MindanaoToday.com | PFF should sign Nonoy as PMNFT head coach
By: Jack Biantan
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT) dominated Tajikistan in their last assignment in the Merdeka Cup at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia but settled for a scoreless draw in the end game only to suffer a 3-4 setback in the penalty shootout.
Four days ago the Filipinos also suffered a heartbreaking 1-2 defeat to host and eventual champion Malaysia despite scoring the first goal. They were also denied by a lackluster-performing referee of two clear penalties to go home without a win.
The two losses however did not upstage the heads-up performance of the Filipinos but instead revealed this talented group and showed off what this team could do in the future. This despite of course the short preparation after Belgian coach Tom Sainfiet contract was not renewed in August.
Legendary Negrense coach Nonoy Fegidero, now the interim coach of the PMNFT, deserves all the pat as he is responsible for assembling and training this squad in short notice.
“I am very proud of the team. We dominated Tajikistan from that start and we had many chances in the first half in which we could have scored three goals,” he said.
He added that they have to change their approach to attacking. “We put up a good fight until the final whistle. We just did not get good results.” He said during the post-match interview.
The Filipinos at 147, are the lowest FIFA ranked among the four participating teams in the weeklong competition organized by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to commemorate the Independence celebration of Malaysia from Great Britain. Tajikistan ranks 102, Lebanon 117 and Malaysia 134.
Against Tajikistan, the Filipinos had five shots on target, compared to only two by the Tajiks. They also had eight corners compared the three by their opponents. They also controlled the ball possession with 55 percent advantage compared to 45 percent only to the Tajiks.
The PMNFT was just unlucky in those two matches first losing to Malaysia 1-2 in the first match and then bowing to Tajikistan via penalty shootout 3-4 after a scoreless draw in the regulation.
Credit of course is due to coach Nonoy and his coaching staff which include assistant coaches Queraldo Maocog, David Malupig, Javier Melupaño, goalkeeping coach Eduard Sacapaño, Physical coach Aristotle Andrey, Physiotherapists Augustine Rivas, and Jamie Trespicio and Physician Laurence Irving Bernardo.
But let us not forget team manager Freddy Gonzalez, PFF president John Gutierrez and Technical Director Josep Ferre,for their all out support of the PNMFT program.
Despite Nonoy’s limited exposure as an international coach, his brilliant awareness off the pitch is obvious. He could make adjustments during the game.
These adjustments allowed non effective players to play better and improve the chances of the team in securing the draw and giving inspired performances that have awakened the long-time bored Filipino football PMNFT fans.
The Merdeka Cup was a success for coach Nonoy basing only on their performances on the pitch.
The results did not show it all. Only football haters or people who want to see the post-Azkals PMNFT fail would comment negatively.
If I were Freddy and John I would sign Nonoy as a permanent head coach of the PNMFT. Please forget about hiring a foreign coach. How many foreign coaches have we had in the past years?
Since 2000 only five Filipinos have coached the PNMFT. They were Rodolfo Alicante in 2000, Aris Caslib in 2004-2007, Norman ‘Nonoy’ Fegidero in 2008, Marlon Maro in 2017, and Anto Gonzales in 2018.
Fifteen foreign coaches have tried to bring success to the PMNFFT since 2000. After 24 years there has been limited success or no success at all.
During the Azkals era, the PNMFT was recognized locally and internationally. But success was limited and the Azkals’ sparkle faded. There is a new era in Philippine football and a new administration in the PFF.
Hope for the success of Philippine football is on the upswing and the Merdeka Cup performance has spurred these aspirations.
Will Nonoy bring success to the PMNFT? He has the potential and he can make adjustments as the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and the Asian Cup qualifiers are coming.
They will first see action in the King’s Cup in Thailand on Oct. 7-15.
Nonoy can prove himself if he brings success. But first, the PFF should take out the ‘Interim’ from his current position (jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)
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