AFC Champions League Prelimininary Stage 2 : Brisbane Roar 6-0 Global Fc

Start 5 pm (PH)


1-0
2-0
3-0
4-0
Brisbane Roar 4-0 Global Fc HT
5-0
6-0 FT

Global booters looking at another upset, tackle Brisbane Roar

Its confidence boosted by a stunning win last week, Global FC takes a crack at another historic feat as it goes for an upset against Australian side Brisbane Roar Tuesday night in the second preliminary phase of the AFC Champions League at Brisbane Park.

The reigning Filipino champions blanked Singapore side Tampines Rovers, 2-0, last Tuesday to set up the do-or-die duel with the Roar.

It will be the biggest match involving a Filipino club and Global is bracing for a test like no other against the Aussie side coached by former World Cup campaigner John Aloisi.

“Brisbane Roar is a strong team but anything is possible,”  said Global CEO Dan Palami. —Cedelf P. Tupas

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/236515/global-booters-looking-at-another-upset-tackle-brisbane-roar#ixzz4XK9m76f4

Palami says planning is crucial to Azkals’ campaign

BY JAELLE NEVIN REYES

Philippine Azkals team manager Dan Palami said that extensive planning is essential if the Philippines is to be successful in the Asian Cup qualifiers.

The Azkals will play in Group F during the third round of games against Tajikis­tan, Nepal and Yemen in a home and away series that will kick off in March.

Palami is concerned with the frequent traveling that the team must endure in its bid to clinch a ticket to the final tournament.

“There’s going to be a lot of traveling again. That was the first impression that I had with the draw,” Palami said.

Palami explained that travel preparations would play a big factor in the outcome of their games in the competition.

“It (travel) is actually an important element in the preparations and in the game. When we had problems with the travel arrangements in the World Cup qualifiers, in some of the games it actually spelled the difference between playing well and playing mediocre,” he stated.

He stressed that they do not want to repeat the same mistakes they committed in the second round of the joint World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers last year.

“We need to plan and we need to make sure that we will be ready for it. This is a big chance for us to be part of the Asian Cup so we’ll make sure that we wont waste it,” he said.

Palami mentioned that they are studying the chance of holding friendly games in between qualifier matches to bolster the team’s capability.

The Philippines will open its campaign with a game against Nepal at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila on March 28 followed by a match in Tajikistan in June.

Palami said that their travel arrangements would begin this month.

“We are making the arrangements already and I am quite certain that knowing the lessons we had in the World Cup qualifiers, won’t make us repeat them again,” he concluded.

http://www.manilatimes.net/palami-says-planning-crucial-azkals-campaign/309107/

Ceres FC tune-ups slated in Singapore next month

By Henry G. Doble

CERES Negros FC is set to fly to Singapore on February 2 for tune-up games against Home United on the fourth, Singapore’s U23 on the sixth, and RHB defending champs Jurong Albirex Niigata Singapore FC on the eighth. These matches are part of Ceres FC’s preparation for their first AFC Cup Group G away game against Vietnam’s Ha Noi or SHB Da Nang on February 21. Over the weekend, Ceres FC ran over Stallion Laguna FC, 6-2 in Biñan on four goals of Spanish striker Fernando Rodriguez Ortega, and one each from Fil-Australian Iain Ramsay and Jim Muñoz. Ramsay and Muñoz are among the seven Fil-foreign players signed up by Ceres FC for the AFC Cup and Philippines League. Others were Muñoz, Jason de Jong, Simone Rota, OJ Porteria, Joshua Grommen, and ace goalkeeper Roland Muller. Team manager James Dinsay said that Ramsay has completed his transfer to Ceres Negros FC and he will play an important factor in the team.

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/sports/2017/01/26/ceres-fc-tune-ups-slated-singapore-next-month-522201

Friendly Friday : Stallion Laguna Fc 2-0 Ceres-Negros FC

Friday Jan 27 . 9 AM


Stallion won 2-0 against Ceres -Negros Fc

PFL transfers

Transfers :




Kaya Fc has signed Marwin Angeles (Ceres Fc ) and Ref Cuaresma (Stallion Laguna Fc)


http://www.kayafc.com/kaya-fc-makati-signs-marwin-angeles-ref-cuaresma/


Serbian Milan Nikolic (Global Fc) has signed for Loyola Meralco Sparks Fc


http://onemeralcosports.com/loyola-sparks/milan-nikolic-joins-loyola-meralco-sparks/


Ceres fc confirm signing of Fil-Australian Iain Ramsay.


http://ceresfootball.com/ramsay-completes-move-to-ceres/


Ashley Flores from Stallion Laguna Fc to Loyola Meralco Sparks Fc

ACL 2017 PRELIMINARY STAGE 1: GLOBAL FC 2-0 TAMPINES ROVERS

Manila: Second half goals from Ahamd Azzawi and Misagh Bahadoran helped keep Global FC’s AFC Champions League aspirations intact on Tuesday as the Philippines champions secured a 2-0 win over Singapore’s Tampines Rovers and a place in the second of phase of Preliminary Stage qualifying for Asia’s premier club competition.

The win sees head coach Toshiaki Imai’s charges, winners of the 2016 United Football League Division 1 title set up an intriguing Preliminary Stage 2 encounter with Australia’s Brisbane Roar at Brisbane Stadium on January 31.

In the wake of a first half which saw Tampines and Singapore international goalkeeper Izwan Mahmud save well from Bahadoran and Dennis Villanueva, Global duly took the lead in the 61st minute when Azzwai lashed the ball home following neat approach work.

Global, the first team from the Philippines to compete in Asia's premier club competition, went on to double their advantage 12 minutes later thanks to Iranian-Filipino forward Bahadoran whose shot deflected off Tampines defender Daniel Bennet before finding the net.

Global goalkeeper Patrick Deyto saved a last gasp penalty from Khairul Amri to ensure the win, with Tampines destined for a spot in Group G of the AFC Cup alongside Ceres Negros FC, Felda United and either Hanoi FC or SHB Da Nang.

http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2017/acl-2017-preliminary-stage-1-global-fc-2-0-tampines-rovers

AFC Champions League - Preliminary match . Global Fc 2-0 Tampines Rovers

Global FC out to settle a score as it hosts Tampines in AFC Champions League qualifiers

By Karlo Sacamos

GLOBAL FC takes on Tampines Rovers on Tuesday night in the first round of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League qualifiers at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

After participating in the second-tier AFC Cup in 2015, the Philippine representative has a chance to step into the top tier of club competition in Asia, but first has to get past the qualifying stage where the squad gained a spot after ruling the local United Football League (UFL) last season.

Global faces a familiar first road block in Singaporean club Tampines, which eliminated the Filipino club from the Singapore Cup last year after their two-legged quarterfinal matchup.

Now, the Dan Palami-owned PH club seeks to gain a measure of vengeance as it hosts its tormentors this time in the match that kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

The winner of the match will play two more knockout matches before advancing to the group stage of the Champions League where powerhouse clubs from Australia, Japan, and South Korea converge.

Global has bolstered its squad for its first major competition of the year, signing Brazilian defender Rafael Dumas on loan from Brazilian side Flamengo, and Shu Sasaki of Japan, while also getting back national team midfielder Paul Mulders from Ceres-La Salle.

Global has also tapped Japanese coach Toshiaki Imai, who owns a coaching license required to coach in the AFC Champions League, to steer a side still bannered by Azkals stars Misagh Bahadoran and Amani Aguinaldo, among others.

Read more at http://www.spin.ph/football/news/quest-for-continental-glory-continues-as-global-fc-hosts-tampines-rovers-in-afc-champions-league-qualifiers#bslZbCpbw3fb4tt2.99

Azkals drawn with familiar foes in Round 3 of Asian Cup qualifying

By Kevin Estrada

MANILA--We meet again.

That was the message sent by the Philippine men's national team to its Group F opponents after the draw was made for the Third Round of the Asian Cup Qualifiers held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Drawn last in the draw, the Azkals, seeded third out of twenty-four sides in the third round of the qualifier will face Tajikistan, Yemen and Solidarity Cup holders Nepal in whom they faced before in the past five years, with a record of two wins and a solitary setback in their most recent matches.

Apart from the unveiling of the new tournament logo, Round 3 of the Qualifiers for the quadrennial tourney had six groups of four teams on a home-and-away format, with the winners and runners-up of each group will complete the cast for the extended Asian Cup.

However, 90th-ranked Kuwait (suspended for government interference) and 182nd-best Guam (withdrew) were forced to miss the Asian Cup, and as such, Nepal and Solidarity Cup finalist Macau booked their place.

http://www.dugout.ph/2017/01/azkals-drawn-with-familiar-foes-in.html

AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 - PHILIPPINES , Tajikistan , Yemen and Nepal

Philippines in group F .


Tajikistan , Yemen and Nepal








Philippines home matches in Asian Cup qualifiers :
March 28 vs Nepal
Sept 5 vs Yemen
March 27 2018 vs Tajikistan


Philippines away matches in Asian Cup qualifiers ;
June 13 vs Tajikistan
Oct 10 vs Yemen
Nov 14 vs Nepal

AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Qualifiers Final Round - Official Draw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68oilYxh3AA


Live draw . Start 4 pm local time  in Dubai

TEAMS AWAIT DRAW FOR FINAL ROUND OF AFC ASIAN CUP UAE 2019 QUALIFIERS

Abu Dhabi: For 24 teams the road ahead to join Asia’s footballing elite will be decided at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Qualifiers Final Round Draw in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital, on Monday.

In the draw, the 24 teams will be divided into six groups of four, with matches played both home and away during the official FIFA days from March 28, 2017 to March 27, 2018. The official logo of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will also be launched during the ceremony which takes place at 16.00 (Gulf Standard Time GMT +4).

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa conveyed his best wishes to the participating teams as the continent prepares for another riveting competition in 2019 after the highly-successful AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.

“There is no doubt that Australia 2015 was an outstanding success and I am confident that the UAE will look to build on the excitement and expectation surrounding the AFC Asian Cup to deliver a breathtaking competition, which will further strengthen our aspirations under the banner of One Asia, One Goal.

“I wish all 24 teams the very best of luck in the draw and I have no doubt that the road to UAE will produce some memorable moments and captivating football which sets the benchmark for Confederation competitions.”

His Excellency Mohamed Khalfan Al Romaithi, Member of the AFC Executive Committee and Vice Chairman of the Higher Committee AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, said: “It is an honour for the UAE to host the second oldest football competition in the world.

"The expanded 24-team format only furthers the spirit of Asian unity and sportsmanship. The logo unveil tomorrow will capture the essence of our commitment to this esteemed tournament and to the Asian Football Confederation.”

Following the AFC’s decision to expand the competition from 16 to 24 teams, the winners and runners-up from each group - a total of 12 teams - will qualify to the final competition of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

They will be joined by the other 12 teams, which include defending champions Australia, China PR, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan and hosts United Arab Emirates - who have already qualified to the final competition through the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2.

The 24 teams have been seeded below, based on the January 2017 FIFA ranking:

For the live streaming of today’s AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Qualifiers Final Round Draw and Logo Launch, please click here, starting at 4pm Gulf Standard Time.

Bataan - Governor's Cup 2017 - Feb 18-19

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1301448713231368&set=a.232147460161504.56834.100000987545629&type=3&theater

AFC Women's Asian Cup Draw - 2018 qualifiers

Amman: Twenty-one nations learned their opponents for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 qualifiers when the official draw was held in the Jordanian capital of Amman on Saturday.

The Teams
Korea Republic, Thailand, Vietnam, Jordan, Myanmar, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Philippines, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Bahrain, Islamic Republic of Iran, India, Palestine, DPR Korea, Guam, Iraq, Singapore, Syria, Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Draw Result
Group A: A1 Jordan A2 Philippines A3 Bahrain A4 Iraq A5 UAE A6 Tajikistan (hosts)
Group B: B1 Korea Republic B2 Uzbekistan B3 Hong Kong B4 India B5 DPR Korea (hosts) 
Group C: C1 Thailand C2 Chinese Taipei C3 Lebanon C4 Palestine (hosts) C5 Guam
Group D: D1 Vietnam (hosts) D2 Myanmar D3 IR Iran D4 Syria D5 Singapore

The three highest-ranked women’s national teams from the last AFC Women’s Asian Cup – Japan, Australia and China PR - received automatic qualification into the eight-team finals. The group winners of each of the four qualifying groups will qualify for the finals in Jordan.

Jordan as hosts also received automatic qualification, but they have expressed interest to participate in the qualifiers. Therefore, if case they finish top of their qualifying group, the runner-up team will also advance to the final competition. The qualifiers will kick off on April 3, 2017.

The finals, which will be held from April 7 to 22, 2018, which will also serve as the Asian qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.

Match Schedule:
Group A
April 3: A3 v A1, A4 v A6, A2 v A5
April 5: A1 v A5, A2 v A4, A3 v A6
April 7: A5 v A3, A6 v A2, A1 v A4
April 10: A4 v A5, A6 v A1, A2 v A3
April 12: A5 v A6, A3 v A4, A1 v A2

Groups B through D
April 3: BCD3 v BCD 2, BCD5 v BCD4
April 5: BCD4 v BCD1, BCD5 v BCD3
April 7: BCD1 v BCD5, BCD2 v BCD4
April 9: BCD2 v BCD5, BCD3 v BCD1
April 11: BCD4 v BCD3, BCD1 v BCD2

Ceres beefs up AFC Cup roster, signs up Azkals mainstays

By Earl Leonhard Sebastian

MANILA, Philippines – Ceres-Negros FC bolstered its bid in the upcoming 14th AFC Cup by acquiring Azkals mainstays Iain Ramsay, Simone Rota, Jason de Jong, OJ Porteria, Junior Munoz and Joshua Grommen.

The team also recruited Japanese Kota Kawase, and Spaniards Manuel Lopez and Fernando Ortega.

Ceres assistant coach Ali Go described Kawase as “an extremely talented young kid. I watched him play abroad for two days before I approached him if he can play for Ceres. His team and his manager were very accommodating and granted our request. The good part too is he is kind, humble and can speak English.”

Busmen Coach Rusto Vidakovic said that despite adding all these key players, “Chemistry is not an issue in this squad. They all know their roles well. We can be more competitive facing other squads.”

 “Training and preparation for the AFC Cup is starting. The other players may come from other countries, they still have to adjust to the temperature here and the jetlag, but they’ll get there. Right now, the team is working hard and are on a right track,” he added.

Aside from their friendly matches against Loyola Meralco Sparks and Stallion FC, the team is also flying to Singapore for exhibition matches against Singaporean club teams like Home United and the national youth team. 

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2017/01/21/1664725/ceres-beefs-afc-cup-roster-signs-azkals-mainstays

Rosevale Football Cup kicks off January 21

By JACK BIANTAN

 AFTER a week-long deluge, the sun finally comes out giving way to the opening of the 12th Rosevale Football Cup in Cagayan de Oro City Saturday, January 21, at the Rosevale Football field inside the Xavier Estates subdivision in Upper Balulang. Hundreds of age-group teams from all over Mindanao plus men and women’s teams have registered to join the two-day competition organized to raise fund for the Rosevale School Football program by the Rosevale Sports Department and faculty. The teams come from as far as Davao, Iligan, Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Gingoog, and Bukidnon. Host Rosevale School, Little Me Academy, Abbas Montessori School and Higala lead the local teams’ participation. The equally-strong Corpus Christi, Xavier University, Lumbia Raptors FC and Bulua Strikers FC, also from Cagayan de Oro, were not yet on the list. Late registrants will still be accepted provided they register not later than 7 a.m. Saturday. The 7-Aside competitions on Saturday will be in the Boys Under-18 (U18)-1999 and later+1 1998, Girls U18-1999 and later, Boys U16-2001 and later, Boys U14-2003 and later, Boys U12-2005 and later, 5 Aside, Mix Boys and Girls U10-2007 and later, Mix Boys and Girls U8-2009 and later. Sunday’s competitions will be in the 7-Aside Boys U17- 2000 & later, Boys U15- 2002 & later, Boys U13- 2004 & later, Boys U11- 2006 and later.

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/sports/2017/01/20/rosevale-football-cup-kicks-january-21-521238

La Salle loses to Ceres-Negros FC in friendly

By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.


Earlier this week, Ceres-Negros FC dismantled the varsity team of Ceres-La Salle FC, 5-0.
“It’s good for my team because very seldom they can play quality team like Ceres,” said La Salle head coach Norman Fegidero following the loss. “It can help the players evaluate themselves [as to] where they are now, quality-wise, in football.”
“They have quality players,” he remarked about Ceres-Negros FC.
Fegidero singled out Fernando Rodríguez, a newly-signed striker from FC Cartagena, which plays in the Segunda División B of the Spanish football league, calling him “a good striker.”/


WDJ

PFF Smart U22 nationals face uncertainty

By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.


The 2017 Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Smart Under-22 Amateur Football Championship, tentatively scheduled for this month in Iloilo, remains uncertain since the federation has yet to announce an exact date for the competition.
PFF Tournament Department head Cyril Dofitas yesterday said they will need to meet with the sponsor in order to finalize the details and budget for the tournament.
This year, the varsity team of Ceres-La Salle FC will be defending the national title as they represent the Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA).
La Salle head coach Norman Fegidero told Watchmen Daily Journal they will wait for the communication before calling up their selection./


WDJ

Teams set to find out path to AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018

Amman: The stage is set for Asian women’s national teams to begin on the road to next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018, as the qualifiers draw will be held in the capital of Jordan.

Jordan will host the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) flagship women’s national team tournament after the successful FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 organised in the country last year.

The draw on Saturday at 15.00 local time (GMT +2) will be preceded by the Hosting Rights Awarding Ceremony where the AFC officially hands over the hosting rights for the final competition to Jordan.

The 21 competing teams in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 Qualifiers draw will be placed in one group of six teams and three groups of five teams.
The teams are – Korea Republic, Thailand, Vietnam, Jordan, Myanmar, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Philippines, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Bahrain, Islamic Republic of Iran, India, Palestine, DPR Korea, Guam, Iraq, Singapore, Syria, Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates.


More :


http://www.the-afc.com/womens-asian-cup-2018/teams-set-to-find-out-path-to-afc-womens-asian-cup-jordan-2018


For the live streaming of Saturday's AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 Qualifiers Draw and Hosting Rights Awarding Ceremony, please click here

PFF assures PFL will kick off in March

By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) assured the inaugural season of the Philippine Football League (PFL) will kick off in March.
PFF tournament department head Cyril Digital told Watchmen Daily Journal yesterday they can already confirm the participation of seven clubs, including Ceres-Negros FC.
PFF General-Secretary, Atty. Edwin Gastanes, had said the PFL will serve as a qualifier for all international competitions. He also stressed each participating club must implement a youth program./WDJ

Watchmen Daily Journal

AFC Champions League - Global Fc squad !

Goalkeepers
No.	Name
1	PATRICK DEYTO
22	FLORENCIO JR GAMBA BADELIC
23	NICHOLAS MICHAEL O'DONNELL

Defenders
No.	Name
12	AMANI MANUEL SANTOS AGUINALDO
24	REYNALD VILLAREAL
31	TITO VINCENT PAUROM
32	CARLOS ROLEDA
33	PAOLO ANTONIO JACOB SANDEJAS
34	VINNIE VINCULADO
42	MARCO ALESSANDRO PUNZAL CASAMBRE
63	JERRY I BARBASO

Midfields
No.	Name
2	SERGE KAOLE
3	MATTHEW HARTMANN
7	PAUL MULDERS
8	DENNIS VILLANUEVA
17	CLARINO
21	AGUISANDA RONNIE MAQUIRANG
25	SHU SASAKI
26	AHAMD AZZAWI
35	FRITZ BRIGOLI
39	PAOLO BUGAS

Forwards
No.	Name
9	MISAGH BAHADORAN
14	HIKARU MINEGISHI
19	PAOLO SALENGA
30	PACO GIULLANO MATHAY http://www.the-afc.com/afcasfeeds?view=all&id=195&type=Stage#ui-tabs-1

Friendly matches

Friendly matches :
Jan 21 Loyola vs Ceres at RMS
Jan 24 Stallion vs Ceres at Emperador Stadium
Both matches at 9 am

CERES-NEGROS FC UNVEILS NEW SIGNINGS FOR AFC CUP CAMPAIGN

In preparation for a challenging 2017 AFC Cup campaign, Ceres-Negros FC has recently announced their new players last January 17, 2017 in Bacolod City.

The new signings were a mix of national team veterans and new foreign players to beef up this years campaign. Local signings included veterans in Simone Rota, Jason de Jong, and OJ Porteria with Azkals greenhorn Jim Junior Muñoz and U23 standout Joshua Grommen. Ace goalkeeper Roland Müller was finally presented after six months while Iain Ramsay is still in Australia after signing from the night before.

New faces abound for Ceres with Japanese defender Kota Kawase and Spanish players in defender Manuel Lopez and striker Fernando Ortega. Kawase came from Wollongong Wolves in Australia’s Second division while Lopez and Ortega came from Caudal Deportivo and FC Cartagena which are both in Spain’s Segunda Division B.

Ceres-Negros had a tune-up later in the afternoon with the pro squad beating collegiate squad Ceres-La Salle 5-0. The Bacolod squad will open their AFC Cup campaign in Singapore on February 21st against Tampines Rovers or Geylang International FC.

http://ceresfootball.com/ceres-negros-fc-unveils-new-signings-for-afc-cup-campaign/

Friendly match in Bacolod

Ceres Negros Fc 6 - 0 Ceres Lasalle Fc (College Varsity)
Goal Scorer:
Fernando Ortega - 3 (Hatrick)...
Bienve Marañon - 2
Oj Porteria - 1


2 x 30 mins only

Stallions FC Laguna prepares for Philippine Football League

By Jack Biantan

STALLIONS FC was among the top clubs in the United Football League (UFL). But with the start of the Philippine Football League (PFL) this March and the fate of the UFL in limbo, the Ernie Nierras co-owned and coached club is aiming to maintain its reputation and this time on a higher level. The fiery coach and also the main benefactor of the Malditas (National Ladies team) confirmed that the Stallions will definitely make Biñan Laguna as their home city and they will be known as the Stallions Laguna FC. They are also now busy preparing for the inaugural season of the PFL and have started their pre-season training and tryouts yesterday at their Biñan Football stadium near the Biñan City Hall. Nierras also revealed that he has 15 players in contract and he needs players to fill up the 22-man team before the tournament starts. The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has not yet finalized how many foreign players are allowed to play for each club that is why he has not announced yet who are they are going to sign. The PFF will finalize this week how many foreign players will they allow to play in each club. Nierras is one of the few persons in the country who have spent their fortunes for the love of the beautiful game. Ernie and his partner Filbert Alquiros, the owner of Giligans, have already spent millions of their own money since they took over the management of the Stallions FC few years ago. They are now spending more. However, they might cut their personal expenses this year as they are in negotiations with a big company to be club sponsor. Nierras admits that spending for a professional club in the PFL is like buying a brand new Ferrari every year. He predicts that the Stallions FC Laguna will spend more than P20 million for salaries alone this season. With the home and away format, each club will spend more than P20 million for the 2017 season alone. They have even created a company, FAENGP Inc. to manage the club. Alquiros is the Chairman while Nierras is the President. Filbert Alquiros owns the Giligans chain of restaurants all over the country. It has 59 branches in Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao and three more branches soon to open. Nierras on the other hand is the founder and CEO of Cavite based technology firm Phythos Technology Philippines Inc. Nierras also said that they are thankful for the Biñan LGU for the support and for allowing them to use the Biñan Football stadium. For this the Stallions FC Laguna is organizing the 1st Arman Dimaguila Mayor’s Cup 7-Aside football tournament which will kick off on Jan 21-22 also at the Biñan Football stadium. The tournament is for Boys U10 (2007 and younger), U13 (2004 and younger), U15 (2002 and younger), U17 (2000 and younger) for January 21, while on January 22 competitions will be in the Men’s open, Women’s open and Girls U12(2005 and younger), U14 (2003 and younger), U16 (2001 and younger). (l.biantan@gmail.com)

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/sports/2017/01/17/stallions-fc-laguna-prepares-philippine-football-league-520527

Ceres ready for AFC Cup

Football followers in Negros Occidental will be treated to several international matches in the coming months as Ceres Football Club battle with three other ASEAN clubs in Group G of the 2017 AFC Cup Qualifier.
The Bacolod City-based hope to advance into the next round against teams from Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore .
The Busmen are scheduled to play against Vietnam in their first away match on February 21 then will head home for its first home game at the Pana-ad Stadium against Vietnam on March 7.
Ceres' third match will be against Malaysian club Felda United FC in Malaysia on March 15, and another home game at the Pana-ad on April 5 against the same club.
It will be a back-to-back home game in April for Ceres as they go up against either Tampines Rovers or Geylang International of Singapore on April 18 at the Pana-ad . Their last away match will be against Singapore on May 3.
Meanwhile, the team is scheduled to announce the new players in its lineup today.
Recently, it was announced on the social media that Ceres had tapped the services of national team players Simone Rota and OJ Porteria into the team. Spanish striker Adrian Gallardo bid Ceres goodbye during the holidays along with Korean defender Sang Min.*NAB
 
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/January/17/sportnews3.htm

Ceres Fc signs Fil-Australian Iain Ramsay

Ceres Fc has signed fil-Australian Iain Ramsay.





His last club was Iranian club Tractor Sazi Fc

Global Fc signs Brazilian Rafael Dumas

Global Fc has signed Brazilian defender Rafael Dumas (Flamengo) on loan for the rest of the season .

He played on loan for Indian club Goa last season.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Dumas

Jan 24 AFC Champions League - Global Fc vs Tampines Rovers

Football’s next kick

By: Cedelf P. Tupas 

When the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) declared in September last year that it was kicking off the Philippines Football League (PFL) in April 2017, the announcement was met with both excitement and apprehension by club owners.

The Metro Manila-based, semi-professional United Football League (UFL) has kept the sport in the limelight, but the idea of having teams based in different provinces and cities in the country playing in a home-and-away format is just as fascinating for fans of the “Beautiful Game” in the country.

Not a few personalities during a recent meeting among PFF officials and potential club owners in a posh hotel at Ortigas Center in Pasig expressed concerns with questions ranging from the timeline until kickoff to club licensing requirements to franchise fees.

The apprehensions stemmed from the league’s potential to lure crowds and attract sponsors, with lessons from the UFL coming to mind after the league—save for the five-year broadcast deal with TV5 that expired last year—struggled to generate sponsors.

Having clubs based in different cities outside Metro Manila, however, makes the PFL an exciting prospect.

“Making clubs community-based is a game-changer,” says UFL president Randy Roxas. “It’s definitely the way to go. But sustaining it will be a question mark. How much is it going to cost? Until today we haven’t got that answer.”

The PFF and the club owners are in a race against time to get the league up and running for the April launch.

Football took huge strides in recent years with the Azkals’ success in international play and with clubs like Global, Ceres-La Salle, Kaya and Loyola Meralco making their mark in tournaments overseas. But the sport could take its biggest leap yet with the creation of the PFL.

Truly professional league

“International recognition is already there, so we can say that a truly professional league is just what we need to really strengthen the football programs in the country,” says PFF general secretary Edwin Gastanes. “Young players can now aspire to become a football player and see it as a source of livelihood, in the same way young basketball players aspire to be in the PBA.”

The challenge of creating the league is immense as the corporation supposed to be made up of PFF representatives and club owners that will run the day-to-day affairs of the PFL has yet to be formed. Clubs expected to transfer from the UFL also face a tougher challenge financially with rising costs due to the island-hopping, home-and-away format.

History hasn’t been kind to sports competitions with the regional format that require teams to travel all over the country. The Metropolitan Basketball Association, formed in 1998, folded up after four years. The P-League in the early 1990s also hardly created a ripple despite having its games televised.

But Gastanes is firm in his belief that the PFL will succeed, noting a survey conducted by Nielsen that concluded that a professional football league is feasible in the country.

“The major difference is that from Day 1, Fifa and AFC have been behind us,” says Gastanes. “I think football has more traction now compared to five years ago. Sponsors are waiting in the wings. It (PFL) has a better chance than a lot of the previous leagues, and the main difference now is that social media is something that can help an activity like this.”

Stringent AFC criteria

More than the financial aspect, getting the license needed to enter the PFL compels clubs to comply with very stringent criteria under sporting, infrastructure, personnel and administrative and legal requirements set by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Gastanes assures that the PFF is there to “help” rather than “block” bids to join the league. Among other requirements, clubs need a youth development program and are required to have an AFC “A” License coach, while its stadium must pass the bare minimum in competition standards.

“You want to play in the best league in the Philippines,” says Roxas, who also sits in the board of the Loyola Meralco Sparks. “And the best league in the country that also gives you a chance to play in the AFC is the PFL.”

Says Kaya FC general manager Paul Tolentino: “It’s a fantastic project and we all want it to succeed. But the organization and preparation have come too late. What that means is the clubs have to swallow all the costs in operating under this format.”

Kaya recently announced a partnership with Makati as its home base for the league, while Global will have Cebu City as its home. Stallion is eyeing Biñan, Laguna, as its partner LGU, while Ceres-Negros will be based in Bacolod. Loyola Meralco is finalizing an agreement to play at McKinley Stadium in Taguig. JP Voltes is looking at Marikina or Baguio as home base. Green Archers United has yet to name its partner LGU. Another club will be based in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, while Davao will also have its own team.

“We’re looking, on average, [a] P6 million [budget] for travel alone and it’s not going to be easy to find that money for the clubs,” says Tolentino. “With the way the league has moved, realistically we could have launched in 2018. There’s still no structure in place right now. If there are no sponsors, we have no chance.”

With clubs moving to the PFL, Roxas says the UFL will now focus on improving its youth tournament, while possibly holding a second division.

Gastanes justifies the decision to start the PFL early this year, saying the idea was to kick off the league and make it grow—a view shared by Stallion coach Ernie Nierras.

“The important thing is we have a true professional league,” says Nierras. “Not all the leagues in the world have identical programs. Even the top countries had to start somewhere. Start it first, then keep moving forward, sometimes with baby steps. We should not be scared to fail.”

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/235031/footballs-next-kick#ixzz4VpAtu4Dw

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