PFF Smart National Club Championship : Global 0-2 Loyola

Global XI 1 Deyto 5 Martinez 9 Bahadoran 10 Elhabib 12 Aguinaldo 14 Minegishi 23 Hartmann 57 Yanagawa 63 Barbaso 93 Hoshide 99 Otomo



0-1 Eddie Mallari (Loyola )
0-1 HT
0-2 Matt Hartmann (Loyola )
0-2 FT

PFF Smart National Club Championship : Stalllion 0-5 Ceres (Third place match)

PFF Smart National Club Championship , THIRD PLACE MATCH

Stallion vs Ceres at Rizal Memorial Stadium


Start 4 pm

0-1 Gallardo (Ceres )
0-2 Burkey
0-3 Gallardo
0-4 Gallardo
0-5 Gallardo

0-5 FT

Global staves off Steuble's missed penalty, dethrones Ceres

By Ivan Saldajeno

Global ends a series of heartbreaks against Ceres with a 3-1 PFF-Smart Club Championship semifinal win at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila City.

Substitute Dennis Villanueva drilled in the go-ahead goal for the reigning UFL champion late in the extra session, while Mark Hartmann later sealed the win as Global got a sigh of relief after newcomer Martin Steuble missed a penalty seconds into stoppage time in the second half.

Manny Ott quickly put Ceres, the erstwhile PFF-Smart Club Championship winner, on top in the second minute after he saw an opening and struck the ball home.

But Mark Hartmann answered in the 48th minute as he found an opening in Ceres' back line and shot the equalizer from just inside the box.

Ceres got good chances to steal the win midway to the second half as Oladipo Okunaiya made two attempts which Patrick Deyto both stopped.

Global, on the other hand, threatened with a left flank shot that Louie Casas cleared out beautifully.

However, Global conceded a penalty as Richard Talaroc fouled Patrick Reichelt inside the box with a minute left in regulation.

Steuble, who, according to Coach Ali Go prior to the game, was expected to play limited minutes off the bench in his first Philippine professional football match, took the penalty kick, but his free shot sailed over the bar, keeping Global in the game. It eventually ended 1-all after regulation.

Villanueva, who checked in just before the second added time, put Global up for good at the 112th minute as he fired a shot from the right side of the box that got past Casas.

Two minutes later, Hartmann completed the brace with another goal off a Global fastbreak to secure the victory.

Global will face Loyola in the final Saturday night. Earlier in the day, Ceres and Stallion dispute third place.

- See more at: http://www.dugout.ph/2015/01/global-staves-off-steubles-missed-penalty-dethrones-ceres.html#sthash.EZrmu1C7.dpuf

La Salle, Ateneo down separate foes to take 1-2 spots in UAAP football tournament

LA SALLE and Ateneo seized 1-2 position on the table after prevailing over separate foes on Thursday in the UAAP Season 77 football tournament at the FEU-Diliman pitch. Christian Zubiri netted a goal from a Nate Alquiros assist in the 10th minute as the Green Booters frustrated University of Santo Tomas, 1-0, while the Blue Eagles topped University of the East, 1-0, with Mikko Mabanag scoring from long range in the 19th minute. La Salle took the top spot with 19 points, a point clear of Ateneo, while University of the Philippines is running third with 17 points. In their second meeting in seven days, it was a testy encounter as both the Green Booters and the Growling Tigers went down to 10 men. La Salle's Jhoguev Ybanez was sent off in the sixth minute for punching a UST defender, while Tigers skipper Gino Clarino was dismissed in the 62th minute for his second yellow card of the game. "We were lucky for that early goal by Zubiri," said La Salle assistant mentor Alvin Ocampo, filling in for head coach Hans Smit who had a pressing commitment off the pitch. Up next for the Green Booters is a match with the Blue Eagles on Sunday. "We have to maintain our spot in the Top 2," said Ocampo. With its bid for a return to the Final Four slowly slipping away, UST remained in sixth place at nine points, five points behind joint fourth placers Far Eastern University and National University, who both have 14 points. The Red Warriors are virtually out of the running in the semifinals race as they stayed in seventh with four points. 

Read more at: http://www.spin.ph/football/news/la-salle-uaap-football-ateneo-christian-zubiri-nate-alquiros-jhoguev-ybanez-gino-clarino

Younghusband lifts Loyola over Stallion in extra time -

By Ivan Saldajeno

Loyola needed 30 more minutes before dispatching a gritty Stallion side, 2-1, to book the first PFF-Smart Club Championship final seat at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila City.

Phil Younghusband drilled the go-ahead goal for Loyola in the fifth minute of extra time.

Matthew Hartmann drew first blood for Loyola early in the first half.

But Simone Rota equalized later in the period as he struck from inside the box.

Both clubs failed to score in the second half, although Fitch Arboleda and Graham Caygill had good looks late in the period.

Sean Bateau, however, fouled Younghusband from just outside the box early in the extra period. Bateau, who incurred a yellow card earlier in the match, was sent off.

Younghusband, who took the free kick, bent the ball past the wall and Henri Fong for the eventual game-winner.

- See more at: http://www.dugout.ph/2015/01/younghusband-lifts-loyola-over-stallion.html#sthash.7pESlJAS.qoiKHkuh.dpuf

PFF Smart National Club Championship - Semifinals

SEMIFINALS THURSDAY

Rizal Memorial Stadium , Manila

4 PM : STALLION 1-2 AET LOYOLA

7 PM : GLOBAL 3-1 AET CERES

All Women's Futsal Cup

Mabuhay 8-side Futbol

7 Aside Football Tournament - Muntinlupa City

YouTube - PFF Smart Nat Club Championship : Loyola vs Kaya

Global FC blazes through Erco to advance to semis

Jaelle Nevin Reyes

MANILA, Philippines - United Football League (UFL) champs Global FC demolished provincial side Eroc-Bro FC, 9-0, to earn a semi-finals berth for the Philippine Football Federation-Smart National Club Championship at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium (RMFS) on Tueday, January 27.

The UFL powerhouse club showed their offensive might over the Cebu-based kickers in the early portion of the bout as former scoring champion Izo Elhabib grabbed his hat-trick after finding the back of the net during the 6th, 13th and 18th minutes.

Not long after the barrage of shots on target from Global, another ball was flicked into the goal for the first division club as Misagh Bahadoran connected with a long distance shot from outside the box to give his club a 4-0 edge going into the break.

Problems piled up for the Cebuano booters as none of their offensive blitzes went through the tough defense of Global as the match continued for the second half of action.

To add to the otherwise successful campaign of the Leigh Manson-mentored brigade, Yu Hoside notched a goal of his own to extend their club’s lead to 5-0.

El Habib, who already recorded a hat-trick, did not remove his foot from the gas pedal resulting into two more conversions during the 63rd and 77th minutes.

Mark Hartmann and John Kanayama also etched their names on the score sheets after beating their defenders and striking the ball through Erco’s keeper.

There was no shortage of goals for the last day of the national group stage of the countrywide football tilt as Stallion FC also ended their campaign in Group B with style after dominating North Cotabato’s M’lang FC, 10-1, to qualify for the semis.

UFL clubs Global and Stallion will now move on to the semis with the former topping their group and the latter closely following at second place.

The knockout stage of the competition will be held on Thursday, January 29, with matches between Loyola Meralco Sparks FC and Stallion FC at 4pm then the game of Ceres-La Salle FC and Global FC at 7pm, both at the RMFS.

Admission is free for all the games of the competition. - Rappler.com

PFF Smart National Club Championship - Tuesday

PFF Smart National Club Championship - Tuesday


4 pm ; Global 9-0 Erco

7 pm : Stallion 10-1 M'lang Fc

STANDINGS

Global 7 points  + 19
Stallion 7 points  + 12
Erco 1 point  - 13
M'Lang Fc 1 point  -19

Global- Ceres on Thursday in semifinals at 7 pm
Stallion -  Loyola on Thursday in semifinals at 4 pm

Loyola enters PFF-Smart semis after 2-2 draw with Kaya

By Ivan Saldajeno

Loyola moved on to the semifinals of the PFF-Smart Club Championship despite being held by Kaya to a 2-2 draw in their match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila City.

Kaya, which needed a win to bolster its own chance of making the semis, drew first blood when Miguel Tanton scored in the 23rd minute.

But Matthew Hartmann scored one back for Loyola seconds later and Phil Younghusband put Loyola up later in the first half.

O.J. Porteria, who came in as a substitute, immediately stepped on the gas at the resumption of play, only to be stopped by Tomas Trigo.

Kaya continued to threaten later in the second half as the club took control of the game for most of the period.

Jovin Bedic finally put Kaya back in the game at the 65th minute as he found a hole in the Loyola defense and shot a long-range effort that went in.

Louis Clark had the best chance of putting Kaya up for good as he tried to chip in a shot against a committing Trigo. Clark's chance, however, just narrowly went off left.

Younghusband found himself free for a potential go-ahead goal for Loyola, but Nick O'Donnell made a fantastic save.

The match concluded in an intriguing moment as the referee interrupted Kaya's final attack and handed James Younghusband a yellow card for dissenting to a non-call.

Loyola finished the quarterfinals with seven points and will finish first in Group A regardless of the result of the Ceres-Laos, which is ongoing as of writing.

- See more at: http://www.dugout.ph/2015/01/loyola-enters-pff-smart-semis-after-2-2-draw.html#sthash.DxIh3LIC.eILfKENx.dpuf

PFF Smart National Club Championship - Monday

PFF Smart National Club Championship - Monday

Group A.
Loyola 2-2 Kaya
23 mins 0-1 Bedic (Kaya)
24 mins 1-1 Hartmann (Loyola)
36 min 2-1 Phil Younghusband (Loyola)
65 mins 2-2 Bedic (Kaya)

Ceres 1-0 Laos
1-0 Reichelt (Ceres)


Standings :

Loyola 7 points
Ceres 6 points
---------------------
Kaya 4 points
Laos 0 points

Loyola and Ceres to semifinals on Thursday

Stallion holds Global to a 1-1 draw

Jaelle Nevin Reyes

MANILA, Philippine – Stallion FC managed to hold off powerhouse Global FC into a 1-1 draw in Group B of the Philippine Football Federation-Smart National Club Championship at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium (RMFS) on Sunday, January 25.

The start of the match was marked with a series of attacks from both sides as the opposing clubs aim to snatch the lead in their group but after 45 minutes of action, no goals were scored and the game was held in a 0-0 standstill going into the break.

As play resumed, Global’s offense went to full gear resulting to a goal by Satoshi Otomo, who struck the ball inside the box to beat the Stallion FC keeper in the 59th minute.

Stallion, however, did not lose hope in their cause to notch a score of their own as Nguene Landry found a clear path towards to goal to send the ball to the back of the net for an equalizer.

Both squads went toe-to-toe until the dying minutes of regulation but the formidable defenses of the two clubs prevented another mark to be etched in the game’s tally.

Despite both having a 1-0-1 win-loss-draw record, Global still holds on to the top spot of their group due to a higher goal difference as a result of their 10-0 win against M’lang last January 23 while Stallion closely follows on second place.

Meanwhile, the battle between North Cotabato’s M’lang FC and Cebu’s Erco-Bro FC also ended in a draw with both squads recording two goals each. 2-2.

The two non-UFL teams still have a mountain to climb, as they are yet to grab a win in the national group stage of the football tilt.

Group A action of the tournament will continue tomorrow, January 26, with the big match between top squads Kaya FC and Loyola Meralco Sparks FC at 4pm followed by the game between Ceres La-Salle FC and Laos FC at 7pm, both at the RMFS. – 

Rappler.com

PFF National Club Championship - Sunday

4 pm Global Fc 1-1 Stallion

Global XI 1 Deyto 2 Bonney 5 Martinez 8 Villanueva 9 Bahadoran 10 Elhabib 14 Minegishi 25 Talaroc 57 Yanagawa 63 Barbaso 93 Hoshide

Global subs 22 Badelic 12 Aguinaldo 23 Hartmann 29 Kanayama 99 Otomo


Stallion Xi

27 Fitch Johnson Arboleda
18 David Basa
99 Sean Bateau
11 Mario Javier Clarino
9 Ruben Doctora Jr
17 Shirmar Felongco
22 Henri Bandeken Fong
29 Loius Serge Kaole
7 Nguene Landry
23 Ameachi Mbata
16 Simone Rota



0-0 HT
59 mins 1-0 Otomo (Global)
73 mins 1-1 Landry (Stallion)
1-1 FT


7 pm Erco (Cebu ) 2-2 M'LAng Fc (North Cotabato)

Global, Stallion brace for key duel

By Cedelf P. Tupas

GLOBAL flashed ruthless form in dumping regional qualifier M’lang, 10-0, Friday night to grab the early lead in Group B of the PFF Smart Club Championship at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Stallion also notched its first win at the expense of Erco Bro of Cebu, 5-1, in a warmup to a keenly awaited duel with Global.

A member of the Teknika side that ruled the tournament in 2011, Izzo El Habbib scored twice like Japanese midfielder Hikaru Minegishi as Global dominated the North Cotabato side.

The outcome was already sealed before halftime with Global firing four goals in the first 45 minutes.

Doctora back

Stallion drew inspiration from skipper Ruben Doctora who played his first game since undergoing knee surgery last June.

Doctora knocked the opening goal in the fourth minute, setting the tone for the rout by Stallion.

Landry Nguene struck twice for Stallion which also got goals from OJ Clarino and another from new signing Emmanuel Mbata.

Global got off to a fiery start with new recruit Masaki Yanagawa powering home a header off a corner kick in the fourth minute.

Dennis Villanueva, Raul Martinez and Mark Hartmann were also on target in the first half before Yu Hoshide and Satoshi Otomo sealed the rout with late goals.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/171959/global-stallion-brace-for-key-duel#ixzz3PmjJ2cSA

UFL NEW PLAYERS - UPDATED

NEW PLAYERS FOR UPCOMING UFL SEASON


LOYOLA MERALCO SPARKS FC :

ADAM MITTER (ENGLAND)
TOMAS TRIGO (TEAM SOCCEROO)
TAHJ MINNIECON (AUSTRALIA)
ENRIQUE MONTSERRAT (AUSTRALIA) FIL-AUSTRALIAN
VITO TANTON

CERES FC :

VAL KAMA (GLOBAL FC)
MARTIN STEUBLE (SPORTING KANSAS CITY , USA)
PARK BOBAE (LOYOLA)

KAYA :

JOSHUA BELOYA (CERES FC)
JORGE BUTRON (ALTONA 93, GERMANY)
JAMES ROCHLITZ (CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE MATADORS , USA) FIL-AMERICAN
MATTHEW SILVA (TORONTO LYNX, CANADA)



Matt Silva signs for Kaya Fc.

http://www.pscsocceracademy.com/matt-silva-signs-first-pro-contract-for-fckaya/

GLOBAL FC :

MASAKI  YANAGAWA (JAPAN)
RAY JONSSON (ICELAND)
SAM BONNEY (LOYOLA MERALCO SPARKS  FC)

STALLION :

MBATA (KAYA)
REF CUARESMA (MANILA JEEPNEY FC)
HENRI BANDEKEN FONG
LOIUS SERGE KAOLE

GREEN ARCHERS UNITED :

DIOP (PACHANGA)


To be updated...

Some players may not be ready for PFF Smart National Club Championship , but later for upcoming UFL season

PFF Smart National Club Championship Saturday and Sunday

PFF Smart National Club Championship Saturday and Sunday

RIZAL MEMORIAL STADIUM

SATURDAY

4 PM KAYA 6-0 LAOS

Kaya 6, Laos 0 Beloya 45+1' Bedic 45+2' Porteria 50' Greatwich 54' Clark 77' Osei 80'


7 PM CERES 0-1 LOYOLA

0-1 Phil Younghusband
0-1 FT

Global FC wallops M'lang FC, 10-0, to kick off PFF-Smart Club Championship bid

From: Karlo Sacamos


GLOBAL FC stamped its class in walloping M’lang FC of Cotabato, 10-0, on Friday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium to set its title bid in the Philippine Football Federation-Smart Club National Championship in motion. Underlining its status as Ceres-La Salle’s top title threat, the reigning United Football League champions leaned on an early lead and never looked back against the lone Mindanao representative in the tournament for the shutout victory. Mark Hartmann, Izzo El-Habib, and Hikaru Minegishi each registered a brace, while Dennis Villanueva, Raul Martinez, Satoshi Otomo, and Yu Hoshide were also on target for Global, which gained three points for the early lead on goal difference in Group B over Stallion FC. The Stallions also emerged victorious in their first match, tripping another provincial squad in Cebu’s Erco-Bro, 5-1, earlier in the day. Hartmann opened the floodgates four minutes into the game, before fellow national team pool member Dennis Villanueva doubled the lead in the 13th minute. After Martinez added to the count seven minutes later, Hartmann scored his second goal in the 32nd minute. Global sustained its onslaught in the second half with six more goals despite seeing a more spirited challenge from M’lang. “At four-zero, the game was done, but they (M’lang) kept going, so you have to give them respect for keeping the game going,” Global coach Leigh Manson said. New acquisition Nguene Landry fired a brace, while Ruben Doctora, OJ Clarino, and Emmanuel Mbata also found the back of the net for the Stallions.

Read more at: http://www.spin.ph/football/news/global-fc-wallops-mlang-fc-10-0-to-kick-off-pff-smart-club-championship-bid

PFF Smart Nat Club Championship - Friday

PFF Smart Nat Club Championship today at RMS : 
Erco-Bro 1-5 Stallion
Stallion goals : Doctora Jr, OJ Clarino , Landry (2), Mbata
Global 10-0 M'lang 

Goalscorers:
Hartmann 4' 32'
Villanueva 13'
Martinez 20'
Elhabib 61' 70'
Minegishi 66' 86'
Otomo 79'
Hoshide 88'

Ceres FC escapes Kaya's late game rally

Jaelle Nevin Reyes

MANILA, Philippines - Defending national champs Ceres-La Salle FC escaped the late game wrath of Kaya FC, 3-2, to kick off the final group stage of the Philippine Football Federation-Smart National Club Championship at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium on Thursday, January 22.

The two clubs exchanged blows in the opening minutes of the match as both were eager to tuck in the a game day win for their proud colors.

Hungry to defend their crown, Ceres FC's offense went full throttle resulting into a goal by Nate Burkey from the far left in the 32nd minute to give the champs a 1-0 lead early in the first half.

In an effort to retaliate and even the scoreline, Kaya scrambled their jets lead by high scoring Louis Clark in plight of tallying a goal but no more goals were sank going into the half.

A determined Ceres FC came out of the locker room after the break as Angelo Marasigan double their lead to 2-0 after intercepting a weak pass from the backline of their foes.

The match continued with Ceres FC's relentless attacks on the tiring defense of Kaya FC, with the latter sending several outbursts of their own but the Bacolod-based team took the better end of the exchange.

It was a busy night for Kaya's goalkeeper Nick O'Donnell as another goal was sank by Burkey to further extend the lead of Ceres to 3-0.

As the time expired for the meeting of the two UFL division 1 clubs, Kaya FC's frontline finally found their rhythm as Jovin Bedic scored two consecutive goals to cut the lead to just a solitary goal, 3-2.

The late game blitz of Kaya FC proved to be too weak as the defense of Ceres prevented them from salvaging a draw.

Meanwhile, the Loyola Meralco Sparks FC outmatched Laos FC, 4-0, to tally a win of their own in Group A. - 

Rappler.com

PFF Smart National Club Championship : Thursday - Loyola win 4-0 against Laos Fc

PFF Smart National Club Championship : January 22, Thursday 4pm: Loyola vs Laos 7pm: Ceres vs Kaya 
Rizal Memorial Stadium. Free entrance

Loyola 4-0 Laos (PYH 2 goals, Fenelon, Hartmann)


Ceres 3-2 Kaya (Burkey 2 goals, Marasigan for Ceres, Bedic 2 goals for Kaya)

Ceres-La Salle FC XI: Angeles Mv, Angeles Mw, Casas, Burkey, Kama, Sangmin, Marasigan, Panhay Reichelt, Soriano, Son

Fil-Swiss Azkal Martin Steuble boosts Ceres-La Salle midfield

• From: Karlo Sacamos

CERES-La Salle has acquired Azkals midfielder Martin Steuble to boost the already formidable squad ahead of major tournaments this year.

Ceres manager Ali Go confirmed the development on Wednesday after the draw for the Philippine Football Federation-Smart National Club Championship that kicks off on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Go tried to play down the latest major signing, mentioning the Filipino-Swiss Steuble last among the new names  in the squad this year that include former Global FC defender Val Kama of Nigeria as well as fit-again Paul Mulders and Angelo Marasigan.

But there’s no denying the caliber that Steuble is bringing to Ceres, which added a handful of big names to the fold last year in, among others, national team standouts Manny Ott, Patrick Reichelt, Jeffrey Christiaens, and Juani Guirado, who have all been instrumental to the squad’s title runs in the United Football League Division 2 and UFL’s Football Alliance League Cup.
The 26-year-old Steuble provides the team with toughness, stability, and versatility in the midfield and wing positions.
Go said Steuble, who played briefly for Major League Soccer side Sporting Kansas City, is set to arrive in the country in the next few days and could make his debut in the National Club Championship, where Ceres is the back-to-back champion.
The newly promoted UFL Division 1 side opens its title defense against Kaya FC on Thursday at 7 p.m. Both teams are in a strong Group A with fellow UFL teams Loyola Meralco and Laos FC.
The Sparks and Laos face off earlier at 4 o’clock.
“It’s a tough group,” Go said. “Everyone has a chance to win the group and we can end up in fourth place, so we can’t afford to relax.”
Global was drawn in Group B with Stallion FC, and two non-UFL squads Erco FC of Visayas, and the lone Mindanao representative in M’Lang FC.
“The draw was quite kind to us,” Global coach Leigh Manson said. “It will be interesting to play these clubs that we haven’t played. We have to treat each team with respect.”
“But we expect to win every game, win the group, go the semifinals, and go to the final,” the Scottish mentor added.
Global will gain a boost from former national team member Ray Jonsson, who has been signed along with Mexican and Japanese defenders. The team, though, will be without Azkals left-back Daisuke Sato, who has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
The champion will earn the top prize of P150,000, while the runner-up gets P75,000, and the third and fourth placers P50,000 and P25,000, respectively, according to Smart Sports marketing manager Epok Quimpo.

http://www.spin.ph/football/ufl/news/ceres-la-salle-signs-azkal-martin-steuble-ahead-of-national-club-championship-title-defense

Global FC boss Manson expects 'high-level players' to fill void left by Jason de Jong and Co.

• Karlo Sacamos

GLOBAL FC coach Leigh Manson acknowledges the fact that the departure of Jason de Jong as well as other standouts leaves the squad with holes ahead of major tournaments, but assured that reinforcements are coming in.

De Jong, the reigning United Football League Golden Ball winner, has recently been released by Global FC along with Iranian striker Milad Behgandom, defenders Delon Patrick Yao and German Rodriguez, and young midfielder and former UAAP MVP Paolo Bugas.

But Manson said the team is set to acquire “higher level of players” who can fill the void in time for not just the UFL League next month, but also for the National Club Championships that kicks off on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The team is also preparing for the Asian Football Confederation Cup in the next few months.

Still, the exit of De Jong, the steady midfield presence instrumental in the powerhouse club’s run to reclaiming the league crown last year, is a huge loss for Global, according to Manson.
“His ability was there for all to see, but he needed a new challenge,” the Scottish mentor told Spin.ph about De Jong, who also retired from the Azkals last year.
Manson confirmed the Filipino-Dutch De Jong, who played professionally in Netherlands in the past, is back in Europe, this time in Belgium, where he now suits up for third-division K.S.V. Bornem.
“Jason wanted to give Europe another go and I always look to support a player’s ambition, so we agreed (to release him),” said Manson, who didn’t discount the possibility of a reunion with his prized ward.
“I personally am fond of him and who knows? Perhaps we will work together again in the future.”

National football tilt resumes

Jaelle Nevin Reyes

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Football Federation-Smart National Club Championship will resume on Thursday, January 22 for its round of eight stage at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The national group round of the countrywide football meet will banner the top eight football clubs that underwent the elimination round in several locations around the country during the past months.

The remaining teams will be divided into two groups with the defending champions of the nationwide tourney Ceres-La Salle FC seeded in Group A while UFL champs Global are in Group B. Meanwhile, remaining teams Loyola FC and Kaya FC, both representing the UFL and the NCRFA, will form Group A together with Laos FC of Leyte. M'lang FC of North Cotabato, Erco-Brothers FC of Cebu and Stallion FC of Iloilo will form the rest of Group B.

"I think its a tough group but I think I'm getting used to it because we always end up in a tough group. I think its gonna be very exciting and we're looking forward to it," said Ceres FC club director Ali Go during the pre-tournament press conference at the PFF headquarters.

He added that they cannot be complacent.

"Pressure is always there especially now were back-to-back champions. But anything can happen," he stated.

Consequently, local football powerhouse Global FC, who is still yet to add a national crown unto their list of victories, aims to take their rivals on their group head on.

"We cannot be complacent. We'll prepare the same for the Stallion game and with the other teams. We're not taking this group lightly," according to head coach Leigh Manson.

Group A will have matches on the 22nd and the 24th while Group B will have their games on the 23rd and 25th.

The first match date on Thursday for Group A will feature a bout between Loyola FC and Laos FC followed by Ceres FC versus Kaya FC.

Admission is free for all the games for the tournament. – Rappler.com

Ray Jonsson to sign for Global Fc ?

Ex Azkals Ray Jonsson is expected to sign for Global Fc soon. He is already in Philippines.

Ray was born in Philippines but moved to Iceland when he was 8 years old. He is soon 36 years

PFF Smart National Club Championships to kick off Thursday

Ryan Fenix, special to InterAksyon.com 

The 2015 PFF-SMART National Club Championships is set to kick off at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium on Thursday with eight teams competing for the right to be hailed the best club in the country.

Eight participating teams will be divided into two groups of four, with United Football League powerhouse squads Ceres-La Salle and Global FC as the only seeded teams in the competition.

Reigning UFL champion Global got an outright slot in Group A, while defending national club champion Ceres is seeded in Group B.

The rest of the teams include M’lang representing the North Cotabato, Erco-Brothers for Cebu, Stallion for Iloilo, Laos for Leyte, and Kaya FC and Loyola Meralco Sparks from the UFL.

The final draw will be made during the team manager’s meeting set on Wednesday, 10 a.m. at the PFF office.

The competition format could also allow one group to be comprised of UFL first division teams, providing fans exciting football action should it happen.

According to PFF-Smart National Club Championships general coordinator Ritchie Gannaban, Group A games will be held on January 22, 24, and 26, while Group B games will be played on January 23, 25, and 27. Kick-off times are at 4 p.m. and at 7 p.m.

Semifinals and finals are slated on January 29 and January 31, respectively.

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/pff-smart-national-club-championships-to-kick-off-thursday

U-23 Azkals get chance to prove mettle in SEAG

By Olmin Leyba

MANILA, Philippines – It looks like the Philippine Under-23 Azkals will get their shot at the football competitions of the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

No less than the chef de mission of the Phl delegation, Julian Camacho, has said that the Philippine Olympic Committee's SEA Games management committee (mancomm) is opening the doors to the Pinoy booters' return stint in the biennial games after getting dropped from the contingent in 2013.

“There are eight or nine players from the Azkals who are under-23 and maganda naman performance nila(they performed well) so bibigyan natin sila ng chance (we’ll give them a chance),” Camacho, who also heads the mancomm that screens the contingent, said.

“In a sense, they’ve not been joining the SEA Games (in many editions), so we’ll give them the chance to prove themselves in Singapore,” Camacho further said.

The Pinoy booters missed out on the action in the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar after failing to get the nod from the POC to join the delegation.

For the Singapore joust, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) said it is ready to prepare and send a competitive team which will be beefed up by the likes of Azkals mainstays Amani Aguinaldo and Daisuke Sato.

The U-22 squad will have its hands full in the 2015 conclave, though, especially with the core of the squad that ruled the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup last year carrying the fight for Thailand.

The Phl last participated in the SEAG in 2011 in Indonesia, placing sixth and last in Group B with three points on one win and four losses.

Prior to the Singapore SEAG, PFF president Nonong Araneta said the U-22 Azkals will hold training camps and compete in the qualifiers for the 2016 Asian Football Confederation U-23 championship this March in Thailand.

The U-22 Azkals are in Group G with North Korea, host Thailand and Cambodia, hoping to land in the Top 2 to boost their chance of making it to the final round where three berths to the Rio Olympics will be at stake.

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/01/17/1414054/u-23-azkals-get-chance-prove-mettle-seag

'Crippled' ERCO gets big boost for PFF-Smart finals

CEBU, Philippines - The ERCO Bro Nationals got a sigh of relief following the sudden departure of their key players as they were able to loan four players from the Green Archers United FC led by Chieffy Caligdong to bolster their campaign in the finale of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart Men's Club Football Championships in Manila next week.

With Caligdong in the ERCO lineup are Cebuano goal keeper Paolo Pascual, Ronnie Aguisanda, and Reynald Villareal. All four have been under the Philippine Azkals.

There is also one foreign player included in the new ERCO roster. He is Kabulo Pintoh, a player from Congo studying at Southwestern University.

"Dako kaayo among pasalamat na natugtan gyud ni sila. We are very thankful to the Green Archers as well as to the PFF and UFL for their consideration. Kumbati na gyud mi ani," said an ecstatic ERCO owner Rodney Orale.

The ERCO BRO Nationals will be leaving for Manila on Tuesday, two days ahead of the final battle set for January 22. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol 

(FREEMAN)

Angel Guirado signs for Thai club

Former Azkals Angel Guirado has signed for regional Thai club Udon Thani Fc

They currently play in the Regional League Division 2  North Eastern region.

Friendly : Manila Jeepney vs Stallion

Beep-beep! Your Manila Jeepney FC will play the Stallions FC in a friendly game tomorrow, January 16. Everyone is invited to come to the FEU FERN Turf to watch the game. It starts at 8AM. See you there!

Manila Jeepney 1-1 Stallion

Jason de Jong Dropped by Global, UFL Reveals Full List of Dropped Players

The United Football League’s January 14 deadline for dropping players before the start of the UFL League has passed, and the lists submitted by the clubs have revealed some interesting departures. Teams now have until the end of Wednesday, January 21, to add players to their rosters.

The biggest development of the entire tranfer window is undoubtedly Global’s decision to release Jason de Jong, who was crowned the MVP in the club’s League-winning campaign in 2014. Joining him are eight other players, with Milad Behgandom, German Rodriguez, and long-time defender Delon Patrick Yao the other big names to be shown the door.

Jin Ho Kim, who was crucial in Ceres-La Salle’s triumphant campaign in the recently concluded FA League Cup, has suprisingly been released, along with two others for the Bacolod powerhouse. Loyola Meralco Sparks have decided to enter the League without the services of Baba Sampana and Samuel Bonney, who contributed heavily in the club’s run to winning the UFL Cup last season.

Other big name departures are Raymark Fernandez (Green Archers United), Emmanuel Mbata (Kaya), Arnel Amita and Ref Cuaresma (Manila Jeepney), Shayan Jafary Dastjerdi and Yi Young Park (Pachanga Diliman), and Nathan Alquiros, Matthew Nierras, and Ousseynou Diop (Stallion).

Players labeled “Not Free to Sign” are individuals still under contract with the club that released them, and may not sign with any other organization without the parent club’s consent. The most common reasons for being labeled as such include injury, or participation in either the UAAP or NCAA football tournaments. Players with live contracts who have been dropped may be loaned to another club for a specific period.

UFL fans won’t have to wait long to find out where the available players will end up, as updated rosters will be revealed by January 22.
——————————————————–

Please find below the list of players dropped by their respective clubs as per the 14 January 2015 deadline:

CERES – LA SALLE FC:-
1. CAPOLEI, Kevin Umberto (14-0382) – Not free to sign
2. KIM, Jin Ho (14-0403) – Not free to sign
3. MARTINEZ DE MURGA (14-0387) – Not free to sign

GLOBAL FC:-
1. ALI, Mahmoud (14-0210)
2. BEHGANDOM, Milad (14-0189)
3. BORLONGAN, Jeremiah (not registered with UFL but appears on the current Team Roster)
4. BUGAS, Paolo (14-0201) – Not free to sign
5. BRIONES, Edgar Ramon (14-0200)
6. DE JONG, Jason Nicolas Maria (14-0172) – Not free to sign
7. DELON, Patrick Yao (14-0187)
8. OCAÑA, Christian Felipe (14-0199)
9. RODRIGUEZ, German Edahi (14-0198)

GREEN ARCHERS UNITED FC:-
1. ABALUNAN, Francis Jay (14-0354)
2. DIAMANTE, Derrico Gabriel (14-0339) – Not free to sign
3. FERNANDEZ, Raymark Kenneth (14-0364)
4. GARCIA, Diego Xavier (14-0342) – Not free to sign
5. KWEON, Dae Eun (not registered with UFL but appears on the current Team Roster)
6. LAYUMAS, Gerald Mark (14-0340) – Not free to sign

KAYA FC:-
1. DEL ROSARIO, Dominic Liam (14-0060) – with PTC in favor of JP Voltes FC
2. MBATA, Ameachi Emmanuel (14-0065)

LOYOLA FC:-
1. BONNEY, Samuel (14-0006)
2. 
ESPINOSA, William (14-0022)
3. 
MARENCO, Pedro Antonio (14-0021)
4. 
SAMPANA, Baba (14-0009)
5. 
SILITONGA, Reuben Raya (14-0020)

MANILA JEEPNEY FC:-
1. AMITA, Arnel (14-0265) – Not free to sign
2. CUBON, Reymart (14-0268) – Not free to sign
3. CUARESMA, Ref Delany (14-0376)
4. EBANDA, William Herve (14-0017)
5. FERRER, Nicolas (14-0261) – Not free to sign
6. GIGANTO, Eric Ben (14-0264) – Not free to sign
7. JURAO, Angelou Val (14-0262) – Not free to sign
8. MABANAG, Michael Jerremy (not registered with UFL but appears on the current Team Roster) – Not free to sign
9. MENZI,Michael (14-0423) – Not free to sign
10. SANGARE, Mamadou (14-0001)
11. VANDELLI, Nicolas Paul Renard (14-0004)

PACHANGA DILIMAN FC:-
1. CLARINO, Randolfo Paolo (14-0313)
2. JAFARY DASTJERDI, Shayan (14-0321)
3. KHOSHGAVAR, Behrouz (14-0323)
4. MUROS, Niño (14-0327) – Not free to sign
5. PARK, Yi Young (14-0335) – Not free to sign
6. SAFARIAN SIAHMAZGI, Khosro (14-0329)
7. SALENGA, Paolo (14-0316)
8. SANTOS, Francisco Jose Primo (14-0318) – Not free to sign
9. VILLANUEVA, Nathaniel Ace (14-0328) – Not free to sign

PHIL. ARMY FC:-
1. JEON, Shin Seok (14-0181) – Not free to sign
2. NAM, Gi Won (14-0182) – Not free to sign

STALLION FC:-
1. ALBIÑO, Joevic (14-0259)
2. ALQUIROS, Nathan (14-0271) – Not free to sign
3. CARRASCOSA, Angel Muñoz (14-0255)
4. DIOP, Ousseynou (not on the current Team Roster) – with PTC in favor of Green Archers United FC)
5. KIM, Dong Hyun (14-0249)
6. MUÑOZ, Wilson (14-0252)
7. NIERRAS, Matthew Erwin Thomas (14-0270) – Not free to sign
8. NUNES, Cicero Vieira Machado (14-0273)
9. SIM, Hong Bo (14-0310)
10. TAN, Andrew Antonio (14-0309) – Not free to sign
TEAM SOCCEROO FC:-
1. CALLES (ARGUELLES), Pablo (not registered with UFL but appears on the current Team Roster)
2. DINGLASAN, John Philip (not registered with UFL but appears on the current Team Roster)
3. JANG, Dong Hee (14-0412)
4. KIM, Tae Yun (14-0429)
5. KRAUSE, Federico Luis Otto (14-0232)
6. MEILAN, Ivan (14-0424)
7. PARK, Hae Bin (14-0410)
8. PARK, Kyul (14-0405)
9. TRIGO, Tomas Angel (14-0234)
10. YUHICO, Manuel Mateo Senen (14-0219)

AGILA FC:-

NONE

FORZA FC:-
1. BURDA, Stephen Juriel (14-0045)
2. DIBI TANO, Pascal Cedric (14-0041)
3. DIMAANO, Renz Matthew (14-0044)
4. SABRIDO, Ramel (14-0052)
5. SISSAKO, Mahamadou (not registered with UFL but appears on the current Team Roster)
6. VILLAREAL, Reynald (14-0046)

JP VOLTES FC:-
1. RICONALLA, Mike Kevin (14-0435)
2. YUVIENCO, Michael Rene (14-0295)

LAOS FC:-
1. CAHILIG, Ariel (14-0109)
2. DIAZ, William (14-0090)
3. JONES, CHristopher (14-0089)
4. OBIANG, Alex (14-0099)
5. SERY, Remi Serge-Alain (not registered with UFL but appears on the current Team Roster)
6. VALEROSO, Mark Alvin (14-0102)

PASARGAD FC:-

NOTE: Based on UFL League 2014 roster (players were dropped prior to FA League Cup 2014)
1. BAYEMEG, Simon Pierre
2. DIABYRA, Aboubacar
3. DUMAGAN, Paulie
4. FATEH, Hamed
5. GLACCIO, Reymart
6. JUANENGO, Patrick Jerome
7. MINYEM, Fils Steve Emmanuel
8. NEJAD SAFAVI, Peyman Cabarrus
9. PIERSON, Russel Anthony
10. RETUYA, Cynold Brett
11. SALIGAN, Benny Dick
12. TORRES, Jay