Monday, January 9, 2012

Dili Kamo Nag-Iisa Football Charity Match 1.7.12

CF Interncional de Madrid defenders try to keep up with the speed of Chieffy Caligdong.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Just fresh off their stint against Becks and the LA Galaxy last December 2011, they faced yet another international football squad to test the Azkals' mettle. This time around it was a Spanish Football Club that flew in the country recently for an exhibition game. Nope, it wasn't Real Madrid that came to play. On the contrary though, it's CF Internacional de Madrid -- a Division III team in the Spanish league that are just as good as their Division I counterpart.

It was supposed to be a regular friendly match just before the some parts in the Visayas and Mindanao regions were struck by Typhoon Sendong in the Christmas season. Ironically, it happened just a couple of weeks after the Galaxy came to town. With that, the PFF decided to make it a charity game wherein all proceeds from the event will go straight to the Sendong victims.

During the pre-match press conference, CF Madrid donated 10,000 Euros for those who were devastated by the typhoon. They even brought with them some signed jerseys to be auctioned off for the charity event. Both teams promised to bring an exciting an football match -- which they did. Although the Philippine side known as Azkals Alyansa -- composed of players from the Azkals and select players from different UFL teams -- they lost to the Spaniards 3-1. It was James Younghusband that scored the lone goal for Azkals Alyansa. Nevertheless, it was a win-win situation for everybody.

It was mission accomplished for both teams as the event gathered a lot of cash donations for the typhoon victims. It actually didn't matter which won the game actually. The real winners were those who came to see a world class football match for a cause.

Props to CF Internacional de Madrid for bringing their brand of Spanish football to the country. Their great gesture of playing football here for a cause is something we Filipinos will never forget.

Hat's off also to the Azkals Alyansa.

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