Philippine basketball

Filipino football fans revel World Cup’s end

Jane Bracher

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Filipino football fans revel World Cup’s end
At the World Cup's end, regardless of the winner, Filipino football fans cheered loud and proud with the rest of the world

MANILA, Philippines – The 2014 World Cup Final in Brazil kicked off at 3AM in the wee hours of a Monday, July 14. There would be work or school in 5 hours, but Filipino football fans still stayed up to watch one of the biggest sporting events in the world come to a close.

Good Earth Roasts at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig was packed as fans gathered over drinks and with good friends to witness the dramatic final between Germany and Argentina. The crowd, split between supporters of the dominant Germany and the underdog Argentina, cheered and threw fists in the air with every close call and with every missed opportunity. 

“We’ve been rooting for them (Germany) since three World Cups ago,” said Osie Ocampo, 38. “They really play as a team and there’s no superstar and soccer is a team sport. Even if you respect all the soccer stars, you really wanna see the team play.” 

She and her friend Yo Garcia, 39, were enjoying watching the championship festivities unfold on the wide screen television sporting their Germany jerseys.

“We were sure they would win because coming from the last World Cup, we knew they had a really good chance,” Ocampo added. 

“This World Cup, most of the players had played previously, so experience-wise they were more confident and they had the calmness to attack at certain points of pressure.” 

Germany routed Argentina, 1-0, in a thrilling match that went to extra time. Mario Götze netted the beautifully executed game-winning goal at the 113th minute, leaving the Argentines with too little time to recover and equalize. 

It was a really good match! Hindi nga kami nakahinga nung nag-goal eh!” Ocampo exclaimed. (It was a really good match! We couldn’t even breathe when a goal was scored!)

Argentina was a picture of disappointment, especially after its star player Lionel Messi had a chance to level the score with a freekick in the dying minutes of extra time. But his attempt soared over the crossbar, along with his team’s hopes of a World Cup trophy.

“It’s a good game. Chances on both sides but Germany was able to capitalize on their chances more,” remarked huge Argentina and Messi fan Alex Zayco, 26. 

“Argentina because of Messi. Messi reserved himself the whole season for this.”

A FAN NO MATTER WHAT. Alex Zayco is still proud of Argentina and his favorite player Lionel Messi despite the heartbreaking loss at the hands of Germany. Photo by Jane Bracher/Rappler

Decked in the familiar light blue and white jersey of Argentina, Zayco, a football fan since the 90s, lamented the heartbreaking loss together with his friends and fellow Argentina supporters, saying that it was a missed opportunity for Messi to cement his legacy in the sport.

Mas gusto ko si Messi manalo ng World Cup to gain an advantage when it comes to critics when they say na kailangan niyang manalo ng World Cup,” Zayco said, adding that he has supported Messi since 2007. “Para maging comparable siya sa mga likes ni Pelé and Maradona.

(I want Messi to win the World Cup to gain an advantage when it comes to critics saying that he must win it. So he would be comparable with the likes of Pele and Maradona.)

Instead of the championship trophy, however, the FC Barcelona forward took home the Golden Ball as the most oustanding player of the tournament.

RELATED: The glorious World Cup 2014 Final in photos

Appreciating football locally

With football steadily growing in the Philippines over recent years, these longtime fans are only hoping the sport’s rise continues at a steady if not accelarated rate.

“Local soccer is gaining popularity more every year,” said Zayco. 

A loyal follower of the English Premier League and the Spanish league La Liga, Zayco also cheers for the country’s national football team, the Philippine Azkals. 

RELATED: Remembering the Philippines as a football nation

Ocampo, on the other hand, follows the German league Bundesliga. While she admits she hasn’t seen an Azkals match, she has been watching Filipino football teams in the Navy and Army long before it entered the mainstream.

“It’s really developing,” she observed the growing local appreciation for the sport over the years. “Before there wasn’t a huge crowd supporting it but it has always been developed.”

She added: “There are a lot of good players around. I think it’s good what’s happening now because there’s corporate sponsorship because it’s getting popular to a certain level.”

She explained that Asian football is indeed quite different compared to the European way, but she sees an opportunity and potential for Philippine and even regional football to explore and broaden its style of play. 

She says the country’s diverse local talent is an advantage.

“Because of the diversity of players, it’s more of opening up to the different techniques or styles [such as in Europe].”

Ocampo and Zayco were just two of the avid fans enjoying the stunning World Cup final.

And their cheers, along with those of about 300 more people who gave up sleep, could not be heard from Good Earth halfway across the world. Neither were the yells of thousands more Filipinos having viewing parties elsewhere. 

Even so, these fans never let geographic limitations stop them from appreciating the sport. And at the World Cup’s end, regardless of the winner, they cheered loud and proud with the rest of the world. – Rappler.com

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