IT’S just the Under-23 teams.” The few times I came across this comment on social media regarding the Philippines’ non-participation in Asian Games 2018 football in Indonesia, I had to refrain myself from getting embroiled in yet another pointless argument on Facebook.
Because, seriously, the U23 teams play a crucial role in football development. Not only does the team’s performance serve as gauge for the country’s football program, the team itself represents the sport’s future in international competitions at senior level. Of course, every country has different issues and challenges, ranging from the scarcity of facilities and football fields, to a lack of depth, and even to a lack of interest in the sport.
But the dismal performance of the Philippine U23 teams and younger in recent matches and tournaments is a damning reflection of the state of football development in the country. Sure the senior Azkals team has been making history of late, establishing itself as the golden generation of Philippine football, but when its turn ends, then what? And are the younger players from the junior teams deserving of the torch that will be passed on to them?
On a more positive note, the Philippine Football League -- as well as its predecessor the United Football League -- has played a crucial role in providing an opportunity for top flight players to stay in form for the entire year while getting called up for national duties in between. Not only is the PFL a venue for the U23 and U21 players to ply their trade, its where grassroots footballers look forward to when the time comes for them to wear the boots of pros.
But the fledgling PFL itself has a big question mark hovering above its two-year existence: will it survive in the next couple of years? What a massive blow to Philippine football if it doesn’t.
In contrast, the football program of our Southeast Asian neighbors with their strong domestic leagues are reaping long-term dividends. At the ongoing Asiad football tournament, three Southeast Asian teams have advanced to the Round of 16 knockout stage: hosts Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. All three teams have done so in surprising fashion by topping their respective groups. Even more impressive is that Malaysia beat defending champions South Korea 2-1, while Vietnam edged Japan 1-0 in Group D.
As of this writing, Vietnam was facing Bahrain, while Malaysia faces Japan and Indonesia meets the United Arab Emirates today. Both Vietnam and Indonesia have the biggest chances of advancing to the quarterfinals, while Malaysia needs to outdo its performance against South Korea to defeat the Blue Samurai.
The U23 teams of Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam share something in common: 90 percent of their players ply their trade in the top-tier domestic leagues. Their current performance in the Asiad says a lot about the quality and competitiveness of these leagues. Add to this a no-nonsense grassroots program and the league system itself.
Indonesia’s league system has three tiers with 82 clubs total, Malaysia has four with 34 clubs at the top three tiers, while Vietnam also has four with 43 clubs. The Philippines? Let’s just talk first about hoping the number of clubs at the PFL does stay at six.