Jerome S. Galunan Jr. Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper
EXPERIENCE was the key as the home teams from the North Ceres Selection and Ceres-University of St. La Salle (USLS) outplayed the much younger Philippine U16 team-Teen Azkals in the friendly matches held Monday and Tuesday, respectively, at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
In their match against the North Ceres Selection, the nationals bowed down, 5-1.
Ceres’ Ali Rojas Go sparked the locals’ offense with the squad’s first goal in close range after overpowering the national team’s defense. Fil-Am Joshua Beloya then nailed the team’s second on a 15-yard strike to put the home team on the lead at the break, 2-nil.
In the second half, Ceres became more aggressive on offense putting the nationals’ defense to mess up.
Three more goals from Ceres’ Rolando Ian Treyes, Eliseo Palomo Jr. and Archie Familiar made it impossible for the Glenn Ramos-coached Teen Azkals to catch up.
Teen Azkals’ skipper Skie Doug Carranza secured the national team’s lone goal only in the late part of the match.
On the other hand, in the match against Nene Lazarito-mentored Ceres-USLS Tuesday, the national team failed to avenge their early defeat against the Ceres Selection as they lost anew, 5-2.
Norman Seloterio opened the USLS’ scoring on a quick attack stunning the nationals’ defense as Ralph Layumas nailed the team’s second at close range. J Buguioro and Joel Bedia added two more goals from just above the penalty box to post a 4-nil lead.
It was Negrense Ryu Nell Fegidero, nephew of former national men’s head coach Norman Fegidero, who nailed the Teen Azkals’ first goal after escaping from his defender.
The score was 4-1 at the end of the first half.
In the second half, Aldrin Dolino scored USLS’ fifth goal after beating the nationals’ defense and converting in close range.
But the nationals scored another from team’s skipper Carranza to put the game at 5-2 at the final whistle.
Backing Lazarito in the coaching side are Ramon Janeo, Ali Go, Hemerson Campo, Michael Casas while Leo Rey Yanson managed the team.
Last Sunday, Teen Azkals held the Philippine Musangs U19 team of Spanish coach Maor Rozen to a scoreless draw.
The recent hostilities were part of the 1st Teen Azkals Festival which aimed to tap new breed of players to don the Teen Azklas in future international competitions.
Team manager Alvin Carranza Carranza stressed that the festival aimed at spreading friendship and unifying Filipinos, who are known to be sports-minded, for the love of football.
Meanwhile, the Teen Azkals is composed of 19 homegrown players – handpicked with the help of the football associations in the provinces all over the country.
Leading the list are Bacolod-hailed Phil John Battalones, Nessi Villanueva Ramos, Christian Paul Jover and Ryu Nell Fegidero.
Also in the line-up are Ilonggo Jose Zaldy Abraham Jr., Dumaguete’s Jose Adrian de la Sierra, Raymundo Santilla and Angelo Gabriel Bahoyan; Cebu’s Yves Russel Caballero, Antonio Eduardo Rafols and Renko Feliz Gaudiel; and Jhoguer Pasilan Ybañez (San Carlos City).
Also suited up for the team are Mindanao’s pride from Bukidnon Jose Brian Langub Romo and Alfred Inaki Nacuna and Alexis Joseph Juan (Davao).
For the Luzon and National Capital Region area Jonah Vidal Suarez (Laguna) and NCR’s Luis Gabriel Sumera, Paolo Gabriel Alilam, Raphael Vincent Resuma and skipper Skie Doug Carranza.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Azkals' Etheridge, Schrock to miss Long Teng Cup
abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – Several key Azkals players won’t be able to play for the national squad in the Long Teng Cup in September.
ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo reported that Filipino-Europeans Neil Etherdige, Rob Gier, Jerry Lucena, Paul Mulders and Stephan Schrock will be missing the event that is due to take place in Taiwan.
Some of the players are unavailable in September due to commitments with their respective ball clubs in Europe.
"Sorry I won't be able to make the long teng cup I'm sure that the team will do great! Will be supporting them all the way," said Etheridge through Twitter.
The Long Teng Cup is not listed in the coordinated FIFA international match calendar, which is why the football clubs are not compelled to release the players.
Gier, meanwhile, chose to stay close with his wife, who is due to give birth.
"Because of the imminent arrival of my baby girl I will not be taking part in the Long Teng Cup. This does not mean that I won't be taking part in future matches and I look forward to meeting up with the guys again very soon. I hope you all understand that it is an important time for me to be at home," he said through his Facebook account.
Filipino-British siblings Phil and James Younghusband, meanwhile, will be around to provide the needed boost for the Azkals.
They already began training with the rest of the Azkals at the Alabang Country club on Tuesday.
“Good to be back on team, good to see the same old faces. Good as well to get back in training,” said James.
Joining them is 23-year-old Filipino-German recruit Roland Mueller, second choice goalkeeper of German second division squad Duisburg.
Filipino-Dutch Jason de Jong and Filipino-German Manny Ott will join the Azkals as well.
MANILA, Philippines – Several key Azkals players won’t be able to play for the national squad in the Long Teng Cup in September.
ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo reported that Filipino-Europeans Neil Etherdige, Rob Gier, Jerry Lucena, Paul Mulders and Stephan Schrock will be missing the event that is due to take place in Taiwan.
Some of the players are unavailable in September due to commitments with their respective ball clubs in Europe.
"Sorry I won't be able to make the long teng cup I'm sure that the team will do great! Will be supporting them all the way," said Etheridge through Twitter.
The Long Teng Cup is not listed in the coordinated FIFA international match calendar, which is why the football clubs are not compelled to release the players.
Gier, meanwhile, chose to stay close with his wife, who is due to give birth.
"Because of the imminent arrival of my baby girl I will not be taking part in the Long Teng Cup. This does not mean that I won't be taking part in future matches and I look forward to meeting up with the guys again very soon. I hope you all understand that it is an important time for me to be at home," he said through his Facebook account.
Filipino-British siblings Phil and James Younghusband, meanwhile, will be around to provide the needed boost for the Azkals.
They already began training with the rest of the Azkals at the Alabang Country club on Tuesday.
“Good to be back on team, good to see the same old faces. Good as well to get back in training,” said James.
Joining them is 23-year-old Filipino-German recruit Roland Mueller, second choice goalkeeper of German second division squad Duisburg.
Filipino-Dutch Jason de Jong and Filipino-German Manny Ott will join the Azkals as well.
Azkals' Caligdong to grace Mayor Doc Eric bootfest
Jerome S. Galunan Jr. - Sunstar Bacolod
Tuesday, August 30, 2011. PHILIPPINE Men’s Football Team - Azkals co-skipper Emilio "Chieffy" Caligdong will be the guest of honor in the opening rites of the Mayor Doc Eric Minuluan 2011 Football Festival on September 3 in Talisay City.
Two hundred teams from Dumaguete, Cebu, Iloilo and Negros Occidental are set to compete in the tournament scheduled September 3 to 4.
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The event is part of the city’s celebration of its annual fiesta in honor of Saint Nicholas de Tolentino. Games will be played simultaneously at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) and Talisay City football fields.
Among the teams competing in the 17 under boys in the Bracket-A are Sagasa – Bago City, Barrio Concepcion Slashers – A, St. Benilde School, B.A. Oriental Football Team and Inocencio V. Ferrer Memorial High School.
Under Bracket-B are City of Kabankalan FC, CHSMC, Don Bosco – A, St. John’s FC and Angelicum – Iloilo;
Bago City FC, Escalante City, Don Bosco – B, Himamaylan-A and Rafael B. Lacson NHS will be under Bracket-C
Also under Bracket-D are Barrio Concepcion Slashers – B, Real Negrense FC, Don Bosco – C, Cadiz TMR and Colegio San Nicolas de Tolentino-Recoletos.
La Carlota City FC, Talisay Minuluan FC, Himamaylan – C, Antonies FC – Dumaguete and Matab-Ang Football Team will play under Bracket-E.
For the 13 under boys, the contending teams are (BracketA) Bago City – A, EELMS – A, Mabini ES – A, Rizal ES and Escalante – A; (Bracket B) La Carlota City FC, Bata ES – A, Don Bosco – A, Mabini ES – B and Delez ES – A; (Bracket C) EELMS – B, St. John’s FC – A, Wild Fox and Escalante – B; (Bracket D) City of Kabankalan FC, CHMSC, Cadiz City and Magallon FC; (Bracket E) Sagasa - Bago City, Tayabas ES,AES-B and Matab-ang; (Bracket F) Don Bosco – B, Bata ES- B, Talisay ES and Notre Dame of Talisay;
(Bracket G) Bago City FC –B, USLS – A, Domingo Lacson NHS and St. John’s FC; and (Bracket H) ABES – A, Delez ES- B, USLS – B and Talisay South Elem School.
In the under 13 girls, those teams vying for the title are (Bracket A) Rizal ES – A, Minulu-an Talisay FC, Delez ES– A, Bata ES, Notre Dame of Talisay and Delez ES– C, and (Bracket B) Rizal ES- B, Mabini ES, Rizal Elem – C, UWFC, St. Benilde School and Delez ES- B.
Meanwhile, in the 10 under boys, teams to compete include (Bracket A) City of Kabankalan FC –A, Wild Fox-A, Notre Dame of Talisay – A, EELMS and Real Negrense; (Bracket B) City of Kabankalan FC –A, ABES, Bago City FC and Tayabas-Talisay; (Bracket C) Antipolo, Wild Fox – B, CHMSC, RDY FC Dumaguete – B and Talisay South Elem School; (Bracket D) La Carlota City FC, Notre Dame of Talisay – B, Catabla – Talisay and Delez- Talisay – A; (Bracket E) Bago City FC – B, St. John’s FC, Bata ES – B and Escalante- A; (Bracket F) Delez – B, USLS – B, Bata Elem Sch – C and Talisay ES;
(Bracket G) Escalante – A, USLS – A, Don Bosco – A, Don Bosco – A and St. Scholastica Bacolod Alumnae Foundation; and (Bracket H) Mabini ES –Bacolod, RDY FC Dumaguete- A, Bata ES- A and Don Bosco – B.
In the 15 under boys division includes (Bracket A) Colegio San Nicolas de Tolentino-Recoletos, Don Bosco – A, USLS – A, CHMSC and Antonies FC; (Bracket B) Bago City FC, Don Bosco – B, USLS- B, NOHS Bacolod and Minulua-an Talisay FC; (Bracket C) Inocencio V. Ferrer Memorial HS, Don Bosco – C, Escalante – B and Cadiz City FC; (Bracket D) St. John’s FC, Domingo Lacson National HS – B, La Carlota City FC and Bo. Concepcion Slashers; and (Bracket E) Rafael B. Lacson-Talisay, Escalante – A, USLS – C and Domingo Lacson – A.
On the other hand, in the 38 – above category, teams vying for the top honors are Real Negrense FC, Minuluan –Talisay FC – A, Minuluan-Talisay FC – B, Bacolod United FC, BNFC, Jakalz FC and Cadiz Association de Futbol.
For the Ladies Open, teams to compete are (Bracket A) City of Kabankalan FC, Matab-ang, Escalante, EVFC – A and SSABF – A; (Bracket B) Rizal ES, EVFC – B, USLS- Nursing, USLS – IS (A) and Domingo Lacson National HS;
(Bracket C) USLS Varsity, SFC, USLS- IS (B), La Futbolera Sagay and SSABF – C; (Bracket D) USLS – Nursing Alumnae, Inocencio V. Ferrer Memorial HS, Himamaylan – B and Cadiz City; and (Bracket E) Himamaylan –A, SSABF – B, Minuluan – Talisay FC and La Carlota City FC.
In the Men’s Open, teams to vying for the crown are (Bracket A) Himamaylan – A, Jakalz – A, Bago City, Minuluan Talisay FC- A and Antipolo –A; (Bracket B) City of Kabankalan FC K2, Jakalz – B, Magallon United – B, Escalante – A and Antipolo – B; (Bracket C) Himamaylan – B, Magallon United – A, Burgos Republik, Minuluan Talisay FC – B and TMR-Cadiz City – A; (Bracket D) Don Bosco – Alumni, Dona Juliana, La Carlota City FC, Cadiz City FC and Barkada’s Inc. Com; (Bracket E) Arfiens – A, Plaza Real – Kabankalan, Tongloy, Pahanocoy and La Castellana – A; (Bracket F) Minuluan 38, Magallon United - C, La Castellana – B, Las Buenas and Athletico Bacolod; (Bracket G) Arfiens – B, YUFC – A, TUP-V, ABES and La Resistance; and (Bracket H) Escalante – B, YUFC- B, BNFC, TMR Cadiz City – B and La Carlota City – B.
The organizers stressed that this sports undertaking is a commitment of Talisay City Mayor Eric Saratan, M.D. for the city’s long-term football development program.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011. PHILIPPINE Men’s Football Team - Azkals co-skipper Emilio "Chieffy" Caligdong will be the guest of honor in the opening rites of the Mayor Doc Eric Minuluan 2011 Football Festival on September 3 in Talisay City.
Two hundred teams from Dumaguete, Cebu, Iloilo and Negros Occidental are set to compete in the tournament scheduled September 3 to 4.
Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.
The event is part of the city’s celebration of its annual fiesta in honor of Saint Nicholas de Tolentino. Games will be played simultaneously at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) and Talisay City football fields.
Among the teams competing in the 17 under boys in the Bracket-A are Sagasa – Bago City, Barrio Concepcion Slashers – A, St. Benilde School, B.A. Oriental Football Team and Inocencio V. Ferrer Memorial High School.
Under Bracket-B are City of Kabankalan FC, CHSMC, Don Bosco – A, St. John’s FC and Angelicum – Iloilo;
Bago City FC, Escalante City, Don Bosco – B, Himamaylan-A and Rafael B. Lacson NHS will be under Bracket-C
Also under Bracket-D are Barrio Concepcion Slashers – B, Real Negrense FC, Don Bosco – C, Cadiz TMR and Colegio San Nicolas de Tolentino-Recoletos.
La Carlota City FC, Talisay Minuluan FC, Himamaylan – C, Antonies FC – Dumaguete and Matab-Ang Football Team will play under Bracket-E.
For the 13 under boys, the contending teams are (BracketA) Bago City – A, EELMS – A, Mabini ES – A, Rizal ES and Escalante – A; (Bracket B) La Carlota City FC, Bata ES – A, Don Bosco – A, Mabini ES – B and Delez ES – A; (Bracket C) EELMS – B, St. John’s FC – A, Wild Fox and Escalante – B; (Bracket D) City of Kabankalan FC, CHMSC, Cadiz City and Magallon FC; (Bracket E) Sagasa - Bago City, Tayabas ES,AES-B and Matab-ang; (Bracket F) Don Bosco – B, Bata ES- B, Talisay ES and Notre Dame of Talisay;
(Bracket G) Bago City FC –B, USLS – A, Domingo Lacson NHS and St. John’s FC; and (Bracket H) ABES – A, Delez ES- B, USLS – B and Talisay South Elem School.
In the under 13 girls, those teams vying for the title are (Bracket A) Rizal ES – A, Minulu-an Talisay FC, Delez ES– A, Bata ES, Notre Dame of Talisay and Delez ES– C, and (Bracket B) Rizal ES- B, Mabini ES, Rizal Elem – C, UWFC, St. Benilde School and Delez ES- B.
Meanwhile, in the 10 under boys, teams to compete include (Bracket A) City of Kabankalan FC –A, Wild Fox-A, Notre Dame of Talisay – A, EELMS and Real Negrense; (Bracket B) City of Kabankalan FC –A, ABES, Bago City FC and Tayabas-Talisay; (Bracket C) Antipolo, Wild Fox – B, CHMSC, RDY FC Dumaguete – B and Talisay South Elem School; (Bracket D) La Carlota City FC, Notre Dame of Talisay – B, Catabla – Talisay and Delez- Talisay – A; (Bracket E) Bago City FC – B, St. John’s FC, Bata ES – B and Escalante- A; (Bracket F) Delez – B, USLS – B, Bata Elem Sch – C and Talisay ES;
(Bracket G) Escalante – A, USLS – A, Don Bosco – A, Don Bosco – A and St. Scholastica Bacolod Alumnae Foundation; and (Bracket H) Mabini ES –Bacolod, RDY FC Dumaguete- A, Bata ES- A and Don Bosco – B.
In the 15 under boys division includes (Bracket A) Colegio San Nicolas de Tolentino-Recoletos, Don Bosco – A, USLS – A, CHMSC and Antonies FC; (Bracket B) Bago City FC, Don Bosco – B, USLS- B, NOHS Bacolod and Minulua-an Talisay FC; (Bracket C) Inocencio V. Ferrer Memorial HS, Don Bosco – C, Escalante – B and Cadiz City FC; (Bracket D) St. John’s FC, Domingo Lacson National HS – B, La Carlota City FC and Bo. Concepcion Slashers; and (Bracket E) Rafael B. Lacson-Talisay, Escalante – A, USLS – C and Domingo Lacson – A.
On the other hand, in the 38 – above category, teams vying for the top honors are Real Negrense FC, Minuluan –Talisay FC – A, Minuluan-Talisay FC – B, Bacolod United FC, BNFC, Jakalz FC and Cadiz Association de Futbol.
For the Ladies Open, teams to compete are (Bracket A) City of Kabankalan FC, Matab-ang, Escalante, EVFC – A and SSABF – A; (Bracket B) Rizal ES, EVFC – B, USLS- Nursing, USLS – IS (A) and Domingo Lacson National HS;
(Bracket C) USLS Varsity, SFC, USLS- IS (B), La Futbolera Sagay and SSABF – C; (Bracket D) USLS – Nursing Alumnae, Inocencio V. Ferrer Memorial HS, Himamaylan – B and Cadiz City; and (Bracket E) Himamaylan –A, SSABF – B, Minuluan – Talisay FC and La Carlota City FC.
In the Men’s Open, teams to vying for the crown are (Bracket A) Himamaylan – A, Jakalz – A, Bago City, Minuluan Talisay FC- A and Antipolo –A; (Bracket B) City of Kabankalan FC K2, Jakalz – B, Magallon United – B, Escalante – A and Antipolo – B; (Bracket C) Himamaylan – B, Magallon United – A, Burgos Republik, Minuluan Talisay FC – B and TMR-Cadiz City – A; (Bracket D) Don Bosco – Alumni, Dona Juliana, La Carlota City FC, Cadiz City FC and Barkada’s Inc. Com; (Bracket E) Arfiens – A, Plaza Real – Kabankalan, Tongloy, Pahanocoy and La Castellana – A; (Bracket F) Minuluan 38, Magallon United - C, La Castellana – B, Las Buenas and Athletico Bacolod; (Bracket G) Arfiens – B, YUFC – A, TUP-V, ABES and La Resistance; and (Bracket H) Escalante – B, YUFC- B, BNFC, TMR Cadiz City – B and La Carlota City – B.
The organizers stressed that this sports undertaking is a commitment of Talisay City Mayor Eric Saratan, M.D. for the city’s long-term football development program.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Azkals coach: PHL needs comprehensive grassroots program
By Caecent No-ot Magsumbol - (The Freeman)The Philippine Star
CEBU, Philippines - The Azkals may have been getting most of the attention now from fellow Pinoys worldwide, but the country’s elite football team coach Michael Weiss is still looking for more support.
The support Weiss is seeking for, however, is not only for the Azkals, but for the country to come up with a genuine football program especially up to the grassroots level.
With a good developmental program, Weiss said the national squad can utilize an all-homegrown talent.
“If I have the choice, as much as possible, I want all home-grown talents in the team,” said Weiss, who was in town last Saturday to grace the San Roque Football Festival at San Roque Parish field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
Unfortunately, the German strategist said there is not enough homegrown talents that can be tapped for all the international tournaments they are joining in.
“There are lot of conditions involved. We need more support from the people, schools, the clubs, the association. You see, there's not enough good pitches here in the Philippines, just like what you see here (San Roque football pitch) plus the environment, tournaments, the training of the young ones and continuity of the program,” said Weiss.
Having a pool of talented local players, Weiss said it will no longer be difficult to form a formidable team rather than rely on “professionals” who are based outside the Philippines that had been commissioned to fight for the flag and country.
Weiss even disclosed that PHL's lineup for this year’s Southern East Asian Games in Indonesia may be known only three weeks before the event since they still have to know the schedule of thir Fil-foreign pkayers.
Given this circumstance, Weiss could not promise of winning gold in the SEAG.
“The lack of preparation as a team would make it difficult to say on our chances,” Weiss said.
Prior to the SEA Games though, the Azkals are set to compete in aiwan next month then train either in the Middle East or Japan.
And if Weiss has his way, he would love to bring the Azkals back to Cebu for training and another team bonding although time may be very difficult for them to do it this year.
Sans the players, Weiss said he plans to go back to Cebu within the year for a much-needed break.
"I like Cebu very much. I like the people and that is why I’m establishing a relation with the people, with the federation here,” Weiss said.
Weiss’ Cebu trip was backed up by the Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC). He will report back for work today as the senior and under-23 teams resume their practice in Manila.
CEBU, Philippines - The Azkals may have been getting most of the attention now from fellow Pinoys worldwide, but the country’s elite football team coach Michael Weiss is still looking for more support.
The support Weiss is seeking for, however, is not only for the Azkals, but for the country to come up with a genuine football program especially up to the grassroots level.
With a good developmental program, Weiss said the national squad can utilize an all-homegrown talent.
“If I have the choice, as much as possible, I want all home-grown talents in the team,” said Weiss, who was in town last Saturday to grace the San Roque Football Festival at San Roque Parish field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
Unfortunately, the German strategist said there is not enough homegrown talents that can be tapped for all the international tournaments they are joining in.
“There are lot of conditions involved. We need more support from the people, schools, the clubs, the association. You see, there's not enough good pitches here in the Philippines, just like what you see here (San Roque football pitch) plus the environment, tournaments, the training of the young ones and continuity of the program,” said Weiss.
Having a pool of talented local players, Weiss said it will no longer be difficult to form a formidable team rather than rely on “professionals” who are based outside the Philippines that had been commissioned to fight for the flag and country.
Weiss even disclosed that PHL's lineup for this year’s Southern East Asian Games in Indonesia may be known only three weeks before the event since they still have to know the schedule of thir Fil-foreign pkayers.
Given this circumstance, Weiss could not promise of winning gold in the SEAG.
“The lack of preparation as a team would make it difficult to say on our chances,” Weiss said.
Prior to the SEA Games though, the Azkals are set to compete in aiwan next month then train either in the Middle East or Japan.
And if Weiss has his way, he would love to bring the Azkals back to Cebu for training and another team bonding although time may be very difficult for them to do it this year.
Sans the players, Weiss said he plans to go back to Cebu within the year for a much-needed break.
"I like Cebu very much. I like the people and that is why I’m establishing a relation with the people, with the federation here,” Weiss said.
Weiss’ Cebu trip was backed up by the Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC). He will report back for work today as the senior and under-23 teams resume their practice in Manila.
NOFA team play Teen Azkals to a draw
Report from Barbara Mijares, ABS-CBN News Negros
MANILA, Philippines – The friendly match of the Teen Azkals against the Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) Under-19 team last Sunday ended in a scoreless draw.
Teen Azkals head coach Glen Ramos said they will be playing friendly matches with different teams from the province as part of their preparation for the Under-19 tournament.
The Teen Azkals will play against the Ceres team on Monday and then against the University of St. La Salle team on Tuesday. Both friendlies will be held at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
The Teen Azkals are composed of 19 homegrown players. They represented the Philippines in last July’s Asian Football Federation Under-16 Youth Championships.
MANILA, Philippines – The friendly match of the Teen Azkals against the Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) Under-19 team last Sunday ended in a scoreless draw.
Teen Azkals head coach Glen Ramos said they will be playing friendly matches with different teams from the province as part of their preparation for the Under-19 tournament.
The Teen Azkals will play against the Ceres team on Monday and then against the University of St. La Salle team on Tuesday. Both friendlies will be held at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
The Teen Azkals are composed of 19 homegrown players. They represented the Philippines in last July’s Asian Football Federation Under-16 Youth Championships.
Playing for their mom’s homeland
By Ronnie Nathanielsz - Philippine Daily Inquirer
There is a welcome surge of interest among Filipinos in sports other than basketball. We sincerely believe this is a good thing as it broadens our appreciation of the various athletic disciplines.
One gauge of the growing interest in other sports has been the almost immediate response on the social networks such as Twitter and Facebook to our posts and those of other sports media personnel on the results of matches other than basketball.
When we kept track of the performance of our rugby team, the “Volcanoes” in the HSBC Asian Rugby Sevens in Shanghai and were thrilled at their stunning upset of two-time champion and No. 1 seed South Korea, the joy of victory was embraced by several people who posted their congratulations and comments right away.
We ourselves, believe it or not, played rugby as a young man in Sri Lanka and loved the game up to now. Through the years we have had to merely savor the excitement of watching New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, France, among others, because there was no Philippine rugby team to speak of.
That has now changed with the emergence of a gutsy band of Filipinos with foreign roots and homegrown talents who enjoy playing the game.
According to ABS-CBN reporter Dyan Castillejo, who has covered the “Volcanoes” with the same commitment that she has shown in covering the Azkals of football and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, they are a delightful band of mainly Fil-Aussies and Fil-Britons who are proud to represent the Philippines.
This sense of pride of playing for the homeland of their mothers, by and large, is in itself an inspiring story. It helps you understand why, just like the Azkals, Filipinos have quickly embraced them as our own, unlike some of the overseas-bred players in the PBA who seemed aloof because basketball was king.
Of course, it does help that the Azkals and the Volcanoes are clean-cut and on the whole blessed with good looks.
We are confident that sooner, rather than later, rugby matches featuring the Volcanoes will be a fairly regular feature on Philippine television—just as the Azkals have renewed the Filipinos’ interest in football.
In fact, the billboard of the Volcanoes that was removed because of what we believe was a hypocritical display of so-called morality was met with derision by many. Some of them wanted it restored after the Volcanoes beat Korea!
One other sport which regrettably doesn’t get the support it richly deserves is tennis.
We feel there is something intrinsically wrong when our television networks telecast basketball tournaments but are not prepared to cover such major events as the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group I tie between the Philippines and Chinese-Taipei on Sept. 16 to 18.
Not only will the result decide whether we remain in the elite group or not, it also should spur greater interest in a sport where we once produced such greats as Felicisimo Ampon, the brothers Rey and Federico Deyro, Johnny Jose, Eddie Cruz, Felix Barrientos, Roland So, Rod Rafael and Beeyong Sison, among others.
Carrying their rackets onto the court in a continuing commitment to the Philippines are Fil-Ams Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey who, since they first represented our country years ago, have performed with both distinction and remarkable passion and won the hearts of Filipino fans.
Huey is today ranked No. 70 in the world in doubles, which is his specialty, while Mamiit’s effervescence remains infectious and his game still something to reckon with.
There could be no more enchanting venue for a cup tie as the picturesque Plantation Bay Spa and Resort in Lapu-Lapu City.
Unless one of our major TV networks responds to the call of the times, millions of Filipinos would have to be content with merely reading about the outcome, instead of sharing in the excitement of watching Mamiit, Huey, young Jason Patrombon and Ruben Gonzales race across the court battling for every single point, not for themselves alone but for our country.
There is a welcome surge of interest among Filipinos in sports other than basketball. We sincerely believe this is a good thing as it broadens our appreciation of the various athletic disciplines.
One gauge of the growing interest in other sports has been the almost immediate response on the social networks such as Twitter and Facebook to our posts and those of other sports media personnel on the results of matches other than basketball.
When we kept track of the performance of our rugby team, the “Volcanoes” in the HSBC Asian Rugby Sevens in Shanghai and were thrilled at their stunning upset of two-time champion and No. 1 seed South Korea, the joy of victory was embraced by several people who posted their congratulations and comments right away.
We ourselves, believe it or not, played rugby as a young man in Sri Lanka and loved the game up to now. Through the years we have had to merely savor the excitement of watching New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, France, among others, because there was no Philippine rugby team to speak of.
That has now changed with the emergence of a gutsy band of Filipinos with foreign roots and homegrown talents who enjoy playing the game.
According to ABS-CBN reporter Dyan Castillejo, who has covered the “Volcanoes” with the same commitment that she has shown in covering the Azkals of football and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, they are a delightful band of mainly Fil-Aussies and Fil-Britons who are proud to represent the Philippines.
This sense of pride of playing for the homeland of their mothers, by and large, is in itself an inspiring story. It helps you understand why, just like the Azkals, Filipinos have quickly embraced them as our own, unlike some of the overseas-bred players in the PBA who seemed aloof because basketball was king.
Of course, it does help that the Azkals and the Volcanoes are clean-cut and on the whole blessed with good looks.
We are confident that sooner, rather than later, rugby matches featuring the Volcanoes will be a fairly regular feature on Philippine television—just as the Azkals have renewed the Filipinos’ interest in football.
In fact, the billboard of the Volcanoes that was removed because of what we believe was a hypocritical display of so-called morality was met with derision by many. Some of them wanted it restored after the Volcanoes beat Korea!
One other sport which regrettably doesn’t get the support it richly deserves is tennis.
We feel there is something intrinsically wrong when our television networks telecast basketball tournaments but are not prepared to cover such major events as the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group I tie between the Philippines and Chinese-Taipei on Sept. 16 to 18.
Not only will the result decide whether we remain in the elite group or not, it also should spur greater interest in a sport where we once produced such greats as Felicisimo Ampon, the brothers Rey and Federico Deyro, Johnny Jose, Eddie Cruz, Felix Barrientos, Roland So, Rod Rafael and Beeyong Sison, among others.
Carrying their rackets onto the court in a continuing commitment to the Philippines are Fil-Ams Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey who, since they first represented our country years ago, have performed with both distinction and remarkable passion and won the hearts of Filipino fans.
Huey is today ranked No. 70 in the world in doubles, which is his specialty, while Mamiit’s effervescence remains infectious and his game still something to reckon with.
There could be no more enchanting venue for a cup tie as the picturesque Plantation Bay Spa and Resort in Lapu-Lapu City.
Unless one of our major TV networks responds to the call of the times, millions of Filipinos would have to be content with merely reading about the outcome, instead of sharing in the excitement of watching Mamiit, Huey, young Jason Patrombon and Ruben Gonzales race across the court battling for every single point, not for themselves alone but for our country.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Southeast Asian Games-bound Azkals plan Japan training
By Cedelf P. Tupas - Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA—The Phillipines Football Federation (PFF) is eyeing Japan as a possible training location for the national under-23 team that will see action in the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in December.
This was confirmed by PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, who said that the Under-23 Azkals plan to be in Japan for at least a week in October for the final phase of their buildup for the biennial meet.
The senior Azkals actually trained in Japan early this year for their away clash with Mongolia in the AFC Challenge Cup.
The Philippines has not participated in men’s football in the last two SEA Games stagings, but team officials are hopeful the Filipino booters can finally nail a medal this time.
Several players from the senior squad like goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and midfielders Jason de Jong, Manuel Ott, Yannick Tuason and Simon Greatwich are all eligible for the SEA Games, raising hopes of a strong performance in Jakarta.
Araneta said the Azkals are also holding a week-long training camp in Bacolod in September to prepare for the Long Teng Cup.
Meanwhile, Araneta announced that the minor kinks have been ironed out in the PFF’s memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Sports Commission in relation to the Fifa Goal Project at the Philsports pitch.
The PFF head honcho said that, on the recommendation of International Football Federation (Fifa), the PFF and PSC have agreed to a 50-50 sharing from the earnings from the use of the artificial turf that will be constructed at the Philsports.
The PFF is leasing the facility for the next 25 years.
The PFF’s share from the revenues, Araneta said, will go to the maintenance of the artificial pitch.
A Fifa representative is scheduled to visit PhilSports in September to determine the requirements for the construction of the artificial pitch.
MANILA—The Phillipines Football Federation (PFF) is eyeing Japan as a possible training location for the national under-23 team that will see action in the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in December.
This was confirmed by PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, who said that the Under-23 Azkals plan to be in Japan for at least a week in October for the final phase of their buildup for the biennial meet.
The senior Azkals actually trained in Japan early this year for their away clash with Mongolia in the AFC Challenge Cup.
The Philippines has not participated in men’s football in the last two SEA Games stagings, but team officials are hopeful the Filipino booters can finally nail a medal this time.
Several players from the senior squad like goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and midfielders Jason de Jong, Manuel Ott, Yannick Tuason and Simon Greatwich are all eligible for the SEA Games, raising hopes of a strong performance in Jakarta.
Araneta said the Azkals are also holding a week-long training camp in Bacolod in September to prepare for the Long Teng Cup.
Meanwhile, Araneta announced that the minor kinks have been ironed out in the PFF’s memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Sports Commission in relation to the Fifa Goal Project at the Philsports pitch.
The PFF head honcho said that, on the recommendation of International Football Federation (Fifa), the PFF and PSC have agreed to a 50-50 sharing from the earnings from the use of the artificial turf that will be constructed at the Philsports.
The PFF is leasing the facility for the next 25 years.
The PFF’s share from the revenues, Araneta said, will go to the maintenance of the artificial pitch.
A Fifa representative is scheduled to visit PhilSports in September to determine the requirements for the construction of the artificial pitch.
Vietnam turns down Azkals’ invite for a friendly
By Cedelf P. Tupas - Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA-—Southeast Asian powerhouse Vietnam has also turned down the invitation of the Philippine Football Federation for a friendly duel with the Azkals on October 9 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said he plans to invite Bangladesh—a team the Azkals defeated, 3-nil, in the AFC Challenge Cup last March, but are ranked 16 places higher than the Philippines at 146 in the Fifa rankings.
Araneta said holding a friendly at a Fifa international date like October 9 is the only way to ensure that all players, especially those based in Europe, will be released by their clubs.
Among the Europe-based players in the national team are Stephan Schrock, who plays for Greuther Furth in the German second division; Neil Etheridge, the second-choice keeper of Fulham in the English Premiere League; and Paul Mulders, who plays for ADO Den Haag in the Dutch Eredivise.
“This is still part of our build-up for the Challenge Cup next year,” Araneta said. “We have to prepare our team for that tournament, and one of the ways to do it is by having them play together in international matches.”
Nepal, which will host the Challenge Cup in March next year, had earlier declined the Philippines’ invitation for a friendly in October, citing a festival in the country during that month.
Malaysia also declined, citing the unavailability of its players who are playing in the domestic league, Araneta said.
But the reigning Southeast Asian champions are actually scheduled to play a friendly against 2006 and 2010 World Cup qualifier Australia in Sydney on October 7.
Vietnam has a big Asian opponent in October in Japan, which it will face in a friendly in Kobe.
Notwithstanding the spurned offers, Araneta said he would rather focus on the fact that it is now the PFF looking for friendly international matches for the Azkals unlike before when the team barely gets to play warmup matches.
“We want the Azkals to play against a country that is ranked higher than us, so a win will help boost our standings,” Araneta said.
MANILA-—Southeast Asian powerhouse Vietnam has also turned down the invitation of the Philippine Football Federation for a friendly duel with the Azkals on October 9 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said he plans to invite Bangladesh—a team the Azkals defeated, 3-nil, in the AFC Challenge Cup last March, but are ranked 16 places higher than the Philippines at 146 in the Fifa rankings.
Araneta said holding a friendly at a Fifa international date like October 9 is the only way to ensure that all players, especially those based in Europe, will be released by their clubs.
Among the Europe-based players in the national team are Stephan Schrock, who plays for Greuther Furth in the German second division; Neil Etheridge, the second-choice keeper of Fulham in the English Premiere League; and Paul Mulders, who plays for ADO Den Haag in the Dutch Eredivise.
“This is still part of our build-up for the Challenge Cup next year,” Araneta said. “We have to prepare our team for that tournament, and one of the ways to do it is by having them play together in international matches.”
Nepal, which will host the Challenge Cup in March next year, had earlier declined the Philippines’ invitation for a friendly in October, citing a festival in the country during that month.
Malaysia also declined, citing the unavailability of its players who are playing in the domestic league, Araneta said.
But the reigning Southeast Asian champions are actually scheduled to play a friendly against 2006 and 2010 World Cup qualifier Australia in Sydney on October 7.
Vietnam has a big Asian opponent in October in Japan, which it will face in a friendly in Kobe.
Notwithstanding the spurned offers, Araneta said he would rather focus on the fact that it is now the PFF looking for friendly international matches for the Azkals unlike before when the team barely gets to play warmup matches.
“We want the Azkals to play against a country that is ranked higher than us, so a win will help boost our standings,” Araneta said.
Teen Azkals tryouts in Panaad Aug. 27
The Visayan Daily Star
The Philippine national Under 16 football team will hold a tryout at the Panaad pitch at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow.
The tryouts dubbed as the 1st Teen Azkals Festival will be conducted by national coach Glenn Ramos and supervised by team manager Alvin Carranza.
New talents are expected to join in the tryouts and those who display impressive skills will be tapped to join the exhibition games between the Teen Azkals and seasoned local teams.
On August 28, the Teen Azkals will play against the Under 19 team at 8:30 a.m. and will face the Ceres Team the next day at 3:30 p.m. Their final game will be against University of St. La Salle at 3:30 p.m. on August 30.
“This is a very laudable move from the team manager to keep the team together and explore new horizons for the team, and for the others as well,” Philippine Football Federation Secretary General Ramon Manuel said.
Carranza said the festival is aimed at spreading friendship and unifying Filipinos, who are known to be sports-minded, for the love of football.
“We hope to develop talents from the grassroots and seek scholarships for the young talents,” Carranza said, adding that with enough funding, the PFF hopes to establish a football university to mold young talents inside the Ultra-Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission compound.
The Teen Azkals is composed of 19 homegrown players -- handpicked with the help of the football associations in the provinces all over the country.
Members of the present lineup of the Teen Azkals are: Jose Zaldy Abraham Jr. (Iloilo), Jose Adrian de la Sierra (Dumaguete), Christian Paul Jover (Bacolod), Jonah Vidal Suarez (Laguna), Luis Gabriel Sumera (National Capital Region), Jose Brian Langub Romo (Bukidnon);
Alfred Inaki Nacuna (Bukidnon), Phil John Battalones (Bacolod), Nessi Villanueva Ramos (Bacolod), Raymundo Santilla (Dumaguete), Angelo Gabriel Bahoyan (Dumaguete), Alexis Joseph Juan (Davao), Skie Doug Carranza (NCR, team captain), Yves Russel Caballero (Cebu);
Renko Feliz Gaudiel (Cebu), Paolo Gabriel Alilam (NCR), Ryu Nell Fegidero (Bacolod), Antonio Eduardo Rafols (Cebu), Jhoguer Pasilan Ybanez (San Carlos City), Raphael Vincent Resuma (NCR).
The team represented the country recently in the ASEAN Football Federation U16 Youth Championship in Vientiane, Laos.*
The Philippine national Under 16 football team will hold a tryout at the Panaad pitch at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow.
The tryouts dubbed as the 1st Teen Azkals Festival will be conducted by national coach Glenn Ramos and supervised by team manager Alvin Carranza.
New talents are expected to join in the tryouts and those who display impressive skills will be tapped to join the exhibition games between the Teen Azkals and seasoned local teams.
On August 28, the Teen Azkals will play against the Under 19 team at 8:30 a.m. and will face the Ceres Team the next day at 3:30 p.m. Their final game will be against University of St. La Salle at 3:30 p.m. on August 30.
“This is a very laudable move from the team manager to keep the team together and explore new horizons for the team, and for the others as well,” Philippine Football Federation Secretary General Ramon Manuel said.
Carranza said the festival is aimed at spreading friendship and unifying Filipinos, who are known to be sports-minded, for the love of football.
“We hope to develop talents from the grassroots and seek scholarships for the young talents,” Carranza said, adding that with enough funding, the PFF hopes to establish a football university to mold young talents inside the Ultra-Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission compound.
The Teen Azkals is composed of 19 homegrown players -- handpicked with the help of the football associations in the provinces all over the country.
Members of the present lineup of the Teen Azkals are: Jose Zaldy Abraham Jr. (Iloilo), Jose Adrian de la Sierra (Dumaguete), Christian Paul Jover (Bacolod), Jonah Vidal Suarez (Laguna), Luis Gabriel Sumera (National Capital Region), Jose Brian Langub Romo (Bukidnon);
Alfred Inaki Nacuna (Bukidnon), Phil John Battalones (Bacolod), Nessi Villanueva Ramos (Bacolod), Raymundo Santilla (Dumaguete), Angelo Gabriel Bahoyan (Dumaguete), Alexis Joseph Juan (Davao), Skie Doug Carranza (NCR, team captain), Yves Russel Caballero (Cebu);
Renko Feliz Gaudiel (Cebu), Paolo Gabriel Alilam (NCR), Ryu Nell Fegidero (Bacolod), Antonio Eduardo Rafols (Cebu), Jhoguer Pasilan Ybanez (San Carlos City), Raphael Vincent Resuma (NCR).
The team represented the country recently in the ASEAN Football Federation U16 Youth Championship in Vientiane, Laos.*
France youth squad GK Alphonse Areola shows Azkals interest
By Cedelf P. Tupas - Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA—A highly-rated 18-year-old goalkeeper currently playing for France’s youth squad has expressed interest in joining the Philippine football team.
Alphonse Areola, who plays club football for Paris Saint-Germain in the French first division, has been personally invited by Azkals manager Dan Palami to join the Azkals for future competitions.
Palami, who was in Paris to watch several matches of the Philippine Homeless World Cup team, said Areola is still focused on his duties with France but did not discount the possibility of joining the Azkals in the future.
The 6-foot-3 Areola, whose parents are both Filipino, is the first-choice keeper for the French Under-19 squad. He has been tipped as a future top-choice keeper for France’s senior side.
“We have really formidable goalkeepers in the team,” said Palami. Neil Etheridge is currently the No. 1 keeper in the squad, while Filipino-German player Roland Mueller, the second choice goalkeeper of German second division side Duisberg, has also agreed to join the Azkals.
Azkals coach Michael Weiss said Filipino-German striker Kevin Ingreso will beef up the squad next year after getting clearance from his club, Hamburg.
Weiss also revealed that the German Football Association (DFB) is sending a technical adviser in Krautzen Ekhardt in October to make an assessment on the current state of the sport in the country, especially at the youth level.
At the same time, the DFB, is also inviting local coaches Yanti Barsales and Edzel Bracamonte to undergo a three-week extensive coaching course in Germany as part of the assistance package that came with the hiring of Weiss.
Another German coach, Michael Kruger, who was part of the backroom staff of the Tunisia team that reached the World Cup in 2006, will be arriving this month to join the coaching staff for the Azkals Under-23 squad for the SEA Games.
Azkals sponsor Cortal SQR recently gave the team P500,000 for its campaign in the Long Teng Cup in Taiwan next month as well as the SEA Games in December. Cortal also gave the Philippine Homeless World Cup team financial aid of P200,000.
MANILA—A highly-rated 18-year-old goalkeeper currently playing for France’s youth squad has expressed interest in joining the Philippine football team.
Alphonse Areola, who plays club football for Paris Saint-Germain in the French first division, has been personally invited by Azkals manager Dan Palami to join the Azkals for future competitions.
Palami, who was in Paris to watch several matches of the Philippine Homeless World Cup team, said Areola is still focused on his duties with France but did not discount the possibility of joining the Azkals in the future.
The 6-foot-3 Areola, whose parents are both Filipino, is the first-choice keeper for the French Under-19 squad. He has been tipped as a future top-choice keeper for France’s senior side.
“We have really formidable goalkeepers in the team,” said Palami. Neil Etheridge is currently the No. 1 keeper in the squad, while Filipino-German player Roland Mueller, the second choice goalkeeper of German second division side Duisberg, has also agreed to join the Azkals.
Azkals coach Michael Weiss said Filipino-German striker Kevin Ingreso will beef up the squad next year after getting clearance from his club, Hamburg.
Weiss also revealed that the German Football Association (DFB) is sending a technical adviser in Krautzen Ekhardt in October to make an assessment on the current state of the sport in the country, especially at the youth level.
At the same time, the DFB, is also inviting local coaches Yanti Barsales and Edzel Bracamonte to undergo a three-week extensive coaching course in Germany as part of the assistance package that came with the hiring of Weiss.
Another German coach, Michael Kruger, who was part of the backroom staff of the Tunisia team that reached the World Cup in 2006, will be arriving this month to join the coaching staff for the Azkals Under-23 squad for the SEA Games.
Azkals sponsor Cortal SQR recently gave the team P500,000 for its campaign in the Long Teng Cup in Taiwan next month as well as the SEA Games in December. Cortal also gave the Philippine Homeless World Cup team financial aid of P200,000.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Malaysia booters face a dilemma
By FRANCIS SANTIAGO - Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines — Malaysia may just field in a not-so-strong second unit when it defends its men’s football crown in the Southeast Asian Games three months from now, a development that could boost the Philippines and the rest of the field’s gold medal aspirations in the biennial meet slated in Indonesia.
The Football Association of Malaysia maybe forced to use its Under-23 team ‘B’ in the regional kickfest after its ‘A’ team, known as Harimau Muda, found itself in a middle of the clash of dates for the 2012 London Olympics qualifier and the SEA Games.
The Philippines is looking to land a first ever medal since competing in the event in 1977.
The SEAG football games begin Nov. 7 and the final is on Nov. 22 while Malaysia’s campaign in the Olympic qualifiers starts with an away match against Japan on Sept. 21 followed by two home matches against Syria and Bahrain on Nov. 23 and 27 respectively, according to a report by The Star (Malaysia).
Given this tight schedule, it will be nearly impossible for Malaysia to field its best squad on both competitions.
Malaysia is the hands down favorite in the SEAG on the strength of its title conquest in 2009 at the expense of Vietnam, a win that ended a 20-year title drought.
But the same report said that “assuming they (Malaysia) qualify for the (SEAG) final (on Nov. 22) there is no way they can play the Olympic qualifying match against Syria in Kuala Lumpur the following day (on Nov 23). Under FIFA competition regulations the players must have 48 hours of rest after an international game.”
Malaysia coach Ong Kim Swee, who is presiding over a training camp in Slovakia, said he will ask the Asian Football Confederation to re-schedule the Nov. Olympic qualifying dates to resolve the dilemma.
“I hope we can get a favorable reply, if not we are in trouble,” Kim Swee told The Star.
“Fielding two teams is not the option. The SEA Games is part of the preparations for the Olympic qualifiers. So, it is not going to do any good by having two teams but again if we have no choice we will have to. Personally, I want the best team for the two competitions and if there is no choice, then, it is up to FAM to make a decision – whether to field a second team for the SEA Games,” Kim Swee continued.
Reached for comment, Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta said if ever Malaysia opts to field a second team, it will raise the Filipinos’ chances for medals.
“Malaysia’s first team is really strong. They just lost to Chelsea 0-1 in Chelsea’s Asian Tour last month,” Araneta said.
MANILA, Philippines — Malaysia may just field in a not-so-strong second unit when it defends its men’s football crown in the Southeast Asian Games three months from now, a development that could boost the Philippines and the rest of the field’s gold medal aspirations in the biennial meet slated in Indonesia.
The Football Association of Malaysia maybe forced to use its Under-23 team ‘B’ in the regional kickfest after its ‘A’ team, known as Harimau Muda, found itself in a middle of the clash of dates for the 2012 London Olympics qualifier and the SEA Games.
The Philippines is looking to land a first ever medal since competing in the event in 1977.
The SEAG football games begin Nov. 7 and the final is on Nov. 22 while Malaysia’s campaign in the Olympic qualifiers starts with an away match against Japan on Sept. 21 followed by two home matches against Syria and Bahrain on Nov. 23 and 27 respectively, according to a report by The Star (Malaysia).
Given this tight schedule, it will be nearly impossible for Malaysia to field its best squad on both competitions.
Malaysia is the hands down favorite in the SEAG on the strength of its title conquest in 2009 at the expense of Vietnam, a win that ended a 20-year title drought.
But the same report said that “assuming they (Malaysia) qualify for the (SEAG) final (on Nov. 22) there is no way they can play the Olympic qualifying match against Syria in Kuala Lumpur the following day (on Nov 23). Under FIFA competition regulations the players must have 48 hours of rest after an international game.”
Malaysia coach Ong Kim Swee, who is presiding over a training camp in Slovakia, said he will ask the Asian Football Confederation to re-schedule the Nov. Olympic qualifying dates to resolve the dilemma.
“I hope we can get a favorable reply, if not we are in trouble,” Kim Swee told The Star.
“Fielding two teams is not the option. The SEA Games is part of the preparations for the Olympic qualifiers. So, it is not going to do any good by having two teams but again if we have no choice we will have to. Personally, I want the best team for the two competitions and if there is no choice, then, it is up to FAM to make a decision – whether to field a second team for the SEA Games,” Kim Swee continued.
Reached for comment, Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta said if ever Malaysia opts to field a second team, it will raise the Filipinos’ chances for medals.
“Malaysia’s first team is really strong. They just lost to Chelsea 0-1 in Chelsea’s Asian Tour last month,” Araneta said.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Football fed focuses on coaches' training
By Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star)
MANILA, Philippines - Aside from beefing up the Azkals team with high-level players, the Philippines Football Federation is also looking to enhance the skills of local coaches to boost the overall development of the sport in the country.
Coach Michael Weiss reported that during his recent vacation in Germany, he has made arrangements with the German Football Association (DFB) for four Filipino coaches to attend a C license course in Koblenz.
“We can send four coaches from the Philippines, amongst them Yanti Barsales and Edsel Bracamonte, to go for a three-week intensive C license course from the German FA in Koblenz,” Weiss said.
At the same time, the DFB also agreed to bring a technical adviser – Krautzen Ekhardt – to the Philippines by October to assess the grassroots and youth development programs here, in preparation for a longer program.
“He will go to all the provinces and check football centers and schools, and make analysis, present it to the PFF and DFB in order to bring a (long term) technical adviser for two to four years starting next year,” Weiss said.
While in the country, Ekhardt will also help the Phl Under-23 team scout its opponents in the coming Southeast Asian Games.
Another veteran German mentor in Michael Kruger will come over to join Weiss’ coaching staff for the SEAG campaign, helping in the transfer of technology to local coaches along the way.
“This is good news for Phl football because we need to lift the level of coaches, and grassroots development, too,” said Weiss, whose Azkals crew is set to compete in the Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung, Chinese-Taipei next month.
MANILA, Philippines - Aside from beefing up the Azkals team with high-level players, the Philippines Football Federation is also looking to enhance the skills of local coaches to boost the overall development of the sport in the country.
Coach Michael Weiss reported that during his recent vacation in Germany, he has made arrangements with the German Football Association (DFB) for four Filipino coaches to attend a C license course in Koblenz.
“We can send four coaches from the Philippines, amongst them Yanti Barsales and Edsel Bracamonte, to go for a three-week intensive C license course from the German FA in Koblenz,” Weiss said.
At the same time, the DFB also agreed to bring a technical adviser – Krautzen Ekhardt – to the Philippines by October to assess the grassroots and youth development programs here, in preparation for a longer program.
“He will go to all the provinces and check football centers and schools, and make analysis, present it to the PFF and DFB in order to bring a (long term) technical adviser for two to four years starting next year,” Weiss said.
While in the country, Ekhardt will also help the Phl Under-23 team scout its opponents in the coming Southeast Asian Games.
Another veteran German mentor in Michael Kruger will come over to join Weiss’ coaching staff for the SEAG campaign, helping in the transfer of technology to local coaches along the way.
“This is good news for Phl football because we need to lift the level of coaches, and grassroots development, too,” said Weiss, whose Azkals crew is set to compete in the Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung, Chinese-Taipei next month.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Azkals conduct football clinic in Iloilo
Report from Regi Adosto, ABS-CBN News Iloilo
MANILA, Philippines – Locals of Guimbal, Iloilo were given a treat when some members of the Philippine Azkals conducted a football clinic in Guimbal National High School last Saturday.
Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Araneta and Roel Gener were among the Azkals who spearheaded the football drills.
They are natives of Barotac Nuevo, touted as the football capital of Iloilo.
The Azkals said that they want to encourage the young Ilonggos to play football, as they have the potential to excel in the world’s most popular sport.
Aside from the 3 Ilonggo natives, Fil-Spanish Angel Guirado also paid a visit to the football clinic.
After the clinic, the Azkals also played in a friendly game with the locals.
MANILA, Philippines – Locals of Guimbal, Iloilo were given a treat when some members of the Philippine Azkals conducted a football clinic in Guimbal National High School last Saturday.
Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Araneta and Roel Gener were among the Azkals who spearheaded the football drills.
They are natives of Barotac Nuevo, touted as the football capital of Iloilo.
The Azkals said that they want to encourage the young Ilonggos to play football, as they have the potential to excel in the world’s most popular sport.
Aside from the 3 Ilonggo natives, Fil-Spanish Angel Guirado also paid a visit to the football clinic.
After the clinic, the Azkals also played in a friendly game with the locals.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Malaysia, India invited vs Azkals
By FRANCIS SANTIAGO - Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Football Federation has invited Malaysia and India to play the Azkals in October at home in friendly matches serving as preview of the national team’s two important competitions next year.
PFF chief Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta Jr. Friday said the invitation to the two squads came after Nepal turned down the PFF’s invite for an Oct. 6 exhibition match at the Rizal Memorial Football Field.
Playing against Malaysia and India, ranked No. 146 and No. 153 in the International Football Federation (Fifa), will give the Filipinos an opportunity to gauge their level of competitiveness as they will get to test the mettle of their future rivals in the AFF-Suzuki Cup and AFC-Challenge Cup, according to Araneta.
“We’ve invited India for an Oct. 6 date while Malaysia for Oct. 9,” said Araneta, noting that a response from Malaysia is expected in the next two days.
Malaysia, which beat Indonesia in the finals on 4-2 aggregate, is the reigning Suzuki Cup champion. The tourney is the same event where the Azkals’ brush with fame started following their historic semifinals finish last year.
India, on the other hand, is the 2008 Challenge Cup champion.
India alongside the Philippines, Nepal and five other countries, will play in the finals of the 2012 edition slated this March.
Araneta said Nepal, the host of Challenge Cup finals, declined the invite because the schedule runs in conflict with the Dashain, Nepal’s biggest festival of the year, which will keep the Nepalese booters busy.
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Football Federation has invited Malaysia and India to play the Azkals in October at home in friendly matches serving as preview of the national team’s two important competitions next year.
PFF chief Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta Jr. Friday said the invitation to the two squads came after Nepal turned down the PFF’s invite for an Oct. 6 exhibition match at the Rizal Memorial Football Field.
Playing against Malaysia and India, ranked No. 146 and No. 153 in the International Football Federation (Fifa), will give the Filipinos an opportunity to gauge their level of competitiveness as they will get to test the mettle of their future rivals in the AFF-Suzuki Cup and AFC-Challenge Cup, according to Araneta.
“We’ve invited India for an Oct. 6 date while Malaysia for Oct. 9,” said Araneta, noting that a response from Malaysia is expected in the next two days.
Malaysia, which beat Indonesia in the finals on 4-2 aggregate, is the reigning Suzuki Cup champion. The tourney is the same event where the Azkals’ brush with fame started following their historic semifinals finish last year.
India, on the other hand, is the 2008 Challenge Cup champion.
India alongside the Philippines, Nepal and five other countries, will play in the finals of the 2012 edition slated this March.
Araneta said Nepal, the host of Challenge Cup finals, declined the invite because the schedule runs in conflict with the Dashain, Nepal’s biggest festival of the year, which will keep the Nepalese booters busy.
Azkals get boost from Germany
By Cedelf P. Tupas - Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA—Two new Filipino-German players to strengthen the Azkals, a German technical director to assess the country’s football program and an experienced assistant coach for the Philippine football team bound to see action in the Southeast Asian Games.
Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss, who arrived two days ago from Germany, announced these developments Wednesday night even as he expressed hope of a strengthened football program for the country in cooperation with the German Football Association (DFB).
Weiss was at the Manila Polo Club Wednesday night along with several players to attend a press conference of Azkals sponsor Cortal SQR, which gave the team P500,000 for its campaign in the Long Teng Cup in Taiwan next month as well as the SEA Games in December.
Cortal also gave the Philippine Homeless World Cup team to Paris financial aid of P200,000.
Weiss said that Fil-German player Ronald Mueller, the second choice goalkeeper of German second division side Duisberg, has already agreed to join the Azkals, while another player, a striker in Kevin Ingreso, will beef up the squad next year after getting clearance from his club, Hamburg.
Weiss also revealed that the DFB is sending a technical adviser in Krautzen Ekhardt in October to make an assessment on the current state of the sport in the country, especially at the youth level.
He added that compatriot, Michael Kruger, who was part of the backroom staff of the Tunisia team that reached the World Cup in 2006, will be arriving this month to join the coaching staff for the Azkals Under-23 squad for the SEA Games.
MANILA—Two new Filipino-German players to strengthen the Azkals, a German technical director to assess the country’s football program and an experienced assistant coach for the Philippine football team bound to see action in the Southeast Asian Games.
Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss, who arrived two days ago from Germany, announced these developments Wednesday night even as he expressed hope of a strengthened football program for the country in cooperation with the German Football Association (DFB).
Weiss was at the Manila Polo Club Wednesday night along with several players to attend a press conference of Azkals sponsor Cortal SQR, which gave the team P500,000 for its campaign in the Long Teng Cup in Taiwan next month as well as the SEA Games in December.
Cortal also gave the Philippine Homeless World Cup team to Paris financial aid of P200,000.
Weiss said that Fil-German player Ronald Mueller, the second choice goalkeeper of German second division side Duisberg, has already agreed to join the Azkals, while another player, a striker in Kevin Ingreso, will beef up the squad next year after getting clearance from his club, Hamburg.
Weiss also revealed that the DFB is sending a technical adviser in Krautzen Ekhardt in October to make an assessment on the current state of the sport in the country, especially at the youth level.
He added that compatriot, Michael Kruger, who was part of the backroom staff of the Tunisia team that reached the World Cup in 2006, will be arriving this month to join the coaching staff for the Azkals Under-23 squad for the SEA Games.
2 Azkals may miss match
By FRANCIS SANTIAGO - Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines — Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and attacking midfielder Marcus Stephan Schrock are unlikely to join the Philippine football team when it sees action in the Long Teng Cup slated in Kaohsiung, Taiwan late next month.
The four-nation tourney is the first of many lined up for the Azkals following their elimination in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers last July.
The presence of the two players, who shone against the Kuwaitis during the qualifiers, will surely strengthen the Azkals’ chances, but team manager Dan Palami said he may just tap their services for a more important competition in the future.
The 6-foot-2 Fil-British Etheridge, 21, is set to be promoted as regular reliever on the first team of Fulham, which competes in the Premiere League, while the 5-foot-5 Fil-German Schrock is busy with his ballclub Greuther Furth playing in the German second division.
“It’s unlikely that he (Etheridge) will play. For Schorck, may be not also,” Palami said in a recent interview.
“We want to preserve our relationship with their teams, so we bring in the players only when it’s absolutely necessary,” continued Palami, who left for Europe Wednesday to scout possible reinforcements for the Azkals.
Palami, though, said the Under-23 pool preparing for the Southeast Asian Games in November will join the Azkals in the event, where they are bidding to improve on their second place finish behind Hong Kong last year.
The Sept. 28-Oct. 6 competition will have competing teams from Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong and Philippines although Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta Jr said the organizers plan to expand the cast to six.
Last year, the Philippines finished with a 1-1-1 record in the competition, thumping Macau, (5-0) drawing with Taiwan (1-1) and bowing to Hong Kong (4-2).
MANILA, Philippines — Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and attacking midfielder Marcus Stephan Schrock are unlikely to join the Philippine football team when it sees action in the Long Teng Cup slated in Kaohsiung, Taiwan late next month.
The four-nation tourney is the first of many lined up for the Azkals following their elimination in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers last July.
The presence of the two players, who shone against the Kuwaitis during the qualifiers, will surely strengthen the Azkals’ chances, but team manager Dan Palami said he may just tap their services for a more important competition in the future.
The 6-foot-2 Fil-British Etheridge, 21, is set to be promoted as regular reliever on the first team of Fulham, which competes in the Premiere League, while the 5-foot-5 Fil-German Schrock is busy with his ballclub Greuther Furth playing in the German second division.
“It’s unlikely that he (Etheridge) will play. For Schorck, may be not also,” Palami said in a recent interview.
“We want to preserve our relationship with their teams, so we bring in the players only when it’s absolutely necessary,” continued Palami, who left for Europe Wednesday to scout possible reinforcements for the Azkals.
Palami, though, said the Under-23 pool preparing for the Southeast Asian Games in November will join the Azkals in the event, where they are bidding to improve on their second place finish behind Hong Kong last year.
The Sept. 28-Oct. 6 competition will have competing teams from Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong and Philippines although Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta Jr said the organizers plan to expand the cast to six.
Last year, the Philippines finished with a 1-1-1 record in the competition, thumping Macau, (5-0) drawing with Taiwan (1-1) and bowing to Hong Kong (4-2).
Monday, August 15, 2011
Azkals to stay the course, says Aly
By Joaquin Henson The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine national football team skipper Aly Borromeo said yesterday the Azkals won’t rest on their laurels and vowed to intensify the quest for respectability in Asia, riding on the momentum created by qualifying for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup finals and reaching the second round of the World Cup Asia eliminations for the first time in the country’s history.
Borromeo, 28, said the Azkals won’t reunite until they compete in the Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung on Sept. 28-Oct. 6. Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta said the team playing in Kaohsiung will be a mix of senior and under-23 players gearing for the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in November. Meanwhile, the Azkals have gone their different ways. Borromeo, for instance, will take a two-week vacation in Australia up to the end of the month before rejoining the Kaya club which is now coached by Juan Cutillas and recently recruited Azkals Jason Sabio and Nate Burkey.
Reflecting on the second leg of the recent Kuwait series, Borromeo said the Azkals never considered playing defensively after taking a 1-0 lead at the half because they were determined to overhaul the 0-3 carryover deficit from the first encounter. There was speculation the Azkals, playing at home, would only try to preserve the 1-0 edge and content themselves with a win regardless of the aggregate tally. Cortal, a major sponsor, promised P1 Million for each goal on condition the Azkals beat Kuwait and P500,000 for each goal if the Azkals lost.
Borromeo said when Kuwait’s Fahed Al Ebrahim was ejected in the 58th minute, the Azkals felt it was time to strike harder. “We were up, 1-0, and they were down to 10 men,” recalled Borromeo. “We went on the attack. Then, they scored on a 35-yard kick, something we never expected. Neil (Etheridge) would’ve stopped a shot like that 98 percent of the time. We thought they would try to come closer to the goal and our defense was ready. But that’s where you saw their edge in experience. The ball went up and took a dip over Neil to enter the goal. We couldn’t believe it at first.”
Kuwait’s equalizer came only three minutes after Al Ebrahim’s ejection on a red card. Still, the Azkals fought on but couldn’t get a break. In the 85th minute, Waheed Jumah delivered the marginal goal on a mad scramble inside the penalty area.
“Rob (Gier) and I covered our men as they entered the strike zone,” said Borromeo. “Unfortunately, the ball struck Rob and was deflected to the flank where Kuwait suddenly got a 3-on-1 advantage, forcing Neil to rush out. They kicked the ball towards the goal with Neil out of position. Rob recovered to kick the ball but it was too late to stop it from going in.”
Borromeo said the biggest lesson the Azkals learned from the Kuwait series was the importance of composure. “We learned it doesn’t pay to rush things,” he said. “Kuwait had all options covered. They knew which flanks to attack and which flanks to defend. They saw we marked their best player No. 17 (Bader Al Mutwa) so to counter it, they used him as decoy to throw us off. We weren’t bothered by the flashy play of No. 7 (Fahad Al Enezi). We see that from a lot of good players like Ronaldo. They don’t mean to make fun of the defense. They just want to distract you, to create a situation where you’re going one way and they’re going the other. We never adjusted on the pitch, we lacked tactics. Rob and I were often left protecting the midfield so Stephan (Shrock) could be more aggressive in offense but our defense never adjusted to cover the gap. They were a superior team so we had to be more prepared than them. Still, we played better than we ever did.”
Facing superior teams will go a long way in raising the Azkals’ level of play. In Kuwait, the local league employs foreign stars who go overseas to extend their earning capacity in the twilight of their careers and homegrown players improve just by playing against them.
Borromeo welcomed the opportunity of locking horns with teams that are ranked higher than the Azkals by FIFA. That’s the reason why the PFF is inviting Nepal, ranked No. 136, to play the Azkals, ranked No. 162, in an exhibition here on Oct. 6. Nepal will host the AFC Challenge Cup finals in March and the Philippines is one of eight contenders.
Another positive development with the Azkals is how they come together to fight as a unit. “Before each match, we meet on our own and figure out what to do,” he said. “Out there on the pitch, we have no contact with our coaching staff so we just rely on each other. Coach (Michael) Weiss is a good motivator and does his job preparing us off the pitch. He keeps everyone in the loop and that’s important because many of our players come and go.”
Borromeo said he’s inspired and encouraged by the surge of interest in football. “I think the local league will get stronger,” he said. “There are foreigners applying to play. TV networks are bidding to air the matches. Football games from abroad used to be shown on TV as fillers now they’re being followed by fans. We don’t want to lose the momentum.”
Borromeo and teammate Anton del Rosario conducted tryouts for Fil-Ams in San Francisco last April. They picked four prospects out of 37 who showed up. Burkey, O. J. Porteria and James Rochlitz were among the survivors. Borromeo said the team is always on the lookout for more talents to beef up the roster. A player in the radar is 14-year-old Matthew Custodio, a prolific Fil-British striker from La Salle Greenhills.
Sports patron and businessman Jack Rodriguez said he’s convinced that the country’s top sports brand today is the Azkals. “It’s phenomenal what the Azkals have done for football in the Philippines,” said Rodriguez. “When I used to play goalkeeper for La Salle in the 1960s, I remember there were more cockroaches, mice and bumble bees in the stands than fans. I never thought I’d live to see the day when the stadium would be packed for football. The Azkals have brought passion back into the game.”
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine national football team skipper Aly Borromeo said yesterday the Azkals won’t rest on their laurels and vowed to intensify the quest for respectability in Asia, riding on the momentum created by qualifying for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup finals and reaching the second round of the World Cup Asia eliminations for the first time in the country’s history.
Borromeo, 28, said the Azkals won’t reunite until they compete in the Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung on Sept. 28-Oct. 6. Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta said the team playing in Kaohsiung will be a mix of senior and under-23 players gearing for the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in November. Meanwhile, the Azkals have gone their different ways. Borromeo, for instance, will take a two-week vacation in Australia up to the end of the month before rejoining the Kaya club which is now coached by Juan Cutillas and recently recruited Azkals Jason Sabio and Nate Burkey.
Reflecting on the second leg of the recent Kuwait series, Borromeo said the Azkals never considered playing defensively after taking a 1-0 lead at the half because they were determined to overhaul the 0-3 carryover deficit from the first encounter. There was speculation the Azkals, playing at home, would only try to preserve the 1-0 edge and content themselves with a win regardless of the aggregate tally. Cortal, a major sponsor, promised P1 Million for each goal on condition the Azkals beat Kuwait and P500,000 for each goal if the Azkals lost.
Borromeo said when Kuwait’s Fahed Al Ebrahim was ejected in the 58th minute, the Azkals felt it was time to strike harder. “We were up, 1-0, and they were down to 10 men,” recalled Borromeo. “We went on the attack. Then, they scored on a 35-yard kick, something we never expected. Neil (Etheridge) would’ve stopped a shot like that 98 percent of the time. We thought they would try to come closer to the goal and our defense was ready. But that’s where you saw their edge in experience. The ball went up and took a dip over Neil to enter the goal. We couldn’t believe it at first.”
Kuwait’s equalizer came only three minutes after Al Ebrahim’s ejection on a red card. Still, the Azkals fought on but couldn’t get a break. In the 85th minute, Waheed Jumah delivered the marginal goal on a mad scramble inside the penalty area.
“Rob (Gier) and I covered our men as they entered the strike zone,” said Borromeo. “Unfortunately, the ball struck Rob and was deflected to the flank where Kuwait suddenly got a 3-on-1 advantage, forcing Neil to rush out. They kicked the ball towards the goal with Neil out of position. Rob recovered to kick the ball but it was too late to stop it from going in.”
Borromeo said the biggest lesson the Azkals learned from the Kuwait series was the importance of composure. “We learned it doesn’t pay to rush things,” he said. “Kuwait had all options covered. They knew which flanks to attack and which flanks to defend. They saw we marked their best player No. 17 (Bader Al Mutwa) so to counter it, they used him as decoy to throw us off. We weren’t bothered by the flashy play of No. 7 (Fahad Al Enezi). We see that from a lot of good players like Ronaldo. They don’t mean to make fun of the defense. They just want to distract you, to create a situation where you’re going one way and they’re going the other. We never adjusted on the pitch, we lacked tactics. Rob and I were often left protecting the midfield so Stephan (Shrock) could be more aggressive in offense but our defense never adjusted to cover the gap. They were a superior team so we had to be more prepared than them. Still, we played better than we ever did.”
Facing superior teams will go a long way in raising the Azkals’ level of play. In Kuwait, the local league employs foreign stars who go overseas to extend their earning capacity in the twilight of their careers and homegrown players improve just by playing against them.
Borromeo welcomed the opportunity of locking horns with teams that are ranked higher than the Azkals by FIFA. That’s the reason why the PFF is inviting Nepal, ranked No. 136, to play the Azkals, ranked No. 162, in an exhibition here on Oct. 6. Nepal will host the AFC Challenge Cup finals in March and the Philippines is one of eight contenders.
Another positive development with the Azkals is how they come together to fight as a unit. “Before each match, we meet on our own and figure out what to do,” he said. “Out there on the pitch, we have no contact with our coaching staff so we just rely on each other. Coach (Michael) Weiss is a good motivator and does his job preparing us off the pitch. He keeps everyone in the loop and that’s important because many of our players come and go.”
Borromeo said he’s inspired and encouraged by the surge of interest in football. “I think the local league will get stronger,” he said. “There are foreigners applying to play. TV networks are bidding to air the matches. Football games from abroad used to be shown on TV as fillers now they’re being followed by fans. We don’t want to lose the momentum.”
Borromeo and teammate Anton del Rosario conducted tryouts for Fil-Ams in San Francisco last April. They picked four prospects out of 37 who showed up. Burkey, O. J. Porteria and James Rochlitz were among the survivors. Borromeo said the team is always on the lookout for more talents to beef up the roster. A player in the radar is 14-year-old Matthew Custodio, a prolific Fil-British striker from La Salle Greenhills.
Sports patron and businessman Jack Rodriguez said he’s convinced that the country’s top sports brand today is the Azkals. “It’s phenomenal what the Azkals have done for football in the Philippines,” said Rodriguez. “When I used to play goalkeeper for La Salle in the 1960s, I remember there were more cockroaches, mice and bumble bees in the stands than fans. I never thought I’d live to see the day when the stadium would be packed for football. The Azkals have brought passion back into the game.”
Azkals take a break, visit Albay resort
By Cedelf P. Tupas - Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA—After a grueling year that saw them reach the second round of the World Cup qualifying, the Philippine Azkals take a much-needed break as they visit a luxury island resort in Bacacay, Albay Monday.
Misibis Bay, located in Cagraray Island, was personally handpicked by the celebrated football team.
Joining the three-day holiday are Anton del Rosario, Nate Burkey, Roel Gener, Jason Sabio, Richard Pacana, Patrick Ace Bright, Paolo Pascual, Misagh Bahadoran, Josef Malinay, Ricardo Becite and Yannick Tuason.
The Azkals return to action in the Long Teng Cup starting Sept. 28 in Taiwan. The team will be a mix of the seniors team and the Under-23 squad preparing for the Indonesia Southeast Asian Games in November.
The Azkals advanced to the AFC Challenge Cup main tournament for the first time by overcoming Mongolia in pre-qualifying, before finishing second behind Palestine in the group qualifying in Myanmar last March.
The Azkals saw their World Cup qualifying run end last July 28 when they lost to Kuwait, 1-5, on aggregate in the second round.
Still, they already made history by reaching the second round after beating Sri Lanka in their first World Cup qualifying tie in close to 10 years.
MANILA—After a grueling year that saw them reach the second round of the World Cup qualifying, the Philippine Azkals take a much-needed break as they visit a luxury island resort in Bacacay, Albay Monday.
Misibis Bay, located in Cagraray Island, was personally handpicked by the celebrated football team.
Joining the three-day holiday are Anton del Rosario, Nate Burkey, Roel Gener, Jason Sabio, Richard Pacana, Patrick Ace Bright, Paolo Pascual, Misagh Bahadoran, Josef Malinay, Ricardo Becite and Yannick Tuason.
The Azkals return to action in the Long Teng Cup starting Sept. 28 in Taiwan. The team will be a mix of the seniors team and the Under-23 squad preparing for the Indonesia Southeast Asian Games in November.
The Azkals advanced to the AFC Challenge Cup main tournament for the first time by overcoming Mongolia in pre-qualifying, before finishing second behind Palestine in the group qualifying in Myanmar last March.
The Azkals saw their World Cup qualifying run end last July 28 when they lost to Kuwait, 1-5, on aggregate in the second round.
Still, they already made history by reaching the second round after beating Sri Lanka in their first World Cup qualifying tie in close to 10 years.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Nepal invited to test Azkals' mettle
By Joaquin Henson The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta Jr. said yesterday Nepal, ranked No. 136 by FIFA, has been invited to play the Azkals in an exhibition match here on Oct. 9 and it will be an early preview of what to expect in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup finals in March.
Nepal is hosting the Challenge Cup finals where seven other countries are playing after a series of qualifiers. The eight teams in the finals are the Philippines, India, Maldives, North Korea, Palestine, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Nepal.
Araneta said a plan for Manila to host a four-team invitational tournament has been scrapped because of conflicts with FIFA schedules. The Philippines, ranked No. 162 by FIFA, is booked to play in the Challenge Cup and the Suzuki Cup next year. The national under-23 squad, coached by Michael Weiss, will compete in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia. The PFF’s contract with Weiss expires in 2013.
Araneta confirmed that the Azkals will participate in the Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung on Sept. 28-Oct. 6. The tournament is traditionally among host Chinese-Taipei, Macau, Hong Kong and the Philippines. But organizers are planning to expand the cast to six with invitations sent out to Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia. Last year, the Philippines posted a 1-1-1 record in the competition, crushing Macau, 5-0, losing to Hong Kong, 4-2, and tying with Chinese-Taipei, 1-1.
Araneta said he expects Fulham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge to fly in for the Kaohsiung tournament. The Azkals will not undergo special training for the Long Teng Cup. However, the under-23 team will set up boot camp in Kuwait or Bahrain or Japan before the SEA Games in Indonesia on Nov. 11-22.
Regarding a training program for the Azkals in Europe, Araneta said he spoke with Sen. Edgardo Angara on the phone three weeks ago about the possibility of arranging a tie-up with a Spanish club. Last year, three officials from Real Madrid were in Manila to explore a working relationship with the PFF through Sen. Angara. It was then agreed that the PFF, still under former president Mari Martinez, would get the ball rolling by formally requesting training assistance from Real Madrid. An eyewitness said the Real Madrid and PFF officials shook hands to indicate a meeting of the minds. The formal letter, however, was never sent. The protocol in such an arrangement involves a triggering letter of request from a national federation and a city-to-city agreement to cement the relationship. Martinez was eventually replaced by Araneta who said he knows nothing about the Real Madrid meeting.
Araneta said he was informed that the Barcelona Football Club is interested to look into the early history of Filipino football star Paulino Alcantara who was born in Iloilo in 1896. Alcantara was the first Filipino ever to play in Europe and made his Barcelona debut at the age of 17. He finished his football career as Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer with 357 goals in 357 matches, a record that remains unmatched and unsurpassed. Alcantara later served as Barcelona club director and Spanish national coach. He died in 1964.
“We were advised that the Spanish consul would like to visit Iloilo sometime next month and find out more about Mr. Alcantara’s beginnings, how he is revered in Iloilo,” said Araneta. “Perhaps, this could be the start of a relationship between Iloilo and Barcelona and between the Azkals and the Barcelona Football Club.”
Sen. Angara recently announced in his twitter account that the Congreso de los Diputados in Spain, headed by Jose Bono Martinez, has issued an institutional declaration affirming close ties between the Philippines and Spain. The Philippines was cited by the Spanish Congress for “unparalleled magnanimity” towards Spanish soldiers during the Siege of Baler in 1898-99. The bond linking both countries is celebrated on Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day every June 30 as decreed by the Philippine government.
As for the Azkals incentives, Araneta revealed that each player received $1,000 after the recent Sri Lanka home-and-away series. Before the home game against Kuwait, the PFF gave the Azkals $500 with the promise of a $1,000 bonus for a win and a $4,000 reward for making it into the third round of the World Cup Asia qualifiers.
Cortal, a major Azkals sponsor, also offered incentives for the home match against Kuwait – P1 Million for every goal in a win and P500,000 for every goal in a loss. As it turned out, the Philippines lost a 2-1 heartbreaker. Because of the Azkals’ lone goal in the defeat, Cortal is committed to pay out P500,000. It’s not certain if the players will get a share of the incentive. Araneta said he is not involved in the commercial aspects of marketing the Azkals and wouldn’t know if the players will receive a share or if Cortal has even paid the bonus. He said team manager Dan Palami, who has registered the Azkals trademark, is in charge of the marketing affairs. As of yesterday, a high-profile Azkals player said he had not received a share of the Cortal incentive and didn’t know if the players would be given by Palami.
Araneta said the PFF grossed over P20 Million in ticket sales for the Sri Lanka and Kuwait matches at the Rizal Memorial. “We were told La Salle spends about P900,000 a year to maintain the pitch and we’re grateful to La Salle for transforming it into a world-class field,” he said. “We’re offering to pay half the maintenance costs as we know La Salle spent over P8 Million to rehabilitate the pitch and we’ll be making extensive use of it. We still have a lot to do in sprucing up Rizal, like cleaning up the restrooms in the gallery section. The unmoving clock on the giant scoreboard is an eyesore and we’ve had to rent two electronic scoreboards for the recent matches. We hope the Philippine Sports Commission will consider replacing the giant clock scoreboard with a digital system.”
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta Jr. said yesterday Nepal, ranked No. 136 by FIFA, has been invited to play the Azkals in an exhibition match here on Oct. 9 and it will be an early preview of what to expect in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup finals in March.
Nepal is hosting the Challenge Cup finals where seven other countries are playing after a series of qualifiers. The eight teams in the finals are the Philippines, India, Maldives, North Korea, Palestine, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Nepal.
Araneta said a plan for Manila to host a four-team invitational tournament has been scrapped because of conflicts with FIFA schedules. The Philippines, ranked No. 162 by FIFA, is booked to play in the Challenge Cup and the Suzuki Cup next year. The national under-23 squad, coached by Michael Weiss, will compete in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia. The PFF’s contract with Weiss expires in 2013.
Araneta confirmed that the Azkals will participate in the Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung on Sept. 28-Oct. 6. The tournament is traditionally among host Chinese-Taipei, Macau, Hong Kong and the Philippines. But organizers are planning to expand the cast to six with invitations sent out to Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia. Last year, the Philippines posted a 1-1-1 record in the competition, crushing Macau, 5-0, losing to Hong Kong, 4-2, and tying with Chinese-Taipei, 1-1.
Araneta said he expects Fulham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge to fly in for the Kaohsiung tournament. The Azkals will not undergo special training for the Long Teng Cup. However, the under-23 team will set up boot camp in Kuwait or Bahrain or Japan before the SEA Games in Indonesia on Nov. 11-22.
Regarding a training program for the Azkals in Europe, Araneta said he spoke with Sen. Edgardo Angara on the phone three weeks ago about the possibility of arranging a tie-up with a Spanish club. Last year, three officials from Real Madrid were in Manila to explore a working relationship with the PFF through Sen. Angara. It was then agreed that the PFF, still under former president Mari Martinez, would get the ball rolling by formally requesting training assistance from Real Madrid. An eyewitness said the Real Madrid and PFF officials shook hands to indicate a meeting of the minds. The formal letter, however, was never sent. The protocol in such an arrangement involves a triggering letter of request from a national federation and a city-to-city agreement to cement the relationship. Martinez was eventually replaced by Araneta who said he knows nothing about the Real Madrid meeting.
Araneta said he was informed that the Barcelona Football Club is interested to look into the early history of Filipino football star Paulino Alcantara who was born in Iloilo in 1896. Alcantara was the first Filipino ever to play in Europe and made his Barcelona debut at the age of 17. He finished his football career as Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer with 357 goals in 357 matches, a record that remains unmatched and unsurpassed. Alcantara later served as Barcelona club director and Spanish national coach. He died in 1964.
“We were advised that the Spanish consul would like to visit Iloilo sometime next month and find out more about Mr. Alcantara’s beginnings, how he is revered in Iloilo,” said Araneta. “Perhaps, this could be the start of a relationship between Iloilo and Barcelona and between the Azkals and the Barcelona Football Club.”
Sen. Angara recently announced in his twitter account that the Congreso de los Diputados in Spain, headed by Jose Bono Martinez, has issued an institutional declaration affirming close ties between the Philippines and Spain. The Philippines was cited by the Spanish Congress for “unparalleled magnanimity” towards Spanish soldiers during the Siege of Baler in 1898-99. The bond linking both countries is celebrated on Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day every June 30 as decreed by the Philippine government.
As for the Azkals incentives, Araneta revealed that each player received $1,000 after the recent Sri Lanka home-and-away series. Before the home game against Kuwait, the PFF gave the Azkals $500 with the promise of a $1,000 bonus for a win and a $4,000 reward for making it into the third round of the World Cup Asia qualifiers.
Cortal, a major Azkals sponsor, also offered incentives for the home match against Kuwait – P1 Million for every goal in a win and P500,000 for every goal in a loss. As it turned out, the Philippines lost a 2-1 heartbreaker. Because of the Azkals’ lone goal in the defeat, Cortal is committed to pay out P500,000. It’s not certain if the players will get a share of the incentive. Araneta said he is not involved in the commercial aspects of marketing the Azkals and wouldn’t know if the players will receive a share or if Cortal has even paid the bonus. He said team manager Dan Palami, who has registered the Azkals trademark, is in charge of the marketing affairs. As of yesterday, a high-profile Azkals player said he had not received a share of the Cortal incentive and didn’t know if the players would be given by Palami.
Araneta said the PFF grossed over P20 Million in ticket sales for the Sri Lanka and Kuwait matches at the Rizal Memorial. “We were told La Salle spends about P900,000 a year to maintain the pitch and we’re grateful to La Salle for transforming it into a world-class field,” he said. “We’re offering to pay half the maintenance costs as we know La Salle spent over P8 Million to rehabilitate the pitch and we’ll be making extensive use of it. We still have a lot to do in sprucing up Rizal, like cleaning up the restrooms in the gallery section. The unmoving clock on the giant scoreboard is an eyesore and we’ve had to rent two electronic scoreboards for the recent matches. We hope the Philippine Sports Commission will consider replacing the giant clock scoreboard with a digital system.”
Azkals prospect Areola extends PSG contract
by Jojo Malig, abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Azkals prospect Alphonse Areola has extended his contract with French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) up to 2016.
The 18-year-old goalkeeper, which is being reportedly eyed by Azkals team manager Dan Palami to challenge Neil Etheridge as the Philippines' No. 1, joined PSG through its youth academy.
Areola signed a professional contract at the age of 16, the youngest to turn pro in French football history.
PSG did not disclose the financial terms of his new contract.
The deal is seen as PSG's effort to secure Areola to a long-term deal following reported interest on the teen by English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Areola has yet to make his first-team debut for PSG and is currently second choice behind the team's new Italian goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.
He has earned 4 international caps with France's under-18 side. He has been tipped to become both PSG's and France's future No. 1, according to French media.
Under FIFA rules, Areola can play for the Philippine Azkals as long as he is not yet capped for the senior Les Bleus.
The Clairefontaine-trained goalkeeper had an impressive pre-season with PSG, notching clean sheets in the team's wins over Italian side AS Roma (3-0) and Argentinian giants Boca Juniors (3-0).
PSG are being tipped as one of the title favorites in the French top league in the coming season.
The club was recently bought by Qatar Sports Investments, which has brought in cash and 7 new players including the 42-million-euro Argentinian playmaker Javier Pastore.
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Azkals prospect Alphonse Areola has extended his contract with French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) up to 2016.
The 18-year-old goalkeeper, which is being reportedly eyed by Azkals team manager Dan Palami to challenge Neil Etheridge as the Philippines' No. 1, joined PSG through its youth academy.
Areola signed a professional contract at the age of 16, the youngest to turn pro in French football history.
PSG did not disclose the financial terms of his new contract.
The deal is seen as PSG's effort to secure Areola to a long-term deal following reported interest on the teen by English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Areola has yet to make his first-team debut for PSG and is currently second choice behind the team's new Italian goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.
He has earned 4 international caps with France's under-18 side. He has been tipped to become both PSG's and France's future No. 1, according to French media.
Under FIFA rules, Areola can play for the Philippine Azkals as long as he is not yet capped for the senior Les Bleus.
The Clairefontaine-trained goalkeeper had an impressive pre-season with PSG, notching clean sheets in the team's wins over Italian side AS Roma (3-0) and Argentinian giants Boca Juniors (3-0).
PSG are being tipped as one of the title favorites in the French top league in the coming season.
The club was recently bought by Qatar Sports Investments, which has brought in cash and 7 new players including the 42-million-euro Argentinian playmaker Javier Pastore.
Little Azkals to take part in PFF-Smart tournament
CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON - Cebu Daily News
THE LITTLE Azkals left for Cagayan de Oro yesterday to take part in a series of friendly games as part of the ongoing Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart Club Championships.
Their big brothers, the Azkals, are also seeing action in the competition.
Head coach Oliver Colina said seeing action in the friendly games is part of the Little Azkals’ continued training under the PFF program, which falls under the grassroots and youth development committee headed by Richard Montayre, who is also the Cebu Football Association (CFA) president.
Montayre revealed in an earlier interview that the long-term goal of the Little Azkals is the U23 Qualifier for Qatar World Cup 2022.
He said they plan to keep the team together for a year to bolster its sustainability. The team is comprised of players from Cebu, National Capital Region (NCR), Cagayan de Oro, Davao City , Dumaguete City , and Dipolog.
Whenever possible pending school obligations, the Little Azkals will gather in Cebu for training for the whole year. This has been agreed between Montayre, Colina and the parents of the Little Azkals.
Because of its accessibility, it was decided to make Cebu as the training ground.
The Little Azkals had one international stint via the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U13 Festival of Football in Sabah Malaysia last June, wherein they won three games, had three draws and four losses.
They also played in the recently held 2011 Treadtel Cup, where they finished runner-up in the boys-14 category after losing to the Don Bosco Technology Center.
THE LITTLE Azkals left for Cagayan de Oro yesterday to take part in a series of friendly games as part of the ongoing Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart Club Championships.
Their big brothers, the Azkals, are also seeing action in the competition.
Head coach Oliver Colina said seeing action in the friendly games is part of the Little Azkals’ continued training under the PFF program, which falls under the grassroots and youth development committee headed by Richard Montayre, who is also the Cebu Football Association (CFA) president.
Montayre revealed in an earlier interview that the long-term goal of the Little Azkals is the U23 Qualifier for Qatar World Cup 2022.
He said they plan to keep the team together for a year to bolster its sustainability. The team is comprised of players from Cebu, National Capital Region (NCR), Cagayan de Oro, Davao City , Dumaguete City , and Dipolog.
Whenever possible pending school obligations, the Little Azkals will gather in Cebu for training for the whole year. This has been agreed between Montayre, Colina and the parents of the Little Azkals.
Because of its accessibility, it was decided to make Cebu as the training ground.
The Little Azkals had one international stint via the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U13 Festival of Football in Sabah Malaysia last June, wherein they won three games, had three draws and four losses.
They also played in the recently held 2011 Treadtel Cup, where they finished runner-up in the boys-14 category after losing to the Don Bosco Technology Center.
British-Pinoys dream of joining the Azkals
by Edward Lao, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
SITTINGBOURNE, Kent - When the Azkals lost to Kuwait in the recent World Cup Qualifiers, it marked the end of an era for some of the Philippines' current squad members.
Now, with the national team looking to rebuild, it has left the door open for other aspiring footballers to join its ranks.
In the United Kingdom, also known as the spiritual home of football, there is no shortage of enthusiasm from Pinoys.
On a hot summer afternoon in the county of Kent, the country's first amateur Pinoy team prepared for the 2011-2012 season with a friendly against their toughest opposition to date.
PFC takes on Sittingbourne
Philippine Football Club (PFC), which competes in Division One of the West Hertfordshire League, took on semi-professional outfit Sittingbourne FC at 3,000-seater stadium Bourne Park on July 11.
The players of PFC were fully focused on the game at hand, but in the back of their minds, most would admit they were also dreaming of one day representing the Philippines at national level.
Despite only being a friendly, PFC were eager to put up a challenge and test themselves against the more experienced side.
Sittingbourne FC, also known as The Brickies, was founded in 1886 and currently plies its trade in the Ryman League. This is only six tiers below the summit of English football--the Premier League.
Donning the new PFC red strip, the British Pinoys survived an early bombardment on their goal to keep the game at 0-0.
The semi-pro team moved the ball around well but struggled to break through PFC's defence until mid-way through the game when a trip in the box broke the deadlock. The penalty kick that followed was slotted away, giving Sittingbourne FC a 1-0 lead.
Sittingbourne enjoyed the majority of possession, but PFC did carve out some good chances to level the fixture. However, they weren't able to capitalize.
PFC was punished once more towards the end when a lapse in defense allowed a Sittingbourne striker to drift into their box unmarked. He was left with a close range tap-in following a cross from the left wing.
The match finished in a 2-0 defeat, but the PFC camp felt they still had many positives to take from the experience.
Event organizer Jim Hall has been training PFC's players during the off-season. He took the helm in the game against Sittingbourne.
“How could you phrase it? It's like Manchester United against Morecambe. There was such a vast difference in the level of play. We were Morecambe and they were Manchester United, but today, for 75% of the game, we looked like Manchester United and they looked like Morecambe. I think the boys can be very proud of their performance”, Hall said.
Future assets
He also believes that some of the British-Pinoys that played are even capable of eventually becoming assets to the national team.
“There's a different mentality here and I think personally these boys will do well over there. I really do. I wouldn't say the whole 16 players on view, but I'd certainly say there's about four or five, a nucleus of boys. They're all 19 to 22 years of age.
“The [Azkal] players at present, they're 28, 29. Are they still going to be fit enough for the next World Cup? I don't think so. They have to move on. Such is life”, Hall added.
ABS-CBN Europe caught up with some PFC players after the game. Striker Aaron De Rama was asked what playing for the Azkals would mean to him.
“My mum and dad are Filipinos and to represent the Philippines would be a dream come true”, he said.
Full-back Eddie Guevarra added, “We're all very good players. We just need put in the hard work and chase the dream. Nothing comes easy, we all know that”.
Dream to represent PH
PFC was inaugurated in 2009 to provide UK-based Pinoys a venue where they could play competitive football alongside each other. Its long term goal was to scout those eligible for the Azkals or local teams in the Philippines.
Club Secretary Jesse Arroyo, who also doubles up as a full-back, has been with PFC since the beginning. He explained how the club's circumstances have changed since the ousting of former PFF (Philippine Football Federation) President Jose Mari Martinez.
“Unfortunately, the team was created during Mari Martinez's rein and as we all know, he was dethroned. So, we've slowly lost connections with the PFF in the Philippines. We love football so we're going to continue playing nonetheless.
“It just solidifies the pride we have. If we were to play football, we'd be doing what we love as well as promoting the community”, said Arroyo.
Some of PFC's players have said that they're willing to fund their own trips to the Philippines if they are able to get a trial with the Azkals.
For the time being though, PFC's eyes are set on more local affairs with kick-off in the West Herts League approaching.
Last season, PFC finished fourth in Division One and narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier Division. This season, they will be aiming to go a step further. The date for the new season has yet to be confirmed.
SITTINGBOURNE, Kent - When the Azkals lost to Kuwait in the recent World Cup Qualifiers, it marked the end of an era for some of the Philippines' current squad members.
Now, with the national team looking to rebuild, it has left the door open for other aspiring footballers to join its ranks.
In the United Kingdom, also known as the spiritual home of football, there is no shortage of enthusiasm from Pinoys.
On a hot summer afternoon in the county of Kent, the country's first amateur Pinoy team prepared for the 2011-2012 season with a friendly against their toughest opposition to date.
PFC takes on Sittingbourne
Philippine Football Club (PFC), which competes in Division One of the West Hertfordshire League, took on semi-professional outfit Sittingbourne FC at 3,000-seater stadium Bourne Park on July 11.
The players of PFC were fully focused on the game at hand, but in the back of their minds, most would admit they were also dreaming of one day representing the Philippines at national level.
Despite only being a friendly, PFC were eager to put up a challenge and test themselves against the more experienced side.
Sittingbourne FC, also known as The Brickies, was founded in 1886 and currently plies its trade in the Ryman League. This is only six tiers below the summit of English football--the Premier League.
Donning the new PFC red strip, the British Pinoys survived an early bombardment on their goal to keep the game at 0-0.
The semi-pro team moved the ball around well but struggled to break through PFC's defence until mid-way through the game when a trip in the box broke the deadlock. The penalty kick that followed was slotted away, giving Sittingbourne FC a 1-0 lead.
Sittingbourne enjoyed the majority of possession, but PFC did carve out some good chances to level the fixture. However, they weren't able to capitalize.
PFC was punished once more towards the end when a lapse in defense allowed a Sittingbourne striker to drift into their box unmarked. He was left with a close range tap-in following a cross from the left wing.
The match finished in a 2-0 defeat, but the PFC camp felt they still had many positives to take from the experience.
Event organizer Jim Hall has been training PFC's players during the off-season. He took the helm in the game against Sittingbourne.
“How could you phrase it? It's like Manchester United against Morecambe. There was such a vast difference in the level of play. We were Morecambe and they were Manchester United, but today, for 75% of the game, we looked like Manchester United and they looked like Morecambe. I think the boys can be very proud of their performance”, Hall said.
Future assets
He also believes that some of the British-Pinoys that played are even capable of eventually becoming assets to the national team.
“There's a different mentality here and I think personally these boys will do well over there. I really do. I wouldn't say the whole 16 players on view, but I'd certainly say there's about four or five, a nucleus of boys. They're all 19 to 22 years of age.
“The [Azkal] players at present, they're 28, 29. Are they still going to be fit enough for the next World Cup? I don't think so. They have to move on. Such is life”, Hall added.
ABS-CBN Europe caught up with some PFC players after the game. Striker Aaron De Rama was asked what playing for the Azkals would mean to him.
“My mum and dad are Filipinos and to represent the Philippines would be a dream come true”, he said.
Full-back Eddie Guevarra added, “We're all very good players. We just need put in the hard work and chase the dream. Nothing comes easy, we all know that”.
Dream to represent PH
PFC was inaugurated in 2009 to provide UK-based Pinoys a venue where they could play competitive football alongside each other. Its long term goal was to scout those eligible for the Azkals or local teams in the Philippines.
Club Secretary Jesse Arroyo, who also doubles up as a full-back, has been with PFC since the beginning. He explained how the club's circumstances have changed since the ousting of former PFF (Philippine Football Federation) President Jose Mari Martinez.
“Unfortunately, the team was created during Mari Martinez's rein and as we all know, he was dethroned. So, we've slowly lost connections with the PFF in the Philippines. We love football so we're going to continue playing nonetheless.
“It just solidifies the pride we have. If we were to play football, we'd be doing what we love as well as promoting the community”, said Arroyo.
Some of PFC's players have said that they're willing to fund their own trips to the Philippines if they are able to get a trial with the Azkals.
For the time being though, PFC's eyes are set on more local affairs with kick-off in the West Herts League approaching.
Last season, PFC finished fourth in Division One and narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier Division. This season, they will be aiming to go a step further. The date for the new season has yet to be confirmed.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Azkals' Schrock returns to action in Germany
by Jojo Malig, abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Azkals midfield spark plug Stephan Schröck returned to action in Germany Saturday, helping Greuther Fürth defeat Dynamo Dresden, 1-0, at the Trolli Arena.
Schrock was deployed at right midfield by Greuther Fürth manager Michael Büskens in the 2. Bundesliga clash.
The Filipino-German was the spearhead of several attacking plays and was unlucky to miss several scoring chances.
With the hosts pushing forward in the 18th minute, Schrock recieved a pass and pulled off a strike that missed the target.
His teammate, Olivier Occean, scored the game's lone goal off an assist from Sebastian Tyrala in the 48th minute.
A minute later, Dresden were reduced to 10 men when Cristian Fiel was sent off for a foul.
Schrock tried to increase Greuther Fürth's lead in the 51st minute but his shot was off the mark.
The visitors tried to launch a fightback but their efforts went for naught, even as another Dresden player, Pavel Fort, was given a red card in the 70th minute.
In the 81st minute, Schrock looked set to ensure their win with a goal but his shot was blocked by Dresden defenders.
Greuther Fürth boss Büskens rested Schrock in the 84th minute, bringing in Christian Rahn to replace the Filipino-German.
The 24-year-old Schrock, whose roots are from Parang in North Cotabato, made his international debut for the Azkals against Sri Lanka last June 29.
He scored the Philippines' lone goal in the Azkals' 1-2 loss to Gulf powerhouse Kuwait in the second leg of their FIFA World Cup qualifying tie at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last June 28.
Greuther Fürth are currently 4th in the 2. Bundesliga table, with 6 points from 3 matches and just a point off league leaders Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Before the 2. Bundesliga match, Greuther Fürth were coming off a 10-0 demolition of German 6th-tier league club Eimsbütteler TV in the opening round of the 2011-2012 DFB-Pokal cup competition.
Greuther Fürth will travel to Paderborn's Energieteam Arena for their next league match on August 13.
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Azkals midfield spark plug Stephan Schröck returned to action in Germany Saturday, helping Greuther Fürth defeat Dynamo Dresden, 1-0, at the Trolli Arena.
Schrock was deployed at right midfield by Greuther Fürth manager Michael Büskens in the 2. Bundesliga clash.
The Filipino-German was the spearhead of several attacking plays and was unlucky to miss several scoring chances.
With the hosts pushing forward in the 18th minute, Schrock recieved a pass and pulled off a strike that missed the target.
His teammate, Olivier Occean, scored the game's lone goal off an assist from Sebastian Tyrala in the 48th minute.
A minute later, Dresden were reduced to 10 men when Cristian Fiel was sent off for a foul.
Schrock tried to increase Greuther Fürth's lead in the 51st minute but his shot was off the mark.
The visitors tried to launch a fightback but their efforts went for naught, even as another Dresden player, Pavel Fort, was given a red card in the 70th minute.
In the 81st minute, Schrock looked set to ensure their win with a goal but his shot was blocked by Dresden defenders.
Greuther Fürth boss Büskens rested Schrock in the 84th minute, bringing in Christian Rahn to replace the Filipino-German.
The 24-year-old Schrock, whose roots are from Parang in North Cotabato, made his international debut for the Azkals against Sri Lanka last June 29.
He scored the Philippines' lone goal in the Azkals' 1-2 loss to Gulf powerhouse Kuwait in the second leg of their FIFA World Cup qualifying tie at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last June 28.
Greuther Fürth are currently 4th in the 2. Bundesliga table, with 6 points from 3 matches and just a point off league leaders Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Before the 2. Bundesliga match, Greuther Fürth were coming off a 10-0 demolition of German 6th-tier league club Eimsbütteler TV in the opening round of the 2011-2012 DFB-Pokal cup competition.
Greuther Fürth will travel to Paderborn's Energieteam Arena for their next league match on August 13.
Azkals manage sensitivities
THE GAME OF MY LIFE By Bill Velasco (The Philippine Star)
Philippine Azkals manager Dan Palami is off, with Brussels, Belgium as the first stop on a working tour of Europe, searching for more football players of Filipino lineage to lure to the national cause. Some of the veteran Fil-foreign players on the Azkals are playing bigger roles with their mother clubs in Europe, and are going to be less available as the seasons wear on. Some of them may not even be released by their pro teams, at all.
When asked how he was going to attract these players, and if the job was easier now with the team’s relative fame, Palami had a standard-issue answer.
“What’s my pitch going to be? It’s going to be the same as it was with guys like Rob Gier, when nobody knew – or cared – about the Azkals,” explained Palami. “It’s a chance to play for flag and country.”
What the general public does not realize (particularly those who have biases against the inclusion of “half-Filipino” players), is that it is often a great financial sacrifice for these young men to come to the Philippines at the cost of jobs with limited slots in the soccer hotbeds in Europe. Some of our players receive $10,000-$20,000 salaries to play professionally in Europe, which is no mere pittance. Yet, many of them have risked their professional careers and taken leaves of absence to suit up for matches wearing the Philippine flag.
Managing sensitivities on the issue of race is also something the Philippine Football Federation is now conscious of. Bear in mind that the huge sums being given as sponsorship money to the Azkals actually go to the coffers of the PFF for grassroots development. With the sport’s development having been “dormant for decades” as Palami says, it will “take four years” or so before we develop another Chieffy Caligdong. In the meantime, the team needs the technology transfer and seasoned talent of Fil-foreign players who are willing to don the flag.
There are a lot of big tournaments awaiting the Azkals, who are also part of the United Football League individually, and to some extent, members of the Under-23 team. The Southeast Asian Games involves the younger Azkals, while the Suzuki Cup and AFC are slated for next year. These major tournaments coincide with breaks in major European leagues, as FIFA avoided the overlap between national and club teams. In the meantime, there are more diamonds in the rough home and away, waiting to be discovered.
* * * *
A new resort in Laguna is positioning itself as a sports destination for both ends of the action spectrum: extreme adventure seekers and the more relaxed, casual sports participant.
Grand Villa Resort and Butterfly Centre sits on 15 hectares at the foot of Mount Makiling, and invites those who have the high energy for outdoor activities as well as those who want more contemplative release from stress. The resort’s Adventure Kamp has high and low ropes courses, a paintball field and wall-climbing facilities, as well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool and covered pools to provide a safe but physically-challenging setting.
“Grand Villa has the space to provide you privacy, and the facilities to give you your adventure fix,” says special projects consultant Niña Castro, who has also helped promote internationally famous destinations like Ocean Adventure in Subic Bay for years. “We have a lot of accommodations that can suit anyone who has an active lifestyle, or just looking for a place to unwind.
Grand Villa also has accommodations for groups from entire families to dorms for those who prefer to rough it. For the more contemplative, the butterfly farm has 10 species of butterflies bred on location. It is a serene experience hard to find elsewhere. But if you’re looking to keep to yourself, the resort also has 12 spa rooms so you can have it all without moving at all, any time you want.
And if you literally prefer a different view, there are four tree houses to choose from, and a floating nipa hut.
“The resort was designed to provide an environment that both stimulates and relaxes,” Castro adds. “We are also planning to host sporting competitions and a pageant, aside from the usual corporate functions, planning and team-building seminars. We want to attract serious sports people, as well.”
For more information, visit www.grandvillaresort.ph.
Philippine Azkals manager Dan Palami is off, with Brussels, Belgium as the first stop on a working tour of Europe, searching for more football players of Filipino lineage to lure to the national cause. Some of the veteran Fil-foreign players on the Azkals are playing bigger roles with their mother clubs in Europe, and are going to be less available as the seasons wear on. Some of them may not even be released by their pro teams, at all.
When asked how he was going to attract these players, and if the job was easier now with the team’s relative fame, Palami had a standard-issue answer.
“What’s my pitch going to be? It’s going to be the same as it was with guys like Rob Gier, when nobody knew – or cared – about the Azkals,” explained Palami. “It’s a chance to play for flag and country.”
What the general public does not realize (particularly those who have biases against the inclusion of “half-Filipino” players), is that it is often a great financial sacrifice for these young men to come to the Philippines at the cost of jobs with limited slots in the soccer hotbeds in Europe. Some of our players receive $10,000-$20,000 salaries to play professionally in Europe, which is no mere pittance. Yet, many of them have risked their professional careers and taken leaves of absence to suit up for matches wearing the Philippine flag.
Managing sensitivities on the issue of race is also something the Philippine Football Federation is now conscious of. Bear in mind that the huge sums being given as sponsorship money to the Azkals actually go to the coffers of the PFF for grassroots development. With the sport’s development having been “dormant for decades” as Palami says, it will “take four years” or so before we develop another Chieffy Caligdong. In the meantime, the team needs the technology transfer and seasoned talent of Fil-foreign players who are willing to don the flag.
There are a lot of big tournaments awaiting the Azkals, who are also part of the United Football League individually, and to some extent, members of the Under-23 team. The Southeast Asian Games involves the younger Azkals, while the Suzuki Cup and AFC are slated for next year. These major tournaments coincide with breaks in major European leagues, as FIFA avoided the overlap between national and club teams. In the meantime, there are more diamonds in the rough home and away, waiting to be discovered.
* * * *
A new resort in Laguna is positioning itself as a sports destination for both ends of the action spectrum: extreme adventure seekers and the more relaxed, casual sports participant.
Grand Villa Resort and Butterfly Centre sits on 15 hectares at the foot of Mount Makiling, and invites those who have the high energy for outdoor activities as well as those who want more contemplative release from stress. The resort’s Adventure Kamp has high and low ropes courses, a paintball field and wall-climbing facilities, as well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool and covered pools to provide a safe but physically-challenging setting.
“Grand Villa has the space to provide you privacy, and the facilities to give you your adventure fix,” says special projects consultant Niña Castro, who has also helped promote internationally famous destinations like Ocean Adventure in Subic Bay for years. “We have a lot of accommodations that can suit anyone who has an active lifestyle, or just looking for a place to unwind.
Grand Villa also has accommodations for groups from entire families to dorms for those who prefer to rough it. For the more contemplative, the butterfly farm has 10 species of butterflies bred on location. It is a serene experience hard to find elsewhere. But if you’re looking to keep to yourself, the resort also has 12 spa rooms so you can have it all without moving at all, any time you want.
And if you literally prefer a different view, there are four tree houses to choose from, and a floating nipa hut.
“The resort was designed to provide an environment that both stimulates and relaxes,” Castro adds. “We are also planning to host sporting competitions and a pageant, aside from the usual corporate functions, planning and team-building seminars. We want to attract serious sports people, as well.”
For more information, visit www.grandvillaresort.ph.
Funding Azkals a yeoman’s job
By Manolo R. Iñigo - Philippine Daily Inquirer
Football, thanks to the Azkals, is fast becoming the country’s obsession, replacing basketball as the Filipinos’ favorite sport.
But in order to preserve football’s emergence as the game best suited for the Filipinos and, at the same time, sustain the newfound popularity of the Azkals, the sport needs the continuous support of both the government and the private sector.
It’s truly a yeoman’s job in seeing the program through.
“TV, print and radio must continue to support football so that the interest will always be there,” said former soccer great Vic Sison, the goalie of the Philippine team that beat powerhouse Japan, 1-0, in Tokyo during the 1954 Asian Games.
On the other hand, the incumbent president of the Philippine Football Federation Mariano “Nonong” Araneta expressed a rosy future for the sport. He said that his group is talking with the Philippine Sports Commission to see how the PFF can oversee the maintenance of the Rizal Memorial pitch.
The 56-year-old Araneta has estimated the cost of maintenance could reach P900,000 a year.
But the PSC’s allocation from Congress is not enough to spur a nationwide sports development program, including the promotion of football, which entails an enormous budget needed for the upkeep of foreign-raised booters and a coach from Germany, Hans Michael Weiss.
As a result of this dilemma, the PFF is now depending on the private sector for the crucial backup support.
Renowned sports patron Manuel V. Pangilinan, benefactor of the Smart Gilas national basketball team, leads the cash-rich private individuals and firms who are the chief backers of the football team.
In time, the Philippines will rise again and would no longer be the “Sick Man of Asia” in football.
* * *
In the old days, before we became a consumer-oriented community society, children created their own tools, especially for sports. Footballs or soccer balls were made from old rags, with their cover filled with hair gathered from the barber or hairdressers shop. Because these balls totally lacked bounce, naturally ground football was all that was possible.
In poor African and Asian countries, football shoes were out of the question. As these were not available, soccer players wrapped their feet with rags to prevent injuries.
On the other hand, players from highly developed countries are luckier because they can afford to buy such luxuries like football shoes, playing uniforms and appropriate equipment.
It is also worth mentioning here, that the price of one pair of branded football shoes made in the United States or Europe is more than the monthly salary of a worker in Africa or the other least developed countries.
Football, thanks to the Azkals, is fast becoming the country’s obsession, replacing basketball as the Filipinos’ favorite sport.
But in order to preserve football’s emergence as the game best suited for the Filipinos and, at the same time, sustain the newfound popularity of the Azkals, the sport needs the continuous support of both the government and the private sector.
It’s truly a yeoman’s job in seeing the program through.
“TV, print and radio must continue to support football so that the interest will always be there,” said former soccer great Vic Sison, the goalie of the Philippine team that beat powerhouse Japan, 1-0, in Tokyo during the 1954 Asian Games.
On the other hand, the incumbent president of the Philippine Football Federation Mariano “Nonong” Araneta expressed a rosy future for the sport. He said that his group is talking with the Philippine Sports Commission to see how the PFF can oversee the maintenance of the Rizal Memorial pitch.
The 56-year-old Araneta has estimated the cost of maintenance could reach P900,000 a year.
But the PSC’s allocation from Congress is not enough to spur a nationwide sports development program, including the promotion of football, which entails an enormous budget needed for the upkeep of foreign-raised booters and a coach from Germany, Hans Michael Weiss.
As a result of this dilemma, the PFF is now depending on the private sector for the crucial backup support.
Renowned sports patron Manuel V. Pangilinan, benefactor of the Smart Gilas national basketball team, leads the cash-rich private individuals and firms who are the chief backers of the football team.
In time, the Philippines will rise again and would no longer be the “Sick Man of Asia” in football.
* * *
In the old days, before we became a consumer-oriented community society, children created their own tools, especially for sports. Footballs or soccer balls were made from old rags, with their cover filled with hair gathered from the barber or hairdressers shop. Because these balls totally lacked bounce, naturally ground football was all that was possible.
In poor African and Asian countries, football shoes were out of the question. As these were not available, soccer players wrapped their feet with rags to prevent injuries.
On the other hand, players from highly developed countries are luckier because they can afford to buy such luxuries like football shoes, playing uniforms and appropriate equipment.
It is also worth mentioning here, that the price of one pair of branded football shoes made in the United States or Europe is more than the monthly salary of a worker in Africa or the other least developed countries.
Azkals target Areola set for PSG debut
by Jojo Malig, abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - A fast-rising goalkeeper being eyed by the Philippine Azkals as their next marquee player could become the first Filipino to see action in the French top flight football.
Alphonse Areola, who was tagged by Azkals manager Dan Palami as one of the team's possible future members, is expected to be named on Paris St. Germain's (PSG) starting XI when they face Lorient in their season-opening home match Saturday.
The 18-year-old, who has Filipino parents, is currently second-choice goalkeeper in the club but was thrust into the spotlight after PSG's new shotstopper, Nicolas Douchez, was injured.
FIFA.com confirmed Friday that Douchez remains sidelined by his ankle injury and is unavailable for the Saturday clash, which will allow the teenager Areola to make his French Ligue 1 debut.
The Clairefontaine-trained Areola had an impressive pre-season with PSG, notching clean sheets in the team's wins over other clubs such Italian side AS Roma (3-0) and Argentinian giants Boca Juniors (3-0).
Although Areola also has played for France's national youth football teams, the 6'2" wonderkid has the choice to play for the Philippine Azkals, as long as he is not yet capped for the French senior team, according to FIFA rules.
Read more: Alphonse Areola: Azkals or Les Bleus?
PSG has offered to extend the youngster's contract to until 2015, even as Areola is allegedly a transfer target for English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
PSG are being tipped as one of the title favorites in the French top league in the coming season.
The club was recently bought by Qatar Sports Investments, which has brought in cash and 7 new players including the 42-million-euro Argentinian playmaker Javier Pastore.
MANILA, Philippines - A fast-rising goalkeeper being eyed by the Philippine Azkals as their next marquee player could become the first Filipino to see action in the French top flight football.
Alphonse Areola, who was tagged by Azkals manager Dan Palami as one of the team's possible future members, is expected to be named on Paris St. Germain's (PSG) starting XI when they face Lorient in their season-opening home match Saturday.
The 18-year-old, who has Filipino parents, is currently second-choice goalkeeper in the club but was thrust into the spotlight after PSG's new shotstopper, Nicolas Douchez, was injured.
FIFA.com confirmed Friday that Douchez remains sidelined by his ankle injury and is unavailable for the Saturday clash, which will allow the teenager Areola to make his French Ligue 1 debut.
The Clairefontaine-trained Areola had an impressive pre-season with PSG, notching clean sheets in the team's wins over other clubs such Italian side AS Roma (3-0) and Argentinian giants Boca Juniors (3-0).
Although Areola also has played for France's national youth football teams, the 6'2" wonderkid has the choice to play for the Philippine Azkals, as long as he is not yet capped for the French senior team, according to FIFA rules.
Read more: Alphonse Areola: Azkals or Les Bleus?
PSG has offered to extend the youngster's contract to until 2015, even as Areola is allegedly a transfer target for English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
PSG are being tipped as one of the title favorites in the French top league in the coming season.
The club was recently bought by Qatar Sports Investments, which has brought in cash and 7 new players including the 42-million-euro Argentinian playmaker Javier Pastore.
Some girls dream, I just went shopping with the Azkals
EXISTENTIAL BLABBER By Kara Ortiga The Philippine Star
It’s probably every girl’s dream come true to be given gift certificates to buy anything in a shop, while members of the Philippine Azkals team stand by to assist. If the shopping money is for Health and Beyond, a health supplement specialty store, and we are still referring to the Philippine Azkals, that girl would not entirely be me. Maybe it’s Bea Robles, the handpicked teenage fan pulled into VIP during the meet and greet event of Health and Beyond because she was screaming heartfelt “I love you’s” to the players from outside the store without shame. Tears swelled in her eyes and her cheeks blushed like a tomato when organizers finally said, “Okay, you! You can come in,” and suddenly she said, “OMG, I’m shy na!” Unable to muster up the same courage to profess her admiration for the hunky men apparently.
Even though the Azkals didn’t snag their win against Kuwait, countrymen were supportive. It was not like it was the greatest upset the country has seen. In fact, they were able to accomplish a feat in itself by providing, if even for a while, some glimmer of hope that we had our chance at the World Cup. It’s just too bad people forgot that Kuwait is a pretty strong team. It would have been quite an upset to win against Kuwait.
What do we know about the Azkals, besides coming into the country, dashingly good looking with promises that this half-Filipino team will make it somewhere? Even while their claim to fame carried a somewhat politically-offensive name (azkals derives from the term asong kalye, meaning half-breed or mongrel), to be frank, it was their ruggedly handsome charm that made them the stars they are today.
So when not training on the fields defending the Philippine flag, the Azkals mostly do a lot of “being celebrities.” Which is why a day after their game with Kuwait, some members of the Azkals team were at a meet-and-greet function in Health and Beyond to promote living an active and healthy lifestyle. Special guests were given P2,000 each worth of shopping money to buy anything from the store, while the Azkals, dressed in employee Health and Beyond shirts, smiled for screaming fans and stood around to take questions. Present at the event were midfielders Nate Burkey and Simon Greatwich, defenders Rob Gier and Anton del Rosario and striker Misagh Bahadoran.
Health and Beyond has a wide variety of food supplements for health buffs, top-quality vitamins and even products addressing sports nutrition. I go home with some handy vitamin C and echinacea, seeing as my lifestyle is neither healthy nor active. President of Health and Beyond Miguel Garcia, an avid fan of football (he insists on using the term football as opposed to soccer), has been following the sport long before the Azkals even came into the picture. Riding on the growing love the country has for the sport and for the Azkals, he put two and two together and decided the Azkals would be as the perfect faces to endorse Health and Beyond. “Health and Beyond is about nutrition, proper diet, taking care of your bodies in whatever lifestyle you are in. And I think that the Azkals embody that because they are professional athletes. I saw the relationship and thought, what’s better than getting the Azkals to endorse Health and Beyond?” Miguel adds that even if you are not an active person, Health and Beyond carries products that will help people in the office overcome stress.
When the crowd begins to dissipate and the event comes to an end, guests are leaving with bottles of this and that health supplements, a few herbal teas, some protein bars, and that overpriced bracelet that claims to have energy. What’s in store for the Azkals now? Probably, when not in intensive vigorous training, they will continue to embody idyllic forms of what we all want, or want to be—healthy, fit and damn sexy.
It’s probably every girl’s dream come true to be given gift certificates to buy anything in a shop, while members of the Philippine Azkals team stand by to assist. If the shopping money is for Health and Beyond, a health supplement specialty store, and we are still referring to the Philippine Azkals, that girl would not entirely be me. Maybe it’s Bea Robles, the handpicked teenage fan pulled into VIP during the meet and greet event of Health and Beyond because she was screaming heartfelt “I love you’s” to the players from outside the store without shame. Tears swelled in her eyes and her cheeks blushed like a tomato when organizers finally said, “Okay, you! You can come in,” and suddenly she said, “OMG, I’m shy na!” Unable to muster up the same courage to profess her admiration for the hunky men apparently.
Even though the Azkals didn’t snag their win against Kuwait, countrymen were supportive. It was not like it was the greatest upset the country has seen. In fact, they were able to accomplish a feat in itself by providing, if even for a while, some glimmer of hope that we had our chance at the World Cup. It’s just too bad people forgot that Kuwait is a pretty strong team. It would have been quite an upset to win against Kuwait.
What do we know about the Azkals, besides coming into the country, dashingly good looking with promises that this half-Filipino team will make it somewhere? Even while their claim to fame carried a somewhat politically-offensive name (azkals derives from the term asong kalye, meaning half-breed or mongrel), to be frank, it was their ruggedly handsome charm that made them the stars they are today.
So when not training on the fields defending the Philippine flag, the Azkals mostly do a lot of “being celebrities.” Which is why a day after their game with Kuwait, some members of the Azkals team were at a meet-and-greet function in Health and Beyond to promote living an active and healthy lifestyle. Special guests were given P2,000 each worth of shopping money to buy anything from the store, while the Azkals, dressed in employee Health and Beyond shirts, smiled for screaming fans and stood around to take questions. Present at the event were midfielders Nate Burkey and Simon Greatwich, defenders Rob Gier and Anton del Rosario and striker Misagh Bahadoran.
Health and Beyond has a wide variety of food supplements for health buffs, top-quality vitamins and even products addressing sports nutrition. I go home with some handy vitamin C and echinacea, seeing as my lifestyle is neither healthy nor active. President of Health and Beyond Miguel Garcia, an avid fan of football (he insists on using the term football as opposed to soccer), has been following the sport long before the Azkals even came into the picture. Riding on the growing love the country has for the sport and for the Azkals, he put two and two together and decided the Azkals would be as the perfect faces to endorse Health and Beyond. “Health and Beyond is about nutrition, proper diet, taking care of your bodies in whatever lifestyle you are in. And I think that the Azkals embody that because they are professional athletes. I saw the relationship and thought, what’s better than getting the Azkals to endorse Health and Beyond?” Miguel adds that even if you are not an active person, Health and Beyond carries products that will help people in the office overcome stress.
When the crowd begins to dissipate and the event comes to an end, guests are leaving with bottles of this and that health supplements, a few herbal teas, some protein bars, and that overpriced bracelet that claims to have energy. What’s in store for the Azkals now? Probably, when not in intensive vigorous training, they will continue to embody idyllic forms of what we all want, or want to be—healthy, fit and damn sexy.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Azkals set to compete for various clubs in Smart tilt
By FRANCIS SANTIAGO - Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines — Fans get another chance to see some members of the Philippine football team play, but this time not as a team.
The Azkals will suit up for different teams when the Philippine Football Federation-SMART Club Championships resume on Aug. 9.
Striker Phil Younghusband, and older brother James will banner Rizal while midfielder Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta and Fil-Palestinian Misagh Bahadoran will lead NCR-2 in the tournament aimed at strengthening the clubs formation in the country.
Two groups of four teams, which survived the cluster round last May, will begin their hunt for semifinal berths as they try to eliminate each other in the single round robin group stage set to be played simultaneously in two venues.
Group A hostilities between Iligan, Leyte (Laos FC), NCR-2 (Teknika FC) and Rizal (Smart-San Beda FC) will be held at the Don Gregorio Football Field in Cagayan de Oro City while Group B action featuring teams from Baguio-Benguet (Baguio FC), Davao (Columbia FC), Iloilo (Stallions FC) and NCR-1 (Pachanga FC) will be played at the Central Philippines University and/or Barotac Nuevo football field in Iloilo
“We can’t make any prediction which is the top teams but we expect an exciting and almost even matches because all teams have good players that include national team members,” Cyril Dofitas, head of PFF’s competitions department, said during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave. “In my rounds in Cagayan and other parts in Mindanao, I can see there’s so much awareness among the fans and we expect warm reception just like in Barotac.”
Speaking in the same forum, SMART Sports Manager Epok Quimpo assured that the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned telecommunications company will continue to support the PFF and its programs despite the elimination of the Azkals in the World Cup qualifiers last week.
The competition is part of a long-term partnership between the PFF and SMART, which pledged to donate P80 million to the PFF in the next 10 years.
“We may have lost to a strong team in Kuwait but it’s not the end but only the beginning. Football will stay and flourish and SMART is here to stay,” Quimpo said.
MANILA, Philippines — Fans get another chance to see some members of the Philippine football team play, but this time not as a team.
The Azkals will suit up for different teams when the Philippine Football Federation-SMART Club Championships resume on Aug. 9.
Striker Phil Younghusband, and older brother James will banner Rizal while midfielder Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta and Fil-Palestinian Misagh Bahadoran will lead NCR-2 in the tournament aimed at strengthening the clubs formation in the country.
Two groups of four teams, which survived the cluster round last May, will begin their hunt for semifinal berths as they try to eliminate each other in the single round robin group stage set to be played simultaneously in two venues.
Group A hostilities between Iligan, Leyte (Laos FC), NCR-2 (Teknika FC) and Rizal (Smart-San Beda FC) will be held at the Don Gregorio Football Field in Cagayan de Oro City while Group B action featuring teams from Baguio-Benguet (Baguio FC), Davao (Columbia FC), Iloilo (Stallions FC) and NCR-1 (Pachanga FC) will be played at the Central Philippines University and/or Barotac Nuevo football field in Iloilo
“We can’t make any prediction which is the top teams but we expect an exciting and almost even matches because all teams have good players that include national team members,” Cyril Dofitas, head of PFF’s competitions department, said during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave. “In my rounds in Cagayan and other parts in Mindanao, I can see there’s so much awareness among the fans and we expect warm reception just like in Barotac.”
Speaking in the same forum, SMART Sports Manager Epok Quimpo assured that the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned telecommunications company will continue to support the PFF and its programs despite the elimination of the Azkals in the World Cup qualifiers last week.
The competition is part of a long-term partnership between the PFF and SMART, which pledged to donate P80 million to the PFF in the next 10 years.
“We may have lost to a strong team in Kuwait but it’s not the end but only the beginning. Football will stay and flourish and SMART is here to stay,” Quimpo said.
Emotions during national anthem overhelm Azkals' Gier
by Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – English-Filipino football player Rob Gier has explained why he was emotional while the Philippine national anthem was being played shortly before the Azkals' game versus Kuwait last week.
Gier was seen fighting back his tears while his teammates were singing "Lupang Hinirang" before their game at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
“I had a few people tease me and stuff about my reaction to the national anthem,” he said while being interviewed in BALLS TV's "Game Day."
He admitted that he has yet to fully memorize the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem.
“Unfortunately, I'm not 100% on the words yet so rather than singing words that are wrong I kinda sing it to myself,” said Gier.
But why the tears?
“What goes through my head, is I think about my wife she's due to give birth in about 5 weeks... and I think about my mom and my friends and family everything like that goes to my head,” he explained.
“With the national anthem, whenever we sing it there with emotions, it was really, really a special moment.”
They may have lost that game against the technically-superior Kuwait, but they gained the respect and recognition of their foes.
“That first-half performance we put in there against a squad that in the top 100 in the world, going to half time, I don't think I've ever felt the feeling I had when Stephan Schrock scored that goal. That was a very very special moment, kinda live in me forever,” remembered Gier.
Gier also looked back to the days when he was just starting with the Azkals in 2009.
He said things were a lot different for them back then.
“When we were there, no one cared... no one wanted to know, no TV cameras, there are no reporters. There were no sponsors, no people writing about us… not so many endorsements coming in,” said Gier.
He said the thing that held them together is their love for the sport and country.
“We played football for the national team because we loved playing football,” explained Gier. “We're Filipinos and to represent the country is the greatest thing we can have.”
MANILA, Philippines – English-Filipino football player Rob Gier has explained why he was emotional while the Philippine national anthem was being played shortly before the Azkals' game versus Kuwait last week.
Gier was seen fighting back his tears while his teammates were singing "Lupang Hinirang" before their game at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
“I had a few people tease me and stuff about my reaction to the national anthem,” he said while being interviewed in BALLS TV's "Game Day."
He admitted that he has yet to fully memorize the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem.
“Unfortunately, I'm not 100% on the words yet so rather than singing words that are wrong I kinda sing it to myself,” said Gier.
But why the tears?
“What goes through my head, is I think about my wife she's due to give birth in about 5 weeks... and I think about my mom and my friends and family everything like that goes to my head,” he explained.
“With the national anthem, whenever we sing it there with emotions, it was really, really a special moment.”
They may have lost that game against the technically-superior Kuwait, but they gained the respect and recognition of their foes.
“That first-half performance we put in there against a squad that in the top 100 in the world, going to half time, I don't think I've ever felt the feeling I had when Stephan Schrock scored that goal. That was a very very special moment, kinda live in me forever,” remembered Gier.
Gier also looked back to the days when he was just starting with the Azkals in 2009.
He said things were a lot different for them back then.
“When we were there, no one cared... no one wanted to know, no TV cameras, there are no reporters. There were no sponsors, no people writing about us… not so many endorsements coming in,” said Gier.
He said the thing that held them together is their love for the sport and country.
“We played football for the national team because we loved playing football,” explained Gier. “We're Filipinos and to represent the country is the greatest thing we can have.”
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
More Fil-fors eyed for Azkals
By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)
MANILA, Philippines - The search for more Fil-foreign talents to beef up the current Azkals lineup continues.
Team manager Dan Palami is leaving for Europe this month to sit down with players who have the great potential to help the Azkals in future international competitions.
While the Philippine Football Federation under Mariano Araneta is serious with its grassroots development program, Palami said tapping talents from abroad is still part of the plan.
“It’s a continuing process (the scouting). I will spend two weeks in Europe to get in touch with the Filipinos playing in different clubs there,” said Palami.
The Azkals team manager said they’re looking at a goalkeeper in France, and currently playing for the PSG (Paris Saint-Germain Football Club).
“He is pure Filipino now playing for PSG and being courted by Tottenham Spurs and Manchester United. And we have other players applying,” Palami said.
If they succeed in luring this player to their fold, the Azkals won’t find a hole in the middle in case Neil Etheridge, now playing for Fulham, is unavailable.
Palami said some of these players wanted to come over to the Philippines but he felt it was more practical if he flies to Europe to track them out.
Rob Gier, a key player for the Azkals, is based in Europe, and has been tapped as the team’s official scout.
“Rob knows the system we are using. He knows how things work, and he knows how to talk to these potential players,” said Palami.
The Azkals work around a solid bunch of Fil-foreign players, and has made great headway in putting the Philippines in the football map.
The recent match against Kuwait, a team ranked No. 102 in the world as compared to the Azkals who are at No. 159, showed how far the team has gone in the international arena.
“And since we’re improving we must be ready to face the biggest teams in the region. The fact that we are now playing against teams like Kuwait is a significant step toward the development of football here,” he said.
“Unlike before when we only had to contend with teams like East Timor or Myanmar, now we are being pitted against teams like Kuwait. To be able to compete against teams like Kuwait is a big step for us.
“Losing is part of the process. And we must all realize that you will not be up against these teams if you were not improving. You will not get to this stage if you keep on losing in the lower stages,” said Palami.
The Philippines may have failed in its bid to advance in the qualifying stages of the 2014 World Cup, but its recent performances have proven that there’s something positive going on.
“We are more competitive now, and I can only see a better future for Philippine football,” said Palami.
MANILA, Philippines - The search for more Fil-foreign talents to beef up the current Azkals lineup continues.
Team manager Dan Palami is leaving for Europe this month to sit down with players who have the great potential to help the Azkals in future international competitions.
While the Philippine Football Federation under Mariano Araneta is serious with its grassroots development program, Palami said tapping talents from abroad is still part of the plan.
“It’s a continuing process (the scouting). I will spend two weeks in Europe to get in touch with the Filipinos playing in different clubs there,” said Palami.
The Azkals team manager said they’re looking at a goalkeeper in France, and currently playing for the PSG (Paris Saint-Germain Football Club).
“He is pure Filipino now playing for PSG and being courted by Tottenham Spurs and Manchester United. And we have other players applying,” Palami said.
If they succeed in luring this player to their fold, the Azkals won’t find a hole in the middle in case Neil Etheridge, now playing for Fulham, is unavailable.
Palami said some of these players wanted to come over to the Philippines but he felt it was more practical if he flies to Europe to track them out.
Rob Gier, a key player for the Azkals, is based in Europe, and has been tapped as the team’s official scout.
“Rob knows the system we are using. He knows how things work, and he knows how to talk to these potential players,” said Palami.
The Azkals work around a solid bunch of Fil-foreign players, and has made great headway in putting the Philippines in the football map.
The recent match against Kuwait, a team ranked No. 102 in the world as compared to the Azkals who are at No. 159, showed how far the team has gone in the international arena.
“And since we’re improving we must be ready to face the biggest teams in the region. The fact that we are now playing against teams like Kuwait is a significant step toward the development of football here,” he said.
“Unlike before when we only had to contend with teams like East Timor or Myanmar, now we are being pitted against teams like Kuwait. To be able to compete against teams like Kuwait is a big step for us.
“Losing is part of the process. And we must all realize that you will not be up against these teams if you were not improving. You will not get to this stage if you keep on losing in the lower stages,” said Palami.
The Philippines may have failed in its bid to advance in the qualifying stages of the 2014 World Cup, but its recent performances have proven that there’s something positive going on.
“We are more competitive now, and I can only see a better future for Philippine football,” said Palami.
Despite loss, Azkals get passing marks
by Peter Atencio - Manila Standard Today
SMALL consolation, perhaps, but Goran Tufegdzic, the Serbian coach of Kuwait’s national football squad, which beat the Philippine Azkals, 2-1, gave the nationals high marks for their gritty stand last Thursday during their rain-soaked match at the Rizal Memorial football stadium.
The Azkals, who also bowed to the Kuwaitis in the first match of their two-game series for the second round of their 2014 World Cup qualifying match, 0-3, played their guts out before 13,000 screaming fans but failed to keep pace with the more skillful Kuwaitis.
“As you see, there were many chances for scoring (for the Philippines) in the first half. They made it tough for our team,” said Tufegdžic, who steered the Kuwaitis to the third round with an aggregate of 5-1.
A total of 14 countries throughout Asia made it to the next round during simultaneous matches played during the day, with Thailand and Singapore joining Indonesia as the only football squads from Southeast Asia making the grade.
Indonesia beat Turkmenistan, 4-3, in Jakarta and made it via a n a 5-4 aggregate, Singapore drew with Malaysia, 1-1, but the Singaporeans advanced on a 6-4 tally. Thailand also played Palestine to a 2-all draw, but the Thais qualified counting their 1-0 win in the first leg.
Tufegdžic said the Al-Azraqs had a difficult time adjusting to the rains brought by the recent typhoon, but relied on their poise and experience, especially after losing Fahad Al-Ebrahim, who was thrown out after receiving a red card.
The Azkals scored the first goal on Fil-German Stephan Schrock’s grounder at the third minute of injury time at the end of the first half.
But the Al-Azraqs scored two goals in succession, the first courtesy of a looping shot from Yousef Nasser, which sailed past the head of goalie Neil Etheridge in the 61st minute, and the second from Waleed Jumah, who stormed past an approaching Etheridge and rolled in Kuwait’s second marker in the 85th.
Tufegdžic said he hopes to see the Philippines making it past the second round in the next qualifying matches in 2015.
Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss said there were plenty of lessons learned in their series against the Kuwaitis.
“This game has been brutal and it shows how bitter and hard football can be. Hard lessons have been learned and taken. We have young players in the team. We have a good balance here. They can take this defeat. They have to take it because of the fact that we have to acknowledge that we have a very strong opponent,” said Weiss.
SMALL consolation, perhaps, but Goran Tufegdzic, the Serbian coach of Kuwait’s national football squad, which beat the Philippine Azkals, 2-1, gave the nationals high marks for their gritty stand last Thursday during their rain-soaked match at the Rizal Memorial football stadium.
The Azkals, who also bowed to the Kuwaitis in the first match of their two-game series for the second round of their 2014 World Cup qualifying match, 0-3, played their guts out before 13,000 screaming fans but failed to keep pace with the more skillful Kuwaitis.
“As you see, there were many chances for scoring (for the Philippines) in the first half. They made it tough for our team,” said Tufegdžic, who steered the Kuwaitis to the third round with an aggregate of 5-1.
A total of 14 countries throughout Asia made it to the next round during simultaneous matches played during the day, with Thailand and Singapore joining Indonesia as the only football squads from Southeast Asia making the grade.
Indonesia beat Turkmenistan, 4-3, in Jakarta and made it via a n a 5-4 aggregate, Singapore drew with Malaysia, 1-1, but the Singaporeans advanced on a 6-4 tally. Thailand also played Palestine to a 2-all draw, but the Thais qualified counting their 1-0 win in the first leg.
Tufegdžic said the Al-Azraqs had a difficult time adjusting to the rains brought by the recent typhoon, but relied on their poise and experience, especially after losing Fahad Al-Ebrahim, who was thrown out after receiving a red card.
The Azkals scored the first goal on Fil-German Stephan Schrock’s grounder at the third minute of injury time at the end of the first half.
But the Al-Azraqs scored two goals in succession, the first courtesy of a looping shot from Yousef Nasser, which sailed past the head of goalie Neil Etheridge in the 61st minute, and the second from Waleed Jumah, who stormed past an approaching Etheridge and rolled in Kuwait’s second marker in the 85th.
Tufegdžic said he hopes to see the Philippines making it past the second round in the next qualifying matches in 2015.
Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss said there were plenty of lessons learned in their series against the Kuwaitis.
“This game has been brutal and it shows how bitter and hard football can be. Hard lessons have been learned and taken. We have young players in the team. We have a good balance here. They can take this defeat. They have to take it because of the fact that we have to acknowledge that we have a very strong opponent,” said Weiss.
Azkals prepare for 2011 Long Teng Cup
(JSG) - Sun Star Bacolod
AFTER falling out from the 2014 FIFA World Cup bid last Thursday, the Philippine Men’s Football National Team-Azkals will again be busy as they prepare for the upcoming 2011 Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei from September 28 to October 4, 2011.
This was disclosed on Saturday to Sun.Star-Bacolod by Azkals’ team coordinator Patrick Ace Bright.
Bright said that, despite the failure in its World Cup bid, the Azkals will continue to strengthen the team as it also looks forward to the South East Asian Games this November and the final round of the Challenge Cup in March next year.
Among other teams competing in this September competition are defending champion Hongkong, Macau and host-Chinese Taipei.
The Philippine team ended last year’s campaign in third position behind Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei.
The nationals lost to Hong Kong 4-2 while it secured a draw against Chinese Taipei 1-all and beat Macau, 5-0.
However, the team still has to confirm the availability of its ace keeper Neil Etheridge and midfielder Stephan Schrock, as both are playing abroad. Etheridge is playing for Fulham FC while Schrock plays for the SpVgg GreutherFürth Club.
AFTER falling out from the 2014 FIFA World Cup bid last Thursday, the Philippine Men’s Football National Team-Azkals will again be busy as they prepare for the upcoming 2011 Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei from September 28 to October 4, 2011.
This was disclosed on Saturday to Sun.Star-Bacolod by Azkals’ team coordinator Patrick Ace Bright.
Bright said that, despite the failure in its World Cup bid, the Azkals will continue to strengthen the team as it also looks forward to the South East Asian Games this November and the final round of the Challenge Cup in March next year.
Among other teams competing in this September competition are defending champion Hongkong, Macau and host-Chinese Taipei.
The Philippine team ended last year’s campaign in third position behind Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei.
The nationals lost to Hong Kong 4-2 while it secured a draw against Chinese Taipei 1-all and beat Macau, 5-0.
However, the team still has to confirm the availability of its ace keeper Neil Etheridge and midfielder Stephan Schrock, as both are playing abroad. Etheridge is playing for Fulham FC while Schrock plays for the SpVgg GreutherFürth Club.
Palami eyes four-nation Cup for Azkals
By Cheska D. Geli - Sun Star Cebu
DAN Palami is planning a series of friendly matches for the Philippine national team for its buildup for the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup.
“One of the many key elements for the team is to play as many international friendly matches as possible,” Palami told Sun.Star Cebu.
The country is looking at hosting the Formations Cup this November where they have invited Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
It will be the senior team who will be seeing action as the under-23 squad will be playing in the Southeast Asian Games during that month.
Aside from that, Palami has already gotten in touch with other international football associations, with the help of the Philippine Football Federation, for some home and away friendly matches.
“It will still depend upon the schedule of the international calendar and the availability of players,” said Palami.
Fifa sets aside certain dates in a year for international matches and clubs are required to release their players to play for their national teams.
Palami said there are some countries who have confirmed interest to play with the national squad, like those from the Middle East—where the team had their training camp—and from Southeast Asia.
Aside from scheduling friendlies, Palami said he will leave for a scouting trip in Europe to look for potential members of the senior and U23 squad, while the rest of the players are now back with their clubs.
DAN Palami is planning a series of friendly matches for the Philippine national team for its buildup for the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup.
“One of the many key elements for the team is to play as many international friendly matches as possible,” Palami told Sun.Star Cebu.
The country is looking at hosting the Formations Cup this November where they have invited Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
It will be the senior team who will be seeing action as the under-23 squad will be playing in the Southeast Asian Games during that month.
Aside from that, Palami has already gotten in touch with other international football associations, with the help of the Philippine Football Federation, for some home and away friendly matches.
“It will still depend upon the schedule of the international calendar and the availability of players,” said Palami.
Fifa sets aside certain dates in a year for international matches and clubs are required to release their players to play for their national teams.
Palami said there are some countries who have confirmed interest to play with the national squad, like those from the Middle East—where the team had their training camp—and from Southeast Asia.
Aside from scheduling friendlies, Palami said he will leave for a scouting trip in Europe to look for potential members of the senior and U23 squad, while the rest of the players are now back with their clubs.
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