The football frenzy has finally hit the Philippines. After countless decades of basketball and boxing craze, Filipinos have found a new sport to go crazy for. The Philippines' stunning 2-0 victory against defending champion Vietnam in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup not only made headlines in Sports Illustrated, a US sports magazine, but also proved that Filipinos can keep up with other international teams also in other sports. basketball. Equipped with excellent dexterity and speed thanks to their short stature, one cannot deny and imagine what amazing things Filipinos can do on the football field. Football is truly the sport for Filipinos. Football was first introduced to Filipinos by English sportsmen who were members of the Manila club in 1890 during the Spanish colonial period. However, before it was not easily accepted by society, because it was played by half-crazy foreigners. But thanks to the curiosity and highly imitative nature of the young Filipinos, the game was soon played by the locals too. Paulino Alcantara, a mestizo born and raised in Iloilo, played football for Joan Gamper's FC Barcelona team from 1912 to 1927. He scored a total of 357 goals throughout his time at the club and even earned the nickname El Rompe Redes which means net breaker because of the strength of his kicks. He was considered a great asset to the team and was considered the greatest Philippine football player ever produced. (azkals-philippinefootball.com) Football, however, was then overtaken by basketball and boxing a few decades later when the Spanish left and the Americans arrived and took the lead in colonizing the Philippines. Basketball became the new fever, the locals welcomed the new sport with open arms, and every... middle of paper......cc/2011/07/philippine-azkals-potential.html>. “ Why the Philippines should focus on football.” Hub Pages. Np, Nd Web. October 2, 2011. "Meet the equally tough Philippine Azkals." Hub Pages. Np, Nd Web. 2 October 2011. .Cinco, Elinando. "In World News." Manila Bulletin. Np, February 14, 2011. Web. October 2, 2011. “Azkals.” Speak speak Tilaok. NP, 22 January 2011. Web. 2 October 2011. "Football from Chelsea to Manila". Yahoo Sports. Np, Nd Web. October 2. 2011. .