EXCLUSIVE: Sandro Reyes visits the ALL-STAR House
If your football friends have been extra giddy for the past couple of days, we have a good guess why. It’s probably because our beloved Azkals are in town for the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. They’re extra more in town if you’re from the Clark general area as they’re set to play in that field for the first time on March 25, 7 p.m. You can get your tickets HERE.
Here’s a quick update on the current roster of the team:
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We’re pretty sure the players are excited too. But we know of one for sure not only because he said so on his Instagram, but because we also had the privilege of chopping it up with him fresh off the plane from Germany.
Sandro arrived at the ALL-STAR House mid-afternoon. After exchanging pleasantries with everyone, we told him that we could chill and tell us whenever he’s ready.
“Oh, I’m ready now. Let’s go,” he says right way. All business.
He came straight from the airport off a 16-hour flight.
Currently playing for West Club Gütersloh, Sandro is one of very few Asians playing professional football in Europe. Moreso, a Filipino playing in Germany. If you ask me, it’s still crazy to think that the once highly touted teenager from PAREF Southridge is now the face of the Azkals.
“Playing for a club is obviously very good but nothing beats playing for the country and the millions of Filipinos that we are able to represent.”
While seeing family, friends, and enjoying the warm weather is on his agenda, Sandro’s main focus is on the match against Maldives itself. The upcoming match is a qualifier for the biggest tournament in Asia, the AFC Asian Cup.
While the team is coming off a loss against Thailand for the semis of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024, Sandro maintains a calm confidence when asked about what adjustments he thinks the team should make.
“Scoring when there’s an opportunity to score, you know. Taking advantage of those opportunities,” he says. The team and I shared a look and exchanged approving nods as he responded.
“Just continue to do what we did well—which was a lot of things,” he quickly adds.
A quick interview here and a few snaps of the camera there and we’re done. Sandro and the rest of the Azkals head straight to PFMNT duties and training until Match Day.
We can’t wait! See you at the match!
P.S. Sandro, Kare-Kare and Bicol Express on us if you guys win, yeah?
Text by James Leonard Cruz
Interview and Art by Juan Marco Matriano
Photos by Vyn Radovan
Shot on location at ALL-STAR House
