I will no pretend to be a football fan...

Yes, I admit I never had any interest on football before. Even during the small hype on the World Cup I never rode the fandom of sorts. I actually didn't get it that there was a hype. All I know about football are the cute players, thanks to Gretchen Fulido's top 10 hot football men. hehe... and the Homeless World Cup thanks to PBB. I know PhilYH, the dude who joined Celibrity duets and I know JamesYH by face I guess, thanks to my kikay mags...other than that nil.

The Azkals hype though, oh hell I joined the bandwagon. Well again only because when I searched the line up, cuteness galore. Haha. But they give us something to look forward to with all the recent games. Obviously we are on the grassroots level, and these we love: stories of triumph despite adversities. So we support and on the side we fantard...haha

Been immersed to Azkal 'research' for sometime, so i'm sharing the who's and why's of the players I'm fangirling on...I currently have 4 actually. And I cross my fingers that I get no hate for liking the 'good looking' ones. I actually admire the homegrowns for all their sacrifice and charm...ahhh basta haters shhh...hahaha

*on a funny side kwento: yanti barsales is I think the oldest azkal at 38(?)...since the new spanish guy aldeguer knows no english he calls him abuelo on plays...which translates to lolo...hahaha...funny guy that spanish dude*


James Younghusband

this pic makes you go awww....

Need i say any more? practically he and his brother are the poster boys of the Azkals. Since they are from England, they practically breathe football...so there...

They are on the lookout for that anonymous Chelsea fan who discovered they were half-Pinoys. Through that fan, the Philippine team sought them to join the National Team for the Asian Games...and the rest is history.

James' mysterious appeal got into me, and I'm quite fixated to dangerous eyes like his'...It's a plus that he got A-level on his GCSE (or whatever are those brit tests sats are equivalent to)...I haven't read anything about them being in college though...well they model and...???...Since the dad died in 2003 (wah, before they even played for the Phil.?! =( )He together with bro takes care of their mom and 'lil sis...who studies in MI!...hmmm, they sometimes pick up sister from school...stalking opportunity right there! lols

it is reported that he already has a gf though...18?!...omg, broken hearts all over...haha...

Oh, btw although an introvert Phil's 'showbiz' side rubbed on him I guess...

Anton del Rosario

saved! make wallpaper...haha

Anton is the typical Amboy. Grew up and studied in the states where he got futbol blood. He lived in the Philippines though and actually tried out for the National team which obviously got him. So he'd been with the team for sometime now.

Wait, why don't I know any 'Anton trivia'? Oh hail I have no excuse of why I am fangirling on him. Haha. I just kinda like him. It's probably the aura? *good excuse* He's one of those that stuck on my head I think. I recognize him by face and name kinda instantly, so maybe it's some sort of research-worthy-kind-of-phenomena. All I know is that based on his tweets, he's in the 'in party crowd'. He knows the beautiful people of the generation...I think. He is 29 and has a gf with a nice name...Laetitia...love the spelling...=)

In a game that could end on a 0-0, a score is a rock star moment. Well, at least Anton has those moments...

Jason Sabio

why so awesome?

I was floored to learn that he graduated cum laude with a bio chem degree and after college he taught high school physics and now is in law school...wow...

Then add to that his profile says his favorite movies are 'The Notebook' and 'My Bestfriend's Wedding'...and he cooks...omg, i think i found an azkal keeper...haha

Been with the azkals just this january and is alternating to...*tenen*...ANTON...weee...he was scouted i guess by captain Aly whom he knows and was asked to join the team since 2009...but he was all about law school hence the hesitation...

Which might be the exact reason why he might not even have a huge involvement with the Azkals...he has law internship in the pipeline...we cannot wish ill of that...so whatever's the best for him, let's wish him that...=)


Neil Etheridge

ikaw na ang sikat

Since my twitter feed is flooded with #etheridge whenever there is an Azkal's game...and the few times i watched...being the goalie he is kinda the superstar...he definitely is the star player in-my-soccer-newbie-honest-opinion...haha...The saves are way important i guess than the goal attempts. The team is kinda young and all though there is such a big hype now we actually are not superstar material. Neil i guess being part of a premiere league is the closest we could have of an 'experienced' player.

Woah, he is 18?! Wait a minute hey he was born 1990..*insert confusion here*...anyways...His linkage is I guess with that of PhilYH whom he met in Chelsea when, well they were training for Chelsea...ofcourse Phil knew mom of Neil is Filipina...so he was suggested to officials...and who wouldn't want this towering goalie?!. He's kinda imposing on his other end of the field. And despite being young he exhibits good *scary* leadership skills. Do you ever wonder what he shouts on the matches? I think it's kinda painful to hear, but whatever it is it better get the job done though...haha...

Next to the YHs, I think he was the next apple of the eye of the fan girls. Well, beyond the looks I like the skills more. He has a bromance thing going on with roommate Simon Greatwich...lolers...another cutie half breed...BUT have you seen our azkal's lineup?...fangirl worthy. Who new cuteness would break in futbol in the Philippines? The half breeds indeed conquers this generation I guess

cto of all the pics and vids, oldschool right click for the links

to know more about your favorite azkal, visit the proboards... =)
http://usapangfootball.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=profiles
...or read the newspapers, or watch TV...or consult Google...haha