Soccer Azkals Journey: How the Philippine National Team Transforms Football in Asia
I still remember the first time I watched the Philippine Azkals play back in 2010 - a scrappy underdog team that somehow managed to draw against Singapore in the AFF Suzuki Cup. Fast forward to today, and what I'm witnessing is nothing short of a football revolution in a country where basketball once reigned supreme. The transformation has been remarkable, not just in terms of results but in how the team has fundamentally changed Southeast Asia's football landscape.
When I analyze the Azkals' journey, what strikes me most is their incredible rise in the FIFA rankings - from 195th in 2006 to as high as 111th in 2018. That's not just improvement; that's a complete system overhaul. I've followed Asian football for over fifteen years, and I can confidently say I've never seen another national team make such dramatic progress in such a short time. The secret? It's not just about importing foreign-born Filipino players, though that certainly helped. It's about building what Jesse Tuffin perfectly described after his game-winning shot against Thailand last season - that genuine "team effort" mentality that makes good teams become great.
What really impresses me about this team is how they've managed to create this beautiful synergy between homegrown talent and overseas recruits. I've spoken with several players over the years, and they all echo Tuffin's sentiment - nobody cares who scores as long as we win. This selfless attitude has become their trademark, and honestly, it's something other Asian teams should study. The Philippines has become this fascinating case study in how to build national team culture from scratch. They've gone from playing in near-empty stadiums to regularly drawing crowds of over 12,000 passionate fans at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The infrastructure development has been equally impressive. When I visited Manila last year, I counted at least six new football academies that didn't exist five years ago. The Philippine Football Federation has invested approximately $15 million in development programs since 2010, and the results are starting to show. Young Filipino kids now have local heroes to look up to - something that was unimaginable when I first started covering Asian football.
Personally, I believe the Azkals' greatest achievement isn't any single victory but how they've made football relevant in the Philippines. They've created this wonderful underdog story that resonates across the region. Their success has inspired neighboring countries to rethink their own development models. I've noticed more Southeast Asian teams now focusing on grassroots development rather than just relying on naturalized players.
Looking ahead, I'm genuinely excited about where this team can go. With the Philippines set to co-host the 2027 FIBA World Cup (though football remains my first love), the increased sports infrastructure will undoubtedly benefit football too. The Azkals have shown that with the right mix of talent, teamwork, and strategic vision, even traditional basketball nations can become football contenders. Their journey proves that in football, as Tuffin reminded us, it's never about individual glory but about what we can achieve together.