Azkals, sans Schröck, Reichelt, and Rota, take on Kyrgyzstan

by Bob Guerrero

Kyrgyzstan vs Philippines
FIFA International Friendly
Tuesday, September 6
LIVE on ABS-CBN Sports+Action
Kickoff 10:30 pm

The Azkals play their first full international match since the upset of North Korea last March when they take on Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek on Tuesday. This was supposed to be the second game in the September FIFA international window but a home friendly against Turkmenistan was canceled after the Central Asian opponents begged off, citing injuries to their squad.

There is no shortage of talking points going into this match.

No Schröck, Reichelt, and Rota

Neither Azkals management nor his club, Ceres La Salle, would elaborate, but Stephan Schröck will not be making the trip. The midfielder, who has just turned 30, has 4 international goals for the Philippines. No explanation was given for his absence on the roster. He was also not at training in Rizal Memorial on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, August 31, it was reported that Patrick Reichelt is also ruled out, not only for this game but for the Suzuki Cup. The Ceres player has suffered an ACL injury. Reichelt would've been useful either on the flanks or on top, and his loss is a major blow.

Like Reichelt, Simone Rota, the Filipino-Italian defender, is set to undergo surgery for knee injuries sustained in a recent UFL match. He will be sidelined for 6 to 7 months and will miss November's Suzuki Cup as well.

With Juani Guirado retiring after the North Korea match in March, Rota, 31, could have been an option to slide over from right back and team up with Amani Aguinaldo in central defense. Now that's an impossibility for the short and medium term.

Stephan Palla, the Fil-Austrian left-sided midfielder, is reportedly injured and won't play.

Dooley said he identified Dennis Villanueva as Aguinaldo's probable partner on Tuesday. Like Aguinaldo, Villanueva also plays for Global. He traces his roots to Laiya, Batangas but was raised in Italy where he played in the youth system of Serie A club Lazio. Villanueva, 23, is usually a defensive central midfielder. In the last Suzuki Cup, he was on the roster but was not deployed.

All eyes will be on the youthful central defense partnership of Aguinaldo and Villanueva on Tuesday. The retirements of Guirado, Rob Gier, and Jerry Lucena have left a void in that spot that needs to be filled in the lead-up to the Suzuki Cup.

Fortunately Azkals fans will see plenty of familiar faces in the lineup. Both Younghusband brothers are likely to be there, as well as a full contingent from Ceres, namely Manny Ott, Martin Steuble, and Roland Müller, who will compete with Patrick Deyto and Neil Etheridge for the start in goal. Etheridge will fly directly to the Kyrgyzstan capital from England. Misagh Bahadoran is also a likely starter. Daisuke Sato, who planed in from Romania, was also present and was his usual feisty and intense self inTuesday's training.

Azkals manager Dan Palami did say that although striker Javi Patiño is not playing on Tuesday, he has committed to the Suzuki Cup, which kicks off in the Philippine Sports Stadium on November 19 with a home game versus Singapore. Indonesia follows suit on November 22, then the final group stage match against champions Thailand on November 25.

Patiño plays for Chinese Super League team Henan Jianye, and their season is scheduled to end in the first week of November.

Iain Ramsey, the Filipino-Aussie , is in the lineup and was at training on Tuesday.

Kaya FC's Junior Muñoz, meanwhile, has earned his first Azkals call-up. The midfielder was raised in Holland.

Mike Ott: Our surprise?

Thomas Dooley, the Azkals coach, is very high on Manny's kid brother Mike, who is jetting in from Germany to Kyrgyzstan.

Mike Ott is a striker who, according to Dooley, can slot in at either central forward or "in the hole" in the #10 spot. Mike stars for FC Nuremberg II, the reserve team of second-tier Bundesliga side Nuremberg. Nuremberg II plays in Regionalliga Bayern, one of 5 regional leagues that comprise the 4th tier of German professional football.

Dooley has scouted the 21-year-old in person and marvels at his finishing, intelligence, and passing skills. While undersized for a #9 center forward, Dooley said Mike's keen eye for goal makes up for that deficiency. Look for him to make an appearance in the second half on Tuesday.

To play them or not to play them?

Some of the players on the team have little or no chance of being in the Suzuki Cup. The ASEAN championship is not played during FIFA international windows, so clubs have no obligation to release their players for national team duty.

In all likelihood that means Etheridge, Sato, Ramsay, and Mike Ott won't be available in November. Etheridge is between the sticks at Walsall, a club in the English third tier, while Sato is now playing for a Romanian club. 

Since this friendly is considered a lead-up to the Suzuki campaign, it's a fair question to ask if only players committed to the Suzuki Cup should be fielded. But Dooley definitely wants the strongest side for every game.

"There is so much at stake. We want to get good results and get ranking points," said the coach.

"I want to win every game and I want go to Kyrgyzstan and win with the best players available."

The Philippines is ranked 134th in the world, and in its sub-confederation only Thailand (120) is ranked higher, with Vietnam hot on the Philippines' heels, 4 slots adrift.

In FIFA's eyes, AFF Suzuki Cup matches are friendlies and thus don't count as much as competitive matches. Therefore there are relatively few ranking points to be gained, especially since a team tends to get more points when they beat higher-ranked opposition. This means toppling Kyrgyzstan would be a huge ranking point boost.

Long journey

There are no easy routes to Bishkek, and the travel will make it a real ordeal. Palami said the team has yet to finalize its travel plans as of Wednesday. One proposed itinerary is a 36-hour slog. There are also options to pass through Urumqi in western China, Astana in Kazakhstan, or even through Turkey.

Bishkek is only about 5,000 kilometers away from Manila, nearly 2,000 nearer than Dubai. But unless Kyrgyzstan-Philippines bilateral trade increases dramatically soon, direct flights are unlikely.

Thankfully, the cancellation of the Friday game against Turkmenistan could allow the side to leave a day early. There's also just a two-hour time difference between the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan, which sits north of western India.

The opponents are also going to be fired up. On Tuesday they toppled neighbors Kazakhstan in a home friendly, 2-0. The Kazakhs are ranked 96th in the world.

Kyrgyzstan finished 3rd in a World Cup qualifying group that included Australia, Jordan, and Tajikistan. They won't be taking part in Russia 2018 but will be involved in 2019 Asian Cup qualifying next year.

The Philippines and Kyrgyzstan will meet once again in November in the PSS, likely the Azkals' last tuneup before the Suzuki Cup. But this first meeting next Tuesday will be a great barometer of where the Azkals stand as of the moment.

Possible starting formation:

Bahadoran
Ramsay PhilYH JamesYH
Ingreso Ott
Sato Villanueva Aguinaldo Steuble
Etheridge

http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/football/144781-azkals-sans-schrock-reichelt-rota-take-on-kyrgyzstan

Azkals updates

Azkals next friendly will be against Kyrgyzstan in Bishek on September 6.

They are training at Rizal Memorial Stadium this week , and is expected to leave in the weekend for Kyrgyzstan.

- Foreign based players Daisuke Sato and Iain Ramsay have arrived and are training with the team.

- Stephan Schröck has not arived the training camp, but will probably arrive soon

- Patrick Reichelt is injured and will not be going. Probably ruled out of Suzuki Cup.

- Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge travel directly to Kyrgyzstan

- Luke Woodland started in a club match for Oldham Atletic Tuesday

- Javier Patino : No news if he will join the team

- Kyrgyzstan won 2-0 in a friendly against Kazakhstan on Tuesday.


Azkals training Tuesday: P Younghusband, J Younghusband, Bahadoran, Steuble, Ott, Aguinaldo, Ingreso, Daniels, Sato, Ramsay, Villanueva, Bugas,
Ramsay, Villanueva, Grommen, Munoz, Bedic, Arboleda, Winhoffer, Del Rosario, Deyto, Muller

Simon Greatwich is also in the training squad

Source (training) ; Cedelf P.Tupas

Final squad has not been announced yet

AFC U-16 Championship qualifiers : Philippines 13-0 Northern Mariana Isl

Weifang: The Philippines clinched their second straight win while Korea Republic opened their campaign with an impressive victory in the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2017 Group B qualifying competition on Tuesday.

GROUP B
Malaysia 0-13 Korea Republic
Scorers: Chun Ga-ram (2, 22’ penalty, 35’, 54’), Cho Min-jin (11’, 15’, 51’, 58’, 76’), Chang Eun-hyun (20’), Hyun Seul-gi (27’, 72’), Ko Min-jung (90’)
Referee: Wang Jia (China PR)

Northern Mariana Islands 0-13 Philippines
Scorers: Denise Graellos (1’, 2’), Caitlin Levasseur (6’), Tejanee Isulat (13’, 32’, 63’), Maeva Collatos (18’), Hannah Villasin (33’), Glynnes Dela Cruz (43’), Danezza Graellos (47’), Isabella Mahoney (54’), Stacey Ann Arthur (80’), Regine Rebosura (84’)
Referee: Fusako Kajiyama (Japan)

NEXT GROUP B MATCHES
September 1
Korea Republic v Northern Mariana Islands
India v Malaysia

Alvaro Silva Linares signs for Indonesian club

Fil-Spanish Alvaro Silva Linares has signed for Indonesian club Arema Cronus

U-16 Girls go down fighting against Philippines

WEI FANG (CHINA): The Indian U16 Women’s National Team suffered a 0-2 defeat against Philippines in their opening clash of the AFC U-16 Qualifier in Wei Fang, China today (August 28, 2016).

The Indian girls suffered a nervy start as they were left reeling conceding as early as the 6^th minute after a lapse in the Indian defence line saw Tejanee Isulat placing the ball home to give Philippines an early lead.

Albeit gradually, the Indian Girls tried to equalize their deficit and garnered two glorious goal scoring opportunities, both however went abegging. In the 8^th minute, Vanlalhriattiri was released onto goal by Bannya, but the former with the Filipino goalkeeper at her mercy, shot astray of the goal.

Four minutes later, Vanlalhriattiri once again went on a one versus one scenario with the opponent custodian and once again, her shot wayward of the intended target.

Although Philippines almost doubled their lead in the 16^th minute, when a Filipino counter-attack rattled the Indian woodwork, the Indian girls showcased a fighting spirit and kept searching for the equalizer.

In the 25^th minute, Soumya Guguloth took the Filipino defence single-handedly as she took to her bike, after beating three defenders in her wake, and rushed towards goal. Soumya’s valiant run however, did not receive a glorious conclusion as she failed to find the back of the net.

It was like déjà vu altogether again, in the 42^nd minute, Soumya once again capitalized on Bhagyashree’s through ball, blazed towards goal, and failed to find the target.

The Indian girls could have equalized their deficit before half-time but failure to convert cost the Eves as they went into the tunnel trailing by a solitary goal to nil.

In what was a cagey second half, the Indian Girls dominated possession, created chances but lacked the necessary prowess to convert their chances.

In the 68^th minute, Thailand Devi released a delicious cross for Renu in the 18 yard box, the latter made contact with the cross but the Filipino custodian made a top class save to deny India the equalizer.

Philippines doubled their lead against the run of play in the 76^th minute to make the scoreline read 2-0.

In the last 10 minutes of the match, the Indian girls garnered three clear goal scoring opportunities but were left reeling as failure to covert cost the Indian girls the match.

After the Filipino custodian fluffed her lines, Soumya failed to capitalize and her shot crept inches away from the unguarded goal in the 82^nd minute. Four minutes later, Sanathokpi failed to head the ball home from handshaking distance after a cross from the right flank.

In the 87^th minute, substitute Karishma was found clear of the defensive mix in the 18 yard box, but instead of hammering the ball home, Karishma tried to poke it beneath the onrushing custodian, but failed.

The Indian girls pressed hard to reduce their deficit but the Filipino defence thwarted their attacks in the dying embers of the match as the full-time scoreline read 2-0.

https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=7366

PH U-16 Girls face India in AFC today

By Jaelle Nevin Reyes

The Philippine Under-16 Girls National Football Team will play against India in their first match in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U16 Women’s Championship 2017 qualifiers at the Lunang Football School in Weifang, China today.
The game begins at 11 a.m. Manila time.
The Filipinas, playing in Group B need to get through four elimination stage games against South Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, India and Malaysia, to qualify for the knockout phase.
After their opening game, the Filipinas will clash with Northern Mariana Islands on August 30 before battling South Korea on September 3. The Philippines, in their penultimate game in the preliminary phase will take on Malaysia on September 5.
Thailand, China, Japan and North Korea, after posting wins in the previous edition of the competition, have already earned their berth to the final tournament to be staged in September 2017.
The 20 members of the team according to a roster released by the Philippine Football Federation are Rena Agudolo, Stacey Ann Arthur, Gabrielle Breton, Maeca Collatos, Marienell Cristobal, Glynnes Dela Cruz, Denezza Graellos, Denice Graellos, Tejanne Isulat, Caitlin Levasseur, Isabella Mahoney, Michaela Maligalig, Erin O’Connor, Christine Penares, Regine Rebosura, Faith Ruetas, Tara Shelton, Mae Tan, Andrea Tiongson, and Hannah Villasin.

PFF Women’s Football Committee Head Lalaine Sarmiento will lead the delegation with head coach Marnelli Dimzon and assistant coaches Patrice Impelido, Joyce Landangan and Kim Versales.

http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-u-16-girls-face-india-in-afc-today/282412/

Global FC inches closer to UFL title

BY JAELLE NEVIN REYES

Global FC is just a few games away from bagging a rare United Football League (UFL) double after winning 12 of their last 13 games.

The Dan Palami-backed Global FC became known as one of the country’s best football clubs when they won their first double in 2012.

“For us, we just got to keep that gap between us and the other pack. If we can do that, the rest of the pack can fight for second. That’s quite a nice thing to be standing at,” said newly reassigned team manager Leigh Manson, who started mentoring the club in 2014.

Being unbeaten in 12 games for 37 points, Global FC needs to go through six more games before the end of the tournament. Global FC elicited a 3-3 draw from defending UFL champs Ceres in their last first round game on July 17.

Global FC started the year with a notable run in the season-opening UFL Cup, which saw the team escaping Ceres La Salle FC in the finals, 3-1.

The triumph ensured Global to become one of the two clubs that would represent the Philippines in international competitions next year.

Manson explained that their 3-2 victory against rival Kaya FC improved their chances of winning.

“We are still on top of the table. We have a little bit of a gap against the other teams and we’ve done a double against Kaya. That’s not a bad thing,” he said.

However, he stressed that they will be taking their remaining games one step at a time,

“We’ve got two really big games that will go a long way to deciding who wins the title,” Manson said.

With Ceres limping into the second round, Manson said that the pressure is now on the other teams to secure a slot as the Philippines’ representative to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) meets.

“With Ceres on its dipping form, what it has done is remotivate Loyola and Kaya because now they can see the possibility of again qualifying for the AFC Cup. I guess the games between the second to fourth teams in the standings will actually be more difficult,” he said.

The UFL is currently on a three-week break to give way to the scheduled international friendly games of the Philippine Azkals.

JAELLE NEVIN REYES

http://www.manilatimes.net/global-fc-inches-closer-to-ufl-title/282413/

Azkals friendly vs Turkmenistan scrapped; Rota hurt

The Philippines’ buildup for the AFF Suzuki Cup suffered a double blow following the cancellation of the friendly match against Turkmenistan on Sept. 2 and news that defender Simone Rota sustained a knee injury that could rule him out of the tournament.

Citing injuries to players, Turkmenistan decided to call off the match with the Philippines at Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan, leaving the Azkals with only one game during the international window.

With the cancellation coming just a week before the match, it is highly unlikely that the Philippine Football Federation could find an opponent to replace the Turkmen.

The Azkals still have one friendly match for the window against Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek on Sept. 6.

The Suzuki Cup is slated Nov. 19.

Rota revealed Thursday he sustained a partial ACL tear, which could leave the Azkals without their most experienced defender in the Suzuki Cup.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/220785/azkals-friendly-vs-turkmenistan-scrapped-rota-hurt#ixzz4ITQN0qAZ

Sept 2 Friendly Philippines vs Turkmenistan is cancelled !

The friendly Philippines vs Turkmenistan has been cancelled !

http://pff.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/20160826_112637.png


Note that PFF has not announced a squad against Kyrgyzstan only against Turkmenistan which is now cancelled


PFF will announce the squad against Kyrgyzstan later , and there will be changed from the announced squad against Turkmenistan.

Bugas and Grommen replacing injured players

Paolo Bugas (Global Fc ) and Josh Grommen (ex Stallion) replacing injured players Stephan Palla and Simone Rota in Azkals squad for friendly against Turkmenistan .

Simone Rota injured

Simone Rota Instagram :

"For the third time of my life during the most important moment of my carrier I got several injured..broke my ACL and partial PCL...obviously I have to surgery...somebody teached me to be always positive,get my objective and visualize it...only God will give to me the right way for come back more strong...I belive in myself and I will do "

RHB SINGAPORE CUP 2016: STAGS OVERCOME CERES TO CLINCH FINAL BERT

Written by: Ryan Low

A thrilling 3-2 extra time win in the second leg of the semi-finals at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday night helped Tampines Rovers to overcome Philippines invitee Ceres La Salle 5-3 on aggregate and reach the 2016 RHB Singapore Cup final.

Tampines had won the first leg 2-1 three days ago, but Stephan Schrock levelled the score on aggregate via a first-half penalty.

Hafiz Sujad struck early in the second half to wrestle the initiative back for the Stags, but Ceres restored parity once again through Patrick Reichelt.

The match headed for extra time where goals from Afiq Yunos and Saifullah Akbar sealed the deal for Tampines, as they qualified for their first Singapore Cup since 2012.

It was a closely-fought first half where both sides struggled to find their rhythm, but Ceres would end it on top just before the break.

The referee had no hesitation to signal for a penalty after Afiq handled Manuel Ott’s close-range shot, with Schrock duly making no mistakes from the spot.

Tampines would level it up on the night and go 3-2 up on aggregate 12 minutes into the second half, with Hafiz firing home a first-time volley from 10 yards out after being teed up by Billy Mehmet.

However, Ceres refused to go away and levelled matters again in the 78th minute.

Reichelt reacted the quickest in the box to direct Jeffrey Christiaen’s inswinging cross from the right past the stranded Tampines goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud to force extra-time.

Things, however, went pear-shaped for the Busmen as they would end regulation time one man down after Paul Mulders was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The reigning United Football League champions would further go down to nine men in extra time, as they had already used up the three substitutions when Reichelt was stretched off due to injury.

Tampines fully took advantage of the numerical disparity to go ahead 4-3 on aggregate in the 105th minute.

Afiq made amends for his part in the opening goal as he rose the highest in the area to nod home Irwan Shah’s teasing left-wing cross.

The Stags finished the job seven minutes later, with Canadian winger Jordan Webb taking out three defenders with a mazy run before unselfishly setting up substitute Saifullah Akbar to slot past Ceres custodian Louie Casas.

The goal sparked raucous celebrations from the Tampines bench and the three-time Singapore Cup champions would hold on to progress into the final, where they face either Balestier Khalsa or Albirex Niigata (S)

Ceres La Salle caretaker coach Ali Bernard: “We had a good tournament overall and we played a good game tonight. For me, I believe playing conservatively is not good.

“We showed everyone that we can play football and they did everything they could. But the incidents came and we got the cards. At 10 men, it’s difficult to play against a strong team like Tampines. At nine men, it was almost impossible.

“The winner was the crowd tonight; they were excellent and loud.”

Tampines Rovers head coach Akbar Nawas: “It’s an ecstatic feeling to reach the final. The way the players fought tonight, you cannot ask for more. Of course it (Ceres going down to nine men) helped us, but we still needed to be patient; to stretch them on the flanks to score the goals.

“Football is an emotional game and it is good that the team are having good emotions now. The final is still a few months away so I’m thinking about that yet.

“We have a S.League game against Home (United) on 10th September, before flying off to India two days later for our AFC Cup (quarter-final first leg) game (against Bengaluru). It’s going to be tough, so I’m taking one game at one time now.”

Ceres La Salle: Louie Casas (GK), Jason Sabio (Jalsor Soriano 91’), Kevin Ingreso, Kim Sang Min (C), Bienvenido Morejon, Manuel Ott (Arnie Jr. Pasinabo 75’), Stephan Schrock, Carlos Martinez (Jeffrey Christiaens 55’), Paul Mulders, Martin Steuble, Patrick Reichelt

Tampines Rovers: Izwan Mahbud (GK, C), Ismadi Mukhtar, Jufri Taha, Jermaine Pennant, Jordan Webb, Izzdin Shafiq, Afiq Yunos, Hafiz Sujad, Irwan Shah, Sufian Anuar (Saifullah Akbar 106’), Billy Mehmet (Shafie Mulianto 114’) 

http://www.sleague.com/match-report/singapore-cup/2016/august/2016-08-24/ceres-la-salle-fc/

YouTube : RHB Singapore Cup: Ceres La Salle FC vs Tampines Rovers FC (24 August 2016)

18th Aboitiz FB Cup set to open Sept 4

CEBU CITY: The 18th Aboitiz Football Cup, Cebu’s premier football tournament, is set to open on September 4 at Cebu City Sports Center.

The games will officially kick off on Sept. 10 with five different venues.

A total of 160 teams have so far signed up for the biggest football tournament in the country.

The category with the most number of teams as of the moment is the Under-11 division with 19, followed by the prestigious Men’s Open division with 18 teams.

The Boys Under-18 and the Under-9 age groups both have 16 teams each.

The Boys Under-21 division, which so far has four teams, will serve as the qualifier for the annual PFF Smart National Under-22 Amateur Championship.

The talent and quality of play have improved by leaps and bounds over the decade, with the unwavering support by the Aboitiz Foundation and the unending dedication by the Cebu Football Association.

“Not only is it growing in quantity but also growing in quality in the level of play,” said CFA president Ricky Dakay.

Dakay said there were plans to go national in the years to come.

He said the Aboitiz Foundation with the help of AboitizLand, headed by Eduardo Aboitiz, will sit down and study on how to effectively run a national tournament.

Aboitiz Foundation’s Sonny Carpio said the tournament, which started with a P50,000 donation, is now worth P1.8 million.

http://www.manilatimes.net/18th-aboitiz-fb-cup-set-to-open-sept-4/281881/

Singapore Cup Semifinal Second Leg - Tampines Rovers 3-2 Ceres Fc

Ceres La Salle starting XI: Casas; De Murga, Sabio, Kim, Ingreso; Ott, Mulders; Steuble, Schrock, Maranon; Reichelt
Tampines Rovers starting XI: Izwan; Ismadi, Jufri, Afiq, Irwan; Izzdin, Pennant, Hafiz; Sufian, Webb, Mehmet


Tampines Rovers won first leg 2-1.


Update :
45 mins 1-0 Schröck scores on PK
Ceres 1-1 Tampines HT
2-1 Reichelt FY

2-2 AET Tampines
2-3 AET Tampines

Philippines Team To Host Bahrain In International Friendly

The Men’s National Team are scheduled for an International Friendly Match against Bahrain at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan on 07 October 2016. Kick-off time and ticket details will be announced soon.

The National Team has past encounters with 126th ranked Bahrain with a 2-1 win on the first meeting, and a 2-0 loss on the second leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM – Asian Qualifiers / AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019TM –Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. Philippines drew Bahrain 0-0 in 2012 and lost 2-1 in 2015, both on international friendlies in Bahrain’s home soil.

The match falls on the FIFA Friendly match calendar scheduled 03-11 October 2016. The National team plays Turkmenistan on 02 September 2016 in Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan and the Kyrygz Republic on 06 September in Bishkek, Kyrygzstan, both on friendly matches.

http://pff.org.ph/2016/08/24/philippines-team-to-host-bahrain-in-international-friendly/

RHB SINGAPORE CUP 2016: DEPLETED STAGS DETERMINED TO FINISH THE JOB

Written by: Shawn Lim

RHB Singapore Cup 2016 (Semi-Final 2nd Leg)

Ceres La Salle vs Tampines Rovers
(Wednesday, 24 August, 7.45pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

A depleted Tampines Rovers side will have to dig deep to hold on to their advantage over Ceres La Salle and secure safe passage into the RHB Singapore Cup final when the two sides meet again on Wednesday night in the semi-final second-leg at Jalan Besar Stadium.

The Stags eked out a 2-1 victory over the Busmen in the first-leg at Jurong West Stadium on Sunday night, but the win came at cost for Akbar Nawas' charges as Shakir Hamzah was sent off, while captain Mustafic Fahrudin picked up his second yellow card of the competition.

Shakir and Mustafic will join Yasir Hanapi, who is suspended for both legs, on the sidelines and if that is not enough, Fabian Kwok has been ruled out for a month because of a tear in his knee, while Fazrul Nawaz has joined Shahdan Sulaiman on the long-term injury list.

That leaves Tampines with only 10 outfield first-team players when they face Ceres again and they will be forced to call upon their Prime League players to make up the numbers on the bench or on the field.

Akbar has acknowledged that it will be an uphill task to secure victory again, especially since Ceres are still very much alive in the tie and only have a goal difference to make up for.

However, the 41-year-old coach believes that tough times like this builds character and if his charges stay tight as a unit, their teamwork will see them through.

"The second leg will be really tough because I will be missing Farra (Mustafic), Shakir and Yasir (Hanapi)," said the coach after the first-leg victory over Ceres.

"Right now I only have 10 outfield players plus two goalkeepers; the rest are Prime League players.

"It’s tough during times like this, but if the team keeps together and fight, we can nick it."

As for the Filipino club, they will be boosted by the return of first-team players Kevin Ingreso, Manuel Ott and Stephan Schrock after the trio missed the first-leg through injuries.

The United Football League defending champions more than held their own against the Stags despite missing their key players and believe that another such display will be enough to book their spot in the final.

However, Ceres head coach Risto Vidakovic will be missing from the touchline after being sent to the stands in the first-leg, with technical director Ali Bernard set to take over coaching duties.

Suspension: Shakir Hamzah, Mustafic Fahrudin and Yasir Hanapi (Tampines Rovers), Risto Vidakovic (Ceres La Salle)

sleague.com

PFF Advisory : Ticket prices for Philippines vs Turkmenistan friendly match

We wish to advise all football enthusiasts that the International Friendly Match between the Philippines and Turkmenistan will be held on Friday, 02 September 2016, at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan. Kick-off is at 8:00pm.

Tickets are sold via TicketWorld thru its online booking and major ticket outlets starting  12:00 noon today, Tuesday, 23 August 2016.

Tickets prices are:

Category 1 – Php 300.00

Category 2 – Php 200.00

Category 3 – Php  100.00

We invite all to support our National Team and watch the match live at the stadium!

23 Man Line-up for the Friendly against Turkmenistan

The Philippine Men’s team is set to face Turkmenistan in an International Friendly Match on 02 September 2016 at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan (20:00 Kick-off time).

The following players have been called up for the match:

1. Amani Manuel AGUINALDO

2. Misagh BAHADORAN

3. Kenshiro Michael DANIELS

4. Patrick Phillip DEYTO

5. Neil Leonard ETHERIDGE

6. Daniel Bernan GADIA

7. Kevin INGRESO

8. Roland Richard MÜLLER

9. Jim Junior MUÑOZ

10. Manuel OTT

11. Javier PATIÑO

12. Iain RAMSAY

13. Patrick REICHELT

14. Simone ROTA

15. Daisuke SATO

16. Stephan Markus SCHRÖCK

17. Martin Markus STEUBLE

18. Miguel TANTON

19. Dennis VILLANUEVA

20. Luke WOODLAND

21. James Joseph YOUNGHUSBAND

22. Philip James YOUNGHUSBAND

23. Stephen PALLA

The coaching staff is led by Thomas Dooley who is assisted by Jose Ariston Caslib and Jon Pascua.


http://pff.org.ph/2016/08/22/23-man-line-up-for-the-friendly-match-against-turkmenistan-2/

RHB Singapore Cup 2016: Advantage Stags After Narrow Win Over Busmen

Written by: Ryan Low


Tampines Rovers took a small step towards reaching the 2016 RHB Singapore Cup final after a 2-1 win over Philippines invitees Ceres La Salle in the first-leg of the semi-final tie at the Jurong West Stadium on Sunday night.

It was all level at the break after Bienvenido Morejon had cancelled out Mustafic Fahrudin’s opener, but the Stags would prevail narrowly via Sufian Anuar’s strike early in the second-half.

Tampines got off to a great start in the game by scoring in the 12th minute. After Billy Mehmet was brought down 25 yards from goal, up stepped captain Mustafic to curl a stunning free kick that left Ceres goalkeeper Louie Casas grasping at thin air.

Ceres restored parity just five minutes though, with Morejon taking advantage of some hesitant Stags defending to slot underneath the onrushing Izwan Mahbud from close range.

There was little goalmouth action for the rest of the first half, but Tampines managed to restore their lead four minutes after the break.


Izzdin Shafiq’s long shot got a deflection before falling to a lurking Sufian, who reacted well to stab home the loose ball from eight yards out.

Just like the first-half, Ceres almost found a quick equaliser when Patrick Reichelt was brought down by Irwan Shah in the area. However, Morejon’s resulting spot-kick was parried by Izwan before the latter smothered it on the second attempt.

The Busmen kept coming and went close again on 68 minutes, with Jason Sabio’s header from Jeffrey Christiaens’ free kick landing just wide of the left-hand post.

Tampines were determined to go into Wednesday’s second leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium with a larger lead, but Jordan Webb spurned two good opportunities late on to make it 3-1.

The Stags was reduced to 10 men in injury time as Shakir Hamzah was dismissed for a second bookable offence, but held on to put one foot into the Cup final.


Ceres La Salle technical director Ali Bernard: “The players gave everything they had against a very strong opponent in Tampines. You have a very good league here in Singapore and we try our best to go to the same level.

“It’s important for my players to recover and we will have three players (Kevin Ingreso, Manuel Ott and Stephan Schrock) back for the second leg. It’ll be an exciting game and whoever wins deserve to go through.”

Tampines Rovers: Izwan Mahbud (GK), Ismadi Mukhtar, Jufri Taha, Fahrudin Mustafic (C), Shakir Hamzah, Jordan Webb, Izzdin Shafiq, Hafiz Sujad, Irwan Shah, Sufian Anuar (Jermaine Pennant 75’), Billy Mehmet

Ceres La Salle: Louie Casas (GK), Son Yong Chan, Jason Sabio, Kim Sang Min (C), Bienvenido Morejon, Carlos Martinez (Jalsor Soriano 73’), Arnie Jr. Pasinabo (Marwin Angeles 83’), Paul Mulders, Martin Steuble, Jeffrey Christiaens, Patrick Reichelt


http://www.sleague.com/match-report/singapore-cup/2016/august/2016-08-21/tampines-rovers-fc/

Younghusbands, Schrock headline Azkals' pool for September friendlies

By Paolo Del Rosario, CNN Philippines

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) released the 22-man roster on Monday for their upcoming friendlies against Turkmenistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

Phil Younghusband, Stephan Schröck, and Kevin Ingreso return to the fold after missing out on the FIFA World Cup Qualifying victory against North Korea due to injury.

While James Younghusband retains his spot in the team after an encouraging performance against the North Koreans.

Recently retired Juani Guirado, Dominic del Rosario, OJ Clarino, Jorrel Aristorenas, and Tomas Trigo who were part of the previous Azkals pool were left out.

Here is the complete list:

• Amani Aguinaldo
• Misagh Bahadoran
• Kenshiro Daniels
• Patrick Deyto
• Neil Etheridge
• Daniel Gadia
• Kevin Ingreso
• Roland Müller
• Junior Muñoz
• Manuel Ott
• Javier Patiño
• Iain Ramsay
• Patrick Reichelt
• Simone Rota
• Daisuke Sato
• Stephan Schröck
• Martin Steuble
• Miguel Tanton
• Dennis Villanueva
• Luke Woodland
• James Younghusband
• Phil Younghusband

Azkals coach Thomas Dooley selected familiar faces for the friendlies, with almost the entire lineup being composed of national team veterans.

Kaya defender Junior Muñoz is the newest addition to the pool.

The Philippine Azkals will face Turkmenistan at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue on September 2, before flying out to Bishkek to take on the Kyrgyz Republic.

According to the PFF, the two September fixtures are part of the national team's build up for the upcoming ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup in November. 

http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2016/08/22/Philippine-Azkals-Phil-James-Younghusband-Stephan-Schrock-September-friendlies-lineup.html