Formation of new football teams seen

With the Filipinos renewed interest in football following the Azkals’ victory in the Suzuki Cup last year, Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano Araneta is now concentrating on the formation of the Under-19 team and the national women’s team.

Araneta said that the PFF has appointed businessman Charlie Cojuangco to execute the task, “He [Cojuangco] is very dedicated in the development of football. We already talked about it and everything went OK. We will conduct a tryout early this year,” said Araneta.

Cojuangco, the president of the Negros Football Association, said he would conduct a tryout probably in March to scout for new players.

The teams, when formed, will compete in the Asian Football Federation’s U-19 tournament in September in Myanmar.

Araneta has given Cojuangco the blanket authority to form the teams. “I’m sure we can tap players after the tryout since there are many young talented football players there in Negros who wants to represent the team,” he said.

Josef T. Ramos

Manila Times