Pacland's Philippine Boxing Forum

Family before football: Chieffy leaves Air Force; Azkals future in doubt.

With Philippine Air Force Phoenix tied against lowly Philippine Navy Redjuice on Saturday, Chieffy Caligdong curled a shot that hit the back of the net at the 64th minute to give his team the 2-1 victory.

It was yet another brilliant performance for Caligdong, who has been starring for the Air Force football club for the past 10 years.

However, his priorities may prevent him from suiting up again for the squad; the Philippine national team mainstay revealed he is planning to migrate abroad with his family.

“Opportunity yun para sa family ko,” said the 29-year-old Caligdong, whose wife, a registered nurse, has found employment in Texas. “I’ll grab the opportunity para sa kanila, para mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan.”

Caligdong said that it was tough for him to leave football. But as a father of two, he made the decision to give his family a brighter future.

“Family yan eh, so kung opportunity na yun ay kukunin niya, susundin ko siya,” Caligdong said. “Magiging babysitter ako, sacrifice myself na lang kung anong mas maganda sa kanila.”

Fellow Azkal member and long-time teammate Araneta said he understands the decision of his childhood friend.

“Yung football, ‘di naman pang-habambuhay yan,” said Araneta, who grew up playing football with Caligdong from their childhood days at Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo until their days in the Air Force. “Syempre, iniisp din niya yung future ng pamilya niya.”

Araneta added that Caligdong will be a big loss to the Air Force, which settled for a fifth-place finish this season after winning the first two UFL titles.

“Malaking kawalan samin si Chieffy lalo na sa left flank kasi dino-dominate niya yung depensa run,” Araneta said. “Pero para naman sa future niya yun, so suportado ko siya.”

Caligdong’s status with the Azkals remains doubtful, though he said he could still join the team while his family’s migration papers are being processed.

“Hindi pa ako makapag-decide kung mag-stop ako [from playing for the Azkals],” said Caligdong, who is best known for his sensational goal in the Azkals’ AFC Challenge Cup qualifying match in Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City last year.

Caligdong also carried the Azkals in the 2011 Long Teng Cup, hitting two goals to help the Philippines claw back from a 2-0 deficit and force a 3-3 draw against Hongkong. He duplicated his feat days after, also scoring two goals in their much-needed win over Macau. He won the tournament’s Golden Boot Award, while lifting the Azkals to a second-place finish.

Despite what he has achieved in the field, Caligdong does not regret his decision, as long as it is for his loved ones.

“Syempre uunahin ko family ko before football,” he said. “Hindi naman ako magdedecide kundi para sa kanila, lalo na sa dalawang anak ko.”

Family first.

He can still play for the National Team.

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Since Caligdong is now moving to Texas, I think he can be considered as a "foreign-based player".

I hope that would be fine with Arnold Clavio

Family first.

He can still play for the National Team.

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Since Caligdong is now moving to Texas, I think he can be considered as a "foreign-based player".

I hope that would be fine with Arnold Clavio

Heads up!

Azkals grouped with SE Asian giants in Suzuki Cup

ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 07/11/2012 5:58 PM | Updated as of 07/11/2012 5:58 PM


MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals are grouped together with Southeast Asian football giants in this year’s Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup.

The Philippines is in Group A with Thailand, Vietnam and the winner of the qualifiying round.

Meanwhile, Group B is made up of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the qualifying runner-up.

The official draw took place in Bangkok, Thailand and was streamed live through Suzuki Cup’s official website.

Vietnam and Thailand are considered football powerhouses in the Southeast Asian region.

Thailand has won the Cup thrice while Vietnam nabbed the title once.

The Azkals will first face Thailand on November 24, followed by a match versus Vietnam on November 27.

The Philippine squad will battle the winner in the qualifier November 30.

source:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/07/11/12/azkals-grouped-se-asian-giants-suzuki-cup

Ang ganda naman ng draw sa Group A
- 3-time Champion Thailand
- 2008 Champion Vietnam
- Philippines
- TBD

Talagang isinama ang Pilipinas sa Grupo ng Champions a...

Sabagay... kung sa kabilang grupo, andyan ang
- current Champion Malaysia
- Kapitbahay na Indonesia na gusto nating gantihan
- Singapore

Exciting!

Just want to share a video highlight of Sandro Reyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xicc-R-L0Yg

He's a 9-year old kid who recently got accepted at FCB Escola. FC Barcelona's soccer school for kids
http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/fcb ... y-football

I dont want to hype the kid that much. He's just 9 years old.
But the news just means there's a bright future for Philippine Football

Just want to share a video highlight of Sandro Reyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xicc-R-L0Yg

He's a 9-year old kid who recently got accepted at FCB Escola. FC Barcelona's soccer school for kids
http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/fcb ... y-football

I dont want to hype the kid that much. He's just 9 years old.
But the news just means there's a bright future for Philippine Football