U-16ers hope to emulate Azkals

MANILA, Philippines - Underdog Philippines was never blanked in three losses in the recent Asian Football Confederation (AFC) under-16 women’s championship qualifiers at the Rizal Memorial pitch but it’s still a long road ahead for the team that dreams of someday becoming like the Azkals.

Fresh from a 10-day training grind in Bacolod, the Filipinas were beaten by Myanmar, 2-1 (goal by Shannon Arthur), Thailand, 6-1 (goal by Mica Adriano) and Australia, 8-1 (goal by Arthur).  The Philippines played in the so-called Group of Death, one of four pools where the top two finishers advance to join pre-seeded Japan, North Korea, South Korea and China in the main draw next year to decide the three Asian representatives to the under-17 World Cup in Costa Rica in 2014.

There were 19 players in the Philippine roster with only Fil-Canadian keeper Stephanie (Buppy) Cogswell flying in from overseas. Cogswell’s mother Ronith Ang was a PBA courtside reporter and now lives in Vancouver with husband Paul and daughters Stephanie and Alex. Eight players, including Cogswell, came from Manila, three from Davao, two from San Carlos, four from Bacolod and two from Dumaguete. Aside from Cogswell, the team was made up of keepers Katherine Montelibano and Tashka Lacson, strikers Marty Bautista, Arthur and Pam Diaz, midfielders Bea Velasco, Kyla Inquig and Janna Balcemo, rightwings Irish Navaja and Adriano, leftwings Tessa Bernardo and Mikaela de Asis, right fullbacks Thea Claire Concepcion and Sharra Tickering, left fullbacks Riza Isabelle Carmona and Joan Vera and center defenders Nina Arrieta and Kissa Enriquez. To prepare for the qualifiers, the Filipinas took on several college squads that were in Bacolod for the UniGames and Negros Occidental selections, finishing unbeaten except for a single loss to a male team.

Cogswell, who turned 15 a few days after the competition, was in the country for three weeks. She was allowed to miss school by the Little Flower Academy in Vancouver. “The main thing that connected all of us was soccer,” said Cogswell, the team skipper. “Once we started playing games, we quickly bonded. At the end of the day, we shared the same goal. We had similarities and differences but we’re all teenagers who love soccer.” Now that she’s back in Vancouver, Cogswell said she’ll stay in touch with her teammates on facebook.

Cogswell’s mother said the keeper will play for the Philippines again if called on. “Buppy loves soccer and will continue with her club Fusion FC in Vancouver,” said Ronith. “She trains three times a week, seven hours, with league matches once a week and in the spring, when the high school league is in season, she’ll play even more. She doesn’t complain, she loves the game and hopes to play for a university team when she graduates after three years. As for playing for the Philippines, in a heartbeat, she’ll do it all over again. We were both anxious and nervous before we left and had doubts whether we made the right decision considering the huge financial and time commitments. But now that we’ve been through it and know what a wonderful experience it was for Buppy, she would do it all over again and I would be as supportive. I was proud of her and her teammates because I know how hard they worked to get there. Buppy’s still very young and this is all about learning and developing as a person and keeper. They say keepers reach their peak much later in life than outside players – the wiser, more experienced you are as a keeper, the more games you play, the more you have to draw from during games.”

Ronith acknowledged the all-out support of the team officials and coaching staff.  Head of delegation was Juny Lizares with Nonoy Fegidero head coach, Merli Acibar assistant coach, Bob Manlulu head trainer, Warren Concepcion assistant trainer, John Morena and Jerwin Belina goalkeeper coaches and Dr. Emily Zerrudo medical head. Lizares provided for accommodations, food, transportation and training and match kits. In Bacolod, the girls stayed in Luxur Place and in Manila, they roomed in condo units at Amvel Mansions in Sucat. 

“The Philippine Football Federation is doing a good job promoting the sport and with time and financial investments in the program, soccer will grow and the Philippines will no doubt be more competitive,” said Ronith. “From what I know, football hasn’t been a sport focused on by Filipinos until recently because of the Azkals. Considering this, I think the under-16 team did well and the coaches were happy with the overall results. I think Filipinos are built for soccer because height is not a huge factor – it’s speed, fitness and skill level.”