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| UFL All-Stars coach Simon McMenemy (left) with Perth mentor Kenny Lowe. |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MAKATI--The year 2010 was a momentous year for Philippine football when the national team, at that time known for being moribund, pulled off the biggest upset of the AFF Suzuki Cup then, a 2-0 victory against then champion Vietnam in front of the latter's hostile crowd.
The win eventually started the rise of team known as the Azkals to Southeast Asian powerhouse status which is somehow interesting since the Philippines is known as a basketball-crazy nation.
Simon McMenemy was the coach; Aly Borromeo was the captain then.
Six years later, they are set to be at one side again, this time at the UFL All-Star Game on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
"It's nice to be able to be involved with [Aly] again. I'm looking forward to seeing and working with him," the current Loyola gaffer, who will act as the UFL All-Star team mentor, said to Dugout Philippines on Tuesday night during the event's press conference about having a reunion with the longtime Kaya skipper, who was named to the selection that will face A-League side Perth.
[Related Story: Ex-Azkals get reunion project with ex-coach as UFL All-Stars named]
Also joining Borromeo are fellow ex-national teammates Jason De Jong and Jerry Barbaso along with Azkals prospects and backstopped by foreign reinforcements.
"I'm quite thankful that it's me [that the UFL chose]. I really enjoy the opportunity," McMenemy continued.
The Perth-UFL All-Stars clash at 3:30 p.m. will cap a special doubleheader on Saturday which will kick off with the Philippines vs. Rest of the World match at 1 p.m.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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