By STUART MICHAEL

Philip Long with his collection of goalkeeper gloves at home.
WHEN it comes to football or futsal, there are only a handful of people who want to play the goalkeeper’s position. And Philip Long is one of them.

Philip’s passion for goalkeeping since the age of 14 has led him to build a collection of more than 160 goalkeeper gloves.

To add to his glove collection, there is also 26 goalkeeper suits and 41 futsal shoes that he uses for tournaments or matches that he plays.

Philip continues to buy two goalkeeper gloves each month and this is where his money is spent rather than going to discos and entertainment outlets.

Because of his huge collection, Philip has to sleep in the hall rather than in the bedroom that is filled with football stuff.

The 28 year-old was bowled over after watching former Italian goalkeeper Walter Zenga, with his colourful dressing and acrobatic dives, during the 1990 World Cup.

From watching Zenga, Philip was inspired to be goalkeeper and also adopted the flamboyant dressing and diving style to stop goal attempts.

“I took up goalkeeping because I felt goalkeepers are actually the heart of a football match. They will make or break a game,'' said Philip, who added that most of his friends took up other positions like striker, midfielder and defender in a team.

“I am very fussy over what I wear especially when I go on the futsal pitch. My goalkeeping outfit must match my gloves and it must be the same brand for both,'' stressed Philip.

As a goalkeeper at heart, Philip feels more satisfied to save a goal attempt than to score one.

“Many football fans only look at the goals scored and not really at the effort the goalkeeper takes to make a save. The thing that keeps me going on is the passion and love I have for goalkeeping,’’ he added.

Philip used to play for his school and club but retired from field soccer in 1999. In 2000, the game of futsal was getting popular among Malaysians and Philip once again tried goalkeeping and he felt more suited for this game.

He was chosen as a national trainee for the 2003 KL World 5's Futsal Championship and is now with Waikiki FC, which is currently one of the best futsal clubs in Malaysia, winning the 4th Malaysia National Futsal League in Sports Planet Ampang.

Philip, who took on the job as Sports Planet general manager last year, has now more reason to continue playing as he is in the futsal business.

 

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