By MAV C. GONZALES, GMA News
It’s 30 minutes before the Azkals-Nepal friendly kickoff but unlike the previous matches, the Rizal Memorial Stadium was not teeming with fans clad in blue. You could tell that the ones present belonged to one of these three groups of people: family and friends, football diehards, or fangirls and fangays.
It’s 30 minutes before the Azkals-Nepal friendly kickoff but unlike the previous matches, the Rizal Memorial Stadium was not teeming with fans clad in blue. You could tell that the ones present belonged to one of these three groups of people: family and friends, football diehards, or fangirls and fangays.
Golden Boot winner Chieffy Caligdong may not have scored during the match, but he still remains the crowd favorite.
This was the first time in 14 years that the Philippines would be hosting an international friendly – which follows to say that we are now getting reestablished in the world football arena. The Fil-foreign players in the squad traveled halfway around the globe just to participate in this match.
Although composed of younger players, Nepal is ranked 135th in the world. The Philippines trails behind at 166. This was a battle not just for FIFA ranking, but for pride as well. Nobody likes to lose, especially in his home field. In the case of Nepal, they wouldn’t like to lose to a lower ranked team.
But with the lineup and home crowd advantage, the Azkals whipped the Nepalese, 4-0, on Tuesday night.
Full force
Thanks to international breaks, members of the Azkals who play in different leagues abroad were able to come home for this friendly. Half-Europeans Neil Etheridge, Rob Gier, Ray Jonsson, Jason De Jong, Jerry Lucena, Dennis Cagara and Paul Mulders were all present.
And then you have crowd favorite Chieffy Caligdong who has his own cheer from the Kaholeros. Fellow Ilonggo Ian Araneta also got to start again after so many matches. Skipper Aly Borromeo and Younghusband brothers were also there to complete the first eleven.
New talents also emerged as 22-year-old Matthew Hartmann made his first international goal at the 89th mark.
However, a couple of regulars did not suit up in Tuesday’s match. Fil-Spanish striker Angel Guirado, although currently based in Manila, did not see action due to an injured ankle. Anton Del Rosario also sat out because of an MCL injury three weeks ago.
While talent is unquestionable in this pool – you have veteran Gier coming off the bench – chemistry has always been the bigger concern. With more games together, the team is now playing with more fluidity. In fact, the no-look passes and crossovers are finally happening now.
Pinoy Double Dutch
Fil-Dutch Paul Mulders and Jason De Jong were the pair to beat in the midfield.
Famous, or infamous, as the Azkals’ bad boy, De Jong is there for his toughness. His footwork and timely tackles intimidated the younger Nepal squad. It’s probably partly due to his tattoo-covered arms too.
Mulders, on the other hand, returned to the Azkals after a leg injury. The crowd at the grandstand could not help but cheer and clap in awe as he brushed off three Nepalese players on his own. He wasn’t in the UEFA Europa League for nothing.
Most hardworking player of the night
This award is a tossup between James Younghusband and Dennis Cagara. Both guys were running from baseline to baseline with the older Younghusband even scoring a goal in the 29th minute. Although not a super quick winger, he makes up for it with his hard work.
Cagara also helped a lot in setting up the plays. His bicycle kick in an attempt to save the ball would’ve been even more impressive if it hadn’t gone out of bounds. All the same, he wowed the Filipino crowd that does not usually see fancy football footwork.
Defense, defense, defense
This may not be basketball but the defenders of the Philippines deserve credit for holding up a sturdy backline.
Someone from the crowd went as far as to joke that goalkeeper Neil Etheridge must have been bored during the match because Nepal had but one decent attempt at the goal.
“Everybody remembers your last game"
This may not be a tournament or a World Cup qualifier, but Coach Michael Weiss believes that the win would still dispel doubters.
“Everybody remembers your last game so it’s good that we won this last one," said Phil Younghusband who scored two of the team’s goals.
The senior Azkals would see action again in March 2012 when they compete in the AFC Challenge Cup. Training would resume in January.
Given the three-month break, Weiss is expecting players to maintain high-level training in their respective clubs. He adds that the United Football League would provide the Azkals an avenue to continue training and playing with the best talents in the country.
Even with the 4-0 win, Weiss says that there are indeed still points for improvement.
“It’s good that we are getting to know each other better. But we still need better organization in set plays," he says.
The younger Younghusband agrees with him, saying, “We can only get better."
Showing posts with label Nepal Football Team. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nepal Football Team. Show all posts
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
PHL Azkals show class in 4-0 blanking of Nepal
ROY MOORE - GMA NEWS
The Philippines came out to silence any doubters at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and with a brace
from Phil Younghusband, a goal from his brother James and a first international goal for fellow Filipino-British Matthew Hartmann the Azkals went on dominate Nepal 4-0. The Younghusband brothers particularly were the driving force behind the team as they beat a Nepal side who have been rather erratic in their performances this year.
Phil Younghusband opened the scoring when he was played through on the 17th minute to slot past Kiran Kumar Limbu in the Nepalese goal. At the half-hour mark his brother James got in on the action in the 30th by shooting from just outside the area into the top corner to double the Azkals' lead at halftime.
Phil Younghusband, receiving a pass from a Dennis Cagara corner, doubled his tally in the second half before Matthew Hartmann capped off an outstanding display with his first international goal.
First half
Despite facing a team ranked 31 places above them in Nepal (135), the Philippines (166) pressured the Nepalese keeper, who spilled crosses twice, early on.
Chieffy Caligdong uncharacteristically missed an easy scoring opportunity firing over with the goalkeeper sprawled on the ground. That didn't matter too much though as Phil Younghusband put the Philippines in front when he was set through on goal. At first it seemed he had taken the ball too wide but the goalkeeper kept moving and was very poorly positioned allowing the new Loyola Meralco Sparks forward to slot past the keeper's outstretched foot.
James Younghusband then added a second in the 28th minute as he picked up the ball on the edge of the area, shimmied past his defender and fired into the top corner.
Ian Araneta had a chance to make it 3-0 as Caligdong's low cross evaded the Nepalese defense but the Air Force striker couldn't quite get on the end of it with his slide.
Second half
Coach Michael Weiss, seeing that the Philippines dominated the first half, decided to bring in Nate Burkey to replace Araneta. But it was Phil Younghusband who again scored the next goal 10 minutes into the half.
Cagara fired in from a corner, which the striker controlled before putting the ball past the diving Limbu in the 55th minute.
Three goals up the Azkals didn't stop pressing the higher-ranked side and collectively began showing the quality we have seen glimpses of in previous games.
Nepal only threatened once in the second half, forcing Neil Etheridge into a tipped save in the 61st minute and Phil Younghusband almost had a hat-trick when he burst through on the right wing seven minutes later but his shot attempt was wide.
Jerry Lucena was then stretchered off shortly after and replaced by Hartmann, Chieffy Caligdong was rested giving Misagh Bahadoran a chance to show his skill before Jason De Jong came in for Lexton Moy.
Immediately Bahadoran made an impact, breaking on the left and cutting inside to shoot into the far corner, forcing Limbu in goal into a fine acrobatic fingertip save, though it was Hartmann who scored the fourth when Cagara burst through down the left wing, passed inside to Phil Younghusband who teed it up for the substitute to fire with pin-point precision into the top corner to score his first goal for the Philippines.
The dominating victory caps a grueling recent schedule for the Azkals, who bounced back from their 2-0 loss to Singapore in another friendly match.
After the game, Nepal's English coach Graham Roberts refused to make any excuses. "I've never been ashamed of my team before but I was ashamed at the first half."
Roberts said his team was "absolutely abysmal" as Nepal have not played competitively for three months.
He praised the Azkals' performance and even singled out Phil Younghusband as the difference, noting that his defenders are very good players but the Loyola Agila forward simply "tore them apart."
Phil Younghusband dedicated his performance to his mother, who died last month. Humble in the press conference, he commended his teammates who supplied him with the passes that allowed him to score twice and lead the Philippines to a one-sided victory.
The Philippines came out to silence any doubters at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and with a brace
from Phil Younghusband, a goal from his brother James and a first international goal for fellow Filipino-British Matthew Hartmann the Azkals went on dominate Nepal 4-0. The Younghusband brothers particularly were the driving force behind the team as they beat a Nepal side who have been rather erratic in their performances this year.
Phil Younghusband opened the scoring when he was played through on the 17th minute to slot past Kiran Kumar Limbu in the Nepalese goal. At the half-hour mark his brother James got in on the action in the 30th by shooting from just outside the area into the top corner to double the Azkals' lead at halftime.
Phil Younghusband, receiving a pass from a Dennis Cagara corner, doubled his tally in the second half before Matthew Hartmann capped off an outstanding display with his first international goal.
First half
Despite facing a team ranked 31 places above them in Nepal (135), the Philippines (166) pressured the Nepalese keeper, who spilled crosses twice, early on.
Chieffy Caligdong uncharacteristically missed an easy scoring opportunity firing over with the goalkeeper sprawled on the ground. That didn't matter too much though as Phil Younghusband put the Philippines in front when he was set through on goal. At first it seemed he had taken the ball too wide but the goalkeeper kept moving and was very poorly positioned allowing the new Loyola Meralco Sparks forward to slot past the keeper's outstretched foot.
James Younghusband then added a second in the 28th minute as he picked up the ball on the edge of the area, shimmied past his defender and fired into the top corner.
Ian Araneta had a chance to make it 3-0 as Caligdong's low cross evaded the Nepalese defense but the Air Force striker couldn't quite get on the end of it with his slide.
Second half
Coach Michael Weiss, seeing that the Philippines dominated the first half, decided to bring in Nate Burkey to replace Araneta. But it was Phil Younghusband who again scored the next goal 10 minutes into the half.
Cagara fired in from a corner, which the striker controlled before putting the ball past the diving Limbu in the 55th minute.
Three goals up the Azkals didn't stop pressing the higher-ranked side and collectively began showing the quality we have seen glimpses of in previous games.
Nepal only threatened once in the second half, forcing Neil Etheridge into a tipped save in the 61st minute and Phil Younghusband almost had a hat-trick when he burst through on the right wing seven minutes later but his shot attempt was wide.
Jerry Lucena was then stretchered off shortly after and replaced by Hartmann, Chieffy Caligdong was rested giving Misagh Bahadoran a chance to show his skill before Jason De Jong came in for Lexton Moy.
Immediately Bahadoran made an impact, breaking on the left and cutting inside to shoot into the far corner, forcing Limbu in goal into a fine acrobatic fingertip save, though it was Hartmann who scored the fourth when Cagara burst through down the left wing, passed inside to Phil Younghusband who teed it up for the substitute to fire with pin-point precision into the top corner to score his first goal for the Philippines.
The dominating victory caps a grueling recent schedule for the Azkals, who bounced back from their 2-0 loss to Singapore in another friendly match.
After the game, Nepal's English coach Graham Roberts refused to make any excuses. "I've never been ashamed of my team before but I was ashamed at the first half."
Roberts said his team was "absolutely abysmal" as Nepal have not played competitively for three months.
He praised the Azkals' performance and even singled out Phil Younghusband as the difference, noting that his defenders are very good players but the Loyola Agila forward simply "tore them apart."
Phil Younghusband dedicated his performance to his mother, who died last month. Humble in the press conference, he commended his teammates who supplied him with the passes that allowed him to score twice and lead the Philippines to a one-sided victory.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Azkals-Nepal friendly match set
By FRANCIS SANTIAGO - Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines — With Filipino-European players coming over, a complete Philippine football team will play a higher-ranked Nepal side in a friendly night match next month at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.
Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Jr. said Nepal (136th in the world) has agreed to meet the Azkals (162nd) on Oct. 11 on the Filipinos’ turf as part of the South Asian nation’s preparation for the South
Asian Football Federation championship that begins in December.
“They have agreed to play here as they also plan to tour the ASEAN region for their preparation,” Araneta said of the Nepal team, which is expected to fly in the country on Oct. 9.
Araneta said the match is set at 7 p.m.
After the Philippines, Nepal will play the Cambodia Under-23 side on Oct. 28, according to report posted on www.goalnepal.com.
Before playing Nepal, the Azkals will collide with Singapore (129th) on Oct. 7 in another friendly match on the Lions’ turf, giving the Filipinos opportunity to gauge their level of competitiveness as they also prepare for the AFF-Suzuki Cup and AFC-
Challenge Cup next year, according to Araneta.
“We’re excited because we’re going to have a full line up during these times,” Araneta said referring to the Oct. 6-11 dates which was reserved by the International Football Federation (Fifa) for international friendly games.
During this period, professional clubs around the world allow their players to play for their national teams, allowing the likes of Europe-based Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara to join the Azkals.
The PFF had earlier invited Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Oman and Qatar to play the Azkals, but all declined.
MANILA, Philippines — With Filipino-European players coming over, a complete Philippine football team will play a higher-ranked Nepal side in a friendly night match next month at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.
Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Jr. said Nepal (136th in the world) has agreed to meet the Azkals (162nd) on Oct. 11 on the Filipinos’ turf as part of the South Asian nation’s preparation for the South
Asian Football Federation championship that begins in December.
“They have agreed to play here as they also plan to tour the ASEAN region for their preparation,” Araneta said of the Nepal team, which is expected to fly in the country on Oct. 9.
Araneta said the match is set at 7 p.m.
After the Philippines, Nepal will play the Cambodia Under-23 side on Oct. 28, according to report posted on www.goalnepal.com.
Before playing Nepal, the Azkals will collide with Singapore (129th) on Oct. 7 in another friendly match on the Lions’ turf, giving the Filipinos opportunity to gauge their level of competitiveness as they also prepare for the AFF-Suzuki Cup and AFC-
Challenge Cup next year, according to Araneta.
“We’re excited because we’re going to have a full line up during these times,” Araneta said referring to the Oct. 6-11 dates which was reserved by the International Football Federation (Fifa) for international friendly games.
During this period, professional clubs around the world allow their players to play for their national teams, allowing the likes of Europe-based Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara to join the Azkals.
The PFF had earlier invited Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Oman and Qatar to play the Azkals, but all declined.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Azkals battle Nepalese in friendly here, a first in more than a decade
By Cedelf P. Tupas - Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA—A Philippine football team expected to be at full-strength faces Nepal in an international friendly on October 11 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Friday said Nepal has confirmed the date to battle the Azkals.
It will mark the first time in more than a decade that the country is hosting an international friendly match.
Although the Philippines has hosted tournaments like the AFC Challenge Cup and more recently, the World Cup Qualifiers, it has not staged a friendly match at home since the Philippines lost to Estonia, 0-1, in November 1997 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
With Nepal’s confirmation and Singapore also agreeing to host the Azkals on October 7 at the Jelan Basar Stadium, the national team will be in for a tough grind with five matches in 11 days.
The Azkals, currently in Bacolod for a week-long training camp, will play three games in the Long Teng Cup in Kaouhsiung starting September 30.
National team manager Dan Palami is relishing the latest challenge for the Azkals, who lost to Kuwait, 1-3, in the second round of World Cup Qualifying at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last July 28.
“It’s a daunting task, but I’ve always thought that the only way we can improve is by playing more international matches,” said Palami.
“The good thing now is we have a pool of players in the team and only five from the Long Teng Cup team will be called up for the Singapore and Nepal matches.”
Europe-based players Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock, Jerry Lucena, Manny Ott and Paul Mulders will be available for the friendlies since the dates of the matches fall on the international break.
Dennis Cagara has already indicated his interest in playing for the Azkals in the two matches, Palami said.
“Anytime we have a full squad is always a plus for us because our players are not available all the time,” Araneta said.
The Nepal match, Palami said, will give the Azkals a preview of what to expect in the AFC Challenge Cup next year in Kathmandu.
“It will be a good preview for us to see their playing style and since they are ranked higher than us, it will be a good indicator of how we are from their level,” said Palami.
Palami said the friendly against the Singapore will be a gauge on how both teams have gone since the Azkals held the Lions to a 1-1 draw in their run to the Suzuki Cup semifinals last year.
MANILA—A Philippine football team expected to be at full-strength faces Nepal in an international friendly on October 11 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Friday said Nepal has confirmed the date to battle the Azkals.
It will mark the first time in more than a decade that the country is hosting an international friendly match.
Although the Philippines has hosted tournaments like the AFC Challenge Cup and more recently, the World Cup Qualifiers, it has not staged a friendly match at home since the Philippines lost to Estonia, 0-1, in November 1997 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
With Nepal’s confirmation and Singapore also agreeing to host the Azkals on October 7 at the Jelan Basar Stadium, the national team will be in for a tough grind with five matches in 11 days.
The Azkals, currently in Bacolod for a week-long training camp, will play three games in the Long Teng Cup in Kaouhsiung starting September 30.
National team manager Dan Palami is relishing the latest challenge for the Azkals, who lost to Kuwait, 1-3, in the second round of World Cup Qualifying at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last July 28.
“It’s a daunting task, but I’ve always thought that the only way we can improve is by playing more international matches,” said Palami.
“The good thing now is we have a pool of players in the team and only five from the Long Teng Cup team will be called up for the Singapore and Nepal matches.”
Europe-based players Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock, Jerry Lucena, Manny Ott and Paul Mulders will be available for the friendlies since the dates of the matches fall on the international break.
Dennis Cagara has already indicated his interest in playing for the Azkals in the two matches, Palami said.
“Anytime we have a full squad is always a plus for us because our players are not available all the time,” Araneta said.
The Nepal match, Palami said, will give the Azkals a preview of what to expect in the AFC Challenge Cup next year in Kathmandu.
“It will be a good preview for us to see their playing style and since they are ranked higher than us, it will be a good indicator of how we are from their level,” said Palami.
Palami said the friendly against the Singapore will be a gauge on how both teams have gone since the Azkals held the Lions to a 1-1 draw in their run to the Suzuki Cup semifinals last year.
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