Phl faces tough outing in AFC U-16 women’s tiff

By Olmin Leyba

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines hopes to sustain the momentum from its recent success in the age group competitions as it braces for a tough group in the upcoming qualifying tournament for the 2015 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-16 Women’s Championship.

Phl, fresh from a historic silver medal in last week’s AFC Girls U-14 championship for the Asean region, has drawn Chinese Taipei, Myanmar and Cambodia in Group D of the qualifiers to be held September-October in a yet to be decided venue.

The Taiwanese played in the final round of the AFC U-16 women’s tilt last year and just fell short of a stint in the Last-4. Myanmar, for its part, faced off with the Pinay booters in the 2013 previous qualifiers at Rizal Memorial and prevailed, 2-1.

The official draw was held recently at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur with Phl and 20 other nations set to vie for four berths to the 2015 finals. Defending champion Japan and the next three teams in the final standing of the 2013 edition, runner-up North Korea, third placer China and No. 4 Thailand, had been given outright qualification slots.

Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan make up Group A while Bangladesh, Iran, Jordan, India, UAE, and Qatar comprise Group B of the West Zone.

Australia, Korea Republic, Hong Kong, Northern Mariana Islands and Vietnam vie in Group C, the other bracket in the East Zone.

According to the AFC, each group will play a one-round league in a centralized venue with the winners from each group advancing to the eight-nation finals.

Meanwhile, idle Phl women’s team Malditas rose by one place to 78th in the quarterly world rankings released by the International Football Federation Friday night.

The Malditas, who haven’t seen action since the 2013 Southeast Asian Games, are ranked 16th overall in Asia and fifth among Asean nations behind Thailand (29th), Vietnam (33rd), Myanmar (46th) and Indonesia (70th).

philstar

Butuan - PFF Smart Club Local Eleminations

Azkals players looking for new clubs

Many foreign based Azkals players are looking for new clubs after they have been released by their former clubs :

Neil Etheridge (ex Fulham Fc ) : Injured goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is looking for a new club after been in Fulham's squad since 2006.

Paul Mulders (ex Cambuur Sc , Netherlands) : Was playing  just some few games for the Dutch club on a amateur contract . His contract expired after season finished.

Martin Steuble (ex Fc Wil , Switzerland) : Midfielder for Azkals. His contract was not renewed.

Juani Guirado (ex Burgos, Spain) : Burgos Fc website reported that they are not planning renewing his contract

Dennis Cagara (Lyngby, Denmark ) : His contract expired after season finished in June. Not known if  contract been renewed.

Collegiate teams vie for Ang Liga football title

By Nissi Icasiano

MANILA, Philippines - Sixteen football squads from different universities and colleges will slug it out for the Ang Liga trophy as the league’s 12th season opens shop on Saturday, June 21.
Founded by San Beda head coach Aris Caslib and College of Saint Benilde mentor Marlon Maro in 2003, Ang Liga is an annual inter-school soccer tournament which pits the best collegiate teams in the country before the commencement of the regular football season during the academic year’s second semester.
For this year, Ang Liga is introducing a new tourney format as the 16 teams will be divided into two groups of eight.
Each bracket plays a round-robin elimination, in which every 11-man troop is slated for seven matches against other squadrons in the same group.
The top two teams of each cluster will advance in the crossover semi-final round, where the winners will go head-to-head for the Ang Liga title.
Meanwhile, the third and fourth-ranked brigades in both groups will have the opportunity to vie for the plate championship in the similar crossover system.
Group A houses a number of strong competitors with the likes of the defending Ang Liga and four-peat National Collegiate Athletic Association champion (NCAA) San Beda Red Booters, Maro’s Saint Benilde Blazers, and the five-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) titlist University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Two team representatives from National University, Malayan Colleges Laguna, Don Bosco Technical College and Emilio Aguinaldo University complete the cast in Group A.
Group B is composed of University of Santo Tomas’ Graduate School, Arellano University, University of the East, Ateneo De Manila University, Rizal Technological University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, De La Salle Lipa, and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
“We made sure to invite all the top football teams from different colleges and universities to put up the level of competition in the collegiate ranks. Fortunately, we will be fielding 16 of them. This is undeniably the most competitive Ang Liga to date,” Caslib tells Rappler.
Ang Liga will be running for nine weeks, with four 90-minute regulations being played every Saturday and Sunday.
With the Philippine Football Federation serving as its backbone, the competition holds more promise as the technical committee gained a lucrative sponsorship with Star Sports Korea and LGR Athletic Wears as well as securing four playing venues.
San Beda College and Ateneo De Manila University will be hosting most of the football contests, while Malayan Colleges Laguna will cater as the backup location.
The championship round and the battle for third place are scheduled to be held at the state-of-the-art Emperador Stadium in Taguig City, which is the home field of the United Football League.
“Definitely, we are taking it into another level this time. Our goal is to show everyone that the collegiate league is at par with the major leagues of the country. That’s why we want to tap as many teams as possible to put a high-standard of play in the field. With this kind of exposure and support we’re getting, it’s possible in the coming years,” Caslib stressed.
The opening festivity of the 12th Ang Liga football season takes place at the Ateneo high school soccer field on Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City. -

Rappler.com

UFL Thursday

FT- Phil.Army-GTI FC 0-3 Green Archers United Globe FC. Goal scorers: Robert Lopez Mendy 30' 45+1' David Angelo Diamante 82'

FT- Pachanga FC 3-1 Stallion FC. Goal scorers: Pachanga- Gerardo Valmayor-22' Raffy Cabug-35' Nate Burkey-90' Stallion- Fitch Arboleda-27'

1	•	Global FC	23	59
2	•	Kaya F.C	23	46
3	•	Loyola Meralco Sparks FC	23	46
4	•	Stallion Fc	23	38
5	•	Green Archers	23	36
6	•	Pachanga Diliman FC	23	29
7	•	Army FC GTI	23	17
8	•	Team Socceroo	24	16
9	•	Pasargad FC	23	6

YouTube : Team Socceroo Family Fun Day 2014

PFF to build Azkals training facility

By Olmin Leyba

MANILA, Philippines - A training center with an international-sized artificial turf and other facilities for the Philippine Azkals and other national football teams will rise in Carmona, Cavite next year.

According to the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) general secretary Edwin Gastanes, the facility will be constructed under the $500,000 Goal Project 3 of the International Football Federation (Fifa).

“We just signed a lease agreement for two hectares there and we’ll have our Goal Project 3 (with a) full-sized artificial turf in Carmona. Likewise, Fifa has already initiated international bidding on the construction of the said training pitch of the PFF,” Gastanes told The STAR.

To be called the “National Teams Training Center,” the said facility will allow the Azkals, Malditas and other age group squads unlimited access and control while they are holding camps. Under the current set up, Pinoy booters train in various private fields.

“Hopefully, before the end of the second half of next year, we’ll have an artificial turf in Carmona with dressing rooms for all our national team aspirants and pool,” said Gastanes.

The Carmona project follows a similar training pitch and facility the Fifa has constructed in Bukidnon under the Goal 4 Project.

The PFF and the Fifa had also initially considered building an artificial turf at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium but talks with the stadium’s administrator, the Philippine Sports Commission, fell apart over issues of control of the government-owned site. Eventually, the PSC decided to convert Rizal’s grass field into artificial turf on its own.

Gastanes said the new-look Rizal will remain as the “home venue” for the Azkals and other national teams. In fact, the PFF is looking at Rizal as the site for the third edition of the Philippine Peace Cup this September.

“Rizal Memorial is a brand-new artificial turf now and hopefully it will be certified as a Fifa two-star artificial turf,” he said.

philstar.com

A Statement from David Perković

by Una Kaya on June 19, 2014 in News

It is with deep sadness that I announce that I will not be renewing my contract with Kaya FC and that the Loyola match will be my last with the club.

When I was first given the opportunity to coach Kaya, my job was to introduce a distinctive style of football based on possession, and that’s why I jumped at the opportunity to coach the club. I believe that, in my time here, I have introduced a footballing culture with the help of the club, mainly Justin and Paul Tolentino. I am proud that the team, although with many changes to the roster, has maintained the club’s historical characteristic of having a “never say die” attitude. I am also proud that seven players have been called to be part of the national team’s squad and that I have been able to provide an opportunity for three teenagers (ages 16, 16, and 17) to debut on the senior team, mainly off the good work of Kaya Academy.

I would like to thank the owners of the club for giving me the opportunity to work in a fantastic environment. Justin and Paul for their professionalism and support—they have been more than what a coach could ask for. The fans, especially Ultras Kaya—although I’ll be based in Australia, I believe that I am now an Ultra as I have been blessed to be given the Ultras’ scarf. Your support has driven me on the pitch every day. To past and present players, thank you for your commitment to the cause and believing in the football philosophy that was introduced. To the present and future players, don’t take for granted this great club, its history, and its professionalism, which will continue to drive this sport in the Philippines and also continue to provide current and future Azkals a home to learn and excel.

Maraming salamat po,

David Perković

Kaya Futbol Club Statement on David Perković

by Una Kaya on June 19, 2014 in News

Kaya Futbol Club would like to express our sincere gratitude to Coach David Perković for his service and sheer dedication to Kaya for two seasons. With his aspiration and determination, Perković steered the club and carried out his duties throughout two challenging seasons with a team built on strong veteran leadership combined with a strong foundation of youth—for future success. He embodied our “never say die” attitude naturally, and it was a privilege to be coached by Perković. The club respects his decision, and we wish him all the success in the future.

Pinay booters train sights on '16 AFC U-16 tourney

By Olmin Leyba, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - After the historic runner-up finish of the Philippine under-14 girls team in the AFC Championship for the Asean region, the challenge for the Philippine Football Federation will be to sustain the momentum in youth development and aspire for something bigger.

“I think the challenge right now is 2016, the time the girls will try to compete in the AFC U-16 championship. If they get in the Top 3 of the AFC competition, they can play in the (next) Fifa world U-17 championship,” said PFF technical director Aris Caslib.

“Hopefully, that will be the motivation for our girls, even for their parents. These are the great ambition and great challenges you have to look for. We’ll be calling for a meeting with the coaching staff soon and probably we can outline a two-year plan for that strategy,” he added.

The U-14 girls made history by reaching the finals of the AFC tourney in Vietnam, spiking their feat with a milestone 1-0 reversal of 2013 champ and host Vietnamese in the group stages. They lost to Thailand, 1-2, in the finals to cop silver and were also handed with the Fair Play award while Davao’s Joyce Semacio took MVP honors.

“They showed character the entire tournament. Once they entered the field, they went all out. And they really showed us a high level of intensity all throughout,” said coach Let Dimzon.

The team’s achievement followed up the Azkals’ second place standing in the AFC Challenge Cup in Maldives two weeks ago and a creditable performance by the boys’ U-14 side in another international meet.

“It goes to show that we’re already leveling up and we just need to continue with our grassroots program,” said Dimzon, whose team had 60 percent of its players coming from the provinces.

According to Caslib, the structure for scouting for talents in the regions are already in place, through the PFF’s Festival of Football, and coaches are being provided with “continuous education.”

The idea now, he said, is to make sure mainstays and other candidates for the U-16 will get together whenever possible.

“We can do pocket training camps. For example, if there’s a sem-break, we can gather them; in December, we can gather them again for camps. Then we can organize U-14 competitions. And next year, we can bring them outside for camps, international friendlies, or competitions,” he said.

UFL Launches Mall Tour in Support of Football Alliance Cup

The United Football League enjoyed a successful launch of its mall tour last Sunday, June 15, at Sta. Lucia Mall. The event marked the start of the UFL’s efforts to bring the excitement of football closer to the sport’s growing fan base in Metro Manila. Just a month away from the start of the Football Alliance Cup, which will pit the UFL’s top six 1st Division clubs against each other, the Philippines’ premier football competition will continue to hold small clinics, small-sided exhibition matches, and various footballing activities in two other malls. The next stop is SM Fairview on June 22.

“The Football Alliance Cup is an important season ender short tournament for the UFL, as outside of this being the last piece of silverware for the season, it pits the top six 1st Division clubs in a knockout competition,” said UFL President Randy Roxas. “The Football Alliance Cup will likewise benefit our partner, TV 5′s, charity endeavors through the Alagang Kapatid Foundation.”

The SM Fairview leg will be followed by the final leg in Robinson’s Manila on July 5. Each mall visit features small-sided games between top players from UFL heavyweights Global, Kaya, Loyola Meralco Sparks, Stallion Giligan’s, Green Archers United Globe, and Pachanga PLDT Home Fibr. UFL Coaches will also be present throughout the day to help children learn the basics of the fastest growing sport in the country. The first stop proved a huge success, with the next two stops expected to even be bigger fun-filled footballing occasions.

The Football Alliance Cup begins on July 12 and runs until July 26.

ufl website

Manila Community Cup - June 21 and 22

UFL champion Global no time for celebration after departure of key player Jeffrey Christiaens

By Karlo Sacamos

THERE'S a part of Global FC that doesn't feel like celebrating despite another dominant performance on Tuesday night.

The newly crowned United Football League champion sustained its sizzling run in the tournament as it shut out Kaya FC, 3-0, at the Emperador Stadium.

But the league-leaders bid goodbye to star left-back Jeffrey Christiaens, who transferred to Ceres-La Salle, coach Leigh Manson confirmed after the match.

It was an amicable separation as the versatile defender wanted to leave and Global agreed to release him.

"It's sad to see a player that we got along well go,". Manson said. "But we're fortunate enough to have plenty of players who can fill the void."

The departure of Christiaens seems hardly a blow for the powerhouse squad and its Scottish mentor, who still has teenage sensation Daisuke Sato and homegrown veteran Jerry Barbaso at his disposal.

Christiaens is the fifth former Global booter to sign with Ceres this season after Carli de Murga, Patrick Reichelt, and Marwin and Marvin Angeles.

Despite his absence, Global continued its relentless attack as Mark Hartmann, Jason de Jong, and Napo Bustilo were on target.

Global thus jacked up its goal total to a whopping 103 goals and point sum to 59 in 23 matches.

The UFL titlist also kept Kaya in second spot with 46 points, tied with Loyola Meralco.

"Even though we have the championship in hand, we showed how important it was to stay aggressive for our fans," Manson said.

Play was temporarily halted after Hartmann's opening goal 17 minutes into the game as stones were thrown by unidentified suspects from outside the stadium, although no one was hurt.

Earlier, the Sparks zapped cellar-dweller Pasargad behind a brace from Hartmann's older brother, Matthew.

spin

AFC U-16 Women's Championship 2015 - qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: Twenty-one nations have known their opponents in the upcoming qualifiers for the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2015 after an official draw at AFC House on Tuesday.

The top four teams of the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship China 2013 -- Japan, DPR Korea, China PR and Thailand -- were removed from the qualifiers and received a direct qualification for the finals.

The remaining 21 teams -- 12 from West and South/Central Asia and nine from East Asia and ASEAN -- were divided into two zones, East and West zones, during the draw with seeding based on the rankings of the 2013 edition.

The West zone consists of Group A and Group B with the former group comprising Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The latter group has Bangladesh, Iran, Jordan, India, the UAE and Qatar.

The East zone also has two groups, with Group C being the hotspot for Australia, Korea Republic, Hong Kong, the Northern Mariana Islands and Vietnam.

Chinese Taipei, Myanmar, the Philippines and Cambodia make up Group D.

Each group shall play a one-round league in a centralised venue, where each team in the group shall play one match against every other team. The winners from each group (total four teams) will qualify for the eight-nation finals.

The Groups:

West zone

Group A: Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

Group B: Bangladesh, Iran, Jordan, India, UAE, Qatar

East zone

Group C: Australia, Korea Republic, Hong Kong, Northern Mariana Islands, Vietnam

Group D: Chinese Taipei, Myanmar, Philippines, Cambodia

UFL Div 1 - Tuesday

17:15	Pasargad FC	-:-	Loyola Meralco Sparks FC	Emperador Stadium	Details
20:00	Kaya F.C	-:-	Global FC	Emperador Stadium	Details

FT: Pasargad FC 0-5 Loyola Meralco Sparks FC Goal Scorers: Hartmann-25',87' Caygill-49' JYH-81' Gonzales-85'

FT: Kaya FC 0-3 Global FC Goal Scorers: Mark Hartmann-17' Jason de Jong-56' Napoleon Bustillo-82'

Davao Football - Hooligans escapes past KMMPC, 5-4

LEAGUE leader Hooligans Football Club escaped past Kilusang Magkaibigan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KMMPC), 5-4, in the resumption of the Philippine Sports Commission-Davao Football Association (PSC-DFA) Challenge Cup 2014 Sunday at the Tionko field.
Both teams were tied at 4-all when KMMPC defender Richard Mortillero, who was chasing a Hooligans attacker, accidentally kicked the ball to his own goal.
Columbia FC also improved its record by thrashing Philippine College of Technology (PCT)-Medvil, 3-0.
PCT-Medvil playing-coach Ramonito "Lalas" Carreon, in text messages to Sun.Star Davao yesterday, said, "It was the team's worst performance in four games. In past games, we lost but we gave a good fight unlike yesterday, all of us were off."
Hooligans stayed on top of the team standings with a clean three-win, zero-draw, zero-loss card while Columbia retained its second position with a 2-0-1 mark followed by 1-0-3 PCT-Medvil and 0-0-3 KMMPC.
Games will resume on Sunday in the bootfest that serves as qualifying for the Davao Region Smart Interclub set sometime in August. (MLSA)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on June 17, 2014.

Ceres Fc signs Azkals Jeffrey Christiaens

Ceres Fc has signed fil-Belgian Jeffrey Christiaens from Global Fc.

Ceres Fc from Bacolod won UFL div 2 and was promoted to Div 1

Philippine team gets 2nd place in U14 Southeast Asia football championship

WELL DESERVED. The Philippine U14 National Girls Team celebrates their second place finish in the AFC U14 Southeast Asia championship. Photo by Ronald Whaley

HO CHI MINH, Vietnam – The girls from the Philippines were the surprise of the Asian Football Confederation U14 girls championship for Southeast Asia. They came in as underdogs and left in second place, one goal away from winning it all.

When the tournament ended Sunday night, June 15, Thailand had taken first place, followed by the Philippines, with Vietnam finishing third and Myanmar fourth.

The Philippines took the Fair Play Award for the tournament, which recognizes the team with “greatest respect for the game.” The most valuable player of the tournament was also from the Philippines: midfielder Joyce Demacio, who scored clutch goals and crucial saves in every game.

During Sunday’s night’s championship game the fast, skilled and very physical team from Thailand picked apart the Philippine team in the first half of the Sunday night championship game in Thong Nhat stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. With footwork like magicians, and lightning speed, the Thai girls kept their counterparts from the Philippines off balance.

The Thai girls were fast and skilled, but they were also very physical. The team from Thailand took every opportunity to deliver barely legal blows on the field of play and the Philippine team did not reciprocate. They delivered goals at 11 and 20 minutes.

The Philippines returned from a soul-searching half time break to rally in the second half. The hard fighting Philippine team started delivering some hard shots of their own, and moved the action to the Thailand side of the field. During the second half, Arantxa Mari Trebol of Cebu City scored the first goal for the Philippines at 51 minutes.

The Philippines battled it out until the last seconds, nearly scoring on multiple occasions but the fast and fierce Thai girls were able to hold onto their lead.

In the run-up to Sunday’s championship, the Philippines defeated Singapore 6-0, Cambodia 5-0 and defending champions Vietnam 1-0. In the semifinals, the Philippines defeated Myanmar 2-1.

The 18 girls on the Philippine national team were chosen based on nationwide tryouts.

They are Stacey Ann Arthur (Metro Manila), Jennifer Baroin (Makati City), Princess Beth Caparida (San Carlos City), Jan Reese Jumawan (Cebu City), Tenelyn Otom (San Carlos City), Lindsay Whaley (Subic Bay), Itsuko Bacatan (Cebu City), Patricia Erika Francisco (Davao City), Chloe Anne Hails (Metro Manila), Francesca Anne Marie Suerte (Iloilo City), Annika Velez (Manila), Glynnes Dela Cruz (Metro Manila), Joyce Semacio (Davao City), Arantxa Mari Trebol (Cebu), Yasmin May Elauria (Olongapo City), Alexandrea Gumilao (Cebu), Tejanee Marie Isulat (San Carlos City) Mikayla Grace Simons (Hong Kong).

The coaching staff includes Assistant Coach Joyce Landagan, Goalkeeper Coach Melissa Chris Marquez, and physiotherapist Katherine Anne Soriano. – Rappler.com

AFC U-14 Girls Final : Philippines 1-2 Thailand

Arantxa Mari Trebol scored for Philippines.

U14 Girls Team wins Semis against Myanmar to face Thailand in Finals

The Philippines’ U14 Girls Team continued with their winning streak as they toppled Group B’s top 2 team Myanmar during the semi-finals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U14 Girls Regional Championship for Southeast Asia after on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at the Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

As expected by Coach Dimzon, Myanmar played a fast and physical game, scoring the opening goal on the 9th minute. Philippine striker Itsuko Bacatan however leveled the game with an equalizer on the 14th minute. After a long deadlock until past the first half, Joyce Samacio claimed her 3rd and goal in the tournament on the 66th minute that decided the fate of the team.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Officials are elated with their feat. “This is very timely, given that football is right now the center of attention worldwide with the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Our U14 Girls’ excellent performance is an inspiring story that we can share to the global celebration of the sport. If the girls win the finals, which we wish they do, then they will make history that their country will be truly proud of,” said PFF President Mariano Araneta.

News about the team’s achievement have been fast spreading with a growing number of netizens and media outfits posting and sharing updates about their impressive victories both on the world wide web and social networks.

PFF General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes expressed confidence in the team’s performance in the finals. “These are a select group of highly talented girls. I’ve seen them in action during their training and I am confident that they will put up a good fight in the finals. Starting as underdogs in the tournament, they have now emerged as the top contenders. We can see their determination to win, and I believe they have much more to give, especially in this important match,” he said.

The Philippines U14 Girls participated in the tournament with 5 weeks preparation following scouting sessions from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Despite that, they managed to win all matches in the group stage against Singapore (6-0), defending Champions Vietnam (1-0), Cambodia (5-0) and Group B’s top 2 team Myanmar (2-1) in the semi-finals.

The team is coached by Let Dimzon, who was also responsible for the Championship title of the Far Easter University (FEU) Women’s Varsity Team in the UAAP. She is assisted by Coaches Joyce Landagan and Melissa Marquez, and Physiotherapist Katherine Soriano. The team’s full roster can be found here: http://the-pff.org/website/1214-2/

the-pff.org

U 14 Girls (ASEAN) Philippines 2-1 Myanmar

Ho Chi Minh City: The Philippines advanced to the final of the AFC U-14 Girls Regional Championship (ASEAN) after downing Myanmar 2-1 in their semi-final match at Thong Nhat Stadium in Vietnam on Saturday.
It was Myanmar who scored first through Hnin Mya Thazin on nine minutes but Itsuko Maree Bacatan equalised on 14 minutes before the match went into the break.
The Filipinas took over the lead as Joyce Omboy Semacio scored on 66 minutes to clinch the 70+6-minute game.
The Philippines were vastly improved in this edition as they had finished in fourth position in last year’s inaugural edition also hosted by Vietnam.

afc.com

Filipino-Spanish defender set to join Azkals

By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Azkals’ defense is getting another upgrade.

Filipino-Spanish defender Alvaro Silva, a veteran of the Spanish second division, arrived in Manila early this week to work on his Filipino passport so he can play for the Azkals.

Standing 6-foot-2, Silva has been in the Azkals’ radar for quite some time with fellow Filipino-Spanish players Juani Guirado and Javier Patino aware of his lineage.

The Azkals management was able to get in touch with Silva, but it wasn’t until early this year when Silva, who traces his roots to Cavite and Iloilo, started to work on getting his papers to comply with requirements to get a Filipino passport.

As proof of his desire to have his papers fixed, Silva even spent for his trip to Manila.

“It’s a dream come true,” the soft-spoken Silva told the Inquirer. “I’m very happy to represent  the Philippines.”

“He is definitely a big addition to the team because of his experience,” said Azkals manager Dan Palami. “We have a young and promising defender in Amani Aguinaldo and I think Alvaro’s presence will help him develop into an even better player.”

After getting his first professional contract with La Liga side Malaga, he flourished in the 2008-2009 season when he helped Xerez earn promotion to the Spanish top-flight.

PFF Women's Cup 2014 - Updated results

PFF Women's Cup 2014
FULL TIME SCORE MATCH 5 & 6

Sikat FC 1-0 GAU FC
11' Josephine Luto

UST 8-1 DLSU-CSB
12' Hazel Lustan
14' Diane Jazul
15' Jan Christelle Cleofe
16' 32' Princess Kate Aguilar
36' Nina Acuna
38' Jennizel Cabalan
50' Pearl Anjanette Aguilar
52' February Saluria

FULL TIME SCORE MATCH 7 & 8

Loyola Meralco Sparks FC 0-2 Ateneo De Manila University 
25' Maria Leah Patricia Cruz 
50' Kathleen Camille Rodriguez 

Chelsea FC Ladies 2-0 Mendiola FC
24' Evonnie Urtal
32' Mary Cres Ignacio

AFC U-14 Girls Semifinal : Philippines 2-1 Myanmar

AFC U-14 Girls tournament in Vietnam

Semifinal : Philippines 2-1 Myanmar

Bacatan and Semacio scored.

Philippines in the final against Thailand on Sunday

Live tweeting  : https://twitter.com/FloydWhaley

AFC U14 Girls : Vietnam vs Philippines (Second half)

AFC U-14 Girls : Vietnam vs Philippines (First half)

UFL Saturday

13:45	Manila Jeepney FC	-:-	Cimarron	Emperador Stadium	Details
16:00	Dolphins United	-:-	Laos	Emperador Stadium	Details
18:15	Ceres	-:-	Forza	Emperador Stadium	Details

Manila Jeepney won by default. Cimarron could not field enough players.

FT-Dolphins United FC 0-2 Laos FC. Goal scorer: Rolly Lear 21' 81'

HT: Ceres-La Salle FC 1-1 Forza FC Goal Scorers: Jin Ho Kim-26' Gerald Pacquiao-39'

FT: Ceres-La Salle FC 4-1 Forza FC Goal Scorers: Jin Ho Kim-26',58',80' Kyum Son Cho-60' Gerald Pacquiao-39'

FT: Global FC 7-0 Team Socceroo FC Goal Scorers: Curt Dizon-46' Mark Hartmann-48' Izo Elhabib-50',75',76' Napoleon Bustillo-56',62'