Fan airs frustations in Suzuki Cup

JUST a year or so ago, Indonesia was on the outside looking in in international football due to the turmoil its association faced. Heck, there was that embarrassing 10-0 loss to Baharain in the World Cup qualifiers in 2012 that merited a Fifa probe because Bahrain needed a 9-0 win to keep itself in the running.

Two years ago, Indonesia had one of its most embarrassing exits in the AFF Suzuki Cup, losing 4-0 to the Philippines.

Now, the Indons are one draw away from winning the Suzuki Cup for the first time after four runner-up finishes. The Philippines, on the other hand, is on the outside looking in, missing the semifinal party for the first time since 2010.

Indonesia, despite its status as one of the powers in the Asean region, took this long to be in this position, 90 minutes away from the title. I wonder how long will it take the Philippines to be in this position? FAN RANT. The first leg of the Suzuki Cup finals, which Indonesia won 2-1 at home, led one fan to recall his experience of our hosing of the group stage and of how disappointed he was with the whole affair.

John Emmanuel Bautista wrote, “I was there during the Singapore match. Nakakahiya. Sana nga Cebu or Bacolod na lang mag-host ng Azkals game next time. I took a leave from work for the next two matches pero nabanas na ako bumalik sa ----- Stadium na yan. I availed the shuttle service provided by Frohlich Tours, ang problema, tong mga kupal na gwardya sa venue, pinaikot - ikot yung bus namin, sa halip na ituro kung saan dapat ibaba kaming mga passenger.

We ended up having a field trip around their wonderful facility for thirty minutes instead of cheering for the team.

Next time, wag na dun sa ***** venue na yun, PFF should build another stadium in Manila, or better, sa Bacolod or Cebu na nga lang.”

I haven’t been to the PSS though I passed by it on the way to Clark a few months ago and the thought that came into my mind was how could it be filled with football fans if in this country, a free football match involving top clubs barely attract a crowd?

It’s too far and to out of the way, something John experienced.

However, sadly, even if the PFF builds a stadium in Cebu, the city can’t still host an event like the Suzuki Cup, because a host of a group stage needs at least two stadiums that pass Fifa standards as the final group stage matches have to be played simultaneously. Bacolod can’t either because it only has the Panaad, which is good only for friendlies not group stages.

It used to have the Paglaum field during the Southeast Asian Games but not anymore.

Bautista, who like the rare group of Pinoys who continued to watch the Suzuki Cup even after the Azkals’ exit, also saw one factor in the team’s early exit.

“I understand na may lapses din sa coaching kaya tayo maagang um-exit sa Suzuki Cup, pero malaking bagay din talaga ang 12th man...I was watching the Indonesia v Thailand match earlier, the Indonesians were able to fill their 30k seater Stadium despite being outside Jakarta. Frustrating talaga.”

Sorry sa rant, di pa talaga ako makamove on. Bumili pa naman ako ng Azkals kits expecting na aabot man lang tayo ng semi finals. And like what I’ve said earlier, nag-leave pa ako. Bad trip.”

No need for apologies John, I do understand a fan’s frustration, especially that of a football fan.

And in the Philippines, the absence of suitable venues outside Manila means the PFF really have no choice if it does want to host another tournament. And I don’t think that will change next year or even the year after.