ILONGGO Jovin Bedic did not hesitate in seizing the moment when he nailed the crucial game-tying goal in the Philippine Azkals’ 1-1 draw with Thailand War Elephants recently in the 2018 AFC Suzuki Cup in Bacolod City.
That goal was as huge as the game-winning hit Bedic converted when Kaya Iloilo captured the 2018 PFL Copa Paulino Alcantara title last month at the expense of Davao Aguilas.
“As a football player naman, ito naman pangarap mo para sa Pilipinas. Proud lang ako sa team ko at sa sarili ko na nakatulong para makuha rin iyong goal namin against Thailand,” Bedic said in a post-match interview.
“Talagang iyong desire and ayoko talaga mag-give up na matalo kami,” added Bedic, who joined fellow Barotac Nuevo natives Yanti Barsales, Ian Araneta, Chieffy Caligdong, and Ruben Doctora as among those who have scored for the national team.
“Salamat kasi na-recognize tayo as part of legend sa Barotac Nuevo at sa Iloilo,” he said. “Ngayon siguro magpatuloy pa rin ako sa ginagawa ko para sa Pilipinas.”
Bedic admitted that he was not expected to play in the match against the War Elephants until Azkals head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson called his number with less than 20 minutes remaining.
“Siguro lahat naman nagtrabaho pero iyong pag 1-nil, parang mahirap talaga, pero sabi ni coach na mag-prepare ako, baka pumasok ako. Gin-rab ko na lang iyong opportunity na itong game na ito, kailangan ko mag-step up,” he said.
“Noong nagkaroon ng chance, nakita ko pag-turn ko noon, nandiyan na iyong goal so as a striker siguro kailangan ko lang tirahin iyon para maka-score. Mabuti na lang at pumasok.”
Moreover Bedic, an alumnus of West Negros University, said he was happy with how his football career turned out this year – winning a championship for Kaya Iloilo and being tapped to be part of the national team.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa family ko na laging nandiyan and iyong team namin, iyong suporta and siguro iyong desire ko talaga na mag-step up pa sa football career ko so siguro saka iyong good timing ngayong taon,” he said.
Despite the favorable result, Bedic said he and the whole Azkals team were keeping their focus as they face the also-ran Indonesia on Sunday night at the latter’s home field.
“Iyon pa din naman ang mindset ng team – iyong 3 points pa rin iyong gusto nating makuha, so mag-travel kami agad para sa Indonesia game.”
The Azkals, who tied with the War Elephants on top of Pool B with 7 points, will need a win or at least a draw with the Indonesians to formalize their entry into the semifinal round./PN
