For Marañon and Reichelt, pride and emotions come with donning Azkals jersey

It may have been delayed by more than a few months, but for recently naturalized Azkals striker Bienvenido Marañon, making his debut for the Philippines was surely a memory to savor.

Bienve waited for some time to get his Philippine citizenship and represent the country, and when the moment did arrive, it was sweet for the AFC Cup’s all-time leading goal scorer.

“(The feeling is) happiness, because I never thought this moment will come and it arrive,” said the Azkals number 9.

“This could be the best feeling ever touching a football field.”

Whilst waiting for his application to get the green light, there was a viral video of Bienve singing the Philippine national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang”, with gusto and pride.

It is the same pride that he feels when he puts on the Azkals jersey.

“Pride and happiness are the words to describe what I felt while national anthem was being played on the pitch.”

“Pride because after long time playing football, I got the best possible reward after long time playing football, (to) play for the country where I felt in love, where I feel the support and love from his people since first day in these almost seven years in the country.”

However, without too much game time before the 2020 Suzuki Cup, Marañon didn’t exactly get off to a flying start, struggling to create chances in the Azkals’ opening match against Singapore.

“It wasn’t easy for me to play a competition game after long time and that why I need more time. I’m sure if I use to play again every week or days all will be different and my performance will be as always.”

And after netting his first goal for the Azkals against Timor-Leste, fans are hoping this is the start of many goals for the Philippines.

Having played a lot of intercontinental football before donning the Azkals jersey, what difference does he see between club football and international football?

“I thought it’s gonna be different but no, inside the field it’s all same”, admits the affable Marañon.

“Maybe because I played already with most of the players of our national team before, only difference is my desire to do everything good and give not only my 100% but 200%.”

Meanwhile, Patrick Reichelt may have made his debut for the Azkals nine years ago in 2012, but for the West Berlin born winger, he still gets emotional donning the Philippine jersey.

“Emotions will never really change playing for the national team,” explains Reichelt.

“From day one till today representing the country is and will always be the greatest.”

With the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup not in the official FIFA International Match Calendar, teams aren’t obliged to release their players.

Thus, Reichelt posting his departure from Suphanburi FC to play for the Azkals on Instagram days before the tournament started caused some surprise.

Reichelt explains: “Leaving Suphanburi wasn’t planned to be honest. The club right now is going through a tough time and management decided to not release us for this Suzuki Cup.”

“(It is) not an easy decision but especially after everything the national team has given me it felt only right to part ways and leave to the national team.”

Already in his fourth stint with the Azkals in the Suzuki Cup, the 33-year-old is expected to provide leadership and guidance to the younger members of the squad.

But this is something he jokingly says still needs some getting used to.

“For the past few years, I’m still processing the word ‘veteran’,” he jokes.

“I was lucky enough to have the likes of Rob Gier, Chris Greatwich and others, helping me when I was younger. I’m aware of the role I have now in the team And I’m doing my best in helping and guiding the younger players.”

For both Patrick Reichelt and Bienve Marañon, representing and playing for the country remain a source of honor and immense pride, and also the ultimate privilege.

It does not matter if you wear the Azkals jersey for the first time or for the hundredth.

For both Patrick and Bienve, once you put on the shirt, you fight for the country, and that is what fans expect to see as well.

—JMB, GMA News