Sports Writing
Sports Writing
Sports Writing
FREDERICK B. SAMILING
Among the different sections of a
newspaper, the sports page perhaps has
the widest range of readership. Survey
shows that 95% of male readers read the
sports page. This is because sports stories
are more interesting to read due to the
action and rivalries of opposing teams
which are vividly and colorfully written.
Active Voice
35 words or fewer
INVERTED PYRAMID
Lead
News in descending
order of importance
Background high
Quotes sprinkled in
Use transitions
Ending
WHAT IS A STRIKING HEADLINE?
English Tagalog
Bag Nakamit
Grab Dinurog
Harvest Napasakamay
Sweep Namayani
Triumph Namayagpag
Clinch Naguna
Take Nasungkit
Claim Naghari
Cop Winalis
Seize Nasulot
Reign supreme Naagaw
Rule Nagkampeon
Hack Out Nanalo
Blank Hinagupit
Overwhelm Ginulantang
Outsmart Nilupig
Outclass Hiniya
Destroy Pinaluhod
Demolish Pinabagsak
Knock out Nagapi
Shock Naungusan
Shame Nilupig
Prevail Over Naangkin
Snatch Humakot
Pocket Bumandera
Capture Umani
Romp Away Nakuha
Bring Home Naibulsa
BASICS
Score
Records
Site
Classification
Quote
“Out of gas”
WITTY STATEMENTS
Philippines’ journey to Brazil ended after suffering a tough loss over powerhouse Kuwait with a score
of 1-2 in the second round, leg two of the qualifying match for the 2014 FIFA World Cup last July 28, 2011 at
the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
The less experienced Azkals lost both home and away matches with an aggregate score of 1-5 that
closed the door for them to the next round.
“To be in this level is an achievement,” said Azkals head coach Hans Michael Weiss referring to what
his team reached, entering the second round of the qualifiers for the first time in the Philippine Football
history. “We have a fantastic team; just give us a little more time.”
When the time was about to expire before the halftime, Filipino-German and midfielder Stephan
Schrock shocked everyone when he nailed the first goal of the team (45th + two minutes) coming from a
broken play at the top corner of the field that sent Filipinos wild, screaming, shouting, and cheering for the
team.
The goal sapped some of the aggressiveness from the Azkals knowing the mountain they had to
climb.
Waleed Ali cut the wound deeper as he scored the second goal for Kuwait at the 84th minute after
Azkals’ goal keeper Neil Etheridge gambled and dived to clear the ball that left the goal wide open.
The Azkals were well defended as they finished the game with only 10 goal attemps, four on target,
compared to Al Azraq’s 20 attempts with six on target.
NEVER A SHAME THE AZKALS LOST
If it were over in the first half, the Philippine Azkals would have pulled off the
unthinkable: Beat mighty Kuwait.
But in a 90-minute encounter, it was the experience and poise of Kuwait that prevailed
as Al Azraq, despite playing with 10 men in the second half, still found their way to wipe out
Phl’s one-goal edge and steal a 2-1 win last night in the 2014 Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers
Second Round at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Together with the 3-0 verdict they posted in Kuwait last Saturday, Al Azraq won the two-
game series on goal aggregate, 5-1, to earn a berth in the third round and dash the
Azkals’ World Cup hopes at least for now.
“This game and the previous game show how bitter and hard football can be,” said
Azkals coach Michael Weiss, who’s still a picture of optimism despite failing to scale the
Everest-like challenge of Kuwait, the 10-time Gulf champions. Yousef Naser knocked down the
equalizer on a long-range shot at the 61st, silencing the Filipino crowd which was then in the
mood for celebration.
Al Azraq put the dagger on the stunned Filipinos in the 85th when Waleed Jumah
knocked it down on a through ball that had goalkeeper Neil Etheridge rushing out.
“I think the team can take this defeat. We had to take it fairly and also acknowledge that
we went up against a tough opponent,” Weiss said. “(Kuwait) Coach Goran (Tufegdzic) sees his
team going all the way through the World Cup this year.”
PH Azkals bow to Kuwait anew, 2-1
By BRIAN YALUNG
July 28, 2011, 8:08pm
MANILA, Philippines - Stephan Schrock scored a goal with 47:59 in the first half
to give the PH Azkals a 1-0 lead over Kuwait over at the Rizal Memorial Football
Stadium.
The Azkals came out with a more aggressive play paired with timely defense
and saves led by Niel Etheridge.
Schrock together with skipper Ally Borromeo are back in harness after sitting
out the first encounter with Kuwait. The game was highly physical and coach
Michael Weiss needs to push the Azkals some more to allow the Philippines to
keep their World Cup dream alive.
UPDATE: Kuwait made two goals in the second half to win the match 2-1 and
crush the dreams of the Philippines for the 2014 World Cup. Youseef Naseer
and Waleed Jumah made the two goals for Kuwait.
Full report on the PH Azkals vs. Kuwait to follow.
AZKALS BABANGON
Kahit kinapos na magpatuloy sa paglalakbay tungo sa 2014 World Cup, marami namang natutunan ang batang
tropa ng Philippine football team Azkals.
“It’s a hard lesson to learn and to take but I think we have the age, we have the young players and we have a
good balance in the team. They can take it,” ani Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss. “They have to take it fairly
because we also have to acknowledge that we met a very strong opponent.”
Tumiklop ang world No. 162 Azkals sa second round ng WC qualifiers sa kamay ng FIFA ranked No. 95 Kuwait Al-
Azraq sa 5-1 desisyon sa aggregate.
Nabaon sa 3-nil loss sa first leg noong Hulyo 23 ang Azkals at nalusutan din kamakalawa ng gabi ng Al-Azraq, 2-1,
sa second leg o home match ng mga Pinoy sa Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Sinabi ni Weiss na maganda naman ang ginawang laban ng kanyang tropa at ang kabiguan ay nagbigay din ng
ideya sa kanya kung saan pa dapat magpalakas ang team.
“I have to criticize a little bit the defense because we allowed too many shots from the second row. We get a goal
from there in the first match then we get a goal from there in the second match when it is actually very easy if you
step out a few inches there and block the shot,” sambit pa ng German coach.
“Why our defenders are always waiting, inviting the other teams to score from this position is something we have
to rectify and correct,” dagdag pa nito.
Kahit natalo ay dadalhin pa rin ng team ang malaking karangalan bilang unang PHL squad na nakapagdala sa bansa
sa second round ng WC qualifiers sa nakalipas na anim na dekada nang gapiin sa opening round ang Sri Lanka
Brave Reds sa 5-1 aggregate.
Azkals to rise as football power in 5 years: Kuwait