The Azkals are for every Juan

by Renee A. Fopalan
At a time when our senses are bombarded by everything Azkals, it may seem easy to forget what they really do. They’re everywhere, endorsing food, shoes, credit cards, mobile phones, and everything else in between. Last Sunday, the Azkals showed us what they are about- what they are really about. Last Sunday, we laid down the foundation towards the road to the World Cup.

Iligan: Azkals Fans Celebrates

Azkals Fans celebrates goal in the qualifying match between Azkals and Sri Lanka last July 3, 2011. Quoted by the maker of the vid, "We love football, we play football, we are encouraging footballers around the country to shoot also while watching the game of azkals, this is our means to show support for the Ph National Football Team, before we only cheers and watch together with our favorite International Clubs and World Cup Teams, but now we are really supporting and cheering for our own country and team! this is not a dream this is football, lets make Philippines a FOOT CRAZE country! Nothing is impossible as always taught we BELIEVE! Go azkals Go!" -Marlyndon B. Roco BSFC Pres." This clip was also featured yesterday in abs-cbn Northern Mindanao. Source

Filipino Football Fever on the spotlight

Manila, JUNE 13 (Sugod.com) – All around the world today, football premier leagues are on a break after crowning their respective champions.
Philippines’ LBC United Football League ended its season with Air Force Rider crowned as champs for the 2nd consecutive year while English Premier League saw Manchester United win the title and Spanish La Liga made FC Barcelona as champions.
A week has now passed since the ground-breaking UFL All-Stars vs. Azkals match that saw filipino football rise again with the live TV coverage and a jump-packed University of Makati Football Stadium.
However, filipino football fever stalled for quite some time to give way to the NBA Finals in which the Dallas Mavericks took the championship away from the Miami Heat.
But the fever is back with 15 days to go for the Asian World Cup Qualifying match between the Philippines and Sri Lanka which will be shown LIVE on studio 23 on June 29. Source

Azkals seek to expand, solidify diverse fan base before Germany trip

by Earl Victor Rosero
The men's national football team left for Germany on Sunday for two weeks of intensive training before they meet Sri Lanka on June 29 for the first leg of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers.

But before leaving, Azkals team management and a core group of rabid fans kicked off a campaign designed to make Filipinos "believe that [the] Azkals can bring more honor to our country."

Launch pad for the campaign dubbed 'We Believe' was at the activity center of a mall in North Triangle, Quezon City. Flag-themed face paint, photo wall pictures, and a yellow vuvuzela were among the souvenirs some football fans got from their lunchtime trip to the mall. Those who stayed on a little longer or came mid-afternoon got to meet the Azkals up close.

'Kaholeros' booster squad members energize footabll fans at the 'We Believe' campaign launch. GMA News

Among the invited guests were 30 children in the care of a shelter for abandoned kids. They joined the 'booster squad' christened 'Kaholeros' in shouting chants to the beat of water container drums. Glady Bunao, executive director of the House of Refuge Foundation, said meeting the Azkals is “very good exposure" for her wards and “an opportunity for them to witness Filipino champions, who will inspire them to become better Filipino children."

Hundreds of fans cheered and took pictures when the national football team went up the stage.

Filipino Football Fans United

by Allen Faith

Filipinos came to enjoy a friendly match between the Philippine National Football Team and the UFL All-Star players last Sunday afternoon at the University of Makati Football Field.
It was the first time that most of the bleachers were occupied by Football fans and by some who came to see the Azkals in person. It was also the first time for most of the audience to witness how UFL athletes can play at par with the national team, even surpassing the Azkals by one goal sealed by UFL's top scorer Izo Elhabib from Global Smartmatic, national team manager Dan Palami's team in UFL.
Soccer Central Philippines (SCP) was able to get some feedback from the audience, including Sen. Miguel Zubiri himself.