By Olmin Leyba - (The Philippine Star)
MANILA, Philippines - Azkals coach Michael Weiss expressed guarded optimism of Phl XI’s chances in the Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung, Chinese-Taipei, noting how far from being one cohesive unit his combo of seniors and under-23 players is right now.
“We’re still lacking in some areas but the team is making good progress,” said Weiss prior to leaving for Kaohsiung for the Sept. 30-Oct.4 competition among defending champion Hong Kong, the Philippines, Macau, and host Taiwanese.
“Our preparation lacked consistency. But the positive thing is there are new players moving up and ready to take responsibility,” he added.
Weiss has assembled a team of 10 Azkals stalwarts and 10 members of the Southeast Asian Games U-23 pool to try improve the Philippines’ third place finish last year.
Aly Borromeo, Chieffy Caligdong, Phil and James Younghusband, Roel Gener, Angel Guirado, Misagh Bahadoran, Ian Araneta, Jason de Jong and Eduard Sacapano will provide the experience to the Phl side.
New recruits are Fil-Spanish Carli De Murga, Fil-British siblings Mark and Matthew Hartmann, Fil-Germans Roland Muller and Oliver Poetschke, and U-23 players Lemuel Unabia, Reymark Fernandez, Jeff Christiaens and Nickson Leonora, who will fill in for Europe-based Neil Etheridge, Stephan Schrock and Paul Mulders.
“It will take some time to fulfill the potential of the team,” Weiss said.
The Azkals arrived in Kaohshiung yesterday and will kick off their campaign against Hong Kong on Sept. 30.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Azkals manager Dan Palami says he’s not running for PFF president, to back Nonong Araneta
By Mike T. Limpag - Sun Star Cebu
THANKS but no, thanks.
Philippine national men’s football team manager Dan Palami shot down the idea of him replacing Nonong Araneta as the president of the Philippine Football Federation in the November elections.
Palami said football in the Philippines hasn’t reached its full potential yet and running against Araneta would be a divisive exercise.
“I’m sure they have their reasons to prod me to run. They know that I have the best interest of football in mind. They know of my management skills. However, I don’t want this. Football in the Philippines hasn’t fully blossomed and I don’t want a divisive exercise,” said Palami.
Palami, who recently resigned from his position at APT Global Inc. to concentrate on his job as the team manager and four other positions in his real estate companies, manpower company, a school board and as head of marketing of the PFF, said he supports Araneta.
“I’m contented with the support that Nonong Araneta is giving us and this is the time for us to unite behind the PFF,” Palami said.
Araneta, who was also prodded by stakeholders to run in the 2007 elections against Mari Martinez and Ed Formosa, took over the PFF presidency in December last year when the PFF Board of Governors ousted Martinez.
Palami said he will support Araneta if he decides to run for another term in the November elections.
“He (Araneta) will have my support and I hope he continues to support my initiatives as manager of the national team,” said Palami.
Meanwhile, Palami said the national team will try to maximize the Fifa-designated dates for friendlies in 2012, which could mean a busy year for the Azkals.
“Playing friendlies is one way of improving our rank,” Palami said. “It will give the players more time to play together for better cohesion. It will also allow us to evaluate new players.”
Aside from friendlies against national team, Palami said an events management company has offered to bring in European clubs and said they have received offers from second and third division teams in Spain.
“If Liverpool can have a friendly in Malaysia, perhaps the Philippines will be the next stop?” said Palami, who acknowledged bringing in a top tier club like Liverpool would be expensive.
“We are also looking at inviting Fulham, Neil Etheridge’s club, for a friendly,” he said.
Aside from the friendlies, the Azkals will be joining two tournaments next year—the AFC Challenge Cup and the Suzuki Cup.
The Azkals qualified for the AFC Challenge Cup main draw in Nepal for the first time after winning the qualifiers last March and for the Suzuki Cup, the Azkals won’t have to go through the qualifiers for the first time.
“Before the Challenge Cup, we are planning to hold a training camp in the Gulf area,” he said.
Palami also said the PFF is looking at hosting the Suzuki Cup but the lack of pitches is hampering that move.
“Manila needs a second pitch,” he said.
THANKS but no, thanks.
Philippine national men’s football team manager Dan Palami shot down the idea of him replacing Nonong Araneta as the president of the Philippine Football Federation in the November elections.
Palami said football in the Philippines hasn’t reached its full potential yet and running against Araneta would be a divisive exercise.
“I’m sure they have their reasons to prod me to run. They know that I have the best interest of football in mind. They know of my management skills. However, I don’t want this. Football in the Philippines hasn’t fully blossomed and I don’t want a divisive exercise,” said Palami.
Palami, who recently resigned from his position at APT Global Inc. to concentrate on his job as the team manager and four other positions in his real estate companies, manpower company, a school board and as head of marketing of the PFF, said he supports Araneta.
“I’m contented with the support that Nonong Araneta is giving us and this is the time for us to unite behind the PFF,” Palami said.
Araneta, who was also prodded by stakeholders to run in the 2007 elections against Mari Martinez and Ed Formosa, took over the PFF presidency in December last year when the PFF Board of Governors ousted Martinez.
Palami said he will support Araneta if he decides to run for another term in the November elections.
“He (Araneta) will have my support and I hope he continues to support my initiatives as manager of the national team,” said Palami.
Meanwhile, Palami said the national team will try to maximize the Fifa-designated dates for friendlies in 2012, which could mean a busy year for the Azkals.
“Playing friendlies is one way of improving our rank,” Palami said. “It will give the players more time to play together for better cohesion. It will also allow us to evaluate new players.”
Aside from friendlies against national team, Palami said an events management company has offered to bring in European clubs and said they have received offers from second and third division teams in Spain.
“If Liverpool can have a friendly in Malaysia, perhaps the Philippines will be the next stop?” said Palami, who acknowledged bringing in a top tier club like Liverpool would be expensive.
“We are also looking at inviting Fulham, Neil Etheridge’s club, for a friendly,” he said.
Aside from the friendlies, the Azkals will be joining two tournaments next year—the AFC Challenge Cup and the Suzuki Cup.
The Azkals qualified for the AFC Challenge Cup main draw in Nepal for the first time after winning the qualifiers last March and for the Suzuki Cup, the Azkals won’t have to go through the qualifiers for the first time.
“Before the Challenge Cup, we are planning to hold a training camp in the Gulf area,” he said.
Palami also said the PFF is looking at hosting the Suzuki Cup but the lack of pitches is hampering that move.
“Manila needs a second pitch,” he said.
Azkals face slight changes in defense
BY BONG PEDRALVEZ - Malaya Business Insight
SLOWLY but surely, changes in the national men’s football team are taking place.
In the Azkals’ recent workout at the Rizal Memorial pitch, German coach Michael Weiss, within everybody’s hearing, asked: "Tell me, who is the player not playing his normal position?"
Out on the pitch, one player was obviously out of his usual spot: regular midfielder James Younghusband, 25, was playing defense at right fullback, a position long held by fellow Fil-Brit Rob Gier.
"James seems to be right for the spot. He has speed, good field vision and is also strong," said Weiss of his decision to test the older of the Younghusband brothers at the backline.
Football chief Mariano Araneta Jr., who once played for the national side, was one of those who suggested to the German mentor to try a different set-up after noting the slow reaction of the Azkals’ defense during their two-match Asian World Cup qualifying series against Kuwait.
"The defense was a step slower to respond to Kuwait’s counterattack so I suggested to coach Michael if we could make some changes in the back row," Araneta said.
At 30, Gier could barely keep pace with the relentless Kuwaiti attackers, Araneta observed.
That explains why on that slightly overcast afternoon, James, who has played midfield most of his career, found himself in an unfamiliar spot, aligned with team captain Aly Borromeo in anchoring the defense.
Watching from the sidelines, a small smile appeared on the usually serious German drillmaster’s face as he watched Younghusband perform on the field, apparently pleased with the tinkering he had done.
Like a good soldier, the lanky Azkal resolutely played his role without complaint, although after the workout James said he preferred his old midfield position.
SLOWLY but surely, changes in the national men’s football team are taking place.
In the Azkals’ recent workout at the Rizal Memorial pitch, German coach Michael Weiss, within everybody’s hearing, asked: "Tell me, who is the player not playing his normal position?"
Out on the pitch, one player was obviously out of his usual spot: regular midfielder James Younghusband, 25, was playing defense at right fullback, a position long held by fellow Fil-Brit Rob Gier.
"James seems to be right for the spot. He has speed, good field vision and is also strong," said Weiss of his decision to test the older of the Younghusband brothers at the backline.
Football chief Mariano Araneta Jr., who once played for the national side, was one of those who suggested to the German mentor to try a different set-up after noting the slow reaction of the Azkals’ defense during their two-match Asian World Cup qualifying series against Kuwait.
"The defense was a step slower to respond to Kuwait’s counterattack so I suggested to coach Michael if we could make some changes in the back row," Araneta said.
At 30, Gier could barely keep pace with the relentless Kuwaiti attackers, Araneta observed.
That explains why on that slightly overcast afternoon, James, who has played midfield most of his career, found himself in an unfamiliar spot, aligned with team captain Aly Borromeo in anchoring the defense.
Watching from the sidelines, a small smile appeared on the usually serious German drillmaster’s face as he watched Younghusband perform on the field, apparently pleased with the tinkering he had done.
Like a good soldier, the lanky Azkal resolutely played his role without complaint, although after the workout James said he preferred his old midfield position.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Azkals to field mix of veterans, youth
By Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star)
MANILA, Philippines - A mix of veteran Azkals and under-23 players will carry the fight for the Philippines in the four-nation Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei from Sept. 30 to Oct 4.
Skipper Aly Borromeo and seasoned players Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta, the tourney’s top scorer with four goals last year, will banner the Phl side along with Azkals teammates Phil and James Younghusband, Angel Guirado, Roel Gener, Eduard Sacapaño, Misagh Bahadoran and Jason de Jong.
Joining them are mainstays of the U-23 pool currently training for the Southeast Asian Games, led by Fil-German goalkeeper Roland Mueller, Fil-Spanish rightback Carlos Alberto Martinez de Murga, Fil-Belgian midfielder Jeffrey Christiaens, and Fil-British siblings Mark and Matthew Hartmann.
U-23 bets Reymark Fernandez, Limuel Unabia, and Neckson Leonora and seniors Oliver Potschke and Moy Lexton complete the squad set to do battle against holders Hong Kong, host Chinese Taipei and Macau.
“I think we can consider the team we’ll be sending over to Long Teng Cup this year considerably stronger than the team that we had last time. So we’re looking at better chances, better opportunities,” said Azkals team manager Dan Palami during a joint training of the seniors and U-23 teams at the Rizal Stadium.
Last year, the Phl XI logged one win, one draw and one loss in the round-robin meet to finish third overall behind Hong Kong, then represented by its U-23 side, and the Taiwanese. Macau wound up fourth in that tourney.
“As far as management of the Philippine national team is concerned, the Long Teng Cup (participation) is geared towards allowing us to improve on our (Fifa world) rankings and at the same time, allowing the players to really have more international matches to play together,” he added.
The newbies, especially the U-23 booters, are being given exposure to test them in an international joust in preparation for the SEA Games in November, and future tournaments.
“The new players are quite promising, actually not just promising but very good additions to team and we are eager to watch them in the international competitions,” said Palami.
The Azkals will kick off their campaign against defending champion Hong Kong, to be represented by its full national team this time, on Sept. 30 at the Kaoshiung National Stadium. They will play the hosts on Oct. 2 then wind up their stint against Macau on Oct. 4.
MANILA, Philippines - A mix of veteran Azkals and under-23 players will carry the fight for the Philippines in the four-nation Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei from Sept. 30 to Oct 4.
Skipper Aly Borromeo and seasoned players Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta, the tourney’s top scorer with four goals last year, will banner the Phl side along with Azkals teammates Phil and James Younghusband, Angel Guirado, Roel Gener, Eduard Sacapaño, Misagh Bahadoran and Jason de Jong.
Joining them are mainstays of the U-23 pool currently training for the Southeast Asian Games, led by Fil-German goalkeeper Roland Mueller, Fil-Spanish rightback Carlos Alberto Martinez de Murga, Fil-Belgian midfielder Jeffrey Christiaens, and Fil-British siblings Mark and Matthew Hartmann.
U-23 bets Reymark Fernandez, Limuel Unabia, and Neckson Leonora and seniors Oliver Potschke and Moy Lexton complete the squad set to do battle against holders Hong Kong, host Chinese Taipei and Macau.
“I think we can consider the team we’ll be sending over to Long Teng Cup this year considerably stronger than the team that we had last time. So we’re looking at better chances, better opportunities,” said Azkals team manager Dan Palami during a joint training of the seniors and U-23 teams at the Rizal Stadium.
Last year, the Phl XI logged one win, one draw and one loss in the round-robin meet to finish third overall behind Hong Kong, then represented by its U-23 side, and the Taiwanese. Macau wound up fourth in that tourney.
“As far as management of the Philippine national team is concerned, the Long Teng Cup (participation) is geared towards allowing us to improve on our (Fifa world) rankings and at the same time, allowing the players to really have more international matches to play together,” he added.
The newbies, especially the U-23 booters, are being given exposure to test them in an international joust in preparation for the SEA Games in November, and future tournaments.
“The new players are quite promising, actually not just promising but very good additions to team and we are eager to watch them in the international competitions,” said Palami.
The Azkals will kick off their campaign against defending champion Hong Kong, to be represented by its full national team this time, on Sept. 30 at the Kaoshiung National Stadium. They will play the hosts on Oct. 2 then wind up their stint against Macau on Oct. 4.
Phl Azkals nip UFL champs, 3-2
By Alder Almo (philstar.com)
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals leaned on Ian Araneta’s goal late in the match to get past UFL champion Global FC, 3-2, today in the I Can Serve Football Invitationals at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
The Azkals, who used some players from the Under-23 national team in this match, attacked aggressively from the kick-off resulting in Phil Phil Younghusband’s goal off 19-year old Fil-British Mark Hartmann’s perfect assist inside the box barely four minutes into the match.
Global Smartmatic had several chances to score but Eduard Sacapano, Neil Etheridge’s back-up, did a great job defending the pitch for the Azkals in the early minutes of the match.
Saving his own missed shot, Younghusband again connected in the 29th minute mark to double the Azkals’ lead, 2-nil.
Global's relentless attack found a crack on the Azkals’ defense that led to national training pool member Misagh Bahadoran's goal, to cut the lead, 2-1, just before the break.
Global equalized with seven minutes into the second half as Sudanese and UFL’s leading scorer Izzeldin El-Habbib scored on a long lob to tie the match at 2-all. The goal was El-Habbib’s second in the charity tournament that serves as a kick-off to Breast Cancer Awareness Month this coming October.
With the momentum shift, Global FC kept on pressuring the Azkals’ defense, which missed skipper Aly Borromeo and Anton Del Rosario due to various injuries. But Sacapano proved to be tough enough as the back-up goal keeper saved consecutive attempts by Global’s Bahadoran and El-Habbib.
Fresh legs saved the Azkals from a draw with late substitute Araneta making an immediate impact with a header from fellow reserve Jeff Christiaens in the 85th minute.
The win was the second in a row for the Azkals against Global FC, which is also being managed by national team manager Dan Palami.
The Azkals also scored a 3-1 victory against Global FC last Sept. 11 during their Bacolod training camp. With the Younghusband brothers still grieving their mother’s untimely death due to massive heart failure, Hartmann took the scoring cudgels with a hat-trick.
The Azkals will meet Kaya Cignal, which absorbed a 1-nil loss at the hands of Global last Monday, in the final game of the charity tournament organized by the I Can Serve Foundation and backed by LBC and Sun Life.
The match, which is expected to draw a good weekend crowd, will be held on Saturday at 3pm in the same venue. It will be telecast at 5pm on AKTV on IBC Channel 13, TV5's sports channel.
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals leaned on Ian Araneta’s goal late in the match to get past UFL champion Global FC, 3-2, today in the I Can Serve Football Invitationals at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
The Azkals, who used some players from the Under-23 national team in this match, attacked aggressively from the kick-off resulting in Phil Phil Younghusband’s goal off 19-year old Fil-British Mark Hartmann’s perfect assist inside the box barely four minutes into the match.
Global Smartmatic had several chances to score but Eduard Sacapano, Neil Etheridge’s back-up, did a great job defending the pitch for the Azkals in the early minutes of the match.
Saving his own missed shot, Younghusband again connected in the 29th minute mark to double the Azkals’ lead, 2-nil.
Global's relentless attack found a crack on the Azkals’ defense that led to national training pool member Misagh Bahadoran's goal, to cut the lead, 2-1, just before the break.
Global equalized with seven minutes into the second half as Sudanese and UFL’s leading scorer Izzeldin El-Habbib scored on a long lob to tie the match at 2-all. The goal was El-Habbib’s second in the charity tournament that serves as a kick-off to Breast Cancer Awareness Month this coming October.
With the momentum shift, Global FC kept on pressuring the Azkals’ defense, which missed skipper Aly Borromeo and Anton Del Rosario due to various injuries. But Sacapano proved to be tough enough as the back-up goal keeper saved consecutive attempts by Global’s Bahadoran and El-Habbib.
Fresh legs saved the Azkals from a draw with late substitute Araneta making an immediate impact with a header from fellow reserve Jeff Christiaens in the 85th minute.
The win was the second in a row for the Azkals against Global FC, which is also being managed by national team manager Dan Palami.
The Azkals also scored a 3-1 victory against Global FC last Sept. 11 during their Bacolod training camp. With the Younghusband brothers still grieving their mother’s untimely death due to massive heart failure, Hartmann took the scoring cudgels with a hat-trick.
The Azkals will meet Kaya Cignal, which absorbed a 1-nil loss at the hands of Global last Monday, in the final game of the charity tournament organized by the I Can Serve Foundation and backed by LBC and Sun Life.
The match, which is expected to draw a good weekend crowd, will be held on Saturday at 3pm in the same venue. It will be telecast at 5pm on AKTV on IBC Channel 13, TV5's sports channel.
Sam Pinto and the Azkals get excited on the Netphone
Sam Pinto and members of the Philippine national soccer team the Azkals are the latest celebrities to get on the hot tech bandwagon, as they were introduced as endorsers of the much-anticipated Netphone from wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart).
At an event recently held at Resorts World in Pasay City, Sam and Azkals Anton Del Rosario, Jason Sabio, Ian Araneta, and Nate Burkey – announced the coming of the Netphone 701 – the first of many models in Smart’s own range of Android smartphones designed specifically for the Philippine market.
Powered by Smartnet, the Netphone allows Sam, the Azkals boys, and other Smart subscribers to enjoy social networking, instant messaging and other applications for free, and to tap into the power of the Internet through one handy, feature-packed, yet affordable device.
Officially introduced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain early this year, the Netphone has been eagerly awaited not only by tech geeks who are familiar with the power of next generation smartphones, but also by regular folk who would like to do more than just talk and text with their cellphones.
The Netphone launch, hosted by multimedia celebrities KC Montero and Andi Manzano, saw scores of people winning Netphone 701 units. True to the connectivity promise of the device, the event created a buzz so loud that it eventually led the Netphone to trend in Twitter during its course.
Among the celebrities spotted at the event were Tim Yap, Brent Javier, Nicole Anderson, Michelle Madrigal, and Bubbles Paraiso. GMA Network artists Diva Montelaba, Steven Silva, Jay-R, Kris Lawrence, Mark Herras, and Wynwyn Marquez were also spotted at the event experiencing the best that the Netphone had to offer.
The Netphone 701 retails at P9,900 for a prepaid kit. At this price, the Netphone is the best-value Android smartphone in its class. It also comes free starting at All-In Plan 1200, on all Data Unli Plans, and on Data Lite Plan 800.
At an event recently held at Resorts World in Pasay City, Sam and Azkals Anton Del Rosario, Jason Sabio, Ian Araneta, and Nate Burkey – announced the coming of the Netphone 701 – the first of many models in Smart’s own range of Android smartphones designed specifically for the Philippine market.
Powered by Smartnet, the Netphone allows Sam, the Azkals boys, and other Smart subscribers to enjoy social networking, instant messaging and other applications for free, and to tap into the power of the Internet through one handy, feature-packed, yet affordable device.
Officially introduced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain early this year, the Netphone has been eagerly awaited not only by tech geeks who are familiar with the power of next generation smartphones, but also by regular folk who would like to do more than just talk and text with their cellphones.
The Netphone launch, hosted by multimedia celebrities KC Montero and Andi Manzano, saw scores of people winning Netphone 701 units. True to the connectivity promise of the device, the event created a buzz so loud that it eventually led the Netphone to trend in Twitter during its course.
Among the celebrities spotted at the event were Tim Yap, Brent Javier, Nicole Anderson, Michelle Madrigal, and Bubbles Paraiso. GMA Network artists Diva Montelaba, Steven Silva, Jay-R, Kris Lawrence, Mark Herras, and Wynwyn Marquez were also spotted at the event experiencing the best that the Netphone had to offer.
The Netphone 701 retails at P9,900 for a prepaid kit. At this price, the Netphone is the best-value Android smartphone in its class. It also comes free starting at All-In Plan 1200, on all Data Unli Plans, and on Data Lite Plan 800.
UFL lures top Azkals
Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines — With players from the Philippine Azkals boosting some of the teams, this year’s United Football League that kicks off Oct. 8 promises to be one memorable event.
Filipino-Spanish Angel Guirado, who has already scored three international goals for the country, is joining defending champion Global FC, who, along with last January’s losing finalist Air Force, are considered the favorites.
Filipino-British brothers Phil and James Younghusband are linking up with the Loyola Meralco Sparks, while Nate Burkey and Jason Sabio are teaming up with fellow Azkals Aly Borromeo, Anton del Rosario, and Yannick Tuason for Kaya FC.
With the addition of Burkey and Sabio, who traces his roots in Koronadal City, Kaya FC may pull off a big surprise in the event which hopes to attract more Filipinos to take up the sport.
At least 25 teams will vie for supremacy, including 13 squads from Cebu, Leyte, and Baguio. The draw is set to take place at E’s Bar in Edsa Shangri-la Hotel on Friday.
A television deal with TV5, which will air the games via AKTV channel 13, is also expected to be signed on the same day.
MANILA, Philippines — With players from the Philippine Azkals boosting some of the teams, this year’s United Football League that kicks off Oct. 8 promises to be one memorable event.
Filipino-Spanish Angel Guirado, who has already scored three international goals for the country, is joining defending champion Global FC, who, along with last January’s losing finalist Air Force, are considered the favorites.
Filipino-British brothers Phil and James Younghusband are linking up with the Loyola Meralco Sparks, while Nate Burkey and Jason Sabio are teaming up with fellow Azkals Aly Borromeo, Anton del Rosario, and Yannick Tuason for Kaya FC.
With the addition of Burkey and Sabio, who traces his roots in Koronadal City, Kaya FC may pull off a big surprise in the event which hopes to attract more Filipinos to take up the sport.
At least 25 teams will vie for supremacy, including 13 squads from Cebu, Leyte, and Baguio. The draw is set to take place at E’s Bar in Edsa Shangri-la Hotel on Friday.
A television deal with TV5, which will air the games via AKTV channel 13, is also expected to be signed on the same day.
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