Blessed are those who wait but attack

So it’s a tie.
The Philippines and Sri Lanka banged bodies, traded elbows, pushed and shoved and then settled for 1-all at the end of more than 90 minutes in their Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifying match in Colombo last Wednesday. The game just breezed by and if you’re rooting for one team in football, time is really not a problem. That is, unless your team is behind.
The Sri Lankan free kick goal by Pordi Chathura in the first half in the 43rd minute was hard to swallow but a reality we just have to get used to. Calls for excessive contact can be disastrous when free kicks are awarded near the opponents’ goal. Chathura’s shot was direct to the point and beyond reach.
The Azkals did have Nate Burkey’s alert header that tied it in the second half but what followed were mostly missed or intercepted passes. Our attacking line has the right thing in mind but has to create better scoring chances by passing more precisely. The tough field was clearly an obstacle and we do have a lot of players accustomed to the well-maintained pitches in Europe.
Welcome again to the world of rooting for a football team.
To enjoy and appreciate the sport, one must have patience. Understanding the intricacies of the offside rule, yellow and red cards and the value of crosses from the flanks will come in time as we watch more football. The Sri Lankan defense held through most of the way, stifling their offense nonetheless. They seemed more occupied actually with arguing with the referees or ignoring their calls.
The Azkals had scoring opportunities but could not nail them. This is not a sport for the impatient or those needing immediate delight and gratification. Scoring is worked on, organized by teamwork and fueled by individual skills so that plays and patterns can be executed well.
For the Azkals, they know that there’s work to be done and a more lethal offense will come in time. What was exhilarating this time around though was that there were more attacks on the Sri Lankan goal than in the series against Indonesia last year. Numbers may prove me wrong but, this time around, the Azkals kept seizing the initiative even if the Sri Lankans refused to give anything away. Filipino-German Stephan Shrock was a dynamo as he kept lighting fires for the Philippine offense with heady and gutsy attacks.
The home cooking should be good for the team today when it completes the leg against the Brave Reds at the Rizal Stadium. A loud and vociferous Filipino crowd should pump up the offense and thwart any major Sri Lankan forays. Even moans of dismay from missed Azkal shots will be music to those who have pined for this football renaissance for the longest time.
Be patient, football fans. We’re just warming up.