Merdeka Cup - Third Place match- Tajikistan vs Philippines

 

Tajikistan Bukit Jalil National Stadium 4:30 PM PHT Philippine Men's National Football Team & Pilipinas Live

Chef Ref

 By Erel Cabatbat

The Philippine National Men’s Football Team (PNMFT) has the odds stacked against its favor literally days before the Merdeka Cup.

Losing its coach just a few days before competition? No problem.

Notable names begging off due to injuries? No problem. Although one of them is seen practicing with his club. But then again his club has every right not to release him.

One day training before the actual game? No problem.

The team, however, failed to anticipate a very incompetent official in its game against host Malaysia last Wednesday night at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

The team gave the host fits throughout the game and even got the lead courtesy of Paul Tabinas in the 27th minute. Malaysia, however, scored two more goals – the equalizer four minutes before the halftime whistle and the game winner from the spot at the 73rd minute – the rest of the game to win, 2-1 to book their spot in the finals against Lebanon. The Philippines will next face Tajikistan in the battle for third this Sunday.

The game could have a different result, however, if two fouls were called against the host after Patrick Reichelt and Sandro Reyes were brought down inside the box. The referee did not make the calls even if most of us last Wednesday saw what happened just watching the game via streaming. Heck, I even saw a Malaysian commenting “the Philippines should have had two penalties, I believe. Not good for our image.”

A friend commented also that “tournament nila ‘yan kaya lahat gagawin para manalo sila.” Another one commented that because of the win, “the official’s two-day stay at Legoland Malaysia, with packed lunch, has been secured.”

Kidding aside, the team gave the hosts a good game and could have done more if not for the questionable non-calls, but moving on. there were quite a few good spots during the game. Several players stood out, particularly Tabinas and JB Borlongan, the team’s last sub, but made an impact in the few minutes that he played. He almost made an assist with a spectacular lob to Jarvey Gayoso in the closing minutes. Gayoso, however, failed to convert the opportunity to tie the game, missing the ball by a few inches. Bjorn Martin Kristensen and Matthew Baldisimo also made their debut for the national team. For Baldisimo, it was a sorry start after a tackle that eventually resulted in a penalty kick and the winning goal for Malaysia. But then again, the referee was probably a chef in his spare time.

Credit is also due to interim coach Norman Fegidero, who despite suffering his first loss as coach of the senior team in an international competition, stood his ground and made the best of what was available to him. Good job pa rin Coach Noy!

We still have another game this coming Sunday, and I’m hoping that eventually, the team will find a way to win the game and end a five-game slide. While there are so many things that we can’t control, a victory is very important. It is also important for the team to take on the frustrations, the disappointment and the losses and use them as a motivation. I would rather have our team lose now and even in the King’s Cup next month, as long as the win streak starts in November when it matters most. Sana maubos na ang kamalasan ng team ngayon o sa October.

November is the bigger and more important story.

https://manilastandard.net/sports/sports-headlines/sports-columns/the-designated-kit-man-by-erel-cabatbat/314493523/chef-ref.html

PFF Women’s Cup in October!

 

The moment you’ve all been waiting for!  We are thrilled to announce the PFF Women’s Cup is coming to you this October!

The PFF Women’s Cup will be the qualifying competition for the PFF Women’s League happening next year.

If your club is interested to join, send us an email now at womens@pff.org.ph

Merdeka Cup - Malaysia 2-1 Philippines

 

Merdeka Cup - Malaysia vs Philippines

 

Updated Merdeka Cup squad

 

Updated Merdeka Cup squad

John-Patrick Strauß and Zico Bailey are out for the Merdeka Cup, joining the likes of Jesse Curran, Oskari Kekkonen & Adrian Ugelvik. Earlier replacements JB Borlongan & Sandro Reyes, will now be joined by Uriel Dalapo, Kristofer Reyes

Norman Fegidero , interim coach for Philippines Men's NT

  Norman Fegidero will be interim coach for Philippines in Merdeka Cup

Tom Saintfiet new coach for Mali NT