Free agent Guirado eyed by foreign clubs

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Spanish striker Angel Guirado said yesterday he’s not renewing his contract with Spanish league Third Division club Ronda, opening the door to set up base in Manila and play in Asia where at least five countries, including the Philippines, are showing interest to sign him up.

Guirado, 26, has played five games so far for the Philippine football team, scoring three goals. The 6-2 forward is unbeaten as an Azkal. He suited up for the Philippines in wins over Bangladesh (3-0) and Sri Lanka (4-0) and draws with Palestine (0-0), Myanmar (1-1) and Sri Lanka (1-1).

Last Sunday, Guirado booted in the Azkals’ third goal over Sri Lanka after outmaneuvering the defense and eluding the goalkeeper in a display of ball wizardry. Teammate Chieffy Caligdong celebrated the marker by simulating a bull with two forefingers pointed up like horns on his temples and dancing around Guirado. At the end of the match, Caligdong rode Guirado’s back to start the victory parade – a display of camaraderie between a homegrown Filipino and one of several Fil-foreigners in coach Michael Weiss’ squad.

Guirado leaves for Spain tomorrow and will be back here Monday with his Spanish girlfriend Rocio. The Azkals are scheduled to leave for Bahrain to open training camp on July 13 and will play Kuwait in a two-game World Cup qualifying series on July 23 in the Kuwaiti suburb of Hawalli and 28 in Manila.

Guirado’s cousin Rafa Garcia, who acts as his agent and interpreter, said he has received reports that scouts from Indonesia, Japan, China and the United Arab Emirates are closely monitoring the striker’s progress with the Azkals. There are offers to play for United Football League clubs in Manila but at the moment, Guirado is keeping his options open.

“It’s not just the money that I’m looking at,” said Guirado whose mother Angela Aldeguer traces her roots to Isabela. “My priority is to play in a high-level league where I can improve my game. I’m open to the idea of relocating to Manila where I have many relatives. I’ve always loved the Philippines and I’m looking forward to visit Boracay, Palawan and Isabela where my grandfather (Adolfo Aldeguer) lives.”

Guirado said it’s special to play for the Azkals. “You can’t imagine the feeling when I play for the Azkals,” he said. “I’m motivated to play harder because I’m playing for the Philippines. That’s why at the end of our game last Sunday, I kept kissing the Philippine flag on my shirt.”

Guirado said the Azkals’ hard work in a recent two-week camp in Germany to prepare for the Sri Lanka series paid off. “We’re a team and that’s how we win – as a team,” he said. “It’s important for our team to be cohesive, for the players to know and trust each other. I know it’s difficult to expect instant chemistry with players coming and going because of international commitments. But little by little, we’re getting to where we want to be. We’re jelling. Our team is becoming firmer and more compact as a unit.”

Guirado said the Azkals’ latest recruits have raised the level of talent in the team. He singled out Stephan Schrock, Manuel Ott, Nate Burkey and Paul Mulders as key contributors in the recent Sri Lanka series.

Against Kuwait, Guirado said the Azkals must be prepared to play a tough, physical series. Aly Borromeo and Schrock are barred from playing in the first match because of drawing two yellow cards each in the Sri Lanka series but Guirado said the Azkals will adjust.

“We’ll miss Aly and Stephan but we’ve got to compensate,” said Guirado. “Stephan has commitments in Germany so I don’t think he could’ve played anyway. But I remember Rob Gier couldn’t play a few games before and even if he’s an important player for us, we adjusted. We’re getting Ray Jonsson and Jerry Lucena back for Kuwait so I think we’ve got enough players to fill in.”

Guirado shrugged off reports that Kuwait will try to use physicality to overpower the Azkals. Kuwait’s players are strong and muscular. Last Saturday, Kuwait crushed Lebanon, 6-0, in a friendly in Beirut and after the match, players from both teams engaged in a free-for-all that was stopped only after security forces fired gunshots into the air. “We won’t back down,” promised Guirado.

With over 30 relatives in the gallery and a huge Fil-Spanish community cheering, Guirado played hurt and dished out a no-relief job last Sunday. He’s been quietly nursing injuries. His right eye took a direct hit from the ball at camp in Germany and for a while, his vision was blurry. His inner right thigh has a black-and-blue bruise the size of a small plate and his left knee is banged up. The pain and discomfort didn’t stop Guirado from scoring one of the most memorable goals in his career.

“Before Sunday’s match, coach Weiss reminded us to work together in defense, to play as a team,” he said. “Coach motivated us to play hard for the fans. I am overwhelmed by the fans’ show of support. I truly appreciate their faith and confidence.”

Guirado said while he often jokes with Caligdong, he has no best buddy on the team because everyone is a close friend. After Sunday’s match, the Azkals celebrated with friends, relatives and fans at the Manila Diamond Hotel then partied until 4 a.m. at the Robot Bar near the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

Guirado said he’s slowly learning words in Pilipino and English. Some of his favorites are “I don’t know” “maganda” “saan ka pupunta” “mabuti” and “salamat.” Of course, he has also been taught the naughty words.

Guirado’s older brother Juan Luis, 31, may join the Azkals for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup Finals in Myanmar next March. He lives in Spain and is unable to take a long vacation from work. Juan Luis is still under contract with a Spanish league club. Next year, he hopes to accumulate enough days off to play for the Azkals.

Garcia said he’s negotiating endorsement contracts for Guirado and Caligdong so they’re able to put money in the bank for the future.

Joaquin Henson, Philippine Star