What really angers the Azkals captain?

CAPTAIN: Rob Gier (left) with Azkals supporter Craig Burrows.

^{by Jack Biantan}

^{LONDON — ROBERT James Dazo ‘’Rob’’ Gier is the soft spoken captain of the Philippine Azkals but being called Fil-Foreigner makes him angry.}

^{Rob in an interview recently at a London restaurant, revealed that although his father is English he is always upset every time someone questions his lineage and calls him a Fil-Foreigner.}

The interview was organized by former Philippine based charity worker but now England based writer Craig Burrows, 

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^{’That word is even racist. I am a Filipino based abroad,’’ he stressed.  Rob also has English blood but if someday England and the Philippines will meet in the World Cup final he would cheer for the Philippines.}

^{Critics of the Azkals who are either not football fans or ignorant sports fan pretenders always bring back the issue of their nationality every time the national team gets media mileage.} 

^{A true football fan would know that FIFA  ruling judged that players must be able to demonstrate a "clear connection" to a country that they had not been born in but wished to represent.} 

^{This ruling explicitly stated that, in such scenarios, the player must have at least one parent or grandparent who was born in that country, or the player must have been resident in that country for at least two years.}

ROB’S PARENTS

^{Rob’s father is Robert Gier, an Englishman.  Although Rob spent most of his  life in England, where he grew up in an affluent small town of Ascot, which is 25 miles West of London (Yes the home of the famous Ascot Racecourse), he felt that he was different at a young age of four.}

^{Rob’s mom Rosario, a true blooded Waray-waray from Tacloban, Leyte, made him realized that. She cooked Filipino food for him and he always tagged with her to the attend Filipino parties. She also taught him Filipino values most specially the importance of family, and hard work to provide for one’s family.}

^{Rob is not the only Filipino player based abroad playing for the Azkals when the team sets out to Bahrain for a training camp from March 23-31. The Azkals will also play one friendly match against Palestine in preparation for the World Cup 2018 qualifying tournament which will kick off in June.}

^{The PFF and coach Thomas Dooley are expected to announce the official lineup of the team for the training camp this week and obviously will include a number of Filipinos based abroad. Rob has been informed that he is part of the training pool and he will fly to Manila on March 19.}

^{Rob’s dad, was instrumental in his development as a footballer. Everyday he brought him to training. “I was already waiting for him to come back from work and then he would drive me to training, ‘’ he said.}

CARREER

^{Rob then began his professional career at Wimbledon in 1999 and has played for various clubs all over England like Rushed and Diamonds, Cambridge United,  Woking, Aldershot Town, Grays Athletic and most recently Ascot United.}

^{Even when he was just starting his professional career, Bob was already interested in playing for the Philippine national team but did not have any contacts with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and did not even think that the Philippines has a national football team.}

^{Eventually, through the encouragement of his mom, Rob contacted the PFF and on the 14th of  April 2009 made his international debut against Bhutan for the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup qualification. He also played against Maldives and Turkmenistan in that tournament.}

^{From then on Rob has been a regular with the Azkals but thinks that this year’s World Cup qualifying competition might be his last tournament for the Azkals and the next Suzuki Cup Cup would be far fetched.}

^{Rob at 34, has slowed down but could still provide leadership for the Azkals on and off the pitch. His presence in the Azkals’ lineup would really depend on how his body would adjust to the tough international matches. How would his battle tested limbs would cope to the travels, the tough training and the grueling matches.}

^{With his retirement from international and club football looming in the horizon, Rob has looked forward to his future and this time he has his eyes in helping young Filipino footballers develop their skills and experience the English football culture.}

ZENITH SOCCER TOURS

^{Inspired by his meeting and short training with the Philippine U-11 team, the ‘Little Azkals’ here at the Loughborough University in Leicesshire, in 2013, Rob has put up his own company Zenith Soccer Tours (Zenith Soccer Tours).} 

^{The Zenith Soccer Tours have been keeping him busy these days and it is one way for him also to help children not only from the Philippines but also from all over the world to experience the football culture in England and to hone their football skills in a world class facility at the Bisham Abbey National Sports Center.}

^{The center was once home to Henry VIII and Elizabeth I on the border of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire on the banks of the river Thames. It is closely located to London with major transport links. It has excellent facilities with turf and natural grass football pitches and comfortable living quarters. It has also a gym and many more sports facilities.}

^{A tour package with Zenith Soccer Tour would include training and staying at the Bisham Abbey, a tour of London and an unforgetable experience of the British football culture with tours of the home of the Arsenal FC, The Emirates, and the Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea FC. The company will help facilitate the visas of the children and their parents or guardians.} 

^{Schools, clubs or any individuals who are interested in experiencing the British football culture or learning more football skills can check the company’s website  at www.zenith-soccertours.co.uk or email Rob Gier at info@zenith-soccertours.co.uk. (l.biantan@gmail.com)}