Football Medals in SEAG? Preposterous!

by Mike Limpag
I ONCE announced in an online forum that I’d run as naked as the day I was born if the Philippines made the semifinals of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
I admit, it was one of those if-you-want-the-moon-then-aim-for-the-stars kind of move.

I also admit it was one of those dares I was so looking forward to finding an excuse not to do.
But on the night the Philippines crashed out, losing to Malaysia, 4-2—in a match the team led, 2-1, I was disappointed.
No, not because I lost the chance to do my dare. What I said was so far from my mind that night.
What I was thinking was those 15 minutes when the Philippines was ahead, 2-1, and a semifinal appearance—seemingly impossible only a week before—was right there for the taking.
If only…
But curiously Vince Santos, the then team manager, was giddy.
We just crashed out and this guy was optimistic?

Greatwich heads SEA Games aspirants

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA—The Philippines is leaving no stone unturned in its preparations for the Southeast Asian Games as it bids to land a first medal in the men’s football competition slated in the Indonesian cities of Palembang and Jakarta.
With five months to go before the Games, the Under-23 squad began training yesterday at the PhilSports pitch with 20 aspirants showing up led by veteran international Simon Greatwich as well as former national team players Yannick Tuason, Mark Ferrer, Chris Camcam, David Basa, Jerry Barbaso and the returning Matthew Hartmann.
In the runup to the biennial competition, the Under-23 squad will also see action in a five-nation pre-SEA Games tournament next month in Jakarta.
Aside from the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia are also fielding teams in the tournament, according to Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.
The team is awaiting the arrival of veteran German coach Erich Rutemoller, who will serve as team consultant as Azkals coach Michael Weiss focuses on the senior squad now training in Germany for its
World Cup qualifying match against Sri Lanka.

SEA Games football in Manila?

by Francis Santiago

MANILA, Philippines — There’s a possibility that the Philippines may end up hosting the football tournament of the 26th Southeast Asian Games.

Indonesia will host the region’s biennial meet from Nov. 11 to 25 in Palembang and the capital city of Jakarta, but it may not be able to stage the football competition if the International Football Federation will suspend its local federation for its failure to hold a scheduled election last month.

Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Jr. said if the Football Association of Indonesia’s (PSSI) gets suspended, there’s a big possibility that SEAG organizers may opt to open the hosting chores to ASEAN members.