Caligdong expects to learn more from new role as Azkals assistant

Once the Philippines’s talisman, Chieffy Caligdong has traded his player’s kit to a more formal shirt.

Caligdong played for nine years as a striker for the Azkals where he scored 16 goals in 19 appearances but the Ilonggo will now stand beside head coach Thomas Dooley in the AFF Suzuki Cup.

“As an assistant coach of the Azkals, it’s exciting and it’s a learning experience for me,” said Caligdong Thursday at SportsIQ, Inquirer’s omni-platform radio show. “I can share my experiences as a player and I can help the younger players in the team.”

Caligdong has experienced both the highs and lows while representing the Philippines in international competition.

New Azkals asssitant coach Chieffy Caligdong. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

There was a time when the Azkals got routinely blown away but everything changed for the national team when they beat powerhouse Vietnam 2-0 in the semifinals of the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2010, the same tournament where Caligdong would have his first game as an assistant coach.

The Philippines is now the highest-ranked team in the Southeast Asian region and Caligdong is now on the mentoring side of the spectrum.

“Sila James at Phil [Younghusband] sila na yung role model and seniors,” said Caligdong. “I can probably inspire the kids and alalay kay coach Dooley.”