Azkals Bahadoran, Angeles talk new coach, trauma therapy

MANILA, Philippines – After running the Emperador Stadium pitch the previous night in a grueling victory over Pachanga – Diliman, the Global FC crew were relieved to be able to train on their backs Friday night.

The United Football League’s second-placed team took time out of their normal training regimen to take part in trauma release therapy at the practice field in Bonifacio Global City, which consists of a series of exercises that cause “neurogenic tremors” and is being used by the US-based Human Capital Development to help release stress in Typhoon Yolanda victims in Leyte.

At least one player emerged from the exercises with something new to add to their routines.

“This is the first time I’ve done this but I really enjoyed it,” said Global FC midfielder Misagh Bahadoran, a Filipino-Iranian who doubles as a player for the National Football team known as the Azkals. Bahadoran added that he felt less tense afterwards and was even thinking of incorporating it into his morning warmups.

The wind down came after a long and eventful day for Bahadoran and the rest of the Azkals. After much speculation and confusion, former U.S. team captain Thomas Dooley was formally announced as the team’s new head coach.

The announcement comes less than a month before the 127th FIFA-ranked team’s friendly match with the 94th rated Azerbaijan on March 5 in Dubai. It’ll be the first time since 1997 that the Philippines have played a European squad, and the German-American Dooley will have to split time between the players training with their UFL squads.

The new coach also comes as the Azkals are preparing to compete in the AFC Challenge Cup this May in Maldives, a must-win tournament that would qualify them for the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia.

Bahadoran says that he isn’t concerned with the short time the team will have to gel together.

“We are just soldiers. Any time our team manager or Philippine Football Federation asks us to do something, we have to just play good on the pitch,” said Bahadoran. “I understand the situation but our team manager Mr. Dan Palami has a good idea and he has done a lot of things for the National team the Azkals and has never failed Philippine football until now so I’m sure he has a good plan.”

Bahadoran says that he isn’t too familiar with Dooley’s coaching methods, but welcomes his wealth of experience.

“Right now I don’t have any idea of the new coach because I didn’t have any training but I know he has a very strong background of playing football in the World Cup so I hope I can learn a lot of things from him and I have a good feeling that we’ll do good in this tournament,” said Bahadoran.

Bahadoran’s Global FC and Azkals teammate Marwin Angeles didn’t seem to worried either, saying that he felt confident that the team will acclimate to the switch quickly. 

“It’s going to be a good experience for everyone,” said the Filipino-Italian midfielder Angeles. “Of course (former Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss) did a great job with the national team and we’re going to see what’s going to happen with the new coach. We know that he was a really great player and we just need to learn what he’s going to teach us.” 

Global FC, who are four points behind the league-leading Loyola Meralco Sparks FC with 12 points, will play Team Socceroo next on Tuesday, February 11. – Rappler.com