By Mike T. Limpag - Suns Star Cebu
AFTER a one-week delay, the Cebu Queen City United will finally make their UFL Cup debut against defending champion Global FC in Manila today.
Cebu Queen City was supposed to play Pachanga last week but the game was cancelled and coach Mario Ceniza said though they were disappointed with the cancellation, the delay has helped the team a bit.
“Nakatabang gamay ang extra week na training,” said Ceniza, who formed the team in less than a month as Cebu was the last entry to sign up for the UFL, the country’s premier football competition.
However, Ceniza said they weren’t able to play a tuneup game the past week because of the lack of quality opposition, as the college teams are busy with their Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. campaign.
“Conditioning-wise, the players are OK as seen during the trainings and drills, but I really can’t say for sure because match fitness is different,” said Ceniza.
Ceniza, the coaching staff and players left for Manila yesterday afternoon for their game today. The Cebu Queen City players are Frederick Alazas, Alex Buanghog, Niño Zapanta, Dave Gerali, Jan Michael Flores, Ronald Mahilum, Julius Acre, Rocky Garciano, Mitsuo Tsunakiri, Junard Aguilar, Rommel Cuizon, Jack Reston, Christian Delan, Martin Bontia, Rene Menchavez and Marion Cubelo.
It’s the same problem for Graeme Mackinnon, the new Global coach, who has to deal with injury issues.
Mackinnon said he will put defender Jerry Barbaso in midfield to cover for the injured Remi Sery, one of the goal scorers in Global’s 3-2 loss to the Stallions.
“Right now, our bench is very shallow. (Remi) wasn’t able to finish the practice last Thursday because of his injury,” Mackinnon said.
Filipino Spanish player Angel Aldeguer also won’t suit up owing to the injury he picked up in the Azkals’ friendly against Singapore, and Mackinnon is planning to field the striker in their game against Pachanga.
The weather in Manila has also foiled the team’s practice and Mackinnon said they had to play seven-a-side football in a basketball court during their last session.
Mackinnon said he expects a tough game today.
“They (the players) know they have to redeem themselves after last week’s game. They have to get together,” Mackinnon said. “But we are not taking Cebu lately. We are expecting a tough match.”
“If you get complacent, it will come back to bite you,” he said.
The Stallions lead Group C with three points with a win, while Global, Cebu and Pachanga have yet to score a win.
In yesterday’s game, Phil Younghusband led the Loyola Meralco Sparks to a 15-1 rout of Socceroos, while Nate Burkey had a hat trick in Kaya FC’s 3-2 win over Diliman.
Showing posts with label Cebu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cebu. Show all posts
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Azkals thank Cebu
By Cheska D. Geli ; Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on May 31, 2011.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia commended the senior team of the Philippine National Football for bringing new interest to football in the country during their courtesy call at the Cebu Capitol yesterday.
The team had their training session yesterday morning and had their lunch at Marriott Hotel before they headed to the Capitol for a courtesy call.
Garcia said she was happy to have met the team, which was led by head coach Michael Weiss, team captain Aly Borromeo, who introduced the rest of the players, and co-captain Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong.
Borromeo, Caligdong, Ian Araneta and Nestor Margarse arrived early morning yesterday to reunite with the team. The four left last Saturday to play in the United Football League games.
“Cebu is charming. It’s a nice place. We are happy to be here and be accommodated by the Cebuanos,” said German coach Michael Weiss.
Aside from other players, Cebu Football Association (CFA) president Richard Montayre, who is proposing a Governor’s Cup for football, attended the event along with CFA board member Bro. Mari Aberasturi.
Garcia had considered the proposal from the CFA Chairman after it also explained how it can complement the existing Governor’s Cup for volleyball, which is held annually for LGU-based teams in the province.
“But if this will push through, the Azkals should also be here,” Garcia said.
Weiss, in reply, said that as long as the team will be invited, they would be willing to be part of the event.
Meanwhile, hundreds of fans gathered at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu to get a glimpse of their favorite booters in the Azkals Mall Tour.
Message
Caligdong from the Air Force was the first one to perform his juggling skills in front of the screaming crowd. He was shortly followed by Fil-foreigners Phil and James Younghusband, Misagh Bahadoran, Neil Etheridge and Simon Greatwich whose trick was highlighted when the goalkeeper took off Greatwich’s shirt.
The crowd was asking Paolo Pascual to be the next to perform but the young Cebuano gave a message of gratitude instead.
“Salamat kaayo sa suporta. We are so happy and blessed that you are all here,” Pascual said.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia commended the senior team of the Philippine National Football for bringing new interest to football in the country during their courtesy call at the Cebu Capitol yesterday.
The team had their training session yesterday morning and had their lunch at Marriott Hotel before they headed to the Capitol for a courtesy call.
Garcia said she was happy to have met the team, which was led by head coach Michael Weiss, team captain Aly Borromeo, who introduced the rest of the players, and co-captain Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong.
Borromeo, Caligdong, Ian Araneta and Nestor Margarse arrived early morning yesterday to reunite with the team. The four left last Saturday to play in the United Football League games.
“Cebu is charming. It’s a nice place. We are happy to be here and be accommodated by the Cebuanos,” said German coach Michael Weiss.
Aside from other players, Cebu Football Association (CFA) president Richard Montayre, who is proposing a Governor’s Cup for football, attended the event along with CFA board member Bro. Mari Aberasturi.
Garcia had considered the proposal from the CFA Chairman after it also explained how it can complement the existing Governor’s Cup for volleyball, which is held annually for LGU-based teams in the province.
“But if this will push through, the Azkals should also be here,” Garcia said.
Weiss, in reply, said that as long as the team will be invited, they would be willing to be part of the event.
Meanwhile, hundreds of fans gathered at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu to get a glimpse of their favorite booters in the Azkals Mall Tour.
Message
Caligdong from the Air Force was the first one to perform his juggling skills in front of the screaming crowd. He was shortly followed by Fil-foreigners Phil and James Younghusband, Misagh Bahadoran, Neil Etheridge and Simon Greatwich whose trick was highlighted when the goalkeeper took off Greatwich’s shirt.
The crowd was asking Paolo Pascual to be the next to perform but the young Cebuano gave a message of gratitude instead.
“Salamat kaayo sa suporta. We are so happy and blessed that you are all here,” Pascual said.
PH Azkals plagued by injuries
by Peter Atencio - Manila Standard Today
INJURIES continued to sideline players seeking to keep their slot in the Philippine Azkals national football team.
Fil-German William Guiridon Espinosa, for one, dislocated his right elbow when he almost fell off the jetski he was riding during a break in training in a beach resort near Mactan.
The 29-year-old Espinosa is expected to be sidelined for at least a week.
The Azkals are in Cebu as part of their training for their home-and-away World Cup qualifying encounters with Sri Lanka on June 29 in Colomba and on July 3 in Manila.
The team’s strength and conditioning coach Joseph Malinay said Espinosa is now recovering, and will need at least a week before he can join the practices again.
“He’s okay, but he will have to be sidelined for a while, “ said Malinay.
While in Cebu, the Azkals took some time out to conduct a football clinic with selected kids at the Aboitiz Field in Cebu City .
The Azkals also met with members of the national under-13 team, which call themselves the Little Azkals. The young players leave for Malaysia today to see action with nine other countries in the Asean Football Confederation Festival of Football.
The Azkals had earlier lost another prospective member after returning Fil-British Chad Gould decided to go back to London.
INJURIES continued to sideline players seeking to keep their slot in the Philippine Azkals national football team.
Fil-German William Guiridon Espinosa, for one, dislocated his right elbow when he almost fell off the jetski he was riding during a break in training in a beach resort near Mactan.
The 29-year-old Espinosa is expected to be sidelined for at least a week.
The Azkals are in Cebu as part of their training for their home-and-away World Cup qualifying encounters with Sri Lanka on June 29 in Colomba and on July 3 in Manila.
The team’s strength and conditioning coach Joseph Malinay said Espinosa is now recovering, and will need at least a week before he can join the practices again.
“He’s okay, but he will have to be sidelined for a while, “ said Malinay.
While in Cebu, the Azkals took some time out to conduct a football clinic with selected kids at the Aboitiz Field in Cebu City .
The Azkals also met with members of the national under-13 team, which call themselves the Little Azkals. The young players leave for Malaysia today to see action with nine other countries in the Asean Football Confederation Festival of Football.
The Azkals had earlier lost another prospective member after returning Fil-British Chad Gould decided to go back to London.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Little Azkals meet big brothers in one-on-one clinic
CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON Cebu Daily News (INQ)
MEMBERS of the Philippine Under 13 (RP U13) training pool tagged as the “Little Azkals” will meet the Azkals today in a one-on-one clinic organized by the Cebu Football Association (CFA) for boys 12 under at the Aboitiz Sportsfield in Subangdaku Mandaue City.
CFA president Richard Montayre said meeting the Azkals would serve as an inspirational send-off for the Little Azkals who will leave for Malaysia on Monday for the AFC U13 Festival of Football on June 1 to 7.
Prior to their meeting with the Azkals, the Little Azkals will undergo a one-hour training. They will then give way to the participants of the free clinic which will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, Montayre said the CFA has taken over the management of the Little Azkals after DRBSports withdrew its support to the team which is undergoing a training camp at the Don Bosco Boys Home in Liloan, Cebu.
Montayre in his capacity as head of the grassroots and youth development committee of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has also assumed as the team’s manager.
The team’s training costs around P600,000 with a P150,000 subsidy from the PFF.
The team’s uniform and shoes will be provided by Mizuno as part of Mizuno’s contract with the PFF while the AFC is allocating $5,000 in airfare subsidy.
MEMBERS of the Philippine Under 13 (RP U13) training pool tagged as the “Little Azkals” will meet the Azkals today in a one-on-one clinic organized by the Cebu Football Association (CFA) for boys 12 under at the Aboitiz Sportsfield in Subangdaku Mandaue City.
CFA president Richard Montayre said meeting the Azkals would serve as an inspirational send-off for the Little Azkals who will leave for Malaysia on Monday for the AFC U13 Festival of Football on June 1 to 7.
Prior to their meeting with the Azkals, the Little Azkals will undergo a one-hour training. They will then give way to the participants of the free clinic which will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, Montayre said the CFA has taken over the management of the Little Azkals after DRBSports withdrew its support to the team which is undergoing a training camp at the Don Bosco Boys Home in Liloan, Cebu.
Montayre in his capacity as head of the grassroots and youth development committee of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has also assumed as the team’s manager.
The team’s training costs around P600,000 with a P150,000 subsidy from the PFF.
The team’s uniform and shoes will be provided by Mizuno as part of Mizuno’s contract with the PFF while the AFC is allocating $5,000 in airfare subsidy.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Etheridge takes R&R before training with Azkals
by Barry Viloria, abs-cbnNEWS.com
LAPU-LAPU, Cebu - Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge said he will be on rest and recreation (R&R) before joining his team’s intensive preparations for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka next month.
"My time now will be spent for the next weeks relaxing... I'm enjoying myself for a while," the Filipino-British, who arrived in the Philippines Monday night, told abs-cbnNEWS.com.
Etheridge said he wants to rest his body a bit after having spent the last months in rigorous training with Fulham Football Club in UK.
Aside from being part of the Azkals’ starting lineup, Etheridge also plays as a reserve goalkeeper for Fulham FC.
"I've been training for the last months constantly back in England and here with the Azkals," he said.
The 21-year-old goalie said he will join the Azkals’ intensive training 2 weeks before their away-game against Sri Lanka in Colombo on June 29.
"I will be setting myself up maybe on the second week of June and prepare myself for what comes ahead for this (World Cup qualifiers)," said Etheridge. "I'll keep fit."
The Azkals’ home game against Sri Lanka will take place at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on July 3.
Confident
Etheridge is confident of their chances against Sri Lanka.
"With our set of players, I think I'm comfortable to go through the next rounds," he said.
Etheridge thinks the Sri Lankan booters’ style of play is similar to Bangladesh’s, which was handily defeated by the Azkals in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup group stage last March.
"I think the closest thing we've played to them is Bangladesh, which of course....we beat them quite comfortably," he said.
Despite the victory, Etheridge said he and his team will not take the Sri Lankans lightly.
"Obviously, we've never played a game with them before," he said.
"This is the World Cup. Anything can happen. The World Cup is a competition which everyone takes seriously. I know that we are," the Filipino-British added.
German training camp
The Azkals will be flying to Germany on June 12 for the more serious phase of their preparations.
There, they will play against 6 other teams in a series of friendly games.
From Germany, they will head straight to Colombo in time for the first leg of their qualifier against Sri Lanka.
LAPU-LAPU, Cebu - Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge said he will be on rest and recreation (R&R) before joining his team’s intensive preparations for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka next month.
"My time now will be spent for the next weeks relaxing... I'm enjoying myself for a while," the Filipino-British, who arrived in the Philippines Monday night, told abs-cbnNEWS.com.
Etheridge said he wants to rest his body a bit after having spent the last months in rigorous training with Fulham Football Club in UK.
Aside from being part of the Azkals’ starting lineup, Etheridge also plays as a reserve goalkeeper for Fulham FC.
"I've been training for the last months constantly back in England and here with the Azkals," he said.
The 21-year-old goalie said he will join the Azkals’ intensive training 2 weeks before their away-game against Sri Lanka in Colombo on June 29.
"I will be setting myself up maybe on the second week of June and prepare myself for what comes ahead for this (World Cup qualifiers)," said Etheridge. "I'll keep fit."
The Azkals’ home game against Sri Lanka will take place at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on July 3.
Confident
Etheridge is confident of their chances against Sri Lanka.
"With our set of players, I think I'm comfortable to go through the next rounds," he said.
Etheridge thinks the Sri Lankan booters’ style of play is similar to Bangladesh’s, which was handily defeated by the Azkals in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup group stage last March.
"I think the closest thing we've played to them is Bangladesh, which of course....we beat them quite comfortably," he said.
Despite the victory, Etheridge said he and his team will not take the Sri Lankans lightly.
"Obviously, we've never played a game with them before," he said.
"This is the World Cup. Anything can happen. The World Cup is a competition which everyone takes seriously. I know that we are," the Filipino-British added.
German training camp
The Azkals will be flying to Germany on June 12 for the more serious phase of their preparations.
There, they will play against 6 other teams in a series of friendly games.
From Germany, they will head straight to Colombo in time for the first leg of their qualifier against Sri Lanka.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
15 members of Philippine Azkals arrive; set to meet fans on Monday
CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON - Cebu Daily News (Philippines Daily Inquirer)
THEY have been hounded by star-struck fans wherever they go.
But yesterday morning, some 15 members of the Philippine Azkals, the country’s newest sports heartthrobs, managed to avoid the usual pandemonium upon their arrival in Mactan Cebu International Airport, thanks to a standby bus, a separate exit and police escorts.
Arriving with head coach Michael Hans Weiss were Azkals team captain Aly Borromeo, Cebuano Paolo Pascual, Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Roel Gener, Yanti Bersales, William Espinosa, Yanick Tuazon, Ricardo Becite, Edward Sacapano, Christopher Camcam, Nestorio Margarse, James Rochmitz and new member Nathan Burkey.
Anton del Rosario and Neil Etheridge will arrive today while Jason Sabio, Simon Greatwich and James and xPhil Younghusband will arrive this weekend.
Azkals team manager Dan Palami will arrive tomorrow.
Azkals media coordinator Jojie Ronda said the team is here for team building but that they also have other activities including a meet and greet with local fans.
During a brief press conference, Coach Weiss said that he will soon come up with the 23-man list whom he will bring to Germany for training in preparation for their World Cup Qualifier against Sri Lanka in Manila on June 29.
SLIM CHANCE
As for Cebuano-British Chad Gould whose bid to re-join the team was sidelined by an infected mosquito bite, coach Weiss said that they would have to see how fast he recovers but that his chances are very slim after he was advised by his doctor not to play football for two weeks.
Meanwhile, Ronda said having police escorts was not their idea but they were thankful because they were able to avoid heavy traffic on their way to the Grand Convention to attend a lunch hosted by the Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC).
“Our bus is big and the roads here are narrow unlike in Manila. If not for those police escorts we would have arrived for lunch at 2 p.m. because of the heavy traffic,” Ronda said.
Jojo Rodriguez, the team’s administration officer, also denied that there is a ban for local media, an issue that came up when the team used a different exit at the airport, unwittingly eluding sports writers.
Writers who followed the Azkals bus were also banned from entering Plantation Bay and were told that only the Sports Unlimited crew will be admitted for an exclusive coverage.
Rodriguez said they had no such arrangement with the hotel.
Ronda explained that the Azkals will be available for interviews anytime except when they are having their team building activities and training.
THEY have been hounded by star-struck fans wherever they go.
But yesterday morning, some 15 members of the Philippine Azkals, the country’s newest sports heartthrobs, managed to avoid the usual pandemonium upon their arrival in Mactan Cebu International Airport, thanks to a standby bus, a separate exit and police escorts.
Arriving with head coach Michael Hans Weiss were Azkals team captain Aly Borromeo, Cebuano Paolo Pascual, Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Roel Gener, Yanti Bersales, William Espinosa, Yanick Tuazon, Ricardo Becite, Edward Sacapano, Christopher Camcam, Nestorio Margarse, James Rochmitz and new member Nathan Burkey.
Anton del Rosario and Neil Etheridge will arrive today while Jason Sabio, Simon Greatwich and James and xPhil Younghusband will arrive this weekend.
Azkals team manager Dan Palami will arrive tomorrow.
Azkals media coordinator Jojie Ronda said the team is here for team building but that they also have other activities including a meet and greet with local fans.
During a brief press conference, Coach Weiss said that he will soon come up with the 23-man list whom he will bring to Germany for training in preparation for their World Cup Qualifier against Sri Lanka in Manila on June 29.
SLIM CHANCE
As for Cebuano-British Chad Gould whose bid to re-join the team was sidelined by an infected mosquito bite, coach Weiss said that they would have to see how fast he recovers but that his chances are very slim after he was advised by his doctor not to play football for two weeks.
Meanwhile, Ronda said having police escorts was not their idea but they were thankful because they were able to avoid heavy traffic on their way to the Grand Convention to attend a lunch hosted by the Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC).
“Our bus is big and the roads here are narrow unlike in Manila. If not for those police escorts we would have arrived for lunch at 2 p.m. because of the heavy traffic,” Ronda said.
Jojo Rodriguez, the team’s administration officer, also denied that there is a ban for local media, an issue that came up when the team used a different exit at the airport, unwittingly eluding sports writers.
Writers who followed the Azkals bus were also banned from entering Plantation Bay and were told that only the Sports Unlimited crew will be admitted for an exclusive coverage.
Rodriguez said they had no such arrangement with the hotel.
Ronda explained that the Azkals will be available for interviews anytime except when they are having their team building activities and training.
Azkals settle for draw in friendly vs CPU booters
By Cedelf P. Tupas (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA—Missing several key players, the national football team was held to a 1-1 draw by a Central Philippine University side powered by Koreans in an exhibition game Tuesday at the Barotac Nuevo town plaza.
Azkals midfielder Ricardo Becite made his homecoming memorable with a late strike after Jovanie Simpron opened the scoring for the local side as the national team stepped up its buildup for the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Sri Lanka in June.
The Azkals played without the Younghusband brothers, Phil and James, who were both tied up with commitments in Manila and defender Anton del Rosario, who was discharged from the hospital only Tuesday because of an infection on his thigh.
Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who arrived in Manila last Monday, failed to join the team in Iloilo.
But the 6-foot-3 Filipino-British keeper, who recently inked a two-year extension with English Premiere League team Fulham, will link up with the Azkals in Cebu, where the team started a five-day camp yesterday.
Etheridge’s early arrival is seen as a boost to the squad with second-choice keeper Ed Sacapano still to completely recover from an MCL injury he sustained in training two weeks ago.
Reflecting on his season with Fulham, Etheridge, who was on the team sheet for the entire January, said the experience of being even on the bench in Premiere League matches will come in handy in important games for the Azkals.
“My new contract will only translate to more focus on improving my game,” Etheridge, who kept a clean sheet in the last two games of the AFC Challenge Cup last March, told the Inquirer.
“There is so much pressure on the Sri Lanka game, but I’m confident we will deal with it. We are not at the level that we plan to be at but out progression is far quicker than we expected.”
MANILA—Missing several key players, the national football team was held to a 1-1 draw by a Central Philippine University side powered by Koreans in an exhibition game Tuesday at the Barotac Nuevo town plaza.
Azkals midfielder Ricardo Becite made his homecoming memorable with a late strike after Jovanie Simpron opened the scoring for the local side as the national team stepped up its buildup for the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Sri Lanka in June.
The Azkals played without the Younghusband brothers, Phil and James, who were both tied up with commitments in Manila and defender Anton del Rosario, who was discharged from the hospital only Tuesday because of an infection on his thigh.
Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who arrived in Manila last Monday, failed to join the team in Iloilo.
But the 6-foot-3 Filipino-British keeper, who recently inked a two-year extension with English Premiere League team Fulham, will link up with the Azkals in Cebu, where the team started a five-day camp yesterday.
Etheridge’s early arrival is seen as a boost to the squad with second-choice keeper Ed Sacapano still to completely recover from an MCL injury he sustained in training two weeks ago.
Reflecting on his season with Fulham, Etheridge, who was on the team sheet for the entire January, said the experience of being even on the bench in Premiere League matches will come in handy in important games for the Azkals.
“My new contract will only translate to more focus on improving my game,” Etheridge, who kept a clean sheet in the last two games of the AFC Challenge Cup last March, told the Inquirer.
“There is so much pressure on the Sri Lanka game, but I’m confident we will deal with it. We are not at the level that we plan to be at but out progression is far quicker than we expected.”
Azkals training like Pacquiao
Peter Atencio (Manila Standard Today)
THE Philippine Azkals national football team is trying to follow the footsteps of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao when he prepares for a fight.
The principles which Pacquiao adheres to during training is something that the Azkals are seeking to emulate.
Team manager Dan Palami revealed this as the Azkals entered their third week of training and preparation for their home-and-away World Cup qualifying encounters against Sri Lanka starting next month.
“We have yet to be fully ready. We are still in the conditioning phase. For this, we want to do a Manny Pacquiao style of training by following his principles. So, we really train them, and when we come to the games, it will be easier,” said Palami.
So far, coach Hans Michael Weiss made their practice sessions demanding.
“They are five times much harder than the actual game,” according to Palami.
Practices, which began yesterday in Cebu City, have been divided into morning and afternoon sessions.
The morning sessions deal mostly in the aspects of strength and conditioning, core training and stamina, while the afternoon routines focus on technicalities, like shooting, dribbling, passing, ball handling and decision-making.
Most of the Azkals are back in training following the arrival of Fil-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge from London.
The Younghusband brothers, Phil and James, have arrived from Bacolod after conducting a football clinic last Saturday at the West Negros University football grounds as a side-event of the Philippine National Games 2011.
The Filipino booters will be trimmed down to a regular 23-man roster, right before they leave on June 12 for Duren, Germany for the final stage of their tune-up for their Asian World Cup qualifying opening leg against Sri Lanka on June 29 in Colombo.
THE Philippine Azkals national football team is trying to follow the footsteps of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao when he prepares for a fight.
The principles which Pacquiao adheres to during training is something that the Azkals are seeking to emulate.
Team manager Dan Palami revealed this as the Azkals entered their third week of training and preparation for their home-and-away World Cup qualifying encounters against Sri Lanka starting next month.
“We have yet to be fully ready. We are still in the conditioning phase. For this, we want to do a Manny Pacquiao style of training by following his principles. So, we really train them, and when we come to the games, it will be easier,” said Palami.
So far, coach Hans Michael Weiss made their practice sessions demanding.
“They are five times much harder than the actual game,” according to Palami.
Practices, which began yesterday in Cebu City, have been divided into morning and afternoon sessions.
The morning sessions deal mostly in the aspects of strength and conditioning, core training and stamina, while the afternoon routines focus on technicalities, like shooting, dribbling, passing, ball handling and decision-making.
Most of the Azkals are back in training following the arrival of Fil-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge from London.
The Younghusband brothers, Phil and James, have arrived from Bacolod after conducting a football clinic last Saturday at the West Negros University football grounds as a side-event of the Philippine National Games 2011.
The Filipino booters will be trimmed down to a regular 23-man roster, right before they leave on June 12 for Duren, Germany for the final stage of their tune-up for their Asian World Cup qualifying opening leg against Sri Lanka on June 29 in Colombo.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Gould not giving up on World Cup dream
CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON (INQ)
CEBUANO-BRITISH Chad Alesna Gould’s dream of playing in the World Cup and rejoining the Azkals may have been derailed by an infected mosquito bite on his left thigh but he is not giving up.
Gould returned to join the training pool for the Philippine national football team’s campaign in the World Cup Qualifiers last May 8 after leaving the team January of 2010 and going back to London.
However, on his second week with the Azkals, he had to leave the team again because the doctor advised him not to play football for two weeks after undergoing a minor surgery to treat an infected mosquito bite.
“I really want to play with the Azkals. I came here at my own expense because I really wanted to play with them again. To play in the World Cup is one of my dreams,” Gould said.
Gould was supposed to be the fittest among the team. However, he was not afforded the chance to show the Azkals’ manager and coach what he can do for the team since his stay with the team was cut short.
Because of what happened, Gould will be cutting what would have been a three-month stay here in the Philippines and will go back to London this Thursday to continue his job there as a musician. He would no longer be joining the Azkals in their one-week team bonding here in Cebu City except for a brief meeting with the team’s physiotherapist when they arrive tomorrow.
He is not putting hopes on getting a call to join the team’s training in Germany because the coach wants to put up a team lineup this week.
Azkals team manager Dan Palami, however, said there is still a chance for Gould to rejoin the Azkals.
In his brief stay with the team, Gould said the Azkals has become so more professional since he left last year. “There’s a new professional vibe with the team, better players, a lot more organized,” Gould said.
He added that the team has improved a lot, especially with its defense. Despite not part of the team, Gould said he always watched the Azkals’ games live.
“I was happy for them and sad that I was no longer part of the team,” Gould said.
The 28-year-old booter said that he might go back to playing for the England beach football team. But he would always prioritize the Azkals should he get another chance.
He said that for now, he needs to try and recover as fast as possible and have his wound heal.
Gould recently signed up with a football agent who will try to get him a contract for the next season. He also said that he is open to the idea of signing up with a club here should there be a proposal. Gould is also willing to share his knowledge in organizing a beach soccer.
CEBUANO-BRITISH Chad Alesna Gould’s dream of playing in the World Cup and rejoining the Azkals may have been derailed by an infected mosquito bite on his left thigh but he is not giving up.
Gould returned to join the training pool for the Philippine national football team’s campaign in the World Cup Qualifiers last May 8 after leaving the team January of 2010 and going back to London.
However, on his second week with the Azkals, he had to leave the team again because the doctor advised him not to play football for two weeks after undergoing a minor surgery to treat an infected mosquito bite.
“I really want to play with the Azkals. I came here at my own expense because I really wanted to play with them again. To play in the World Cup is one of my dreams,” Gould said.
Gould was supposed to be the fittest among the team. However, he was not afforded the chance to show the Azkals’ manager and coach what he can do for the team since his stay with the team was cut short.
Because of what happened, Gould will be cutting what would have been a three-month stay here in the Philippines and will go back to London this Thursday to continue his job there as a musician. He would no longer be joining the Azkals in their one-week team bonding here in Cebu City except for a brief meeting with the team’s physiotherapist when they arrive tomorrow.
He is not putting hopes on getting a call to join the team’s training in Germany because the coach wants to put up a team lineup this week.
Azkals team manager Dan Palami, however, said there is still a chance for Gould to rejoin the Azkals.
In his brief stay with the team, Gould said the Azkals has become so more professional since he left last year. “There’s a new professional vibe with the team, better players, a lot more organized,” Gould said.
He added that the team has improved a lot, especially with its defense. Despite not part of the team, Gould said he always watched the Azkals’ games live.
“I was happy for them and sad that I was no longer part of the team,” Gould said.
The 28-year-old booter said that he might go back to playing for the England beach football team. But he would always prioritize the Azkals should he get another chance.
He said that for now, he needs to try and recover as fast as possible and have his wound heal.
Gould recently signed up with a football agent who will try to get him a contract for the next season. He also said that he is open to the idea of signing up with a club here should there be a proposal. Gould is also willing to share his knowledge in organizing a beach soccer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)