Following their experience in the Japanese earthquake before this tournament, the Azkals unerwent yet another earth-shaking ordeal. An earthquake, registering 7 on the Richter scale, shook their hotel building. The team quickly left the hotel for safety reasons and waited outside, but they returned shortly after they were given the all-clear.
There was no physical damage to the building or to anyone. Nevertheless, the earthquake brings an interesting psychological element to the team's preparations for their upcoming make-or-break game. While watching previous matches and the tactics of their Bangladeshi opponents, the television and pictures on the wall began shaking and it quickly dawned on the Azkals that they were experiencing yet another earthquake.
The Azkals need your support, now, more than ever.
The earthquake came after the team bade farewell to an emotional Rob Gier, as he left for England to take care of his pregnant wife. Understandably torn with having to leave the Azkals before their final game, he told Cedelf Tupas of the Inquirer that “As much as I wanted to play for the Philippines, my family is my priority as of the moment.”
With his wife reportedly ill, we must all remember that some things are bigger than football. Let's keep Rob and his wife, Emma, in our thoughts. Though Gier will be sorely missed, as a veteran of the team who offers great experience at the heart of defence, fans must show their appreciation for a player who sacrificed a great deal to even play the first two games.
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