at least 6’ 2”, and in the Philippines that is not going to happen. So the kids are getting into football, which is not about the size, it is about skill,” he said.

Taking the helm last February, Dooley steered the Azkals to second place in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup, narrowly missing the diadem and a spot to the 2015 Asian Cup.

“We have changed the way we play, we want to keep possession,” Dooley told Fifa.com. “I told the players that we need to play and keep the ball. I want to ‘play football’, not ‘chase football’. The response that I’m getting from the fans and the media is that there is a big change (this year). I think we are definitely going in the right direction.”

The Azkals have returned to camp at Rizal Memorial this week. They are slated to defend the Philippine Football Peace Cup diadem from Sept. 3-9 against Chinese Taipei, Myanmar and Palestine, their conquerors in the Challenge Cup, as part of their buildup for the Suzuki Cup.