abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) – The Philippine Azkals lost to the Singapore Lions, 2-0, during their friendly match at the Jalan Besar Stadium Friday.
The visiting Azkals managed to hold the Lions goalless in the first half, but were caught flatfooted by their foes' attacks in the second period.
Shaiful Esah of Singapore gave the Lions a 1-0 lead through a deflected long-range strike in the 50th minute of the game.
The hosts' veteran striker Aleksandar Duric, who has scored more than 300 goals in the S.League, increased Singapore's lead in a counterattack blitz goal in the 64th minute.
The Azkals had several chances at the goal in the first half, with Chieffy Caligdong and Phil Younghusband nearly scoring for the Philippine squad.
Caligdong's goal in the 13th minute was disallowed as the winger was offside, while Younghusband’s free kick was just inches from the goal.
Singapore is currently ranked 136th in the world, while the Philippines is rated No. 166.
Showing posts with label Singapore Football Team. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Singapore Football Team. Show all posts
Friday, October 7, 2011
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.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Full-bodied Azkals play S'poreans in friendly
By Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star)
MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine Azkals side that will parade a full complement will play higher-ranked Singapore in a Fifa friendly match next month.
Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta said Singapore (129th in the world) has agreed to meet the Azkals (162nd) on Oct. 7 at the Lions’ turf, giving the Pinoys a chance to test their skills and possibly improve their world ranking.
“Singapore has agreed to do a friendly but instead of having it here, they want it held in Singapore since they have a scheduled Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers third round game on Oct. 11,” Araneta said of Singapore’s positive response to the PFF’s invitation.
“We at the PFF and Azkals coach Michael Weiss are both okay with it so we’ll finalize the arrangement with the Football Association of Singapore,” he added.
The PFF has invited higher-ranked countries like Singapore, Oman, Qatar, and Bangladesh, to play the Azkals anytime from Oct. 6-11, the period designated as “Fifa match calendar days.”
During those dates, clubs all over the world will release players to their respective national teams, allowing the likes of Europe-based Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara to join the Azkals.
“All the players based in Europe will be available, so we’re excited to see the full squad play against a higher ranked team like Singapore,” said Araneta.
Pakistan, ranked 170th, has offered to come over to Manila to tangle with the Azkals on Oct. 9.
“It will be up to Weiss and team management if they would want to play Pakistan after the friendly with Singapore,” Araneta said.
The Azkals are back in training after bowing out of the World Cup Asian preliminaries. They are set to hold camp in Bacolod City this week before competing at the Long Teng Cup in Chinese-Taipei from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4.
MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine Azkals side that will parade a full complement will play higher-ranked Singapore in a Fifa friendly match next month.
Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta said Singapore (129th in the world) has agreed to meet the Azkals (162nd) on Oct. 7 at the Lions’ turf, giving the Pinoys a chance to test their skills and possibly improve their world ranking.
“Singapore has agreed to do a friendly but instead of having it here, they want it held in Singapore since they have a scheduled Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers third round game on Oct. 11,” Araneta said of Singapore’s positive response to the PFF’s invitation.
“We at the PFF and Azkals coach Michael Weiss are both okay with it so we’ll finalize the arrangement with the Football Association of Singapore,” he added.
The PFF has invited higher-ranked countries like Singapore, Oman, Qatar, and Bangladesh, to play the Azkals anytime from Oct. 6-11, the period designated as “Fifa match calendar days.”
During those dates, clubs all over the world will release players to their respective national teams, allowing the likes of Europe-based Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara to join the Azkals.
“All the players based in Europe will be available, so we’re excited to see the full squad play against a higher ranked team like Singapore,” said Araneta.
Pakistan, ranked 170th, has offered to come over to Manila to tangle with the Azkals on Oct. 9.
“It will be up to Weiss and team management if they would want to play Pakistan after the friendly with Singapore,” Araneta said.
The Azkals are back in training after bowing out of the World Cup Asian preliminaries. They are set to hold camp in Bacolod City this week before competing at the Long Teng Cup in Chinese-Taipei from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4.
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