Phl XI stays focused despite distractions

KATHMANDU – Azkals team manager Dan Palami refused to consider Phl XI’s amazing Cinderella run to the AFC Challenge Cup semifinals as an emphatic answer to their critics back home, a sort of “eat-my-shorts” retort.

“No,” Palami quickly said when asked if it’s a statement performance.

“I think we just had to focus on the games. Whatever it is happening back home, the investigation, we’ll let it go on, because we want the truth to come out, with or without good results here.”

Two of the Azkals are in the center of controversy, Angel Guirado and Lexton Moy, whose actions during the pre-game inspection for the Azkals-Malaysia friendly last Feb. 29 in Manila had offended match commissioner Cristy Ramos.

Ramos had complained of “sexual harassment” with the AFC and the Philippine Foootball Federation’s disciplinary committee had started its probe.

Palami, who had already apologized to Ramos, as well as the two Azkals concerned, insisted that Ramos had “misinterpreted” the goings-on inside the dugout, but vowed full cooperation on the investigation.

“We want to get to the bottom of all of these and finally put a closure on the issue that is now being feasted upon by the detractors. We would want and I’m sure that is what everybody would want, that the disciplinary committee continue with the investigation and we will fully cooperate,” he said.