‘Stronger’ Azkals set to begin WC buildup

By Cedelf P. Tupas

With the majority of the players now in Manila, the Philippine Azkals begin their buildup for the World Cup Qualifying clash against Bahrain on June 11 at Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan.

The returning Stephan Schrock, new recruits Luke Woodland and Kevin Ingreso and skipper Rob Gier arrived in Manila over the weekend while overseas-based players Jerry Lucena, Iain Ramsay, Stephan Palla and Javier Patino are expected to plane in this week.

Azkals coach Thomas Dooley will hold his first training session with the team at Rizal Memorial Stadium today.

“You’re excited to have everybody together,” Dooley told the Inquirer. “If every player can bring 100 percent and more, then I’m very confident that we can be successful. Everybody has to understand that we are in a difficult group in qualifying, so it’s a tough challenge.” Bahrain has already started its preparation over the weekend, playing Oman to a scoreless draw. The Middle East team will play Thailand in a friendly on June 5.

Azkals manager Dan Palami is confident that the team can jell in time for the clash against Bahrain. The Azkals will also fly to Qatar for the duel with Yemen on June 16.

“The first week, we will try to get better with our system and the style we want to play,” said Dooley.
The Azkals last played together in March losing to Bahrain, 1-2, in a friendly in Manama. But the arrival of several new highly regarded players as well as the return of Patino and Schrock has Dooley all pumped up.
Dooley said the new players should improve the quality in the squad.

“We have some very exciting players in the offense,” he said. “These players give us more creativity but the important thing is we need to score goals. This is something that we missed in our last games.”

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/182819/stronger-azkals-set-to-begin-wc-buildup#ixzz3bjojOj5h

PHL U-23 AZKALS FACE SINGAPORE IN SEA GAMES OPENER

Games Monday:

(Jalan Besar Stadium)

8:30 p.m. – Philippines vs. Singapore

SINGAPORE --- The Philippines will be bracing for a hostile crowd as the National Under-23 squad tackles host Singapore to usher in the country’s campaign in 28th Southeast Asian Games at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Monday.

“The boys are physically and psychologically ready for tomorrow’s game,” said head coach Marlon Maro, whose charges will not only be up against the Singaporeans but also their hometown fans, who are expected to fill virtually every nook and cranny of the 6,800-capacity venue.

“Mas marami nga sila but I believe mas malakas at mas maingay ang mga Pinoy,” added the coach, who was hoping that the huge Filipino expatriate community would come out and root for the Nationals at 8:30 p.m. (same time in Manila), opening Group A action in the SEAG football tournament.

The Filipino booters have been here since Tuesday, a day after their last tuneup game where they narrowly lost to top United Football League club Green Archers FC, 2-3, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Maro said that based on what he has seen of the hosts so far “I believe we can match the Singaporeans evenly. We might even be faster than them.”

For extra motivation, Maro shared his own experience with the national team back in the 1991 Manila SEA Games when the Filipinos reached the semifinals of the football competitions for the first time, dropping a 0-2 decision to the Singaporeans, who bagged the bronze medal.

“Sabi nila ‘Wow, coach’ di pa kami ipinapanganak noon. That was 24 years ago and they were not even born yet,” he said.

Maro added that his players had something to prove after some of the eliigibles members of the Philippine Azkals like Kenshiro Daniels, OJ Porteria and Amani Aguinaldo begged off to focus on the PH senior squad’s buildup to its World Cup qualifying match against Bahrain on June 11.

“These boys are hungry. They want to prove something, that they are all deserving to be here,” the coach said. “Gusto nilang mapatunayan na kaya rin nilang maglaro sa bayan.”

Co-skipper Jinggoy Valmayor, who was with the last national Under-23 side that saw action in SEAG soccer tourney in Indonesia four years ago, said the present squad was quite disciplined “at walang pa-istaran”

“Di kami nagpapasikat, di rin kami nagsisisihan sa laro. Buo kami as a team,” added the UP and Pachanga ace.

Valmayor added given this squad's preparations, including a 10-day training camp in Australia two weeks ago, he expected them to exceed the previous outing of their predecessors.

Under German coach Michael Weiss, the PH footballers just had one victory against four losses on the way to being eliminated in the 2011 Indonesia SEA Games.

Top goalie Florencio Baedelic Jr. said that he was thrilled rather than being daunted in seeing action in his first SEA Games.

“Yong pressure, nanduon na yan. Pero gusto ko maipakita sa lahat na kaya ng maglaro kahit saan, pati na sa international,” said Baedelic, 19, who was the goalkeeper when Global FC held Malaysian powerhouse Pahang FC to a scoreless draw on its home pitch in the last AFC Cup.

Besides Valmayor, Maro said that he was banking on striker Paulo Bugas and versatile midfielder Paulo Salenga to spearhead the Philippine attack.

The Singaporeans are led by top forward Irfan Fandi, the son of former Singapore star Fandi Ahmad, who was a member of the Singapore team that relegated the Philippines to fourth place in the 1991 Manila SEA Games.

“Gaining a draw (against Singapore) tomorrow would be good and a victory will be excellent,” said Maro, noting that seven points (two wins and one draw) would be enough for the squad to reach the semifinals in the five-team group.

http://sports.abs-cbn.com/generalsports/news/2015/05/31/phl-u-23-azkals-face-singapore-sea-games-opener-2464

Azkals updates Sunday

BAHRAIN

Bahrain drew Oman 0-0 last night in  a friendly.

Next Bahrain friendly will be on June 5 away against Thailand.

Bahrain will play Philippines on June 11 in FIFA World Cup qualifier.

JAVIER PATINO

Javier Patino is expected to go to Philippines after his last league match in China on June 3. Played today for his club in China.

ROLAND MÜLLER

Roland played full match for his Swiss club Servette last night. He is not in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers in June.

KEVIN INGRESO

Has arrived Manila


 IAIN RAMSAY

Expected to arrive Manila Monday.

JERRY LUCENA

Played  a important Danish league match today to avoid relegation, and his club won !

Last league match is June 7.



INJURIES

Patrick Reichelt was injured in his last league match for Ceres Fc

TURKMENISTAN

Turkmenistan National Team who are playing Guam on June 11 will arrive Philippines on June 7 and play a friendly on June 8. They are scehduled to play a UFl Club , possibly Global Fc and not Azkals.

PFF dont want to play  a friendly too close to the World Cup qualifiers

AZKALS AT MCKINLEY HILL STADIUM TODAY



AZKALS TRAINING

Azkals will be training at Rizal Memorial Stadium from June 1 to 3. Then training at Philippines Sports Stadium in Bocaue from June 4.

Army Fc withdraw from UFL League and UFL Cup

Army Fc has withdrawn from UFL Cup and UFL League.

No news about relegation , but probably there will be no more teams relegated from Div 1.

Kabuscorp de Laguna  from Div 2 has  also withdrawn from UFL Division 2 ,

Azkals updates Saturday

Rob Gier and Luke Woodland left England yesterday and is expected to have arrived Manila today.



Stephan Schrock is also expected to arrive Manila today.



Nei Etheridge's   goalkeeping school in Manila is finished .



Jerry Lucena's Danish  club Esbjerg is playing a important league match tomorrow to avoid releagation. Jerry Lucena is in the squad.

 Bahrain is playing a friendly against Oman today at Bahrain National Stadium.

Azkals first training will be on Monday at Rizal Memorial Stadium . No friendles scheduled.

A new Azkals World Cup qualifiying kit will be launched on June 3 . It will be available in local stores and online.

UFL League matches planned for this weekend and next weekend have been postponed because of SEA Games and World Cup preparations

Stephan Schrock arrived Manila

Graft-tainted Philippine football official denied travel

Agence France-Presse

Posted at 05/29/2015 7:02 PM

A Philippine FIFA official facing corruption charges has been banned from flying to Switzerland to attend the organisation's congress, a local court said Friday.

Monico Puentevella, a board member of FIFA's marketing and television committee, is out on bail after being charged in 2013 with misusing more than $500,000 in state funds when he was a congressman.

A clerk at the court hearing the case told AFP the 68-year-old, now the mayor of the central city of Bacolod, had asked for permission to visit Switzerland for "almost three weeks" for the congress, but this was denied.

Puentevella had successfully delayed the start of his trial, scheduled for May 14, by submitting a doctor's report claiming he was in hospital with "stress-related hypertension", according to the court's ruling.

But he later submitted a different doctor's report stating he was fit to travel to Switzerland for the FIFA congress, said the verdict, which was delivered this week and released to AFP on Friday.

The Manila court, which handles only corruption cases, described Puentevella's varying medical conditions as "incongruous" and "not acceptable", according to the verdict.

State prosecutors allege Puentevella illegally rigged a government contract worth about 26 million pesos ($583,000) meant to provide computers to state-run schools in his district.

Puentevella held the city's seat for three terms between 2001 and 2010. He is one of dozens of politicians who have been charged in recent years over similar scams, in which they are accused of stealing vast sums of money.

The ruling was handed down as Swiss police raided a Zurich hotel and arrested seven high-ranking FIFA officials this week at the request of the United States on racketeering conspiracy and corruption charges.

The US indictments, made against 14 defendants, pertained to tens of millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks the FIFA officials allegedly took for lucrative television broadcasting rights for football tournaments.

The FIFA website said the board of which Puentevella is a member "shall advise the Executive Committee with regard to drafting and implementing contracts between FIFA and its various marketing/television partners".

Puentevella's chief aide said the mayor, also a former chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee, was not in his office Friday and declined to comment on the case against him.

"I can't answer on behalf of the mayor," his executive assistant, Maya Fe Tresfuentes, told AFP.

Philippine Football Federation spokeswoman Virgie de Guzman also declined to comment, adding Puentevella did not hold any post in the national federation.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/05/29/15/graft-tainted-philippine-football-official-denied-travel

U-23 Azkals nurse high SEA Games hopes

By Mark Anthony Reyes

SINGAPORE—The Philippine U-23 football squad hit the ground running here, training twice a day since arriving last Tuesday in hopes of making at least the semifinals of the 28th Southeast Asian Games.

The team won’t be at full strength, though, as seven original members of the squad have been tapped for the national team playing in the World Cup qualifier against Bahrain on June 11.

But coach Marlon Maro is upbeat about the team’s chances, saying the country has a good draw. The U23 Azkals will kick off its campaign on Monday against host Singapore.

“We have high expectations because we got lucky in the draw and we are bringing a young but competitive team,” Maro told the Inquirer.

The team is without Azkals standouts Amani Aguinaldo, Daisuke Sato, OJ Porteria, Curt Dizon, Mark Hartmann, Manuel Ott and Kenshiro Daniels, but for Maro it’s still very competitive.

The Filipinos’ best finish in the Games was in 1991 in Manila when Maro and his teammates reached the semifinals.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/182628/u-23-azkals-nurse-high-sea-games-hopes#ixzz3bYdjo9t2

UFL Cup Round of 16 - Schedule

UFL Cup Round of 16

Kaya vs Bright Star FC
Ceres vs Mendola Fc
Global vs Team Socceroo
Loyola Meralco Sparks vs Laos Fc
Stallion vs Forza
Pachanga Diliman vs Agila
Manila Jeepney vs Pasargad
Green Archers United vs JP Voltes







Army Fc withdrew from UFL Cup, Bright Star Fc replacing them.

UFL Cup Round of 16 is scheduled from July 7 to 12.
Quarterfinals from July 28 to August 1
Semifinals on August 18
Final on August 22

Winner get a playoff spot in next AFC Cup

Tv Schedule June

Singapore Cup : Hougang United 1-2 Global Fc

1-0 Hougang United HT
1-1 Suzuki

1-2 Jason de Jong . In extra time
1-2 Ft

Global advance  to Quarterfinals facing Geylang International.

Global opens Singapore bid Wednesday night

By Cedelf P. Tupas

HOPING to make up for a disappointing AFC Cup stint, United Football League champion Global seeks international glory this time in the Singapore Cup starting Wednesday night against Hougang United at Hougang Stadium.

As the only UFL side in the 16-team tournament, Global is hard-pressed to improve on last year’s performance when it bowed out in the first round.

Although still in contention in the UFL Cup and the league competition, Global fell short in the AFC Cup, failing to make it past the group stage.

But with quality players beefing up the side this time, hopes are high of Global duplicating the club’s best finish in 2013 when it reached the semifinals of the prestigious competition which is now on its 18th year.

“We’re hopeful that, with a stronger squad, we can make an impact in the tournament,” said Global owner Dan Palami. “There’s pressure to do well considering we are the only Philippine club in the competition.”

National team standouts Amani Aguinaldo, Daisuke Sato, Mark Hartmann and Misagh Bahadoran will be at the forefront for Global, who will be boosted by new signings Norio Suzuki, a J-League veteran, and former Loyola Meralco midfielder Matt Hartmann.

Hougang finished seventh in the S-League last season.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/182363/global-opens-singapore-bid-wednesday-night#ixzz3bHhPawNr

UFL Cup Tuesday

UFL Cup :
Forza 2-2 Nomads 
Manila Jeepney 5-2 Laos Fc

YouTube : Azkals U23 vs. Azkalroos

2nd of 5 friendly matches undertaken by the U-23 Philippine National Team in their Sydney Australia training camp (May 14-22) in preparation for the 28th SEA Games coming this June in Singapore.

4 new faces beef up Azkals

By Cedelf P. Tupas

FOUR overseas-based players have been called up for the first time by national team coach Thomas Dooley to be part of the 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup Qualifying matches against Bahrain and Yemen next month.

Attack-minded players Iain Ramsay and Kevin Ingreso, defender Stephan Palla and midfielder Luke Woodland are the newcomers in the side unveiled by the Philippine Football Federation yesterday.

The Azkals play Bahrain on June 11 at Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan before flying to Qatar to face Yemen on June 16.

Leading scorer Phil Younghusband will still lead the line with the returning Javier Patino and Stephan Schrock while Suzuki Cup stalwarts Rob Gier, Manny Ott, Misagh Bahadoran, Amani Aguinaldo, Daisuke Sato, Mark Hartmann, Patrick Reichelt, Martin Steuble, Jerry Lucena and Simone Rota and key reserves Kenshiro Daniels and Dennis Villanueva retained their places in the squad.

Neil Etheridge looks to regain his place as a starter with Dooley omitting Roland Muller for the two games. Patrick Deyto and Tomas Trigo will be the back up goalkeepers.

Ramsay, a veteran of the Australian League, has a Filipino mother and has long been in the Azkals radar. He finally agreed to play for the country early this year.

Woodland, a midfielder, played for England at youth level and was on loan at Oldham Athletic last season while Palla is a strong prospect from the Austrian League.

Ingreso already impressed former Azkals coach Michael Weiss who wanted him for the 2011 SEA Games team before an injury prevented him from joining the team.

The Azkals begin training camp on Monday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/182287/4-new-faces-beef-up-azkals#ixzz3bAsMOkPN

Ticket news FIFA World Cup qualifier June 11 vs Bahrain

We wish to advise all football enthusiasts that the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia (TM) – Asian Qualifiers / AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 (TM) Qualifiers (Round 2) match between the Philippines and Bahrain will be held on 11 June 2015 at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan. Kick off is at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are sold via TicketWorld thru its online booking and major ticket outlets

Tickets prices are:

P531.80 CAT 1

P331.40 CAT 2

P125.40 CAT 3

P331.40 Round Trip Bus Ticket

We invite all to come and watch the game.

https://www.ticketworld.com.ph/Online/mapSelect.asp

23-man roster for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on June 11 and June 16

The Philippine Football Federation has issued call-up letters to the following players selected by Head Coach Thomas Dooley to compose the roster of the Philippine Men’s “A” Football Team that will play against Bahrain for the 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM – Asian Qualifiers / AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019TM Qualifiers (Round 2) at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan on 11 June 2015 and against Yemen on 16 June 2015 at the Qatar Sports Club in Doha.

These players are expected to report for the training camp on 1 June 2015:

1. AGUINALDO, Amani Manuel
2. BAHADORAN, Misagh
3. DANIELS, Kenshiro Michael
4. DEYTO, Patrick Phillip
5. ETHERIDGE, Neil Leonard
6. GIER, Robert James
7. GUIRADO, Juan Luis
8. HARTMANN, Mark Andrew
9. INGRESO, Kevin
10. LUCENA, Jerry Ruben
11. OTT, Manuel
12. PALLA, Stephan
13. PATIÑO, Javier
14. RAMSAY, Iain
15. REICHELT, Patrick
16. ROTA, Simone
17. SATO, Daisuke
18. SCHROCK, Stephan Markus
19. STEUBLE, Martin Markus
20. TRIGO, Tomas Angel
21. VILLANUEVA, Dennis
22. WOODLAND, Luke
23. YOUNGHUSBAND, Philip James

ATTY EDWIN B. GASTANES

General Secretary

Philippine Football Federation

20-man Roster for 28 th SEA Games

The Philippine Football Federation has issued call-up letters to the following players selected by Head Coach Marlon Maro to compose the roster of the U-23 Men’s Team that will participate in the 28th Southeast Asian Games to be held on 26 May to 16 June 2015 in Singapore.

Below is the list of players that have been called-up by PFF:

1. AGUISANDA, Ronnie
2. ALQUIROS, Nathanael Andrew
3. AMITA, Arnel
4. ARBOLEDA, Fitch Johnson Daviz
5. BADELIC, Florencio Jr.
6. BESANA, Mark Anthony
7. BUGAS, Paolo
8. CHENG, Jaime Vicenzo
9. CLARINO, Julian Mariano
10. DEL ROSARIO, Dominic Liam
11. DORIMON, Neil
12. FELONGCO, Shirmar
13. GADIA, Daniel Bernan
14. SALENGA, Paolo
15. SANTOS, Francisco Jose Primo
16. TACAGNI, Connor Reece
17. TALAROC, Richard Jr.
18. UZOKA, Kennedy
19. VALMAYOR, Gerardo III
20. VILLANUEVA, Nathanael Ace

Philippines U23 Squad list for SEA Games

20-man lineup of U23 Azkals to 2015 SEAG, as submitted to POC. | @olminleyba

Azkals Schrock, Patiño returning

By Peter Atencio

THE Philippine Azkals national football team is getting ready for the return of star midfielder Stephan Schrock and striker Javier Patiño.

The Azkals, making do with the little preparation they have, will have the two around when they start practice the first week of June.

Schrock and Patino are expected to be around, just in time for the start of the Fifa World Cup Qualifiers in the middle of next month.

“We’re waiting for our first sessions in June. We have new players. We have Schrock coming back and there’s Patino,” said Azkals coach Thomas Dooley.

The two are among the many players who still have club commitments until the end of the month.

When they arrive,  Dooley said local training camp will be organized June 1.

The late availability of players for the national squad has forced the Philippine Football Federation to scrap plans of a friendly against an available footballing neighbor.

Dooley said they are also waiting for the arrival of new acquisitions Iain Ramsay, Stephen Palla, Luke Woodland and Kevin Ingreso.

Overseas-based bets, including Jerry Lucena, are set to arrive in the first week of June. Palla is expected to arrive at a later date because the Filipino-Austrian defender is getting married on June 6.

Manila Standard Today

Iain Ramsay released by Melbourne City Fc

Fil-Australian Iain Ramsay has been released by his Australian club Melbourne City Fc.

http://www.melbournecityfc.com.au/article/melbourne-city-fc-player-update/19k672zvafbmn150lj8p6y6o1s

Iain is expected to be in Azkals training camp from June 1.

UFL matches postponed

UFL matches on May 30 and 31 , and June 6 and 7 have been postponed because of SEA Games and preparations before World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain on June 11.

UFL Cup Sunday

UFL Cup Sunday at Rizal :
1.45 pm Pachanga 0-3 Kaya

4 pm Team Socceroo 3-4 Agila
6.15 pm Stallion 4-0 JP Voltes
8.30 pm UST 0-7 Loyola

UFL Cup News

TO ALL CONCERNED CLUBS:

Since the Rules and Regulations of the competition were not amended, the
Knock-out Stages for the 2015 UFL Cup shall remain as is as per the
Rules and Regulations submitted to the Philippine Football Federation
(PFF).  Therefore, the Knock-out Stages will be composed of a Round of
16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Finals.

As such, the Top 4 clubs from each group will automatically advance to
the Knockout Stages.  For ranking purposes, the following shall be
observed as per Article 35 of the Rules and Regulations:

* The Top 16 clubs will be ranked in the following manner:

* Greater number of points obtained (PTS);
* Goal difference (GD);
* Greatest number of goals scored (GF).

* In the event that two or more clubs are equal on the basis of the
above criteria, their place shall be determined as follows:

* Result of the direct match between the clubs concerned;
* Kicks from the penalty mark if only two clubs are involved and they
are both on the field of play;
* Least number of Red Cards;
* Least number of Yellow Cards;
* Drawing of lots (toss coin) or play-off match as determined by the
Executive Committee.

Unofficial Azkals roster FIFA World Cup qualifiers

While we are waiting for PFF to announce the official squad list for FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Bahrain and Yemen.

This is my very unofficial roster :

Goalkeepers

Neil Etheridge
Roland Müller
Patrick Deyto


Defenders

Rob Gier
Juan Guirado
Alvaro Silva
Simone Rota
Jerry Lucena
Stephan Palla
Daisuke Sato
Amani Aguinaldo

Midfielders

Martin Steuble
Patrick Reichelt
Iain Ramsay
James Younghusband
Stephan Schröck
Kevin Ingreso
Luke Woodland
Misagh Bahadoran

Forwards

Javier Patino
Phil Younghusband
Mark Hartmann
Ruben Doctora Jr

Misagh Bahadoran says he's up for the challenge of battling for a spot in loaded Azkals midfield

By Karlo Sacamos

MISAGH Bahadoran is embracing the challenge with the potential overload at midfield with the arrival of new players and the return of old Azkals as the Philippine men’s football team prepares for the World Cup Qualifiers starting next month.

Asked if he is concerned about losing his spot with the return of Stephan Schrock and Javier Patiño and the arrival of Iain Ramsay, the veteran Bahadoran said he will just have to raise his game to a notch higher to keep his spot.

“I like that because I like challenge. Challenge makes you work harder and go the next level,” the Filipino-Iranian winger-striker said on Friday in a press conference to drum up the maiden Megaworld Cup on May 31 at the Mckinley Hill Stadium.

The Filipino-Spanish Patiño plays striker for Henan Jianye in the Chinese Super League, while Fil-Australian winger Ramsay last played for Melbourne City in the A-League. Another Azkals recruit, Kevin Ingreso, is an attacking midfielder for fourth-tier German side VfR Neumünster.

“There are a lot of strikers and midfielders that are coming up, so they’re a very, very big help, because their backgrounds are very strong, but that would be more challenge for me to work harder,” said Bahadoran, part of the seniors squad since 2011.

“That’s why I’ve started to become more serious and more focused because I want to really have a chance to play in this kind of games.”

Fil-Austrian defender Stephen Palla and Fil-British defensive midfielder Luke Woodland are two other prized Azkals acquisitions that are expected to bolster the national team starting in the opener of the Qualifiers, against Bahrain on June 11 at the Philippine Stadium.

And that makes it tougher for Bahadoran and the rest of the local-based booters to crack the lineup.

“It’s not easy to be part of the lineup, but I will stay positive to be chosen.”

Azkals coach Thomas Dooley said he has submitted his final 23-man roster for the Qualifiers to the Philippine Football Federation, although the governing body has yet to make an announcement.

“We’ll see the decision of coach and how they (recruits) can adjust to the team,” Bahadoran said. “But I will not give up. Even though I would come in as a sub and play just five minutes, I will do my one-hundred percent.”

“It doesn’t matter who’s playing,” Bahadoran said. “It’s about the team and the win.”

Read more at http://www.spin.ph/football/azkals/news/misagh-bahadoran-challenge-threat-spot-azkals-recruits-stephan-schrock-javier-pati#LAYB0ELSL6XUFOCc.99

Azkals have less than two weeks to prepare for World Cup qualifiers R

By Karlo Sacamos

THE Philippine men’s football team will try to make do with the little preparation time it has ahead of the start of the Fifa World Cup Qualifiers in the middle of next month.

Players still have club commitments until the end of the month, and coach Thomas Dooley has set a local training camp starting June 1, giving him less than two weeks to whip his wards into shape for their major tournament of the year.

“What can we do? We just have to deal with what we get and have a short window where we have to work with and do as much as we can,” the Azkals coach said on Friday.

Dooley admitted he would have wanted to have more time with his players, most plying their trade in the United Football League.

“It’s (training time) never enough,” he said ahead of the Azkals’ opener of the first-round qualifying for the world’s showpiece event on June 11 against Bahrain at the Philippine Stadium. “If I could have them for two months or the whole year, I would.”

“But I’m not complaining,” the German-American mentor was quick to add. “I’m just saying it’s kind of hard. In that time, you can only do so much.”

The last time the Azkals linked up was in a training camp in Bahrain last March.

The late availability of the national booters has also forced the Philippine Football Federation to scrap plans of a friendly against an available footballing neighbor. The PFF was eyeing a friendly against Malaysia on June 31.

One thing going for the Azkals is the return of star midfielder Stephan Schrock and striker Javier Patiño as well as the anticipated arrival of new acquisitions in Iain Ramsay, Stephen Palla, Luke Woodland, and Kevin Ingreso.

Dooley said the overseas-based standouts, including Jerry Lucena, are set to arrive in the first week of June, while Palla is expected to arrive later as the Filipino-Austrian defender is getting married on June 6.

“The quality of players you have plus the preparation you can do equals the success that you can have,” Dooley said. So you cannot say you want to win the World Cup and we don’t train together. Everything has to work together.”

“I will try to work with the players as much as possible that they get as much information as possible about the opponent, that they have confidence,” the no-nonsense coach said. “But everybody should bring one-hundred percent.”

Read more at http://www.spin.ph/football/azkals/news/thomas-dooley-preparations-world-cup-qualifiers-bahrain-training-camp-no-friendly-football#Li5o1avDuy1GEAYu.99

UFL Cup Saturday - Updated results

UFL Cup Saturday at Rizal Memorial Stadium








6.15 pm Green Archers United 1-4 Ceres

8.30 pm Phil Army 0-3 Pasargad  (Phil Army has withdrawn from UFL Cup)

Philippines U-23 target semifinal

Google translated from Indonesian

"Philippines national team coach of U-23, Marlon Maro stated that the ambition to qualify towards the semi-finals of this year's SEA Games is a realistic target that can be achieved foster children.

Drawn in qualifying Group A, young troops Azkals will compete with Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar and hosts Singapore in an attempt to grab tickets for the four major tournaments.

"We are in a relatively easy group and if everything goes according to plan, it will be possible for us to be able to qualify to the semi-finals," said the successor to Michael Weiss was reported by MBI .

Furthermore, Maro want any extra ammunition penggawa number of senior Azkals squad are still eligible to appear with the U-23 team.

"Team manager Dan Palami allow me to call OJ Porteria, Kenshiro Daniels and Curt Dizon. In addition, I also expect Manny Ott, Amani Aguinaldo and Daisuke Sato joined," he added.

Philippines had diving training camp in Australia over the last two weeks before the premiere party carry out their counter-Singapore at the Jalan Besar Stadium on June 1."

http://www.goal.com/id-ID/news/1367/asia/2015/05/22/11978082/filipina-u-23-targetkan-semi-final-sea-games-2015

4 newcomers reinforce Phl Azkals

By Olmin Leyba

MANILA, Philippines - New recruits will beef up the Philippine Azkals for their bid in the Fifa World Cup qualifiers beginning next month.

Azkals coach Thomas Dooley said Ian Ramsey, Stephen Palla, Kevin Ingreso, and Luke Woodland, along with comebacking Stephan Schrock and Javier Patiño, will start arriving June 1 for Phl XI’s training camp.

The Azkals will host Bahrain on June 11 at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan to commence their campaign in the home-and-away, double round-robin Group H preliminaries. Five days later, they will play Yemen in an away game to be staged in Doha, Qatar.

“We’ll have Schrock and Ian Ramsey, who are quick, good shots, and with good dribbling. That’s what we need on the wing. Up front, (there’s) Javier. We need somebody who can score with one touch. In the midfield, we got Palla, who is experienced and can bring something on the right side.  Like Ramsey, he plays leftback but is a forward with a good offensive mind, so that’s perfect,” said Dooley.

“We have young guys like Ingreso and Woodland from good European backgrounds who are coming over  and we’ll see how they play,” he added.

Dooley has less than two weeks to whip the holdovers and the new recruits into shape for the first two matches.

“Is it enough (training period)? I’m always positive, yeah. I will try to work with the players as much as possible, to give them as much information about the opponents and confidence (to go up against the rivals). If everybody brings 100 percent, we’ll have a chance,” he said.

The Azkals face tall odds against groupmates Bahrain, Yemen, North Korea and Uzbekistan in the second round of the qualifiers.

“We have a really tough group. We’re totally the underdogs and it would be very difficult. With the team we have, there’s something positive but again we have to be on our toes, we have to perform 100 percent,” said the former US World Cup team captain.   

philstar

Azkals updates (?)

No news about friendly

No announcement  of preliminary squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain on June 11

No ticket news for the home match on June 11

Azkals training camp is scheduled to start on June 1 said Neil Etheridge in a interview with CNN Philippines.

YouTube : U-23 Azkals train ahead of SEA Games

UFL Cup news

UFL has decided to drop Round of 16 and start with quarterfinals.

Top two in group will go directly to quarterfinals.

Global match against Laos Fc has been moved forward to May 23 at 1.45 pm because Global will play in Singapore Cup on May 27.

Forza vs Nomads has been postponed from Saturday to Tuesday.



Qualified teams :

Group A : Ceres and Green Archers United

Group B : Kaya and Pachanga Diliman

Group C : Not decided but between Loyola, Stallion and JP Voltes Fc

Group D : Not decided

Quarterfinals will probably take place in July

Etheridge: I'll be fighting for the number one spot

Ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge says he aims to regain his spot as the starting goalkeeper for the Azkals.

This report aired over CNN Philippines' Sports Desk on May 19, 2015.

http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2015/05/20/Etheridge-Ill-be-fighting-for-the-number-one-spot.html

(CNN Philippines) — With the World Cup Qualifiers just around the corner, former first choice goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is intent on claiming the number one shirt again.
The Filipino-English footballer is now back in Manila, after the conclusion of his season with Charlton Athletic FC, saying he is ready to compete for his place on the Azkals roster.
"I'll be fighting for the number one spot," Etheridge said in an interview on CNN Philippines' Sports Desk Tuesday night (May 19).
"I've always been quite a confident guy and I hope to be wearing that jersey, the number one jersey June 11."

After being at odds with Azkals coach Thomas Dooley, Etheridge hasn't played for the Philippine national team since the Asian Football Confederation Cup fixture against Afghanistan last May 2014.
The issue with Dooley has since been resolved and Etheridge is slated to rejoin the national side.
Etheridge has a chance to start for the country once again when the Azkals opens its World Cup qualifying campaign against Bahrain at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan on June 11.
But before he can earn the starting spot, he will have to compete with the likes of Roland Muller, Patrick Deyto, and Paolo Pascual.
"My main focus is this World Cup qualifier, regaining the number one jersey is my main priority this coming summer. My aim is to keep fit, keep sharp and prove myself once I get into camp," said Etheridge.

The Azkals are scheduled to come together for a training camp in the country on June 1 in preparation for their World Cup qualifying matches.


http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2015/05/20/Philippine-Azkals-World-Cup-Qualifiers-Neil-Etheridge-Goalkeeper.html

UFL Cup Tuesday - Updated results

La Salle retains Ceres Cup titles

The winning streak continues for Ceres- La Salle football team as the squad beat Central Philippine University in Men's 22 and turned back the Rising Sun- Cebu in Men's Open to register back-to-back victories in the 2 nd Ceres Cup at the North Football Field in Talisay City over the weekend.

The La Sallians led the list of winners in the two-day 7-a-side football festival that drew a record of 406 participating teams from different areas of the country.

It was the same La Salle football team that scored a three-peat in the national PRISAA games in Iloilo last month and had successfully defended their crown in the University Games last year, their veteran and multi-titled coach Freddie “Nene” Lazarito said.

La Salle's Hanesin Prince Antony, who was named Most Valuable Player in Men's Open last year, bagged his second individual award from the tournament this year with his impressive performance for the La Salle team in Men's 22.

While this year's Ceres Cup proved to be a little difficult as foreign players beefed up the lineup of the other clubs, Lazarito said playing together for more than a year now worked to their advantage.

“We had a great team work and we've been practicing everyday. Our players are both mentally and physically prepared for the tournament,” Lazarito said.

He also attributed their series of victories to the all-out support of their benefactor, the Yanson family, who were there to provide for the needs of the players.

Sharing the limelight with the La Salle squad are the lady booters from Negros Occidental Fotoball Association, who beat Minuluan, 1-0, in Ladies' Open final match.

Similarly triumphant were the young footballers from Atletico de Bago, who beat Sportivo FC – Alabang in Boys' 18 championship, while Don Bosco - Cebu captured the title in Boys' 16 category yesterday by prevailing over San Carlos FC.

The loss in Boys' 16 did not dampen the spirit of the San Carlos FC, whose Ladies 19 team reigned against Tamasak FC from Barotac in the final, while their Girls' 13 squad edged Rizal Football Club to grab the title, and the Boys' 11 team taming Don Bosco Cebu for the top prize in Boys' 11.

The final match in Men's 38 saw veteran-laden Ceres FC team beating their counterparts from San Carlos FC with former national team campaigner Jesurel Tonog receving the MVP honors.

Ilaga FC took the title in Boys' 14 after beating Ateneo Cebu, while the Blue Brothers from Manila dominated the competition in Mix 9 category.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. along with Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella and Talisay City Mayor Eric Saratan led the ceremonial kick along with Vice Governor Eugenio Lacson and tournament chairman Nicolas Golez during the opening ceremony.*NAB

Visayan Daily Star

Baguio petion - Please allow us to continue playing football at the Melvin Jones Football Grounds

We are  athletes of Baguio City and the Melvin Jones Football Grounds has been our training grounds since we were small. We just learned that football is no longer allowed to be played and that you also plan to put up a parking building there. 

Please do not destroy our park for a parking lot. 

Thank you.

Gabriela Ysabel Altomonte and Anne Drew Bautista

https://www.change.org/p/mayor-mauricio-domogan-please-allow-us-to-continue-playing-football-at-the-melvin-jones-football-grounds

UFL Sunday - Results

UFL Cup Sunday

1.45 pm Pasargad 2-1 Bright Star Fc

4 pm Green Archers United vs Philippines Army

Green Archers United win by default.

6.15 pm  Agila Fc 5-0 Fleet Marine Fc

8.30 pm Pachanga Diliman 4-1 Team Socceroo

UFL Cup Saturday - Results and standings

UFL Cup Saturday at Rizal Memorial Stadium





4 pm UST 0-5 Stallion Fc

Top Azkals out of SEAG due to ‘WC’ qualifiers

By Cedelf P. Tupas

With the Philippine Football Federation also focused on the World Cup Qualifiers, some of the country’s top Under-23 players could miss the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore next month.

The likes of Mark Hartmann, OJ Porteria, Daisuke Sato and Amani Aguinaldo all made the SEA Games age cutoff, but with coach Thomas Dooley expected to include them in the Azkals pool, they were left out of the SEA Games training camp squad.

The first game of World Cup Qualifying against Bahrain is slated on June 11, which is in conflict with the SEA Games schedule.

“The national team comes first,” said Philippine Football Federation general secretary Ed Gastanes said.

Azkals manager Dan Palami is targeting a May 28 start to training camp for the Azkals, who will be beefed up this time by several new recruits like Iain Ramsay, Luke Woodland, Stephen Palla and Kevin Ingresso.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/181631/top-azkals-out-of-seag-due-to-wc-qualifiers#ixzz3aFCMH6q6

SEAG ‘15: Phl football team sasalang agad

Mapapasabak agad maski di pa sakop ng opisyal na dates ng 28th Southeast Asian Games ang Philippine men’s football team sa Singapore sa darating na Hunyo 5-16.

Pero magpahanggang kamakalawa’y wala pang pinapasang line-up ang Philippine Football Federation (PFF) sa Team Pilipinas SEA Games Task Force.

Iritado na si Team Pilipinas chef de mission Julian Camacho sa PFF lalo’t host Singapore sa June 1 agad matatapat Phl 11  pero tengga pa ang mga accreditations.

“We don’t know yet if they will send three Azkals players to reinforce the Under-23 team because up to now they have yet to sent their official lineup,” wika ni Camacho.

Kasama ng Pilipinas sa Pool A base sa draw ang Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar at Cambodia. Tapos ng first match sa Jalan Besar Stadium sa Hunyo 1 ng mga Pinoy booters kontra Singaporeans sa alas-8:30 ng gabi, nakapila ang Cambodia sa June 3 sa 8:30 p.m., ang Myanmar sa June 7 at Indonesia sa June 9.

Ikinadismaya ni Camacho ang kakuparan ng pederasyon na dagdag pa aniya sa problemang kinakaharap ng Task Force na kinailangan ding asikasuhin pa ang paghingi ng permiso para naman sa foreign coaches na makakasama sa delegasyon.

Nakipagpulong si Camacho sa ambassador ng Singapore sa Pilipinas upang humingi ng permiso na mapayagan ang foreign coaches na mabigyan ng visa at makasama ng kanilang mga hinahawakang atleta para sa SEAG.

May manlalaro rin na orihinal na qualified pero di mapapasma sanhi ng pilay tulad ni John Paul Saclag ng wushu na may shoulder injury. (RC)

http://www.abante.com.ph/sports3/football/27929/seag-15-phl-football-team-sasalang-agad.html

Azkals U23 training camp in Australia

Azkals  U23 are on training camp in Australia preparing for SEA Games in Singapore.



First practice match today : Southern Districts FC 1-0 Philippines U23

First match in SEA Games will be on 1. June against Singapore

All systems go for 2nd Ceres Cup

Football athletes from different teams and clubs have started to arrive in Bacolod City yesterday for the biggest summer football festival in the country, the 2 nd Ceres Cup, this weekend.

Matches will be played in 14 categories – mixed boys and girls aged 9, mixed boys and girls 10. boys' 11. Boys 12, boys' 14, boys' 16, girls' 13, girls' 15, ladies' 19, boys' 18, men 22, ladies' open, men 38 and men's open.

The matches being held in coordination with the Negros Occidental Football Association, under the leadership of Ricky Yanson Jr. and the United Football Alliance, Inc., will be played in 24 football pitches in four ballfields at Ceres FC North Field across Ayala District, Carlos Hilado Memorial State College and Talisay City football fields, and the Ceres FC Mandalagan Football Field located behind Convergys.

Competitions director Warren Concepcion said licensed referees from Iloilo, Dumaguete, San Carlos, and NOFA were tapped to officiate in the two-day bootfest.

Organizing committee chairman Nicolas Golez said they are working hard to ensure that the visitors will be happy while spending their time in the province as it will reflect on the province's image as host of the country's biggest football festival.

He added that Ceres – La Salle FC team owner Leo Rey Yanson, had made it all possible for the second edition of the Ceres Cup after its resounding success last year.

From last year's 306 participating teams, Golez said this year's event has at least 380 confirmed teams. Winners in all categories will receive cash prizes and trophies.

Scheduled to play this Saturday are the teams in Mix 9, Boys' 11, Boys' 14, Girls' 13, Ladies'1 19, Men's 22 and Men's 38-Up. To play on Sunday are the teams listed under the Mix 10, Boys' 12, Boys'16, Girls' 15, Boys' 18, Ladies Open, and Men's Open.*NAB

Visayan Daily Star