29 October 2015

Azkals updates

Just two weeks today until FIFA World Cup qualifier against Yemen at Rizal Memorial stadium.

- Neil Etheridge has been knee injured and did not play last league match for his English club Walsall Fc. Could be doubtful for Yemen match if he dont recover and play league match this weekend.

- Javier Patino has recovered from his injury and scored two goals for his Chinese club in the last league match

- Phil Younghusband is suspended against Yemen

- No scheduled friendly before Yemen match and no planned friendly on FIFA match day November 17

27 October 2015

Cordillera Goshenland Football Cup



We would like to invite you to the Cordillera Goshen Land Football Club Cup 2015 on December 5 at the Melvin Jones Football Grounds. For more details, please see poster. Contact coach Aris Bocalan at 0939-552-1004 or Eliza Erin Reyes at 0907-336-9767 for registration and other details. See you there!

25 October 2015

UFL : Stallion Fc signing new players

Stallion FC new signings :

1. Josh Grommen (Fil-Australian) ex Loyola Meralco Sparks Fc

2. Terrence Linatoc

3. Reuben Raya Silitonga (ex Pachanga Diliman) From Indonesia

4. Charly Briones (Carlos Martin Briones) Ex Europa College, Gibraltar.  Equatorial Guinea International

5. Federico Zini (ex Botev Vratsa, Bulgaria) From Italy

6. Carlo Polli (ex Amicale, Vanautu) From Switzerland

7. Nesta Qordja (ex Chestnut Fc , England)

8. Marco Meireles (under process) (ex Mikkelin , Finland) from Portugal

9. Kamel Mekaoui (under process) (ex Fc Monthey , Switzerland ) From France

Lady Tams to compete in Vietnam football tilt

by Jaelle Nevin Reyes

The Far Eastern University (FEU) Women’s Football Team will compete in the Ho Chi Minh City International Women’s Football Tournament at the Thong Nat Stadium in Vietnam starting November 4.
Competing in the tournament that will run until November 8 are Hong Kong, Myanmar Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Football Club (FC) and the Philippines’ Lady Tamaraws.
The games will be played in a single round league format where the top seed after three games will emerge as champions.
The lady Tams are coming off a successful defense of their crown in the second edition of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Women’s Cup last month.
“First it is a great exposure to compete with strong teams like Myanmar and Vietnam. This is a good preparation for upcoming UAAP [Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines] season,” FEU head coach Let Dimzon told The Manila Times in an interview.
“Our opponents are national team like Hong Kong and Myanmar then first division top team of Vietnam. Myanmar will be the toughest. In their country playing, in the national team is their profession. No wonder why they are too strong,” Dimzon added.
Dimzon said that their preparation for the Vietnam tilt was hampered by the tight academic schedule of her wards, “Our main problem is the timing of school exam. We struggled in the attendance of our players because of conflict in  schedules of classes. But we still do our part in strengthening our weakness based in the strength of Myanmar and Vietnam.”
Dimzon added that they are formulating defense and transition plays against the tough Myanmar team.
“We are currently preparing a system against Myanmar since we’ll play in the opening game. The focus of our training is defending and transition play,” she said.

Stallions sign Josh Grommen

CAGAYAN DE ORO City — Stallions FC team owner and coach Ernie Nierras today confirmed that they have signed Australia based Filipino-Dutch defender Josh Grommen in preparation for the United Football League (UFL) season next year.
“We have signed him recently,’’ said Nierras who is also the main benefactor and coach of the Philippine women’s football team, the Malditas.
He added that he signed the Filipino-Dutch defender because he is athletic and has good football knowledge. “He has however to play the Stallions way which requires a high work rate for players,’’ he said.
The former Meralco standout, Grommen is also thankful for Stallions and Nierras for giving him a one year contract. “It was my own decision to join Stallions as I have heard a lot of good things about them. They can compete against the top teams in the league. I expect great things for myself and the club this season as I believe that the team is strong,’’ he said.
He is also excited to work with Nierras. “I have not met him but we talked on Skype. I really like his vision for young players and the development of football in the Philippines. I also heard a lot of great things about him, the club and the quality of coaching,’’ he added
He is also hopeful that his signing for the Stallions will give him an opportunity to get spotted by Azkals coach Thomas Dolley and give him a chance of playing for the Azkals.
Josh is one of the young defenders who could break into the Azkals in a short time. He is tall and athletic and has good ball vision. He can partner with Amani Aguinaldo at the central defense to replace the current aging and ailing defenders.
The 19-year-old son of Dutchman Rudy Grommen and Filipina Alma Bulan has played for the Philippine U23 Philippine squad in Bangkok last March in the AFC U-23 Championship qualifying tournament.
He was supposed to play for the Philippine team in the Singapore Southeast Asian Games last June but was cut before the tournament started. In two years time he will be very ripe for the next SEGames.
He signed for the Loyola Meralco Sparks last year in the UFL but had to pay out his contract after leaving the club in the middle of the season. He left because his boyhood club the Brisbane Roar offered him a contract in Australia.
Now, he is back in the UFL and is expected to dominate the Stallions’ defense with the come backing Simone Rota.
The UFL will start their 2016 season at the end of January according to league manager Rely San Agustin.
Ten teams will compete in the the 1st division while five have already confirmed their entry in the second division.
Aside from the Stallions, other clubs in the 1st division are Ceres La Salle FC, Global FC, Green Archers United FC, JP Voltes FC, Kaya FC, Laos FC, Loyola FC, Manila Jeepney FC, and Pachanga Diliman FC.
So far only five teams have signed up for the second division. They are Aguila FC, Forza FC, Mendiola FC, Pasargad FC, and Sigla FC (formerly Team Socceroo).
The armed forces teams, Army, Navy and Airforce still have to confirm their participations in the second division. They used to be superpowers in the local leagues but have been struggling with the UFL the past years.

24 October 2015

AFF to organize Futsal U20 in 2016

KUANTAN (24 Oct 2015) – It will be a jam-packed calendar for the AFF in 2016 as other than the blue riband event of the ASEAN Football Championship, a new tournament of the Futsal Under-20 will also be organized.
The qualifying round of the ASEAN Football Championship will be held in October before the main event in December.
Following the Second AFF Council Meeting this morning in Kuantan, it was decided that the Futsal U20 will be held towards the end of the year – after the AFF Futsal Championship and also the Felda-sponsored AFF Invitational Futsal Club Championship.
The hosts for the AFF Futsal U20 and also the AFF Futsal Championship in 2016 has yet to be decided although Myanmar has stepped forward to organize the AFF Invitational Futsal Club meet.
Myanmar will also the AFF Women’s Championship to be held in June 2016 in the city of Mandalay.
The hugely popular AFF Beach Soccer will also be held in 2016 with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) offering to be hosts suggesting an August date.
The preparatory tournaments of the U16 and also the U19 will also be organized in the second half of the year.
Vietnam will host the U16 while the organizer of the U19 will be announced at a later date.

Dorlas joins Global; De Jong signs with Loyola in virtual swap

By Kevin Estrada

MANILA--The transfer window of the United Football League took an exciting turn as both Loyola Meralco Sparks and Global saw their players went the other way.

Roxy Dorlas signed with Global on Monday after a four-year tenure with the Sparks which netted him two winner's medals in the UFL Cup and the Smart Cup.

A former Red Booter of San Beda, he was one of the founding players of Loyola when it was taken over by the MVP Group in 2011.

Dorlas joined former Spark teammates Paolo Bugas and Mark and Matthew Hartmann in Leigh Manson's camp in which they ended up trophy-less domestically, missed out on Asian qualification, and is also behind Albirex Niigata in the Singapore Cup semifinal.

On the other hand, Global saw its former captain and holding midfielder Jason De Jong sign with the Sparks on Wednesday after returning recently to its fold earlier this year.

The feisty dynamo led the People's Club to a league victory in 2014, but his return was hampered by limited playing time.

De Jong will be reunited with the Younghusband brothers and manager Simon McMeneny, who were his teammates in the Azkals that made the "Miracle in Hanoi" five years ago in the Suzuki Cup.

http://www.dugout.ph/2015/10/dorlas-joins-global-de-jong-signs-with-loyola.html

22 October 2015

Stallion gets Briones ahead of new UFL season

By Kevin Estrada

MANILA--The new UFL season is yet to kick off until next year, but Stallion made sure that it is still the aggressor in the transfer window when the club announced the signing of Carlos Briones on Sunday.

A former product of Real Madrid's La Fabrica, Charly, as he was most known, last played for College Europa in Gibraltar before he was signed by the Ilonggo club for a one-year deal that includes an extension option.

The 25-year-old Briones represented Equatorial Guinea in the last AFCON, when the host nation placed fourth.

Ernie Nierras' side continued to have its first team loaded with foreign talent after having Sean Bateau, Jordan Mintah, and Johann Noetzel in the past transfer windows.


http://www.dugout.ph/2015/10/stallion-gets-briones-ahead-of-new-ufl-season.html

21 October 2015

PFF-Smart Cam Norte leg rolls off October 29

by Jaelle Nevin Reyes
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Smart Under-22 amateur championship Group C leg in Camarines Norte will kick-off on October 29 at the Eco Athletic Field in Daet. The tournament, which is in its inaugural season, will feature three teams from the different football associations (FA) in the region, Legazpi City-Albay Federated FA, Naga City-Camarines Sur FC and and hosts Camarines Norte FA.

http://www.manilatimes.net/pff-smart-cam-norte-leg-rolls-off-october-29/224826/

20 October 2015

‘Azkals not involved in fixing of matches’

by  Peter Atencio

NO member of the Philippine Azkals national football team has been involved in game-fixing.
This was the declaration made by Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta in response to the news item reporting that members of the Nepal national football team had admitted that they played the Azkals in a “fixed” game in 2011. 
“Ang importante, hindi involved ang mga players natin diyan. Malinis ang ang ating mga participation,” said Araneta.
The Nepalese players, according to probers, have been involved in game-fixing incidents since 2008, including in friendly games with the Philippine Azkals and Malaysian team in 2011. The Azkals beat Nepal, 4-0, at the Rizal Football Stadium in Manila on that year. 
Araneta said he had already received communications from the Asian Football Confederation, which  has already banned the four Nepalese players and an official.
Because of the incident, Araneta said the Azkals won’t be having any friendlies with Nepal’s national team for the meantime.
“Friendlies? I don’t think so with Nepal,” said Araneta, who added that the Azkals have no schedule with other countries for the moment as well.
According to Araneta, the Azkals are focusing on their coming FIFA World Cup Qualification match with Yemen on Nov. 12, and their preparation for the Asian Cup.
“We are certain of this. No Filipino player is involved. Dapat lang na parusahan sila (Nepal players),” said PFF General Secretary Ed Gastanes.
Nepal team captain Sagar Thapa and four others were arrested last Wednesday after they were accused of taking money from bookmakers in Malaysia and Singapore to lose matches.    
According to Araneta, the Azkals are focusing on their coming FIFA World Cup Qualification match with Yemen on Nov. 12, and their preparation for the Asian Cup.
“We are certain of this. No Filipino player is involved. Dapat lang na parusahan sila (Nepal players),” said PFF General Secretary Ed Gastanes.
Nepal team captain Sagar Thapa and four others were arrested last Wednesday after they were accused of taking money from bookmakers in Malaysia and Singapore to lose matches.
According to the Himalayan Times, a police official said the alleged match-fixing dated from 2009 and  also included matches against Afghanistan, Bangladesh and  Malaysia.
The AFC, in a statement Monday, said a year-long investigation in conjunction with Sportradar and Nepali police resulted in the provisional suspension.
It also asked the sport’s international governing body, FIFA to have them banned worldwide.
Aside from Thapa, the other players identified to be also involved in game-fixing were Bikash Singh Chhetri, Sandip Rai and Ritesh Thapa, and the official is listed as Anjan K.C.
Goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa told police investigators in Nepal of his involvements following his arrest last week, admitting he received money for doing so.
He added that it was teammate KC Anjan, who made arrangements when he went to Manila and Kuala Lumpur before their games with the Philippine Azkals and the Malaysian national men’s football team.
“Anjan visited Manila and Kuala Lumpur. We decided to fix matches as we concluded that they were just friendly matches,” said Thapa in his confession which was published by goalnepal.com.
Thapa said he was told that they will get good money for doing so.

“We are to lose the matches against the Philippines and Malaysia. Anjar said we will get good money, and we did the same,” Thapa told probers.

19 October 2015

Roxy Dorlas to Global Fc

In his tenure with the club, Roxy Dorlas wasn’t only a first team regular, but also an academy coach and a firm believer in the potential of the Philippines’ next generation of footballers. As he makes his departure from the Loyola Meralco Sparks, he leaves heartfelt messages to the academy players he mentored, the teammates he battled with, and most importantly, the fans that have continually supported the team over the years.
“To all the Loyola Meralco Sparks academy players, you are the future of Philippine Football. It’s a long road, but its all worth it in the end. Football is more than just a sport, it will become part of your life. Push yourself to your limits, but don’t forget to always have fun.”
“To the team, It was one unforgettable chapter in my football career. I wish you all the best in your upcoming competitions. Special thank you to Phil (Younghusband), James (Younghusband), Jake (Morallo), and Simon (Greatwich), who have been there with me since the beginning.”
“To all the fans, thank you so much! I don’t think we give you as much credit as you deserve to get. Rain or shine, weekend or weekday, win or lose, you are always by our side. Your support gives us that strength, desire, and energy to keep on going. Thank you for being more than just fans to the club, LMSFC will always be my family!”

18 October 2015

UFL - Green Archers United Fc - try-outs

ATTENTION! Green Archers United Football Club Men's Team shall be having try-outs for the next United Football League beginning October 12 - 29, 2015 every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday at the De La Salle Zobel Football Field, Ayala Alabang at 7-9PM. Please PM us for any questions.

https://www.facebook.com/GreenArchersUnited?fref=ts

16 October 2015

PFF Smart U22 Championship Qualifiers

PFF Smart U22 Championship qualifiers

Sta Cruz Sports Complex, Laguna

Friday

Quezon 5-1 Laguna

Cavite 5-0 Oriental Mindoro

Goals: sajonia 1st,2nd, 5th goal. charles gamutan~3rd. ronaldo espinosa~4th



Pic : Cavite U22 team

Saturday

Cavite 5-1 Quezon
Laguna 3-1 Oriental Mindoro

STANDING
FA W L GF GA GP
CAFA 2 0 10 1 2
QFA 1 1 6 6 2
LFA 1 1 4 6 2
OMFA 0 2 1 8 2


Sunday

Cavite 2-1 Laguna

Cavite win qualifiers , advance to quarterfinals.


Azkals unfazed by Bahrain debacle, vow comeback

by Olmin Leyba
MANILA, Philippines – Their chances to progress in the Fifa World Cup qualifiers may now be slim but that wouldn’t discourage the Philippine Azkals from giving it a shot.
“We’re not yet buried; we’re still alive and we keep on,” said a defiant midfielder Stephan Schrock.
The Azkals missed an opportunity to close in on leader North Korea (13 points) and second-running Uzbekistan (nine) as they bowed to Bahrain in Manama, 0-2, and remained stuck with seven points.
The Pinoy booters face the tough task of sweeping their last three games against Yemen (Nov. 12 at Rizal Memorial Stadium), Uzbekistan (Mar. 24 in Tashkent) and North Korea (Mar. 29 also in Manila) to get a chance for at least a second spot in the Group H.
“There’s still a lot to play for. We have three big games (in the WCQ) coming up, and the next one’s coming up in Manila, which we always look forward to, and there’s still the Asian Cup qualification (after the WCQ),” said veteran Rob Gier.
The group winners and the four best runners-up will advance to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers as well as the final round of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Those that will be eliminated from the WCQ will contend in the next stage of the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Phl booters went their separate ways after the gruelling trip that had them play away games in Pyongyang and Manama in a period of 11 days. The Nationals are expected to return to camp next month in time for the Yemen outing at Rizal.
“We lick our wounds, everyone goes back home, think about this and we all make up when we come out again in three weeks and we really hit it hard again,” said Gier.

Nepal police : Azkals friendly against Nepal was match fixed !

Nepal police has revealed all the matches fixed by Nepal national team skipper Sagar Thapa, vice captain Sandip Rai, national teanm goalie Ritesh Thapa and former internationals Anjan Kc and Bikash Singh Chhetri. The police took all thse players in custody on Wednesday.

They were given USD 5000 each to lose the friendly against Philippines.

The match fixing was organized by famous match fixer Wilson Raj from Singapore who has been fixing matches worldwide in many years. He is already arrested for other match fixing cases.

One of the match that has been match fixed was Azkals friendly against Nepal in 2011 in Manila where Philippines won 4-0.

source :
http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=25383

Azkals have mountain to climb

BY Cedelf P. Tupas

The away loss to Bahrain on Tuesday night at Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa has left the Philippine Azkals with a mountain to climb in Group H of Asian Zone World Cup qualifying.
But skipper Phil Younghusband remains optimistic that the Azkals, who are third with seven points from five games, can still finish second in the group and contend for a spot in the next round of qualifying.

North Korea is on top with 13 points followed by Uzbekistan with nine from four matches. The top team advances to the third round along with four best second placers.
“It will be difficult to get the No. 2 spot. I think realistically we can look at the No. 3 and the next qualifying round of the Asian Cup,” Younghusband said. “But we will never know. If we win the rest of our games, we will have a chance. I think it’s possible.”
Younghusband endured a frustrating outing in the Azkals’ 0-2 loss to the Bahrainis, missing a couple of good chances before getting booked for the second straight game late in the match, which meant missing the game against Yemen on Nov. 12 due to suspension.
The Azkals will still play Uzbekistan on March 24 in Tashkent before facing North Korea at home five days later.


13 October 2015

Azkals’ World Cup qualifying hopes dim after loss to Bahrainis

By Cedelf P. Tupas

RIFFA – A tired Philippine side couldn’t replicate its heroic stand five days ago, conceding twice in an eight-minute span in the second half for a 0-2 defeat to Bahrain Tuesday night in Group H of World Cup Qualifying at  Bahrain National Stadium here.
It was the second defeat of the Azkals in five matches in the qualifying tournament, but it could be the one that proves fatal for the Filipinos who remain third with seven points in their group.
Ismaeel Abdulatif scored the opener in the 53rd minute with a tap-in after a flowing move from midfield before Sayed Adnan doubled the tally eight minutes later to put the Azkals to the sword.

As it stands, the Azkals would need other results in the group to go their way to stand a chance of making the next round of qualifying. The game held so much promise for the Azkals who were coming off a confidence building draw in Pyongyang.
They also faced a weakened Bahrain side that was also coming off a heavy 0-4 loss to Uzbekistan last Thursday.
But the Azkals looked disjointed on attack and in shambles defensively in a frustrating second half performance. The win was sweet revenge for the Bahrainis who lost to the Azkals, 1-2, in Bulacan last June.
The Azkals fly home Wednesday night. They face Yemen at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Nov. 12.


Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/196284/azkals-world-cup-qualifying-hopes-dim-after-loss-to-bahrainis#ixzz3oTQxRQzz

FIFA World Cup qualifier : Bahrain 2-0 Philippines

FIFA World Cup qualifier today

Bahrain vs Philippines

Start : 18.00 local time , 23.00 Philippines

TV : ABS CBN Sports & Action

Official livestream link :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL0f70IGoK0 (geoblocked in Philippines, North Africa and Middle East

Alternative livestream link not geoblocked : http://shoof.alkass.net/shoof/play.php?id=QVpHMURaS1pjWXZnMD0q

Livesteam link for Philippines : http://sports.abs-cbn.com/livestream/bahrainvsphilippines

Azkal starting XI :
Etheridge, Steuble, Amani, Lucena, Palla Reichelt, Ott, Ingreso, Sato PYH, Schröck



Embedded image permalink
Updated standings :



DPR KOREA541092713
UZBEKISTAN430112579
PHILIPPINES521258-37
BAHRAIN52037706
YEMEN5005011-110

Official livestream link FIFA World Cup Qualifier : Bahrain vs Philippines



Start 11 pm (Philippines)

Geo-blocked in Middle East & North Africa and Philippines.

12 October 2015

Philippines to face Bahrain for WCQ match on Oct 13

FIFAQUALIFIERS2

The Philippine Men’s National Team will play its away match against Bahrain on 13 October 2012 at the Bahrain National Stadium. Kick off is at 6:00pm local time.
This will be the Philippines’ 5th match in their bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM – Asian Qualifiers / AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019TM –Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2, after successfully preventing a loss against Group H’s top-ranked team DPR Korea with a 0-0 draw last 8 October 2015 at the Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang.
The Philippines previously defeated Bahrain 2-1 during their home match on 11 June 2015 at the Philippine Sports Stadium.
Bahrain is currently ranked 4th in the group with 3 points from its only win against Yemen while the Philippines is ranked 3rd with 7 points from its 2 wins against Bahrain (Home Match) and Yemen (Away Match) respectively, and its recent draw against Korea DPR. The match is crucial for either team as it could spell a win that will considerably increase their chances of advancing to the 1st or 2nd rank in the group.
Simone Rota will be joining the squad in Bahrain to complete the 23-man roster.
On 12 November 2015, the Philippines will play its home match against Yemen at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

the-pff.org

Bahrain look to reignite qualifying campaign

By MAZIN RIZK  
         
Bahrain will be looking forward to reigniting their stuttering campaign when they take on the Philippines tomorrow in the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asia Cup qualifiers at the Bahrain National Stadium at 6pm. 
Bahrain are currently in fourth place with just three points from four games and yet to recover from a 0-4 defeat to Uzbekistan in their last match at the National  Stadium last Thursday.
On the same day, the Philippines grabbed a precious point against group leaders North Korea following a 0-0 draw in Pyongyang.
The Philippines are third with seven points from four games while undefeated North Korea top Group ‘H’  with 10 points from four matches. Uzbekistan are second with nine points from same number of matches.
The fifth team in the group Yemen are yet to score a point after four matches.
The top eight in each of the eight groups will qualify for the third round of the World Cup qualifiers and also gain direct entry to the 2019 Asia Cup to be held in the UAE along with the four best second-placed teams.
The remaining three teams in the eight groups will continue to battle for a place in the 2019 Asia cup.
Tomorrow’s match will be officiated by Iraqi referee Mohannad Qassem and he will be assisted by linesmen Mohammed Moayad and Adeeb Loay while Mohammed Abdulla is the fourth official. 
Supervisor
The Asian Football Association (AFC) have also named Iranian Omid Gamal the match supervisor and Saudi Arabia’s Khalil Al Ghamdy the referee’s evaluator.
Coaches of both teams will hold an official pre-match conference today at the National Stadium. The Philippines coach Thomas Dooley’s Press conference starts at 5.30pm and it will be followed by Bahrain coach Sergio Batista’s at 6.30pm.
Dooley will then lead his team to a closed door one hour training session at 6pm while Batista will follow suit at 7pm.
Bahrain will go into the match with the same set of players who took on Uzbekistan.
The two teams have previous met only once and that was in the same campaign on June 11, 2015, in Manila. It was Batista’s first official match as Bahrain coach and the Philippines won it 2-1.
 
Source : Gulf Daily News

11 October 2015

Loyola Meralco Sparks FC - Open tryouts



Loyola Meralco Sparks - You're chance to join the Sparks.

Open Tryouts - 13th/14th/15th October

BGC Turf (Next to the Starbucks Drive - Thru)

12-2 pm

Players must be...

18 Years +
Free of all contracts.
Capable of performing in UFL Div 1

AFF Futsal Championship : Philippines 1-19 Vietnam

AFF Futsal Championship

Today


Philippines 1-19 Vietnam

10 October 2015

Azkals arriving Bahrain

Azkals have arrived Bahrain now.

FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain in Tuesday.

Simone Rota been posting on Facebook that he is on his way to Bahrain.

Dont think Javier Patino will join the team in Bahrain, he seem to still be recovering from an injury.

AFF Futsal Championship : Philippines 0-13 Australia

AFF Futsal Championship in Bangkok today

Philippines 0-13 Australia

AFF Futsal Championship is also qualifier for AFC Futsal Championship

Last futsal match is against Vietnam

---------------------------------------------------------






BANGKOK (10 Oct 2015) – Australia whipped the Philippines 13-0 to grab the top spot in Group B and in the process move a step closer to securing a semifinal slot in the AFF Futsal Championship currently taking place here at the Bangkok Arena.
The Aussies replaced overnight leaders Vietnam who had edged Myanmar 2-1 in another match here today. Vietnam could have retained the lead but they did not score enough goals to ensure a better goal difference. Both Australia and Vietnam have six points each from as many victories and are well positioned to make the semifinal cut.
For the record, the four semifinalists in the AFF Futsal will qualify for the Asian Futsal Championships to be held in Uzbekistan next year.
In the first match of the day, the Australians dominated from the start to the end to equal the biggest margin of victory here thus far. The Philippines tried desperately to break through and almost made it in the dying seconds but clearly it was not their day.
The Philippines in fact did well to hold off their opponents for the first six minutes. But a well-planned move caught the defence off as Adam Cooper flicked in a cross near the post. Cooper was on target a minute later and went on to complete his hattrick in the 23rd minute.
Australia’s other hattrick hero was Dean Lockhart who got his name on the scoresheet in the 15th, 16th and the 24th minutes. Their other scorers were Jarrod Basger (13th, 35th), Wade Giovenali (19th), Nathan Niski (19th, 29th) and Tobias Seeto (37th).

09 October 2015

08 October 2015

‘Brave’ defense helps Azkals make point in Pyongyang

By Cedelf P. Tupas

PYONGYANG—It was one of those games that required a brave, fighting performance and the Philippine Azkals duly delivered.
With their backs against the wall, the Azkals frustrated powerhouse North Korea in a scoreless stalemate Thursday in their World Cup qualifying clash before a boisterous crowd at Kim Il-sung Stadium here.

Amani Aguinaldo kept 6-foot-3 striker Pak Kwang-ryong at bay, Jerry Lucena used his experience to hold the backline together which was under constant bombardment and 19-year-old Luke Woodland coped well with the pace and power of a North Korean side that was seeking to preserve its perfect record in the qualifying tournament.
Neil Etheridge also produced a couple of spectacular saves in the end to ensure the Azkals survived.
In the end, it was the Azkals who felt more like winners after picking up a precious point in what has been a tiring trip to this reclusive country.
It boiled down to a stellar defense and Stephan Schrock, who played up front, was quick to pay tribute to Azkals defenders Aguinaldo, Lucena and Woodland.

“It was a good performance from everyone,” said Schrock. “We put up a great fight and we deserved a point. Amani, Jerry and Luke did an awesome job.”
The result boosted the Azkals to second spot in Group H with seven points. North Korea remains on top with 10 points at the midway point of the qualifying tournament.
But it was a hard-earned point for the Azkals considering the quality of the opposition and the conditions—playing before a partisan crowd of 50,000 which cheered every time the visitors’ defense endured a shaky moment.
“Not many teams come to North Korea and take points away from them,” team captain Phil Younghusband said.
Azkals coach Thomas Dooley took a more conservative approach to make sure his team got the draw that puts the Azkals back into the qualifying mix. He said slowing down the pace of the game was key as the Azkals stayed composed on the ball and took their time on dead-ball situations.


AFF FUTSAL: Sharp-shooting Myanmar, Vietnam blast 13-goals each

BANGKOK (8 Oct 2015) – Myanmar and Vietnam blasted 13 goals each to enjoy a smashing start to their AFF Futsal Championship campaign which began at the Bangkok Arena here today.
Vietnam provided a blistering start in the opening match when they whipped Laos 13-1 while Myanmar followed up with an equally sensational result, beating the Philippines 13-0 in the second Group B tie of the day.
Myanmar, thanks to a better average, top the group with Vietnam second. Laos and the Philippines are third and fourth respectively.
Australia, the fifth team in the group, had a rest day and will play their first match tomorrow.

In the second match of the day, Nyein Min Soe opened accounts in the third minute but it was seven minutes later before they doubled the score through Kyaw Soe Moe. Naing Ye Kyaw added a third in the 11th minute but he later went to complete a hattrick with goals in the 22nd and 25 minutes.
Htet Myat Naing, Pyae Phyo Maung and Aung Zin Oo scored in the 13th, 17th and 18th minutes to put the half-time score at 7-0. After the break, there was no stopping the Myanmar players who struck six more times to walk away with a convincing 13-0 win. Apart from Ye Kyaw’s two goals, the other second half strikes were completed by Myat Naing (30th), Pyae Phyo Maung (33rd), Ye Yint Oo (36th) and Khin Zaw Lin (37th).

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