FOR Spanish coach Albert Capellas, local hometown support and the national football team’s performance should go hand-in-hand.
“We always talk about which comes first: the chicken or the egg? This means that we want our supporters to come and we feel it. We must also play well to deserve that support,” Capellas stressed yesterday on the eve of the PH side’s first Group B match against Myanmar in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
In the first game of Capelllas before local fans, the Filipino footballers take on the Burmese at 6:30 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
To sustain local crowd support, the Spanish mentor pointed out that “my responsibility is to deliver a performance that is fun to watch, we play with entertainment and they enjoy the game.
“This is what we must do and the supporters will come,” he said.
Veteran goalkeeper Patrick Deyto, who will be guarding the net and also present during the pre-match press conference, said “that the 12th man is always important and it is a big advantage.
“I hope a lot of people will come to support us; it affects our energy and a boost in creating a good atmosphere at the stadium. I hope they will come tomorrow to support and we will give them a show.”
Both the coach and goalie were excited to play in front of a Filipino gallery.
“It is going to be a very exciting day; my first game at home. We will play our best, our 100 percent and try to win for them,” Capellas said.
“Of course, I am excited playing the first game of the tournament at home. To set the tone in a positive way. We have played in front of our fans recently so it is a good way to show them how we have developed. We are looking forward to the game tomorrow and come prepared,” Deyto said.
Although ranked 18 rungs lower at No. 167 in the FIFA men’s world ratings, the Burmese should not be taken lightly, according to Capellas.
“It will be an interesting game and I expect Myanmar to be aggressive so we are prepared for that. For me, there is no difference between being offensive or defensive. You have to be in the right position and always work together,” he said.
“When we lose the ball, we should not allow for quick counterattacks. We expect crosses from our opponents and go for the second ball.”
