PHILIPPINES, FEBRUARY 9, 2011 – A country hungry for good news is counting on an unlikely sport to pick up the nation’s spirits, especially on the web.
The Philippines may not be synonymous with football, but that is quickly changing because of the men’s football team, the Azkals, which did well in the recent Asian Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup. The regional competition saw the little-known team stunning Vietnam in their home grounds.
A sold-out crowd of up to 18,000 fans is expected at the Philippines versus Mongolia match tonight in Bacolod City for the Challenge Cup 2012 Qualifiers. Never has football been so exciting in these islands for both men and women–the considerable female fan base presumably hooked on the game because of the attractive players. The team’s rabid supporters, known as the Azkaleros, have been tweeting with the #azkals hashtag, even mentioning the Twitter handles of the players, in a bid to make the Azkals a trending topic.
Azkals shirts are hot items, flying off the shelves in the days preceding the game. There will be significant media coverage tonight, with ABS-CBN Studio 23 broadcasting the game live at 630pm and live streaming offered online. GMAnews.tv reports that Smart Communications, anticipating a surge of calls, texts and mobile and online updates, has beefed up its wireless coverage and provided broadband services at Panaad Stadium. Smart also has a 10-year commitment of P80 million to the Philippine Football Federation, ensuring that the telco will be associated with the sport.
With more sponsorship and public support, Philippine football could become more than just a trending topic but a long-term source of national pride. The Azkals are heavily favored to win tonight, but regardless of the outcome, the next chapter in the rebranding of the Philippines has already begun.
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