Team Overview: Global FC - All the world's a Stage

Its about time

All the World's a Stage...

We all saw this coming. It was long inevitable. It is this consistency and domination that opponents and pundits alike whispers in hush tones. That Global FC is by far, the most complete team in the UFL.

 It was already written the moment Global marched from Division 2 with a perfect record (13-1-0) to winning the inaugural cup against Air Force, then coming in by a hairline to win UFL Division 1 in the 2011 edition again against Air Force in the final round. It seems that the Global juggernaut is destined to not only be champions of the UFL, but build itself a dynasty of its own. Led by the savior of Philippine Football Mr. Dan Palami, Global shook off its early failings and romped up its performance to win the 2012 UFL Division 1 Crown.

And mind you, things can only get better for the Dan Palami side. Led by the able Japanese skipper Yu Hoshide, Global showed time and again how forceful and how dominating it can be if it focus its efforts on the pitch. The backline has been superb specially between the sticks, Jerome Etoundi made the most of Paolo Pascual's injury and would most certainly be a strong candidate for the no.1 jersey when Pascual comes back to active duty, and the defensive duo of Jerry Barbaso and Badrelin Elhabbib rarely makes mistakes. However by far, I believe, the most important player for Global is Izo Elhabbib. The kind of  impact and energy that he brings on the field is infectious and you can immediately see the level of organization going up whenever he is in the pitch. Carli De Murga is the utility man in the team as he can be placed anywhere in the pitch and still be consistent and effective, Hence the deserving Golden Shoe Award. 

Even if you are able to overcome all these players mentioned above, you will still have to find a way to neutralize Misagh Bahadoran and Patrick Reichelt on both flanks. Global is a complete team simply because they have an answer to any opponent in the league. May that opponent be strong in midfield (Stallions FC), attacking (Loyola Meralco Sparks FC), or defending (Kaya FC), or even very aggressive teams (Philippine Army FC), Global has a recipe for them all.

Azkals vs Vietnam

A few questionable players remain though for Global FC, and in my opinion that is Angel Guirado and David Basa. Angel because for all his size and technical ability, he was still not able to dominate and dictate his will on his marker and more oftentimes than not, he easily becomes frustrated for small non-calls which disrupts his rhythm. he becomes a whole new player without an Azkals shirt. I would want to see more aggressiveness and more hunger within him in the coming season. And I would want David Basa to lose some weight, though effective, he is easily outruned by speedier players (Caligdong, Pasilan, Doctora). All in all however, this is a team built to contend for the title for a long time to come. 

Rumor has it that negotiations are now on going between Global and who else? San Miguel Beer to be the shirt sponsor of Global FC (though isnt Danding Coguangco already sponsoring Diliman Antonov FC hence the Antonov logo?) Mr. Dan Palami has been holding out the shirt sponsorship before winning the title so that he can say "You'd partner with the no.1 team!' ain't that a great opening line in negotiations?

Global FC is a team that is in the summit of the league. In every scenario possible, they are the team that the odds seems are always in their favor. 


I believed that we are in the dawn of Global's golden generation so to speak. 

And all the men and women, merely players...

Team Overview: Philippine Air Force FC - The Phoenix Paradox

Winning has been the normal tradition among the military teams, much more for the Philippine Air Force FC, who has won 2 straight league crowns and a Cup triumph (missing the inaugural cup by just a margin) in over 2 years. Logic of coarse will dictate that running high on these results would mean a competitive league season for the reining League Champions going in the 2012 UFL league. However, things immediately got out of hand from the opening round and only by a strong performance in the 2nd half of the league did the Airmen came up with a respectable 5th finish out of the 10 teams.

The question remains, were does the Airmen go on from here?

Discussions and analysis has been made on how low the Airman has fallen, countless anecdotes about internal and external forces has already been contributed but how does a proud phoenix rise again?

Why has the team been so erratic during the entire 2012 UFL league? and why do they become a different team when they face Loyola in particular?

I believed that nothing is wanting from the team that won the league twice, but rather, the vast improvement of the competition and the money that now flows in the game in which the Airmen cannot compete with, is the main reason for this sudden change of scenery. I refuse to believed that old age or fitness has been the reason solely because the Airmen always outpace and outran their opponents. Tats Mercado has always been solid between the sticks, Chieffy always causes problems in the left wing, Ian possess a wonderfull deadshot kick second only to Hartman, and the ageless Yanti provides the heart and leadership for the team. The Airmen are consistent, contrary to popular belief, but always just finds a way to grab defeat early in the game and try for the next 70+mins to catch up. Though how they are always successful against Loyola is anyone's guess (will be taken up in next post)

Now with Yanti retiring after years of quality service, and rumors that Chieffy has gone to GAU and Ian to Loyola. PAF might follow the path illuminated by Navy which became the first team in the history of the UFL to be relegated.

If the Airmen do not have the financial capabilities to sign in new players. At least they can recruit players from the provinces who can play (they are already doing this i think). Military teams provide enlisted personnel, tenure and allowances. Also, after the player retires from active duty, he receives a lump sum plus benefits from the government for him and his family. This is why many players in military teams are on their mid-late 30's. Given their predicament, and absent of a white knight in the foreseeable future, this is the most optimal action the Airman can do.

The paradox, in retrospect, is that military teams, the PAF in particular, will always be respected but will  be regarded as an easy W. As teams in the Division 1 continue to build up their squad and out-muscle the military teams financially. The military teams will have no choice but to always wear their hearts on their sleeves and grind their opponents down with sheer aggressiveness. To this, the Airmen will always be guilty of showing determination, of forever trying to revive to greatness. But sadly, without the upgrades, will always be found wanting.

The Airmen motto, 'Air Force til I die' will always be appropriate.

photo from https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=378430108836948&set=a.378430102170282.95218.288826434463983&type=1&theater

The Red Card Resurgence

One September afternoon, 3 years ago, a group of dedicated people launched an ambitious project to finally put the Philippines back in the football map by creating a commercial football league. This group, collectively known as the Football Alliance, unwittingly started the most important pillar for the beautiful game that we are enjoying right now.

This structure, together with the resurgence of the Philippine Azkals, cemented the foundations of this fledgling commercial league affectionately called the United Football League or UFL for short. The local league is important because the National Team cannot survive long-term without the local league and vis-a-vis, the UFL cannot survive without the success of the Philippine Azkals. Raison-d'etre therefore dictates the sustainability of both.

To this existential condition, I would like to sincerely express my humblest gratitude and thanks for creating an avenue for us to enjoy the beautiful game. See you guys at the bleachers soon.

logo from http://www.uflphilippines.com.ph/

heading photo by Alan C. Vinluan https://www.facebook.com/acvinluan

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