dearest azkals,
i was late last night. i was still in line outside when the whistle blew and i won't lie and say that i was hoping that there weren't any major things that happened while i wasn't at the bleachers yet. when we got pass the security, my friends and i ran to our designated places. from the roar of the people and the way they've been cheering, you were able to make quite impressive attempts on goal. i wasn't disappointed in how you played. you were great, you made me stand on my feet the entire time (okay, except during those times when the medics had to look over players who apparently injured themselves).
at the last minute of the first half, when stephan made that amazing goal, i just stood there, taking it all in, and then i started shouting, hugging all my friends, jumping up and down, rejoicing that wonderful goal. to stephan, thank you! it was one sweet goal, indeed! the kuwaiti players must have been shocked to have allowed that goal. even the kuwaitis who were seated near us were just too shocked and had stopped waving their flags. for us who were seated near that goal, it was like in the movies -- slow motion and then the speed of that one goal hitting the net.
that goal will forever be in my memories, together with chieffy's first goal in bacolod and phil's second goal during the home game against sri lanka.
during the second half, when the kuwaitis equalized, we were there with you, silent. i could see some of you, heads bowed, like in abject misery but i know that will not last. i know, you will stand up again and fight until you can't anymore. and that is just what you did. i can remember chieffy just running his way through several defenders just to make that goal, or phil, or angel. i can remember rob and ray holding off the attackers and aly clearing the ball with his headers and anton bringing the ball back down to the mid-field. manny, james, setting the ball. and who can forget neil's tremendous saves? you were all great last night.
yet we must accept (and we do) that kuwait is the better, faster and more experienced team. they deserve to win but you deserve much more because you showed heart, not only for the game but for honor for our country.
the kuwaiti's second goal, i wouldn't delve on much. the attacker was able to evade neil and hit the ball. from our angle, it was an easy goal. ray tried to save it but he must have slipped and the goal, which was about to hit the net, just changed trajectory. the crowd fell silent, you can feel it. yet one by one, your audience clapped, and cheered you on. acceptance. it happens to the best of them.
when the final whistle blew, all i could do was clap hard for you and the good game that you played. my friends and i waited for your walk around the oval. i clapped hard. my friends and i, cheered for you. for us, you were the best and we all know, you will be better in the coming years.
as for me, i will be here always to support you and i will always make "hatak" all my friends who wish to watch you play and to learn about the game. i will definitely try my hardest to get tickets to all your home games and if fate will make it so, i hope i will have the chance to watch your away games, too. hopefully, sooner than we expect, you will also be there in the World Cup games.
to you, azkals, thank you and i wish you all the best games that you can have (and no injuries, please).
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