Karl Decena, InterAKTV
Ian Araneta has been a fixture in the Philippine national men’s football team since 2000. He has been part of the Azkals for three Suzuki Cup tournaments, and was one of the team’s top weapons when the team shot to fame in the 2010 edition of the competition.
But with a deeper lineup, the Air Force striker was left off the final 22-man roster, a snub that, he admits, had him thinking about quitting from the national team altogether.
“Balak ko na sana next year na mag-schooling sa Air Force para sa rangko ko,” said Araneta, who currently is currently a sergeant. “Pero yung career ko, ‘di lang naman as a football player eh. As a soldier din. So kelangan ko rin na pagtuunan ng pansin yun as a military man.”
But the lure of playing for flag and country was too much for Araneta, who couldn’t fathom the thought of just watching from the sidelines.
“Kung nasa field ka, gaano kasarap yung naglalaro ka na kasama yung mga teammate mo,” Araneta said. “Pumapasok sa isip ko, ‘Kaya ko pa, parang meron pa.’”
Araneta said that he wants to have another tour of duty for the Azkals in this same tournament in the future.
“Gusto ko sanang balikan itong Suzuki kung saan kami nagsimula,” Araneta said while scouting the Myanmar-Vietnam match last Saturday.
“Hindi ko muna iniisip yung retirement.”
Araneta isn’t unaware when it comes to fans’ criticism of his play of late, saying he understands where they are coming from.
“Matagal din akong nabakante. Medyo bumaba yung laro mo, so yun yung binabalik ko,” said Araneta, who was forced to cut his trip short with the team to be with his wife, who will give birth anytime soon. “Ni-re-respeto ko naman sila, pero ‘di mo yan maiintindihan pag ‘di ka player.”
At 30, Araneta admitted that he is now approaching the twilight of his career. But he wants to leave a lasting impression to many before retiring from the Azkals.
“‘Di pa naman huli ang lahat. Pag-ta-trabahuhan ko yan,” he said.
respect
ReplyDeleteboooooo!!!! do everyone a favor and just retire from the national team already dammit!!!
ReplyDeletehowever, having said that, the coaching staff needs to have some balls!! domestic based players should be picked on merit for the most part! and araneta is one those players that shouldn't get selected based on that! same thing goes for his fellow air force colleague caligdingdong!
Rspect. It's true that he hasnt been performing well lately, but we still cannot discount the fact that he was instrumental to Philippine Football for the past 10 years.. Let's give him what he deserves. I'm sure he still has something left to give to the country, and I think we owe it to him. Let him leave with a bang!
ReplyDeletehe made his mark already in phlippine football. he wasnt picked this time so that's it. he admits that he is not playing well. the fans are questioning the many chances the coach has given him and yet he has not performed. this is where the doubts come from. nothing more nothing less. he having the same family name as the pff prexy surely adds more doubt. can you blame the fans for thinking this way? what else does he deserve? what do we owe him? i think we owe it to the others especially the younger ones who are performing well. now james, phil and chieffy are being questioned for their recent performances. life is this way, so be it. there are no holy cows or superstars and we commend the coaching staff for instituting discipline among the ranks and not giving in
Deletehes still my idol. no matter what haters say.
ReplyDelete#RESPECT
laging nadadapa..
ReplyDeleteRespect!
ReplyDeleteI hope that you accord the proper respect to Ian, after all he does not have the connections to influence his selection, every player in the National Team has to fight for his slot, and if he makes it, then he deserves it, we should respect that, if there are other strikers better than him then he will be replaced, playing for the national team is a competition among other players. It does not necessarily follow that one's you ate selected you can never be replaced. So please this people have feelings too, they are not there to make money, they are there to bring honor to the country, and along with it the sacrifice.
ReplyDeletesure kang he deserves it?! ang daming mas deserving na mga local players dyan kaysa sa boy dapa na yan!
ReplyDeleteHE ISN'T NATIONAL TEAM MATERIAL ANYMORE!
biyai ang coach mudesisyon ana.
DeleteIf there are more deserving players, then they should join the try- out, the coach cannot handpick players because they usually become big headed, take the case of Patrick deyto goalie of lasalle, he was asked to join the try out, but when he was not first 11, he did not join the training anymore, this is where the problem lies, we think that we are all superstars specially when we are invited to join. We should know our roles and wait for our time, I guess this is what the local players in the line up has. Patience is a virtue.
ReplyDeletehoy gago. dmo kilala si pat para sabihan ng ganyan. bobo.
Delete