Football in the Philippines is fast catching-on and Kuya Kim won’t certainly miss the opportunity to learn all about this interesting sport from none other than the Futkaleros of Tondo. But when the game takes a turn towards the unexpected, can the futkaleros count on Kuya Kim to score the winning goal?
It’s all over television. It’s all over the papers. And everyone is talking about football especially with Philippine Football team Azkals’ win against Mongolia in a 2-0 match last February 2011.
But did you know that football isn’t a new sport in the country? In fact, we were the first in Asia to establish a national football team way back in 1907. One may confuse it with soccer, but Kuya Kim is quick to reply that football and soccer are one and the same, except for the United States who consider football to be played with helmets and body-paddings with a matching elongated ball. In the Philippines, the local version is called futkal.
Fast forward to present time and one can count at least 8,000 Filipino football fans and various college and university-based football teams such as the University of the Philippines’ FC Sikad and University of Sto. Tomas Golden Boosters, whom Kuya Kim and Ryan Bang will be learning football from.
Football has really reached new heights since its conceptualization in 1922 by Harold Searles Thornton. The sport is relatively quick to learn and serves a ground for training whether it be for physical prowess, keeping trim or even balancing one’s time every day.
In the olden days and earlier versions of football, the Romans –led by Emperor Julius Caesar- and the Chinese – during the Han dynasty- used the sport as military training exercises. Caesar called it harpastum, the root word being harpastos which means “to snatch.” The Chinese dubbed it as Tsu Chu and used balls made with animal fur and leather.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Azkals to play day match at old Rizal
Except for some minor ground repairs and a thorough check of the stadium itself, the Rizal Memorial football field is definitely capable of hosting the Azkals’ home game against Sri Lanka on July 3.
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta, Azkals team manager Dan Palami, head coach Michael Weiss and Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Monico Puentevella made an ocular inspection of the venue yesterday.
They didn’t see any major problem.
“As far as the pitch is concerned, there are some patches, some holes that are not seen because they are covered with grass. We have to fix that because it may post danger to the players,” said Palami.
“But it can be done in a month and with still three months left. Overall, the pitch is okay,” he added.
Puentevella said they also have to look into the provisions needed to host an international match, like an adequate dressing room and a media room.
Read more at The Philippine Star
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta, Azkals team manager Dan Palami, head coach Michael Weiss and Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Monico Puentevella made an ocular inspection of the venue yesterday.
They didn’t see any major problem.
“As far as the pitch is concerned, there are some patches, some holes that are not seen because they are covered with grass. We have to fix that because it may post danger to the players,” said Palami.
“But it can be done in a month and with still three months left. Overall, the pitch is okay,” he added.
Puentevella said they also have to look into the provisions needed to host an international match, like an adequate dressing room and a media room.
Read more at The Philippine Star
Azkals eye Middle East training camp
The Philippine Azkals are likely to camp out in a Middle East country for their build up for their Round 1 match against Sri Lanka in the qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup, Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano Araneta said Thursday.
“We’re looking at either Qatar or UAE,” said Araneta, noting that the training could begin anywhere between June 7-17.
The Azkals will battle their South Asian rivals in a home and away series staring on June 29 in Colombo and July 3 in the Philippines.
Asked why they want to train in a Middle East country, Araneta said: “Without looking past Sri Lanka, coach (Michael) Weiss and Dan Palami (team manager) also want to prepare against Kuwait in Round 2. We know that the weather in Kuwait is extremely hot so training in a Middle East country will get the players acclimatized with the weather condition.”
Read more at Manila Bulletin
“We’re looking at either Qatar or UAE,” said Araneta, noting that the training could begin anywhere between June 7-17.
The Azkals will battle their South Asian rivals in a home and away series staring on June 29 in Colombo and July 3 in the Philippines.
Asked why they want to train in a Middle East country, Araneta said: “Without looking past Sri Lanka, coach (Michael) Weiss and Dan Palami (team manager) also want to prepare against Kuwait in Round 2. We know that the weather in Kuwait is extremely hot so training in a Middle East country will get the players acclimatized with the weather condition.”
Read more at Manila Bulletin
Rizal stadium likely venue for Azkals’ qualifying match for World Cup
It looks like the historic Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila has the inside track in the selection for the site of the Philippines’ 2014 World Cup Qualifying first-round match against Sri Lanka on July 3.
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said on Thursday there would be enough time to construct temporary air-conditioned dressing rooms and media rooms as part of the requirements of the Asian Football Confederation.
But Araneta clarified that any kind of work to be done in the stadium should have clearance from the Philippine Sports Commission, which has been managing the facility.
Araneta, who checked the facility together with national team manager Dan Palami, also said that the match could be played at 4 p.m., so that additional lights would not have to be installed in the stadium.
The stability of the seats and the benches in the stadium should also be checked to ensure the safety of football fans, Araneta said.
Read more at Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said on Thursday there would be enough time to construct temporary air-conditioned dressing rooms and media rooms as part of the requirements of the Asian Football Confederation.
But Araneta clarified that any kind of work to be done in the stadium should have clearance from the Philippine Sports Commission, which has been managing the facility.
Araneta, who checked the facility together with national team manager Dan Palami, also said that the match could be played at 4 p.m., so that additional lights would not have to be installed in the stadium.
The stability of the seats and the benches in the stadium should also be checked to ensure the safety of football fans, Araneta said.
Read more at Philippine Daily Inquirer
Azkals refuse to take Sri Lankans lightly
"WE’LL prepare like we are up against (reigning World Cup champion) Spain."
This is how dead serious both coach Hans Michael Weiss and national team manager Dan Palami are about the Philippine Azkals’ build-up for their opening round Asian World Cup qualifying match against Sri Lanka in June.
"They may be lower in the world rankings but there is no room for complacency," Palami said yesterday.
"All of the teams will be playing in the biggest football tournament so almost everybody will improve. We just cannot afford to be lax," Palami added after inspecting the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium with Weiss.
The decades-old facility is being eyed as a possible venue for the nationals’ home match against the Sri Lankans on July 3, with the Panaad Sports Complex in Bacolod City another option, according to Palami.
Read more at Malaya
This is how dead serious both coach Hans Michael Weiss and national team manager Dan Palami are about the Philippine Azkals’ build-up for their opening round Asian World Cup qualifying match against Sri Lanka in June.
"They may be lower in the world rankings but there is no room for complacency," Palami said yesterday.
"All of the teams will be playing in the biggest football tournament so almost everybody will improve. We just cannot afford to be lax," Palami added after inspecting the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium with Weiss.
The decades-old facility is being eyed as a possible venue for the nationals’ home match against the Sri Lankans on July 3, with the Panaad Sports Complex in Bacolod City another option, according to Palami.
Read more at Malaya
Rizal Stadium needs sprucing up, says Palami
WITH some minor improvements, the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium could be a suitable venue for the Philippines’ Asian World Cup qualifying home game against Sri Lanka, according to national team manager Dan Palami.
Palami, coach Hans Michael Weiss and Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta Jr. toured the pre-World War II facility yesterday to determine if it could meet FIFA and AFC standards.
The last time the Rizal Memorial football field was used for international play was during the 1991 Manila Southeast Asian Games.
"Some of the seats in the main grandstand may need repairs since their support underneath is corroded, and we do not want to have any accidents," Palami said. "This infrastructure has to be fixed."
He also noted the cramped locker rooms with low ceilings at the stadium "where our tall players like Phil and James Younghusband and Angel Guirado might have to crouch all the time."
Read more at Malaya
Palami, coach Hans Michael Weiss and Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta Jr. toured the pre-World War II facility yesterday to determine if it could meet FIFA and AFC standards.
The last time the Rizal Memorial football field was used for international play was during the 1991 Manila Southeast Asian Games.
"Some of the seats in the main grandstand may need repairs since their support underneath is corroded, and we do not want to have any accidents," Palami said. "This infrastructure has to be fixed."
He also noted the cramped locker rooms with low ceilings at the stadium "where our tall players like Phil and James Younghusband and Angel Guirado might have to crouch all the time."
Read more at Malaya
PFF chief: Azkals complete for World Cup qualifiers
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is confident that the Philippine Azkals will have most of their key players, including those who are playing in professional leagues, in time for their important World Cup qualifying games.
PFF President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said in an interview with ANC’s Hardball that the professional players, mostly Filipino-foreigners, are likely to be allowed by their mother clubs to join the Nationals for the FIFA World Cup qualifying games.
“Since it's already the end of the leagues (football season) in Europe, they are coming here by May or June for the preparations,” said Araneta.
Among the Azkal members playing in professional leagues abroad are Filipino-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge (Fulham Club), Filipino-Danish fullback Jerry Lucena (Danish First Division side AGF Aarhus), and Filipino-Dutch midfielder Jason de Jong (Persiba Balikpapan in Indonesia).
Read more at ABS-CBN News
PFF President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said in an interview with ANC’s Hardball that the professional players, mostly Filipino-foreigners, are likely to be allowed by their mother clubs to join the Nationals for the FIFA World Cup qualifying games.
“Since it's already the end of the leagues (football season) in Europe, they are coming here by May or June for the preparations,” said Araneta.
Among the Azkal members playing in professional leagues abroad are Filipino-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge (Fulham Club), Filipino-Danish fullback Jerry Lucena (Danish First Division side AGF Aarhus), and Filipino-Dutch midfielder Jason de Jong (Persiba Balikpapan in Indonesia).
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Brazil 2014 draw stirs Asian hopefuls
Nearly nine months on since the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ concluded, Asia put the wheels in motion for Brazil 2014 by conducting the draw for the opening two qualifying rounds on Wednesday. 16 of the continent's lowest ranked sides will battle against each other in the first phase, with the eight winners advancing to join a further 22 teams in the next stage. Australia, Korea Republic, Japan, Korea DPR and Bahrain – the confederation’s top five teams in South Africa 2010 qualifying – will automatically enter in Round 3.
Yesterday's event largely turned out to be kind for some traditional powerhouses, with four-time FIFA World Cup qualifiers Saudi Arabia drawn to meet Hong Kong. Fellow east Asian giants Iran cross paths with Maldives, a side against whom they netted 22 unanswered goals against over two legs in qualifying for France 1998. Team Melli legend Karim Bagheri scoring a then FIFA World Cup record seven goals in Tehran.
China PR, the fifth highest Asian team in the current FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking, are pitted against the winners of Cambodia and Laos. While a comfortable aggregate victory should be within their grasp, head coach Gao Hongbo refused to take their prospective opponents lightly. "We have paid the price for our slip-ups on too many occasions in past World Cup bids, so the lessons we must learn is that we can't underestimate any opponent," said Gao. "We should focus our attention on preparation and do our best regardless of the rivals."
Read more at FIFA
Yesterday's event largely turned out to be kind for some traditional powerhouses, with four-time FIFA World Cup qualifiers Saudi Arabia drawn to meet Hong Kong. Fellow east Asian giants Iran cross paths with Maldives, a side against whom they netted 22 unanswered goals against over two legs in qualifying for France 1998. Team Melli legend Karim Bagheri scoring a then FIFA World Cup record seven goals in Tehran.
China PR, the fifth highest Asian team in the current FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking, are pitted against the winners of Cambodia and Laos. While a comfortable aggregate victory should be within their grasp, head coach Gao Hongbo refused to take their prospective opponents lightly. "We have paid the price for our slip-ups on too many occasions in past World Cup bids, so the lessons we must learn is that we can't underestimate any opponent," said Gao. "We should focus our attention on preparation and do our best regardless of the rivals."
Read more at FIFA
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Azkals to face Sri Lanka in first step for qualifying to 2014 World Cup
For the Philippines, the long climb to football heaven—the 2014 World Cup in Brazil—begins with a duel against Sri Lanka.
Bidding to crash football’s showpiece for the first time, the Azkals were pitted against a tough Sri Lankan team in the first round of the qualifiers that will be played in a home-and-away series starting June 28.
Sri Lanka will host the first leg on June 28 with the return leg set in the Philippines five days later.
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta is eyeing the Rizal Memorial Stadium as a possible site for the home match.
Middle East powerhouse Kuwait awaits the survivor of the Philippines-Sri Lanka duel in the second round.
Philippine team officials, led by manager Dan Palami and German coach Michael Weiss, welcomed the pairing with Sri Lanka, which is ranked 22 places lower than the Azkals at 173 in the latest Fifa rankings.
But Palami, who was at the opening of the Suzuki Cup Under-23 Championship in Los Baños, Laguna, when the draw was conducted at the Asian Football Confederation office in Sri Lanka Wednesday, warned his side not to be complacent, saying that the Sri Lankans could not be taken for granted.
Read more at Philippine Daily Inquirer
Bidding to crash football’s showpiece for the first time, the Azkals were pitted against a tough Sri Lankan team in the first round of the qualifiers that will be played in a home-and-away series starting June 28.
Sri Lanka will host the first leg on June 28 with the return leg set in the Philippines five days later.
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta is eyeing the Rizal Memorial Stadium as a possible site for the home match.
Middle East powerhouse Kuwait awaits the survivor of the Philippines-Sri Lanka duel in the second round.
Philippine team officials, led by manager Dan Palami and German coach Michael Weiss, welcomed the pairing with Sri Lanka, which is ranked 22 places lower than the Azkals at 173 in the latest Fifa rankings.
But Palami, who was at the opening of the Suzuki Cup Under-23 Championship in Los Baños, Laguna, when the draw was conducted at the Asian Football Confederation office in Sri Lanka Wednesday, warned his side not to be complacent, saying that the Sri Lankans could not be taken for granted.
Read more at Philippine Daily Inquirer
Rizal Memorial, Panaad eyed for Azkals' home game
he Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is now considering 2 possible sites where the country can hold its home game against Sri Lanka.
According to ABS-CBN sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo, the PFF will be choosing between Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila and Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
“As per PFF President Nonong Araneta and [Azkals team] Manager Dan Palami, our home game will be either at Rizal Memorial or Panaad Bacolod stadium,” said Castillejo through her Twitter account.
The Philippine Azkals will face Sri Lanka in a home-and-away qualifying series for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 29 and July 3.
The home game, scheduled on July 3, could take place at the 30,000-seater Rizal Memorial Stadium, site of some of the biggest sporting events in Southeast Asia (SEA), including the 1991 and 2005 SEA Games.
It could also be staged at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, where the home game of the Philippine Azkals against Mongolia for the 2012 Challenge Cup was held.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
According to ABS-CBN sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo, the PFF will be choosing between Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila and Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
“As per PFF President Nonong Araneta and [Azkals team] Manager Dan Palami, our home game will be either at Rizal Memorial or Panaad Bacolod stadium,” said Castillejo through her Twitter account.
The Philippine Azkals will face Sri Lanka in a home-and-away qualifying series for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 29 and July 3.
The home game, scheduled on July 3, could take place at the 30,000-seater Rizal Memorial Stadium, site of some of the biggest sporting events in Southeast Asia (SEA), including the 1991 and 2005 SEA Games.
It could also be staged at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, where the home game of the Philippine Azkals against Mongolia for the 2012 Challenge Cup was held.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Brave Reds are next for Azkals
The Philippines’ ambitious bid of advancing to the prestigious 2014 World Cup got a massive boost Wednesday when the Philippine Azkals were drawn against a lower-ranked Sri Lankan side in the first round of the qualifying tournament that starts this June.
Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said the result of the draw which took place in Kuala Lumpur was “a favourable one for the Azkals” if the standings in the FIFA world rankings of both teams will be the basis.
Nicknamed the Brave Reds, the Sri Lankan squad is ranked 173rd while the Philippines, 151st. The format for the Round 1 qualifier will be a home and away series with Sri Lanka hosting the first leg on June 29 and Philippines on July 3.
If the Azkals manage to ease past the Brave Reds, they will have a tougher time in Round 2 as they will face Kuwait, which is ranked 101st.
The Azkals, who recently secured a place in the main draw of the 2012 Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup, have never player the Brave Reds before, but Araneta remains optimistic of the team’s chances.
Read more at Manila Bulletin
Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said the result of the draw which took place in Kuala Lumpur was “a favourable one for the Azkals” if the standings in the FIFA world rankings of both teams will be the basis.
Nicknamed the Brave Reds, the Sri Lankan squad is ranked 173rd while the Philippines, 151st. The format for the Round 1 qualifier will be a home and away series with Sri Lanka hosting the first leg on June 29 and Philippines on July 3.
If the Azkals manage to ease past the Brave Reds, they will have a tougher time in Round 2 as they will face Kuwait, which is ranked 101st.
The Azkals, who recently secured a place in the main draw of the 2012 Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup, have never player the Brave Reds before, but Araneta remains optimistic of the team’s chances.
Read more at Manila Bulletin
Philippine Azkals to face Sri Lanka in World Cup qualifiers
The Philippine Azkals will play against Sri Lanka in the first round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
This was announced in a draw held at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday.
The home-and-away qualifying series will take place on June 29 in Sri Lanka and July 3 in the Philippines.
The Philippine Azkals team is currently ranked No. 151 in the FIFA world standings.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is ranked No. 173.
The Azkals’ qualifying match against Sri Lanka is the first of 4 qualifying rounds the Philippines will have to go through before landing a spot in the prestigious World Cup.
If the Azkals successfully hurdle the Sri Lankan team, they will next face Kuwait, which is ranked 103rd.
The reigning World Cup champion is Spain.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
This was announced in a draw held at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday.
The home-and-away qualifying series will take place on June 29 in Sri Lanka and July 3 in the Philippines.
The Philippine Azkals team is currently ranked No. 151 in the FIFA world standings.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is ranked No. 173.
The Azkals’ qualifying match against Sri Lanka is the first of 4 qualifying rounds the Philippines will have to go through before landing a spot in the prestigious World Cup.
If the Azkals successfully hurdle the Sri Lankan team, they will next face Kuwait, which is ranked 103rd.
The reigning World Cup champion is Spain.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Azkals to know World Cup qualifiers opponents Wednesday
The Philippine Azkals will know on Wednesday their opponents in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will hold the draw in the afternoon in its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Azkals will have to beat their yet to be named rivals in a home-and-away tie to boost their chances in entering the World Cup.
They will play on June 29 and July 3 this year.
The Philippine team, which recently advanced to the AFC Challenge Cup quarterfinals, currently stands 15th in the 16 lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The country had failed to join the last 2 World Cup qualifiers.
Azkals vs Afghanistan or Cambodia?
Striker Phil Younghusband expects the Azkals to face either Afghanistan or Cambodia in the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
In 2010, Afghanistan, through its Olympic football team, secured a spot in the 2010 South Asian Games finals.
In their way to the playoffs, the Afghan players won all of theur matches in the group stage against India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and its semi-final match against the Maldives.
Cambodia, on the other hand, failed to attempt to qualify in the 2006 World Cup.
The country's best remembered performance, however, was in the 1972 Asian Cup when it landed in 4th place.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will hold the draw in the afternoon in its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Azkals will have to beat their yet to be named rivals in a home-and-away tie to boost their chances in entering the World Cup.
They will play on June 29 and July 3 this year.
The Philippine team, which recently advanced to the AFC Challenge Cup quarterfinals, currently stands 15th in the 16 lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The country had failed to join the last 2 World Cup qualifiers.
Azkals vs Afghanistan or Cambodia?
Striker Phil Younghusband expects the Azkals to face either Afghanistan or Cambodia in the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
In 2010, Afghanistan, through its Olympic football team, secured a spot in the 2010 South Asian Games finals.
In their way to the playoffs, the Afghan players won all of theur matches in the group stage against India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and its semi-final match against the Maldives.
Cambodia, on the other hand, failed to attempt to qualify in the 2006 World Cup.
The country's best remembered performance, however, was in the 1972 Asian Cup when it landed in 4th place.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Phil, Angel went to church together?
The ball seems to be rolling smoothly for Phil Younghusband as he is consistently seen dating his showbiz crush, actress Angel Locsin.
On Sunday, Younghusband was spotted in a restaurant in Serendra having dinner with Locsin.
They are also reported to have attended a church service together.
In an interview during the Volunteering Expo event in Quezon City, Younghusband admitted that they indeed had dinner but he was cautious not to reveal in detail what happened.
He neither confirmed nor denied if they attended a church service together.
With football becoming more popular and the public giving more attention to the Azkals, Younghusband acknowledged the fact that the public’s eyes are also focused on their personal lives.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
On Sunday, Younghusband was spotted in a restaurant in Serendra having dinner with Locsin.
They are also reported to have attended a church service together.
In an interview during the Volunteering Expo event in Quezon City, Younghusband admitted that they indeed had dinner but he was cautious not to reveal in detail what happened.
He neither confirmed nor denied if they attended a church service together.
With football becoming more popular and the public giving more attention to the Azkals, Younghusband acknowledged the fact that the public’s eyes are also focused on their personal lives.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Phl football rises with Azkals on the loose
Thanks to the Azkals, Philippine football is on the rise.
From where it stood in 2009, at No. 167 in the FIFA world rankings, the Philippines is now at No. 151 among 203 member countries.
It has moved ahead of countries like Cambodia, Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Maldives, Lebanon, Laos, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mongolia and Afghanistan.
In the coming World Cup qualifiers in June and July, the Philippines may end up facing Cambodia, ranked 154th, and Afghanistan, way behind at 194th.
The Philippines, according to Azkals team manager Dan Palami, should be favored to advance at the expense of these two teams.
The Philippines lags behind its neighbors like Chinese Taipei (147), Singapore (139), Malaysia (138), Vietnam (134), Indonesia (129) and Thailand (118).
But what’s important is that the Philippines is on the rise.
Read more at The Philippine Star
Azkals eye medal finish in SEAG
The Philippines has never won a medal of any color in the men’s football event of the Southeast Asian Games since its debut in the biennial meet in 1977.
Seeking to end the drought, Azkals team manager Dan Palami has vowed to form the strongest football squad ever.
“I think we can safely say we will be forming the strongest team for the Southeast Asian Games,” said Palami, who will also stand as team manager of the national team to the SEA Games set in Indonesia this November.
He said chances are strong to contend for a medal considering that six players from the Philippine Azkals are eligible to play in the under-23 tournament.
The six players are goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, 21, reliever Christopher Camcam, 16, defender David Basa, 21, striker Yannick Tuason, 21, who are both members of the University of Santo Tomas football team, and Fil-German Patrick Hinrichsen, 20, and Fil-Dutch Jason de Jong, 21.
“They don’t need to try out for the team. I think with their level of play, they should be automatically included in the team,” Palami said.
Read more at Manila Bulletin
Studio 23, Balls TV to air Azkals' group stage matches
ABS-CBN Sports announced the airing schedule of the Philippine Azkals' last two matches in their successful Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup group stage campaign.
The Philippines-Palestine match will be aired on Studio 23 on Tuesday at 10:30 p.m.
The match will also be shown on cable channel Balls TV this Wednesday (March 30) at 4:30 p.m.
The Philippines-Bangladesh match, meanwhile, will be aired on Studio 23 on Thursday (March 31) at 1 p.m. and on Friday (April 1) at 1:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
It will also be shown on Balls TV this Thursday (March 31) at 6:30 p.m., and this Sunday (April 3) at 6 p.m.
Read more at ABS-CBN
Read more at ABS-CBN
Azkals member turns a deaf ear to call of showbiz
Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is saying no to show business—for now at least.
According to the rising Filipino-British football star, he would rather play international football first before joining local Tinseltown. "I have a very successful and a bright future playing football in England and I want to experience that before I really enter showbiz,” says he in an interview with abscbnews.com.
Etheridge says he knows opportunity usually knocks only once but “if my time is up before I can enter showbiz in the Philippines, that's just life. For me football is my main priority.”
His stance differs widely from that of Azkals team mate Phil Younghusband, who was only seemingly too eager to appear in the independent film “Happyland” last year.
Read more at Manila Bulletin
According to the rising Filipino-British football star, he would rather play international football first before joining local Tinseltown. "I have a very successful and a bright future playing football in England and I want to experience that before I really enter showbiz,” says he in an interview with abscbnews.com.
Etheridge says he knows opportunity usually knocks only once but “if my time is up before I can enter showbiz in the Philippines, that's just life. For me football is my main priority.”
His stance differs widely from that of Azkals team mate Phil Younghusband, who was only seemingly too eager to appear in the independent film “Happyland” last year.
Read more at Manila Bulletin
Monday, March 28, 2011
Forging ahead
Philippine football is forging ahead. This, as the Filipino booters, popularly known as the Azkals, continue to make waves in the international scene to highlight the country’s standing as an emerging power in this side of the world on the pitch.
The latest feather in the Philippine national team’s cap is making the tournament proper of the 2012 Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup. Following the Azkals’ 3-0 win over Bangladesh last Friday in the group qualifying stage, the Philippines is making its first trip to the main draw of the weighty regional tournament.
The feat is a follow-up to the Azkals’ strong semifinal finish in last year’s ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup, which all but revived the country’s interest in the sport.
But apart from the history making that the Filipino booters have been doing in the last six months, this latest accomplishment of theirs is further proof that all the support in various forms that the team has been getting is going somewhere. The entire squad is showing firm commitment to winning and seeing what it has set out to do -- giving local football a boost in stature -- gets completed.
And last week in Myanmar for the Group A qualifying action, all and sundry once again got the chance to see what the Azkals are all about. Struggled in the first two games against the host country and Palestine that saw them settle for draws -- 1-1 versus Myanmar and 0-0 against Palestine -- the Azkals delivered when it needed the most, displaying much character and "mojo" in their game.
Needing to win their last game against Bangladesh to cop one spot of two in the main tournament of the Challenge Cup next year, the Pinoys buck the pressure and "manned up" to barge their way out of their group triumphant.
Read more at BusinessWorld
The latest feather in the Philippine national team’s cap is making the tournament proper of the 2012 Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup. Following the Azkals’ 3-0 win over Bangladesh last Friday in the group qualifying stage, the Philippines is making its first trip to the main draw of the weighty regional tournament.
The feat is a follow-up to the Azkals’ strong semifinal finish in last year’s ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup, which all but revived the country’s interest in the sport.
But apart from the history making that the Filipino booters have been doing in the last six months, this latest accomplishment of theirs is further proof that all the support in various forms that the team has been getting is going somewhere. The entire squad is showing firm commitment to winning and seeing what it has set out to do -- giving local football a boost in stature -- gets completed.
And last week in Myanmar for the Group A qualifying action, all and sundry once again got the chance to see what the Azkals are all about. Struggled in the first two games against the host country and Palestine that saw them settle for draws -- 1-1 versus Myanmar and 0-0 against Palestine -- the Azkals delivered when it needed the most, displaying much character and "mojo" in their game.
Needing to win their last game against Bangladesh to cop one spot of two in the main tournament of the Challenge Cup next year, the Pinoys buck the pressure and "manned up" to barge their way out of their group triumphant.
Read more at BusinessWorld
Azkals not stealing attention from other sports: Aly
Azkals team captain Alexander “Aly" Borromeo does not agree with the comments of television host and radio DJ Mo Twister that the Philippine football team is getting too much attention.
During the ABS-CBN Sports victory party for team Azkals on Monday, the Fil-Am striker denied that the team is getting too much publicity to the detriment of other sports such as dragon boat racing and basketball.
“No, [we are] definitely not [stealing the public’s attention] .I mean, we did not bring football here. It's a big sport. It's the sport of the world. Football unites all of the people not only in the Philippines but all up there,” he told abs-cbnNEWS.com.
“Lovers of the sport put us here. And [finally] football has touched the hearts of many.”
Read more at ABS-CBN News
During the ABS-CBN Sports victory party for team Azkals on Monday, the Fil-Am striker denied that the team is getting too much publicity to the detriment of other sports such as dragon boat racing and basketball.
“No, [we are] definitely not [stealing the public’s attention] .I mean, we did not bring football here. It's a big sport. It's the sport of the world. Football unites all of the people not only in the Philippines but all up there,” he told abs-cbnNEWS.com.
“Lovers of the sport put us here. And [finally] football has touched the hearts of many.”
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Azkals to scout for US recruits
Philippine football team captain Aly Borromeo and defender Anton del Rosario will conduct tryouts to reinforce the Azkals pool of players at the Gellert Park in Daly City, near San Francisco, on April 9-10 with an eye to recruit talents in the 15-24 age bracket.
So far, about 25 players have expressed interest to join the tryouts that Borromeo and Del Rosario will supervise with US college football coaches. A plan to hold tryouts in Los Angeles and New York City was scuttled to concentrate on the main camp.
“The players are coming from all over,” said Del Rosario. “There were at least eight from the East Coast looking forward to the tryouts in New York City but we’ve asked them to fly to San Francisco instead so we can assemble the players all together. It’s more practical to hold the tryouts in the US than ask the players to fly all the way to Manila. We’ve got players coming in from Canada, too.”
Borromeo said a camp in Europe is also being planned but nothing is finalized.
Read more at The Philippine Star
So far, about 25 players have expressed interest to join the tryouts that Borromeo and Del Rosario will supervise with US college football coaches. A plan to hold tryouts in Los Angeles and New York City was scuttled to concentrate on the main camp.
“The players are coming from all over,” said Del Rosario. “There were at least eight from the East Coast looking forward to the tryouts in New York City but we’ve asked them to fly to San Francisco instead so we can assemble the players all together. It’s more practical to hold the tryouts in the US than ask the players to fly all the way to Manila. We’ve got players coming in from Canada, too.”
Borromeo said a camp in Europe is also being planned but nothing is finalized.
Read more at The Philippine Star
Espinosa out to prove he can hack it
DISAPPOINTED by his lackluster showing in the recent Asian Challenge Cup group matches in Myanmar, striker William Espinosa intends to show he has what it takes when he suits up for Global Smartmatic, the team of Philippine team manager Dan Palami, next weekend in the United Football League.
"I was not happy with my form in Myanmar. That was not the real me," Espinosa, 29, said during a welcome dinner for the Azkals hosted by businessman Jack Rodriguez at the California Pizza Kitchen restaurant at the Glorietta 4 in Makati City Monday night.
Espinosa, who was adopted by a German family after his Laguna-born parents migrated to Germany, was used sparingly by coach Hans Michael Weiss in Myanmar, mostly as a reliever in the waning minutes to mainstays Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta.
Read more at Malaya
"I was not happy with my form in Myanmar. That was not the real me," Espinosa, 29, said during a welcome dinner for the Azkals hosted by businessman Jack Rodriguez at the California Pizza Kitchen restaurant at the Glorietta 4 in Makati City Monday night.
Espinosa, who was adopted by a German family after his Laguna-born parents migrated to Germany, was used sparingly by coach Hans Michael Weiss in Myanmar, mostly as a reliever in the waning minutes to mainstays Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta.
Read more at Malaya
Azkals aiming higher, dreaming bigger
They came, they saw, they conquered. But as the Philippine Azkals prepare to conquer more matches, Coach Hans Michael Weiss said it would definitely take more than just tough training.
"To go the next level... requires more efforts, more passion in the work ethic, like it has been so far," Weiss said in a luncheon held for the Azkals Monday at the ELJ Communications Center at the ABS-CBN Compound in Quezon City.
Fresh from their victory in the AFC Challenge Cup group stage, the Azkals will now advance to the tournament which will take place on March 2012.
The team will also be playing in a qualifiers home-and-away match in their World Cup 2014 campaign, with their qualifying matches to be held this June.
For their future stints, Weiss said it would be best for the team to modify their game play.
"We have to make adjustments, we have to train more, train harder, train more intensively," he said.
Read more from ABS-CBN News
"To go the next level... requires more efforts, more passion in the work ethic, like it has been so far," Weiss said in a luncheon held for the Azkals Monday at the ELJ Communications Center at the ABS-CBN Compound in Quezon City.
Fresh from their victory in the AFC Challenge Cup group stage, the Azkals will now advance to the tournament which will take place on March 2012.
The team will also be playing in a qualifiers home-and-away match in their World Cup 2014 campaign, with their qualifying matches to be held this June.
For their future stints, Weiss said it would be best for the team to modify their game play.
"We have to make adjustments, we have to train more, train harder, train more intensively," he said.
Read more from ABS-CBN News
Azkals may face Cambodia, Afghanistan in 1st round of qualifying for World Cup
Cambodia and Afghanistan loom as possible first-round opponents of the Philippines in the June qualifying games for the 2014 World Cup.
After advancing to the AFC Challenge Cup main tournament on 2012, the Azkals are shifting their focus to the World Cup qualifying, which the country is joining for the first time since the 2002 tournament in South Korea.
Although the Philippines’ next opponent would not be known until Wednesday, team manager Dan Palami said they have received inside information that the Azkals might be pitted against Cambodia or Afghanistan on June 29 and July 3.
Since they did not join the last two World Cup qualifying stage, the Azkals are ranked 15th in the bottom 16 teams that will be playing in the first round.
Afghanistan and Cambodia are ranked second and third among the 16 teams.
“It’s safe to say that we will be favored if we draw either of the two teams,” said Palami at the victory luncheon hosted by broadcasting giant ABS-CBN, which holds the rights to air Azkals’ matches.
“We will start planning after we know our first-round opponent,” said Palami. “The continuity of the plan will be dependent on which team we will face.”
The Azkals are enjoying a run of good results, starting with the AFF Suzuki Cup where they reached the semifinals for the first time last December.
Read more at Philippine Daily Inquirer
After advancing to the AFC Challenge Cup main tournament on 2012, the Azkals are shifting their focus to the World Cup qualifying, which the country is joining for the first time since the 2002 tournament in South Korea.
Although the Philippines’ next opponent would not be known until Wednesday, team manager Dan Palami said they have received inside information that the Azkals might be pitted against Cambodia or Afghanistan on June 29 and July 3.
Since they did not join the last two World Cup qualifying stage, the Azkals are ranked 15th in the bottom 16 teams that will be playing in the first round.
Afghanistan and Cambodia are ranked second and third among the 16 teams.
“It’s safe to say that we will be favored if we draw either of the two teams,” said Palami at the victory luncheon hosted by broadcasting giant ABS-CBN, which holds the rights to air Azkals’ matches.
“We will start planning after we know our first-round opponent,” said Palami. “The continuity of the plan will be dependent on which team we will face.”
The Azkals are enjoying a run of good results, starting with the AFF Suzuki Cup where they reached the semifinals for the first time last December.
Read more at Philippine Daily Inquirer
Azkals don't cause earthquakes: Etheridge
When the Philippine Azkals were in Japan for training, a major earthquake and huge tsunami struck that country. Another earthquake rocked Myanmar as it was hosting the Challenge Cup group where Azkals were one of the challengers.
These coincidences led many to say in jest that earthquakes seem to hit when the Azkals are around. And now that they are back in the country, jokes are now circulating that the Philippines might be hit next.
Filipino-British goal keeper Neil Etheridge simply shrugged off the teasing as he pointed out that earthquakes are something that cannot be predicted.
“You can’t predict anything. It’s an act of nature. It’s an act of God. You carry on with your days as normal as possible,” he said.
“I take things as they go. I got a flight back to London tomorrow evening. If anything was to occur, then it occurs.”
Read more at ABS-CBN News
These coincidences led many to say in jest that earthquakes seem to hit when the Azkals are around. And now that they are back in the country, jokes are now circulating that the Philippines might be hit next.
Filipino-British goal keeper Neil Etheridge simply shrugged off the teasing as he pointed out that earthquakes are something that cannot be predicted.
“You can’t predict anything. It’s an act of nature. It’s an act of God. You carry on with your days as normal as possible,” he said.
“I take things as they go. I got a flight back to London tomorrow evening. If anything was to occur, then it occurs.”
Read more at ABS-CBN News
PFF head hails move to upgrade Iloilo football field
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano Araneta said he “welcomes” moves by Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. to upgrade the football field within the Iloilo Sports Complex and make it at par with international standards.
Araneta, who comes from the town of Barotac Nuevo — considered the center of football in Iloilo – made the remark in a media interview after he learned of a plan by Defensor to improve said football grounds and make it fit for national and international football tournaments.
The former national football standout was among Philippine officials who headed a delegation to the recent Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge games, to cheer on the Philippine Azkals team in beating Bangladesh during their final game assignment in the series hosted by Myanmar. Azkal’s victory over Bangladesh gained for the team a slot in the AFC Challenge Cup tournament in 2012. Speaking in the local Ilonggo dialect, Araneta said, “if that’s the governor’s plan, then that’s also good for the province (Iloilo) as well.”
Read more at Manila Bulletin
Azkals may get dream draw
Considering the possibility that they could be pitted against the world’s best, nothing would make Azkals team manager Dan Palami happier than to see his boys reaching the third round of the qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup that begins this June.
“If we get into the third round, that will be a huge success already,” said Palami, the man credited for the national football team’s rise from zero to heroes.
No Philippine team has ever gotten past the first round, and Palami hopes they could make more heads turn.
Last year, the Azkals, reinforced by Fil-foreign players from Europe, reached the ASEAN Football Federation
Suzuki Cup semifinal round for the first time, sparking a football fever in the basketball-crazy nation.
“Reaching the third round would actually be surpassing the semifinal finish in the Suzuki Cup last year,” Palami said.
Palami and the team members, including German coach Hans Michael Weiss graced Monday a victory lunch gathering thrown by ABS-CBN for the squad's recent success in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup, where they advanced to the main draw next year.
Their opponent in the Round 1 qualifier for the planet’s most prestigious tournament that will be held in Brazil will only be known on Wednesday during a draw at 4 p.m. in Kuala Lumpur.
But Palami said they have received information that they could be squared up against either Cambodia or Afghanistan.
Read more at Manila Bulletin
Azkals to meet same foes in qualifier
THE Philippine Azkals, ranked among the bottom 16 of the Asian countries seeking berths for the 2014 Fifa World Cup, will most likely meet the same teams they already faced during the last five months.
Their possible foes will come starting from the Asean Football Federation-Suzuki Cup and the Group Stage of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup, which ended recently.
The Azkals, who are ranked no. 43 in Asia, swept past the Bangladesh Bengals, 3-0, to secure one of the two top slots in their group and advance to the Final 8 of the AFC Challenge Cup slated for next year.
Aside from the Azkals, also in the Bottom 16 are the national football squads of Malaysia, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Mongolia, Pakistan, Palestine, Timor Leste, Macau, Chinese Taipei,
This is the first time that the Philippines is included in the rankings since the Azkals did not join the 2006 and 2008 qualifiers.
Based on the tournament format, the 16 lowest-ranked teams will be divided into eight groups for home-and-away matches to be held on June 29 and July 3.
The drawing of lots for the qualifying matches will be held in Kuala Lumpur on March 30.
Read more at Manila Standard Today
Their possible foes will come starting from the Asean Football Federation-Suzuki Cup and the Group Stage of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup, which ended recently.
The Azkals, who are ranked no. 43 in Asia, swept past the Bangladesh Bengals, 3-0, to secure one of the two top slots in their group and advance to the Final 8 of the AFC Challenge Cup slated for next year.
Aside from the Azkals, also in the Bottom 16 are the national football squads of Malaysia, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Mongolia, Pakistan, Palestine, Timor Leste, Macau, Chinese Taipei,
This is the first time that the Philippines is included in the rankings since the Azkals did not join the 2006 and 2008 qualifiers.
Based on the tournament format, the 16 lowest-ranked teams will be divided into eight groups for home-and-away matches to be held on June 29 and July 3.
The drawing of lots for the qualifying matches will be held in Kuala Lumpur on March 30.
Read more at Manila Standard Today
Booters to help flood victims
This one goes way beyond winning, way beyond football.
The triumphant Azkals, according to team manager Dan Palami, will soon conduct a relief operation for the hundreds of victims of a recent flooding in Tacloban City.
Palami said he will ask the Azkals, at least those based in the Philippines, to join the worthy cause.
“We feel very fortunate to survive the recent calamities,” he said, also referring to a series of earthquakes that chased the team the last couple of weeks.
The Azkals were training in Gotemba, Japan when a magnitude 8.9 earthquake hit the powerful nation, and left thousands and thousands dead, injured or missing.
Then the other day, the Azkals were once again in the middle of an earthquake that rocked Myanmar, magnitude 6.8, and left less than a hundred people dead.
“The experience in Japan taught us how serious these natural calamities are. Here there was another earthquake,” said the team manager.
“We’re thankful that despite all these, blessings continued to pour in. I am asking the guys to use this opportunity to help the victims of the recent flooding in Tacloban City and nearby towns,” he said.
Read more at The Philippine Star
The triumphant Azkals, according to team manager Dan Palami, will soon conduct a relief operation for the hundreds of victims of a recent flooding in Tacloban City.
Palami said he will ask the Azkals, at least those based in the Philippines, to join the worthy cause.
“We feel very fortunate to survive the recent calamities,” he said, also referring to a series of earthquakes that chased the team the last couple of weeks.
The Azkals were training in Gotemba, Japan when a magnitude 8.9 earthquake hit the powerful nation, and left thousands and thousands dead, injured or missing.
Then the other day, the Azkals were once again in the middle of an earthquake that rocked Myanmar, magnitude 6.8, and left less than a hundred people dead.
“The experience in Japan taught us how serious these natural calamities are. Here there was another earthquake,” said the team manager.
“We’re thankful that despite all these, blessings continued to pour in. I am asking the guys to use this opportunity to help the victims of the recent flooding in Tacloban City and nearby towns,” he said.
Read more at The Philippine Star
Neil Etheridge: Showbiz can wait
Filipino-British Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is not keen on entering show business.
Etheridge admitted that there are a lot of offers for him to join showbiz but his priority right now is football.
“I have a very successful and a bright future playing football in England and I want to experience that before I really enter showbiz. If my time is up before I can enter showbiz in the Philippines, that's just life. But for me football is my main priority.... I’ll carry on doing that. It makes people happy," Etheridge said.
Etheridge made the statement in an interview with ABS-CBN News during a victory party in Makati.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Etheridge admitted that there are a lot of offers for him to join showbiz but his priority right now is football.
“I have a very successful and a bright future playing football in England and I want to experience that before I really enter showbiz. If my time is up before I can enter showbiz in the Philippines, that's just life. But for me football is my main priority.... I’ll carry on doing that. It makes people happy," Etheridge said.
Etheridge made the statement in an interview with ABS-CBN News during a victory party in Makati.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Palami gives ‘Azkals’ one-month break
THE Philippine Football Federation (PFF) will give the members of the Philippine “Azkals” football squad the needed one-month break before preparing for the upcoming series of 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifying in June and July.
Football federation President Mariano Araneta, who is presently in Vietnam, told The Manila Times via text message Sunday that Azkals team manager Dan Palami has allowed the team to have a one-month break to attend to several commitments.
“We are going to focus now for the team’s next assignment which is the world cup qualifying and we’re hoping to sustain the momentum there,” said Araneta, noting that by Wednesday they will know their next opponent after the result of the draw in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
The format will also be a Home and Away just like the previous Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup qualifying stage, where the Philippines beat Mongolia in an aggregate 3-2 score to advance in the group stage.
Read more at Manila Times
Palace has yet to arrange courtesy call with Azkals
Malacanang has yet to arrange a courtesy call of Philippine Football team Azkals with President Benigno Aquino III.
Presidential Development Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang said he is not aware of any preparation yet but he will not be surprised if there is actually a courtesy call.
"We know that the President follows every game of Azkals so anytime that something happens, the President always has something to say," he said.
Read more at Sun Star
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Next goal for Azkals: World Cup qualifiers
Now that the Philippine Azkals already secured a slot in the 2012 Challenge Cup final group, they are setting their eyes on the most prestigious football stage: the FIFA World Cup.
The Azkals, who are coming off a successful stint in the Challenge Cup group stage, will be lined up for a home-and-away series of the World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The home-and-away series, scheduled on June 29 and July 3, will be the 1st round of the Asian qualifiers, according to ABS-CBN Sports.
The Azkals’ opponent will be announced in draw which will take place in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 30.
ABS-CBN Sports said the Azkals will have to go through 6 rounds of qualifiers before landing at the next FIFA World Cup in 2014, which will be held in Brazil.
FIFA World Cup, which is different from the AFC Challenge Cup, is held every four years. The current champion is Spain, which won the 2010 tournament.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
The Azkals, who are coming off a successful stint in the Challenge Cup group stage, will be lined up for a home-and-away series of the World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The home-and-away series, scheduled on June 29 and July 3, will be the 1st round of the Asian qualifiers, according to ABS-CBN Sports.
The Azkals’ opponent will be announced in draw which will take place in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 30.
ABS-CBN Sports said the Azkals will have to go through 6 rounds of qualifiers before landing at the next FIFA World Cup in 2014, which will be held in Brazil.
FIFA World Cup, which is different from the AFC Challenge Cup, is held every four years. The current champion is Spain, which won the 2010 tournament.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Azkals' goal: World Cup
Booters prepare for qualifying series
After securing a place in the 2012 Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup, the Philippine Azkals will start preparing for the qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
On Friday, the Azkals crushed Bangladesh, 3-0, at the Aung San Stadium in Rangoon, Myanmar to reach the main draw of the Challenge Cup for the first time since the event’s inaugural in 2006.
"We are happy with the win. They gave us another reason to be proud of being Filipinos. It’s a big boost to the Philippine football. Our progress to the main draw only means that we have improved a lot and are continuously developing," said Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano "Nonong" Araneta.
Araneta, however, said they are not going to rest on their laurels, adding that the Azkals will try to sustain their momentum in the World Cup qualifying.
"That will be their next assignment," Araneta said.
The qualifier will be a home-and-away series and the Azkals' opponent for the first of six-rounds will be known only during a draw on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Araneta said the 30,000-seater Rizal Memorial football stadium in Manila and the 15,500-seater Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City are possible venues for the hosting of the home game of the series set June 29 and July 3.
If the Philippines advances, Round 2 is set July 23 and 28.
"It will only be the second time in our history that we will host the qualifier," Araneta said.
The first time was in 2001 when the Philippines played Laos at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City (formerly ULTRA).The game ended in a 1-1 draw and the Filipinos failed to advance.
Read more at Manila Bulletin
Azkals Dream Team in the works
Watch out for the Azkals Dream Team.
Yes, very soon, the Azkals will come to their full potential, with the possible arrival of more recruits, including Fil-German Stefan Schrock and Fil-Danish Dennis Cagara.
The Azkals are also looking at the Toronto-born De Guzman brothers, Jonathan and Julian, to be part of the team when they vie in the World Cup qualifiers starting in June.
Angel Guirado, the Fil-Spanish hitman, assured the team of his availability, as well as Jerry Lucena, who flashed his own brilliance in three matches here over the week.
Team manager Dan Palami feels like he’s got the final pieces to the puzzle in his hand.
“For the World Cup qualifiers, I’m hoping that we will be able to form our Dream Team,” he said yesterday inside his Yangon Hotel room.
As he talked about the Dream Team, the Azkals were busy packing their things for the trip back home, fresh from their victorious stint in the AFC Challenge Cup group stage here.
With a team beaming with talent and cohesion, the Azkals drew their matches against Myanmar and Palestine before beating Bangladesh, 3-0, to make it to the 2012 Challenge Cup main tournament.
Read more at The Philippine Star
Yes, very soon, the Azkals will come to their full potential, with the possible arrival of more recruits, including Fil-German Stefan Schrock and Fil-Danish Dennis Cagara.
The Azkals are also looking at the Toronto-born De Guzman brothers, Jonathan and Julian, to be part of the team when they vie in the World Cup qualifiers starting in June.
Angel Guirado, the Fil-Spanish hitman, assured the team of his availability, as well as Jerry Lucena, who flashed his own brilliance in three matches here over the week.
Team manager Dan Palami feels like he’s got the final pieces to the puzzle in his hand.
“For the World Cup qualifiers, I’m hoping that we will be able to form our Dream Team,” he said yesterday inside his Yangon Hotel room.
As he talked about the Dream Team, the Azkals were busy packing their things for the trip back home, fresh from their victorious stint in the AFC Challenge Cup group stage here.
With a team beaming with talent and cohesion, the Azkals drew their matches against Myanmar and Palestine before beating Bangladesh, 3-0, to make it to the 2012 Challenge Cup main tournament.
Read more at The Philippine Star
Azkals return home, thank Pinoy supporters
After its game against Bangladesh, the Philippine Azkals football team returned to Manila before dawn Sunday.
The team arrived at about 3:50 a.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 aboard a Philippine Airlines PR-723 flight, radio dzBB reported.
The Azkals — who won over Bangladesh in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifying match Friday — thanked Filipinos for their support.
It received a victory party from the Philippine Embassy in Bangladesh before returning to Manila, the report said.
Read more at GMA News
The team arrived at about 3:50 a.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 aboard a Philippine Airlines PR-723 flight, radio dzBB reported.
The Azkals — who won over Bangladesh in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifying match Friday — thanked Filipinos for their support.
It received a victory party from the Philippine Embassy in Bangladesh before returning to Manila, the report said.
Read more at GMA News
Victorious Azkals arrive in Manila
The Philippine Azkals arrived in Manila early Sunday morning, fresh from their celebrated stint in the Challenge Cup group stage in Myanmar.
The Filipino booters, who left Yangon (Rangoon) Saturday afternoon, landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 733 at around 4 a.m. from a connecting flight in Bangkok.
The Filipino squad was thrilled to be back home following their successful campaign in the tournament group stage. Azkals players Filipino-Spanish Angel Aldeguer Guirado and Ian Araneta scored a total of 3 goals against the Bangladesh Bengal Tigers.
"Excited na kami makauwi kasi ang daming nag-aantay," Azkals team captain Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong told radio DZMM reporter Johnson Manabat in a brief interview.
They earned a qualification for the Challenge Cup tournament proper in 2012 by demolishing Bangladesh, 3-0, in their final group stage match on Friday.
"Masaya na may chance tayo na ma-qualify sa next round," shared Caligdong.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
The Filipino booters, who left Yangon (Rangoon) Saturday afternoon, landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 733 at around 4 a.m. from a connecting flight in Bangkok.
The Filipino squad was thrilled to be back home following their successful campaign in the tournament group stage. Azkals players Filipino-Spanish Angel Aldeguer Guirado and Ian Araneta scored a total of 3 goals against the Bangladesh Bengal Tigers.
"Excited na kami makauwi kasi ang daming nag-aantay," Azkals team captain Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong told radio DZMM reporter Johnson Manabat in a brief interview.
They earned a qualification for the Challenge Cup tournament proper in 2012 by demolishing Bangladesh, 3-0, in their final group stage match on Friday.
"Masaya na may chance tayo na ma-qualify sa next round," shared Caligdong.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Azkals’ next mission
AFTER qualifying to the Asian Football Challenge Cup main draw, the Azkals will be in for another tough grind as they embark on a new challenge—the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
This is the first time the Philippines will join the qualifiers since whimpering out without a win in the qualifying round for the 2002 World Cup.
The Azkals is grouped with the bottom 16 among the AFC members and will play in the home-and-away first round against a yet to be determine foe.
The bottom 16 in the AFC are Malaysia, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Mongolia, Pakistan, Palestine, Timor Leste, Macau, Chinese Taipei, Myanmar and Laos. The Philippines is ranked last because it failed to join the 2006 and 2010 qualifiers.
The draw for the home and away matches in the first round, to be played on June 29 and July 3, will be on March 30.
If the Philippines wins the first round series, it will play in another home-and-away second round with the top 22 teams in Asia.
Meanwhile, team manager Dan Palami lauded the team’s effort in making history in the AFC Challenge Cup, where the Azkals made the main draw for the first time after finishing second to Palestine.
It was also the second straight tournament that the Azkals finished undefeated and qualified from the group stage. In the Suzuki Cup, they also finished second to Vietnam in the group stage with two draws and one win.
Read more at Sun Star Cebu
Barsales: Banged-up, bruised but unbowed
At 38, Yanti Barsales doesn’t look like his playing days are numbered.
He’s the oldest in the Azkals lineup, but the grizzled forward from the Philippine Air Force still knows how to make his presence felt in the field.
He came in at the start of the second half, in the game against Myanmar the other day, and changed the game for the Azkals.
Barsales was all over the pitch, making things happen in offense and coming out of nowhere to hound the opposing players.
In the 76th minute, Barsales took a perfect lob from Angel Guirado. He raced toward the penalty box but was met up high by the Indonesian goalie.
Barsales took a hard tackle, a front kick to the face, and fell hard to the ground. His shot came close to the goal and was swiped by a Myanmar player.
As Barsales lay on the ground, bleeding profusely from the face, the referee slapped the Indonesian goalie with a red card, leading to a penalty kick.
Read more at The Philippine Star
He’s the oldest in the Azkals lineup, but the grizzled forward from the Philippine Air Force still knows how to make his presence felt in the field.
He came in at the start of the second half, in the game against Myanmar the other day, and changed the game for the Azkals.
Barsales was all over the pitch, making things happen in offense and coming out of nowhere to hound the opposing players.
In the 76th minute, Barsales took a perfect lob from Angel Guirado. He raced toward the penalty box but was met up high by the Indonesian goalie.
Barsales took a hard tackle, a front kick to the face, and fell hard to the ground. His shot came close to the goal and was swiped by a Myanmar player.
As Barsales lay on the ground, bleeding profusely from the face, the referee slapped the Indonesian goalie with a red card, leading to a penalty kick.
Read more at The Philippine Star
World Cup Qualifiers, Asian Style
World Cup Qualifiers is a two-year process in which 32 out of 200 National Teams are selected for the final slot in World Cup. As in the case of World Cup 2014 in Brazil, the qualification process starts mid-2011 and ends on the last quarter of 2013.
Each confederation is given a certain number of slots to be filled in by National Teams. Usually the breakdown is as follows:
Five (5) slots for CAF [Africa]
Four or five (4.5) slots for AFC [Asia]
Nil or one (0.5) slot for OFC [Oceania]
Thirteen (13) slots for UEFA [Europe]
Three or four (3.5) slots for CONCACAF [North & Central America and the Caribbean]
Four or five (4.5) slots for CONMEBOL [South America]
One (1) spot for the Host Nation. In the case of 2014, Brazil (South America) are awared an automatic berth in the final 32. Hence, 5 spots for CONMEBOL. If several nations are selected as hosts, they will automatically earn a slot in the finals.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will kick-off the World Cup 2014 Qualification rounds starting 29th July 2011. The qualification for the top spot is done in phases, or "rounds". National Teams (NT's) are ranked accordingly into groups - "lowest ranked teams", "higher ranked teams", and "top entrants". AFC officates six rounds to select NT's for the top spot in Asia. Out of 43 teams, only 4 will advance to the Group Stages in World Cup plus 1 from an inter-continental playoff.
Read more at Facebook of Pilipinas Futbol
Azkals seal date with history
MISSION accomplished.
Faced with an improbable task of winning at all cost, the Philippine Azkals did not disappoint, scoring a 3-0 shutout against the stunned Bangladesh Bengals to cap their historic ride into the Final 8 of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup at the Aung San Stadium in Rangoon.
Homegrown talent Ian Araneta and Filipino-Spanish striker Angel Aldeguer Guirado delivered the goals, while the rest of the Azkals, led by Fil-British goalie Neil Etheridge prevented the Bengals from making any headway in the 90-minute encounter.
It was a nerve-wrecking climb to the Final 8, and the celebrated Azkals hugged, “high-fived” and ran across
the field carrying the Philippine flag, only too aware of the victory’s significance to Philippine football.
The Philippines thus became the no. 2 team behind Palestine, to take the top spot with a spotless 2 wins and 1 draw record. The Palestine Al-Fursans formally made it to the Final 8 after turning back the Myanmar White Angels, 3-1, over at the National Youth Stadium.
The Filipinos’ feat marked the first time that a Philippine football team has advanced into the tournament proper of an international football tournament in many years.
Read more at Manila Standard Today
Friday, March 25, 2011
Malacañang invites Azkals for post-victory visit
While it admitted it still has no plans whether to mount a grand welcome for them, Malacañang invited the Philippine “Azkals" football team to visit the Palace following their rousing 3-0 victory over Bangladesh in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup qualifying match Friday.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also said the Palace joins the Filipino people in congratulating the football team on its victory at the Bogyoke Aung San Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.
“We hope to see them, though we don’t know when they are returning to the country. They are more than welcome to visit the Guest House," Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio.
He said his regret was that he was not able to see a live telecast of Friday’s match.
On Friday, Filipino-Spanish player Angel Guirado starred in the Azkals' 3-0 dismantling of Bangladesh.
The Philippines finished undefeated after consecutive draws with Myanmar (1-1) and fellow qualifier Palestine (0-0) – a 3-1 winner over the hosts – to enter the Last 8.
Read more at GMA News
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also said the Palace joins the Filipino people in congratulating the football team on its victory at the Bogyoke Aung San Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.
“We hope to see them, though we don’t know when they are returning to the country. They are more than welcome to visit the Guest House," Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio.
He said his regret was that he was not able to see a live telecast of Friday’s match.
On Friday, Filipino-Spanish player Angel Guirado starred in the Azkals' 3-0 dismantling of Bangladesh.
The Philippines finished undefeated after consecutive draws with Myanmar (1-1) and fellow qualifier Palestine (0-0) – a 3-1 winner over the hosts – to enter the Last 8.
Read more at GMA News
National football coach Hans Michael Weiss will be bringing a more attack-minded side to the AFC Challenge Cup group qualifying stage in Rangoon, Myanmar, starting Monday.
With the impending absence of star striker Phil Younghusband, Weiss added offensive depth by including strikers Angel Aldeguer, William Espinosa, Patrick Hinrichsen and Yannick Tuason and midfielder Ricardo Becite in the lineup.
Dropped from the squad were defenders Joebel Bermejo, Reymark Palmes, Jerry Barbaso and Kim Relucio and midfielder Peter Jaugan, who were informed of the decision by the German coach Wednesday night.
“I think this gives us the quality we need to move to the next level,” Weiss told the Philippine Daily Inquirer upon the team’s arrival in Manila on Thursday morning.
“Our new players give us better options.”
The Azkals, who resume training on Friday at the University of Makati pitch before leaving for Rangoon on Saturday, suffered a blow with Younghusband forced to sit out the group stage because of a partial hamstring tear.
A source in the team said Younghusband would need at least three weeks to recover from injury.
Read more at Philippine Daily Inquirer
With the impending absence of star striker Phil Younghusband, Weiss added offensive depth by including strikers Angel Aldeguer, William Espinosa, Patrick Hinrichsen and Yannick Tuason and midfielder Ricardo Becite in the lineup.
Dropped from the squad were defenders Joebel Bermejo, Reymark Palmes, Jerry Barbaso and Kim Relucio and midfielder Peter Jaugan, who were informed of the decision by the German coach Wednesday night.
“I think this gives us the quality we need to move to the next level,” Weiss told the Philippine Daily Inquirer upon the team’s arrival in Manila on Thursday morning.
“Our new players give us better options.”
The Azkals, who resume training on Friday at the University of Makati pitch before leaving for Rangoon on Saturday, suffered a blow with Younghusband forced to sit out the group stage because of a partial hamstring tear.
A source in the team said Younghusband would need at least three weeks to recover from injury.
Read more at Philippine Daily Inquirer
A taste of sweet victory for Philippine Azkals
Friday’s game was such a sweet victory for the Philippine Azkals who crashed into the 2012 Challenge Cup tournament finals by mangling the Bangladesh Bengal Tigers, 3-0.
Filipino booters traversed an arduous path toward the tournament proper, even surviving a series of earthquakes along the way.
After coming off two straight draws against Palestine and group stage host Myanmar, the Azkals were desperate for a win against Bangladesh.
The team played its cards right, surprising the Bengal Tigers with a relentless offense en route to a spectacular 3-0 victory.
Filipino-Spanish Angel Aldeguer Guirado played hero for the Azkals in that game, scoring 2 goals.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Netizens 'watched' the Azkals game on Twitter
he lack of live telecast of the football match between Philippine Azkals and Bangladesh Bengal Tigers on Friday led the Azkals fans to closely follow the game on the internet.
Philippines’ very own Ian Araneta and Angel Aldeguer Guirado were among the top 10 trending topics in the microblogging site Twitter between 6 to 7 p.m.
"YESSSSSSS!!!! Goal by Ian Araneta!!! Philippines 1 Bangladesh 0 GO AZKALS!!!!! " wrote Ceska Litton on her Twitter account, @CheckLit. Litton is sports and entertainment reporter.
"I'm so pleased for Ian Araneta. Scored the 1st and also provided the 2nd. That should shut up his critics now" tweeted @jarongenota
"#Azkals won 3-0 over Bangladesh w/ Ian Araneta's goal in 1st half and 2 goals by Guirado Angel on the 55th and 80th minutes. GO PHILIPPINES! " cheered @Edw4rd
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Guirado shines as Azkals reach AFC Challenge Cup quarterfinal round
Angel Guirado starred in the Philippine Azkals' 3-0 dismantling of Bangladesh in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup qualifying match on Friday at the Bogyoke Aung San Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.
The Filipino-Spanish striker, one of the last-minute replacements for the injured Phil Younghusband, scored twice in the second half as the Azkals earned a much-needed three points in the group stage of the Challenge Cup.
The 26-year-old Guirado first scored in the 55th minute, then added one more in the 80th minute to secure the win for the wards of coach Michael Weiss.
Ian Araneta, a veteran forward of the Philippine Air Force, opened up the scoring for the Azkals when he found the back of the net in the 41st minute as the Philippine team took a 1-0 lead at the turn.
The Philippines finished undefeated after consecutive draws with Myanmar (1-1) and fellow qualifier Palestine (0-0) – a 3-1 winner over the hosts – to enter the Last 8.
Read more at GMA News
The Filipino-Spanish striker, one of the last-minute replacements for the injured Phil Younghusband, scored twice in the second half as the Azkals earned a much-needed three points in the group stage of the Challenge Cup.
The 26-year-old Guirado first scored in the 55th minute, then added one more in the 80th minute to secure the win for the wards of coach Michael Weiss.
Ian Araneta, a veteran forward of the Philippine Air Force, opened up the scoring for the Azkals when he found the back of the net in the 41st minute as the Philippine team took a 1-0 lead at the turn.
The Philippines finished undefeated after consecutive draws with Myanmar (1-1) and fellow qualifier Palestine (0-0) – a 3-1 winner over the hosts – to enter the Last 8.
Read more at GMA News
PNoy's statement on Azkals' victory
Philippine Azkals is now advancing to AFC Challenge Cup, the Azkals are scheduled to return Manila on Wednesday after playing with Mongolia and will only have a one-day rest before heading to Myanmar for the group stages of the AFC Challenge Cup.
President Nonoy Aquino statement on Azkals’ victory:
The Filipino people stand united in congratulating our Philippine Azkals on their 3-2 aggregate win against the Mongolian football team during their prequalifying playoff match for the group stage of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup.
This is a victory borne out of the constant striving for excellence of our very own Azkals. Their excellence is not borne of luck, but of the perseverance that characterizes true athletes: discipline, cooperation, teamwork. Along with their sportsmanship, these values continue to provide a rallying point for our countrymen. They symbolize our nation’s new era of transformation, in which our people stand at the cusp of greater glory on the world stage.
The Azkals can remain assured of the support and the encouragement of the Filipino people as they continue on to the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers.Read original post at Philippine Daily Inquirer
Azkals win, advance to AFC Challenge Cup finals
Needing a performance worthy of their reputation, the Philippine Azkals stood up and delivered.
The national football team, its back against the wall, demolished Bangladesh, 3-0, as it etched another historic mark in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup group stage qualifying last night at the Aung San Stadium in Rangoon, Myanmar.
Before a tiny group of flag-waving Filipino fans, Ian Araneta ended his scoring slump with an ice breaker before Filipino-Spanish standout Angel Aldeguer Guirado struck twice in the second half as the Filipinos advanced to the finals of the prestigious tournament for the first time since its establishment in 2006.
“On to the final eight. What a sweet victory! History in the books once more! Thank you everyone for your undying support,” Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo said on his Twitter.
It was a massive victory for the Filipinos, who badly needed a win entering the match to stay alive after being held to two draws in their first two matches against Palestine (0-0) and Myanmar (1-1).
Read more at Manila Bulletin
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