Azkals play Inter de Madrid to help Sendong victims

Tropical storm Sendong killed more than 1,000 people and thousands are still reportedly missing. While debate rages  on who is responsible for the man-made tragedy what can be done in the meantime is to help the victims of the massive flooding that hit the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro in Northern Mindanao. The Philippine national football team, in their efforts to help the victims, present Dili Kamo Nag-iisa, a match between a mix of the Azkals and UFL players and Spanish fourth tier side Inter de Madrid. The use of both Tagalog and Visayan in the phrase aims to show a unity which the words express (“You’re not alone”). A Philippine version of the renowned football song “You’ll never walk alone”, made famous by Liverpool FC. Football can help to provide a place where people can come together and find a solution. With the ticket sales being donated to the Philippine Red Cross. LBC will also put up a booth at the Rizal Memorial Stadium during the game itself to take donations of clothes, canned foods and similar needed goods, the entire event is a fundraiser. Ticket prices range between a much more affordable P100-P500 as the organizers look to fill the stadium in an effort of solidarity with the people hit by the storm. In addition there is also the chance for fans to get a piece of the Azkals as they can bid on such items as Ian Araneta’s boots, signed gloves from Neil Etheridge, the boots Chris Greatwich wore during the 2010 Suzuki Cup which started the rise of Philippines with his goals against Vietnam and Singapore as well as the signed boxing gloves of Manny Pacquaio. Bidding has only just opened for the items so for the chance to win a unique sports item and to help others in the process check the rules and mechanics of bidding and then post your bid as a comment on the photograph of the item you want. All money raised will be given to the Philippine Red Cross to help in their efforts to bring relief to those affected by tropical storm Sendong. A competitive match The game itself will be a competitive match between a team from Spain who play in the Tercera Division, which is the fourth tier of Spanish football. The Tercera division is also the last division Angel Guirado played in when he was in Spain, plying his trade with Ronda who are in group 9, while Inter de Madrid are in group 7 of the division. Some suggest that Inter de Madrid are the favorites as the team sit mid-table in a league also consisting of the Athletico Madrid and Real Madrid C teams, the latter of which currently tops the division. That they are midway through the season and used to training and playing on a regular basis could also be a crucial factor in the final result as the Azkals are just beginning the year. A compassionate rivalry The Spain-Philippines rivalry here will be put to a humanitarian purpose as even the Institutional Director of Real Madrid, one of the biggest football teams in the world and who are associated with the Inter de Madrid side, sent the following message: “Hello. I am Emilio Butragueño the Institutional Director of Real Madrid. I would like to send in my own name and in representation of my Club and in all of Spanish sport, a message of solidarity for all of the people affected by (tropical storm) Sendong, and at the same time encourage all of the Philippine supporters to join together at the Jose Rizal Memorial Stadium to watch the Charity game between the Azkals and CF Internacional de Madrid, who will be a magnificent Ambassador of our Sport in this visit to the Philippines.” Reported by Craig Burrows, one of the organizers for the game, the message shows the match will not only be competitive and a good clash between two quality teams with history, but is also geared to helping those in need in the present. Expect plenty of goals as the teams enter the unknown in this club versus country battle. The Azkals will be led by sparkplug Chieffy Caligdong, who captains the side in the continued absence of the injured Aly Borromeo. Angel Guirado will also play, no doubt familiar with some of their opponents on Saturday, in a return against the division he left in order to join Global FC and represent the Philippines. The match will kick-off at 4pm at the Rizal Memorial Stadium while the pre-match entertainment will be a celebrity football match beginning at 2pm. Tickets are available at Ticketworld and National Bookstore outlets now. — OMG/JVP, GMA News