De Murga signs for Terengganu FC

 KUALA TERENGGANU (29 Dec 2020) – Philippines international defender Carli de Murga has been unveiled as the latest signing for Terengganu FC for the new Malaysia Super League season 2021.

“Murga has been signed on a year’s contract and where he will fill the ASEAN slot in the team left vacant by Singapore’s Muhammad Faris Ramli, whose contract has not been renewed,” stated TFC.

After several years in Spain, De Murga signed for Philippines side Global FC in 2012 before moving on to play for Ceres-Negros FC in 2014.

In 2020, the 32-year-old then signed for Chonburi FC in the Thai League 1 prior to his signing with Terengganu FC.

https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/de-murga-signs-for-terengganu-fc/

Porteria, Dizon set to play for Ratchaburi in Thai league

 By Jeremiah Sevilla

Philippine Azkals standouts OJ Porteria and Curt Dizon got signed by Ratchaburi Mitr Phol FC recently for the 2020-2021 Thai League 1.

Ratchaburi said in a statement posted on Facebook that it secured the services of wingers Porteria and Dizon as Asean quotas for the second leg of the domestic top division set to kick off this coming weekend.

The two PH national team mainstays, both 26, have been practicing for “The Dragons” since Tuesday.

“Blessed to announce that I’ve signed a three-year deal with Ratchaburi FC! I’m looking forward to start playing with my new teammates and excited to compete in the Thai League,” said Porteria in a Facebook post.

“Thank you to the club for believing in me and to everyone behind the scenes for making this move possible. Let’s finish this season strong! Come on Dragons!” he added.

Dizon is raring to see action as well, saying through Instagram: “What a year it has been for everyone, but I’m blessed for this opportunity to do what I love with Ratchaburi and excited for this new challenge.”

With the hiring of Porteria and Dizon along with South Korean defender Lee Jae-sung, Ratchaburi is seeking to improve its current position at No. 4 with 26 points on an 8-2-5 win-draw-loss record in the 16-team table. 

Porteria is coming off a fourth straight Philippines Football League championship after United City FC (formerly Ceres-Negros FC prior to the transfer of ownership) ruled the 2020 bubble season.

Dizon, a former Ceres stalwart, played for the Azkals Development Team which finished third in the latest PFL tilt.

Porteria and Dizon were among the Filipino booters who recently made their move to arguably the strongest league in Southeast Asia.

Porteria’s United City and national squad teammate Dennis Villanueva joined Nakhon Ratchasima while ADT standouts Jarvey Gayoso and Mar Diano went to Muangthong United. 

https://mb.com.ph/2020/12/24/porteria-dizon-set-to-play-for-ratchaburi-in-thai-league/

PH Women’s National Team Achieves Highest FIFA Ranking At No. 65

 The Philippines Women’s National Team gained its highest ever position at No. 65 in the latest FIFA Rankings released last 18 December 2020.

The FIFA Women’s World Ranking is the world governing body’s quarterly ranking system for women’s national teams.

The country’s previous best was at 67th last year on the back of two fourth placed finishes in the AFF Women’s Championship 2019 and the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

The Philippine Women’s National Team also ranks No. 11 in Asia and third in the Southeast Asian region even without playing this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We congratulate the Women’s National Team for this achievement,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta, Jr. “The ranking is a reward for the hard work and sacrifices of the people involved in women’s football in the country especially the players and coaches and of course, the PFF Women’s Committee. Certainly, this is a clear indication that women’s football in the country is continuously improving. As much as we are proud of this achievement, this also serves as a challenge for the PFF to make sure that the women’s national team and women’s football in general is given the support and the platform to succeed.”

“Women’s football has been on a steady rise over the past few years,” noted PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “Much of the development in the women’s game is credited to the successes of the Women’s National Team, notably their fourth-place finish in both the AFF Women’s Championship and the 30th SEA Games last year. There are more opportunities in the pipeline for women’s football in the coming years which the PFF and the team will continue to explore with passion.”

https://pff.org.ph/2020/12/19/ph-womens-national-team-achieves-highest-fifa-ranking-at-no-65/

PFL targets May opening

 

By 

Ian Suyu 

Plans are afoot for the Philippine Football League (PFL) to proceed with its fifth season tentatively scheduled in May 2021.

Commissioner Coco Torre bared that the country’s top flight football league is determined to open in the second quarter of next year if all things go according to plan.

Torre said the situation early next year will decide whether the PFL will push through with its May date.

The PFL successfully staged a compressed bubble tournament two months ago and it cost P6 million to hold it given the circumstances relative to the pandemic.

“We are really hoping that vaccines will be produced early next year because it will provide a great help. The cost of having another bubble is really expensive,” Torre added.

“I must say that the last season was successful mainly because we prevented any transmission of the virus in the bubble. That’s the first thing that we were really prioritizing,” he added.

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/12/14/pfl-targets-may-opening/?fbclid=IwAR3MKbxwrYWoFPRI_vyOSlklk29u9n57nmo23tUvNB2f3xvaffduJhImlzc

Jarvey Gayoso signing with Thai football club Muangthong United

 by REUBEN TERRADO

JARVEY Gayoso is signing with Muangthong United in Thailand after playing for the Azkals U-22 in the 2020 Philippines Football League.

The Azkals Development Team announced the move.

ADT coach Scott Cooper said the 23-year-old Gayoso, a two-time UAAP MVP with Ateneo, will leave for Thailand next week to formalize the deal.

Muangthong United won the T1, Thailand's Division 1 football league, four times, but finished fifth last year and is currently in ninth in the league table of the 2020-2021 season.

https://www.spin.ph/football/jarvey-gayoso-signing-with-thai-football-club-muangthong-united-a795-20201205?ref=feed_1_section

Football: Azkals eye calling up development team for Suzuki Cup 2021

 

By Manolo Pedralvez

It is possible that several, if not all, members of the Azkals Development Team could be called for active duty when the country sees action in the rescheduled ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup in April.

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta Jr. said the ADT side could be fielded in Southeast Asia’s men’s football championship, “because the Suzuki Cup falls on non-FIFA playing dates. Our professional players might not be available because the clubs won’t release them.

“So this is the team we will prepare for April.”

The AFF Suzuki Cup was earlier set for November 23 to December 31, 2020, but was postponed by the regional football body to April 11 to May 8, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, retaining the biennial event’s home-and-away format for the second edition in a row.

The AFF has not yet announced when the draw for the group stages will be done.

On the other hand, national team manager Dan Palami said that the Philippines lineup could be composed of “Azkal players by clubs and ADT players who are ready, plus local-based players from other clubs who are performing well.”

National team liaison officer Ace Bright, who now serves as the general manager of United City FC, said some of the Azkals playing in the Thai League 1 could be available for the Suzuki Cup “since the competition will end in March.”

Among the players in Thailand are goalkeepers Michael Falkesgaard, Patrick Deyto, defenders Daisuke Sato, Luke Woodland, Martin Steuble and Alvaro Silva, midfielders Iain Ramsay and striker Patrick Reichelt.

Araneta said he was anxious of the national squad’s Suzuki Cup build-up since the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force in charge of the virus crisis has yet to say when it will approve the training of national teams.

“So we are still awaiting the go-signal from the IATF when we will be able to get our national team back in training,” the PFF chief said.

Palami shared Araneta’s sentiments, saying: “It all depends on the IATF approval when our national team can begin training.”

He added that just as in the past, “we will also consider training abroad but it will all depend on which country is accessible for travel.”

With Cooper calling the shots, the ADT acquitted itself well in the compact Philippines Football League 2020, dropping its first two matches before racking up three straight wins to place third overall in the six-team round robin series.

The ADT absorbed close 0-1 decisions to eventual PFL champion United City and runner-up Kaya-Iloilo FC, respectively, before shutting out clubs Mendiola (2-0), Maharlika Manila (5-0) and Stallion-Laguna (2-0) in succession.

After the competition, Cooper, who will also call the shots for the Azkals, said that from his standpoint among those who were ready to step up to the next level are converted defender Mar Diano, midfielder Lance Ocampo and versatile co-skipper Jarvey Gayoso.

Anthony Pinthus, who was on loan to UCFC and was adjudged the PFL’s top keeper, will also be back in harness for the ADT squad, added Bright.

Since the country’s breakthrough semifinal appearance in the 2010 Suzuki Cup, Filipino footballers have reached the semis of Southeast Asia’s premier men’s tournament four times.

The only time the Azkals failed to make it to the Final 4 was when the country hosted the tournament in 2016 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, dropping out of contention in the four-team tournament with one loss and two draws.

With the new home-and-away format introduced in the 2018 edition, the Filipinos were back in the semis again, losing twice to eventual Suzuki Cup champion Vietnam by the same scores of 1-2 and 2-4 on aggregate.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/04/20/football-azkals-eye-calling-up-development-team-for-suzuki-cup-2021

Kaya FC finishes second with win over champion UCFC

By Edri Aznar 

KAYA FC-Iloilo finished in second place in the shortened Philippines Football League (PFL) 2020 season after a 2-1 win over newly crowned champion United City FC on Nov. 9 at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

It was a crucial match for Kaya FC-Iloilo as the Azkals Development Team (ADT) had beaten Stallion Laguna FC earlier in the morning. Kaya FC-Iloilo came into its final match at third place with eight points, while ADT was up by a point.

UCFC had already clinched the title last Nov. 6 after winning four straight matches. UCFC benched starters star striker Bienvenido Marañon, forward Robert Lopez Mendy, Hikaru Minegishi, Japanese midfielder Takashi Odawara, Manny Ott, Sean Kane and goalie Anthony Pinthus.

Kaya FC-Iloilo immediately pressed the action with a couple of goal attempts in the opening 10 minutes. Kaya FC-Iloilo found its mark in the 15th minute with a goal by Kenshiro Daniels coming from a cross by Eric Giganto.

Mike Ott and OJ Clarino both had an opportunity to score the equalizer but missed their target. Carlyle Mitchell made it 2-0 before halftime with a goal from a cross in the 38th minute.

Marañon and Odawara were subbed in the 46th minute, while Minegishi and Mendy went in in the 64th minute to give UCFC more firepower. UCFC finally found the back of the net in the 83rd minute with a goal by Manny Ott.

UCFC was aggressive in search for the equalizer, but Kaya FC-Iloilo goalkeeper Louie Casas was quick on his feet and deflected attempts by Schrock and Marañon, while Mendy’s attempt went wide.

Meanwhile, ADT clinched third place with a 2-0 win over Stallion Laguna FC. Yrick Gallantes scored in the 52nd minute, while Jarvey Gayoso sealed it with a goal in the 61st minute.

On the other hand, Mendiola FC 1991 got its first win of the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Maharlika Manila FC. Aaron Altiche scored the opening goal in the 25th minute, and Jim Ashley Flores hit the back of the net in the 90th minute.

Mendiola FC 1991 faces Stallion Laguna FC on Nov. 12 for the league’s last match. The winner will finish fourth in the tournament.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1876464/Cebu/Sports/Kaya-FC-finishes-second-with-win-over-champion-UCFC

PFL Monday

 

United City vs Kaya Fc is played 7.30 pm

PFL - Standings after Day 4

 

United City FC claims PFL title, blasts Stallion-Laguna

 MANILA, Philippines — United City FC clinched the Philippines Football League title after blasting Stallion-Laguna, 7-1, Friday night at PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

UCFC fired five goals in the second half led by Spanish striker Bienvenido Maranon’s second hattrick of the season.

UCFC entered the match a win away from capturing the title with a game to spare after Kaya FC Iloilo was held to a draw by Mendiola earlier in the day.

“When we knew that Kaya’s game was a draw, we told ourselves that we’re going to seal this [win against Stallion],” said UCFC coach Frank Muescan, whose squad secured a spot in the AFC Champions League for being the newly-minted PFL champion.

“Our main objective was to really win this game at all cost.”

Mike Ott had a brace, scoring once in each half while Takashi Uddawara and OJ Porteria tallied one goal apiece in the dominant victory that pushed UCFC’s tally to 12 points.

UCFC, which conceded its first goal in four matches, will still play Kaya on Monday in the two clubs’ final match of the season.

Read more: https://sports.inquirer.net/408344/united-city-fc-claims-pfl-title-blasts-stallion-laguna#ixzz6d7TlKe50

Mendiola holds Kaya to scoreless draw as UCFC closes in on title

 Mendiola FC put up a valiant stand to hold fancied Kaya-Iloilo FC to a scoreless standoff last Friday morning in the Philippines Football League at PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

On a sunny morning, Mendiola rained on Kaya’s parade with a superb defensive effort highlighted by another outstanding performance from goalkeeper Kenry Balobo.

Balobo pulled off a series of spectacular saves in the second half as Kaya chased a match-winner, giving Mendiola its first point in the competition after back-to-back losses.

Kaya’s title hopes now hang by a thread following two straight draws including a 1-1 result against Stallion last Tuesday. United City FC can seal the title with a victory against Stallion at 8 p.m. Friday night.

Three nights after dropping points in the draw to Stallion, Kaya was hoping to gain on UCFC, which it will face on Monday. But Mendiola had other plans as it put up a tough defensive stand. Much as it had been for the competition, Kaya’s attacking players were guilty of missing chances that may ultimately cost them a shot at winning the league title for the first time.

“While my boys wanted to win I believe they did not give their full 100 percent,” said Kaya’s Japanese coach Yu Hoshide. “Maybe my boys were a bit tired with only two days of rest between games. I don’t know.”

Kaya no longer holds its fate as Hoshide’s side will be hoping that Stallion at least draws with UCFC in their match to make the Monday game against the reigning champions a winner-take-all battle.

But for Mendiola, the result is a huge morale boost after losing to UCFC, 0-6, and Azkals Development Team, 0-2.

“I give credit to my boys because they gave their best today against a very good team like Kaya so I am very happy with the result of this match,” said Mendiola mentor Dan Padernal. “I really pressured my boys to do better because it would have been embarrassing if we lost our third straight match so we finally gave our opponents a good fight.”

The 22-year-old Balobo, who was a late cut from the PH Under-22 squad that saw action in last year’s 30th Southeast Asian Games, once again raised his stock with an impressive display. He also saved a penalty against ADT last Tuesday.

“He is a hungry young lion who wants to prove himself out there in the (football) jungle,” said Padernal.

Balobo said being left out of the SEA Games was a major motivation in improving his attitude and goalkeeping skills.

“I have moved on from that experience and I used that as motivation in making myself a better player so I could show everybody that I deserve a second chance in the national team,” the 22-year-old from Cebu said.

https://pfl.org.ph/mendiola-holds-kaya-scoreless-draw-ucfc-closes-title/

PFL - United City Champions !

 

PFL Friday - Results

 

PFL Friday

Mendiola 0-0 Kaya

Maharlika Maila 0-5 ADT

United City Fc 7-1 Stallion Laguna

Gayoso powers ADT to breakthrough win over Mendiola FC

 Reverted to his usual striker role early in the second half, Jarvey Gayoso powered the Azkals Development Team to a breakthrough 2-0 win over Mendiola FC last Tuesday in the Philippines Football League at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

Revving up ADT’s attack, national coach Scott Cooper switched Gayoso to his familiar spot and the former Ateneo syar responded brilliantly, scoring the opening goal and also getting involved in the second knocked in by Matthew Custodio.

It was the first victory in three matches for the national team hopefuls who bowed to United City FC and Kaya FC Iloilo in the first two matchdays.

Mendiola goalkeeper Kenry Balobo kept out Marvin Angeles’ penalty in first half stoppage time after coming up with a fine save on Chima Uzoka’s effort earlier.

Looking comfortable in his role up front, Gayoso cashed in on his first real chance firing a header off a pinpoint cross from Dean Ebarle in the 73rd minute. The second goal came in the 81st minute when Custodio pounced on the rebound off Gayoso’s saved free kick.

Pressed and hounded by the relentless pace of the youthful  ADT side, Mendiola lost steam in the second half, absorbing its second loss in the competirion.

“Gayoso’s performance as a striker has given me food for thought,” said Cooper. “It is something that we can ponder on moving forward.”

But the British tactician said he remained committed to the big picture of developing his players so that they could step up to the next level “even as we teach them how to win.”

“I was just happy in helping my team win and trust coach Scott in whatever position he thinks is best,” said Gayoso. “But I welcome the chance to be back in old role as a striker.”

Mendiola FC coach Padernal acknowledged that fatigue had set in for his players in the second half, noting the squad’s inactivity for the past seven months and coming off a 0-6 beating from United City FC last weekend.

“Our opponents just ran us ragged. We were tired,” said Padernal.

https://pfl.org.ph/gayoso-powers-adt-breakthrough-win-mendiola-fc/

PFL - Tuesday

 PFL Tuesday

Azkals Development Team 2-0 Mendiola

Stallion Laguna 1-1 Kaya

Maharlika Manila 0-10 United City

Marañon bags hat-trick as UCFC rolls past Mendiola

 SPANISH striker Bienvenido Marañon ran riot, scoring a hat-trick to highlight United City FC’s 6-0 rout of Mendiola FC last Saturday for its second straight win the Philippine Football League at the PFF national training center in Carmona, Cavite.

Displaying his all-around attacking prowess, Maranon opened the match with a header in the 12th minute, added another with 20-yard strike in the 25th, and a third from the penalty spot.

His Senegalese strike partner Robert Mendy also found his groove, coming up with a brace with goals in the 38th and 60th minutes as UCFC stayed on top of the table. Midfielder Mike Ott added the sixth goal with a 52nd penalty kick in wrapping up the lopsided match.

It was a rude welcome to the tournament for Mendiola.

“We definitely played better than our last game and I think that our rivals just gave up mentally after falling behind 4-0 in the first half,” said Franklin Muescan of UCFC who also handed pro debuts for Miggy Clariño and Pocholo Bugas.

Muescan said his side can still improve.

“We still have to dominate as much as we can on ball possession and we really want to impose our will against the opposition by overloading more players inside the box,” he said.

Mendiola coach Dan Padernal is upbeat his side can still contend with four matches left in their schedule.

“You really cannot make silly mistakes against a top caliber team like United City and not pay for it,” admitted Padernal. “But we still have four games left so it is still mathematically possible for us to get back into the competition. “

Notwithstanding the hat-trick, Marañon said the end goal is to claim the title.

“It doesn’t matter if I score one, two or three goals what matters is that the team won and we got our three points,” said the AFC Cup record goalscorer

https://pfl.org.ph/maranon-bags-hat-trick-ucfc-rolls-past-mendiola/

Maharlika Manila notch historic victory

 Maharlika Manila scored two goals in the second half in pulling off a stunning come-from-behind 2-1 upset of debuting Stallion-Laguna FC yesterday in Day 2 of the Philippines Football League at the PFF National Training Center field in Carmona, Cavite.

Down 0-1 at the break, the charges of coach Roxy Dorlas came charging back in the last 45 minutes to net two goals from substitute Jose Montelibano in the 52nd minute and Jeremy Theuer, who volleyed in the 74th minute.

Smarting from a 0-1 loss to Kaya-Iloilo FC last Wednesday, Maharlika remained in the hunt in the six-team, single-round series sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation and presented by Qatar Airways.

Senegalese midfielder Ibrahim N’Dour knocked in the opening goal for Stallion-Laguna with a clinical finish inside the box in the 28th minute.

But, with three starters missing, Stallion faded in the second half allowing Maharlika to get back into the match.

Cameroonian goalkeeper Henri Bandeken had another stellar outing at the net and was named Man of the Match.

“Words cannot express how happy I feel about this victory,” said Dorlas after his team showed its resiliency after falling behind in the first half against one of the league’s fancied sides.

“One of the things that (team owner) Anton del Rosario told us when we formed this squad was to produce positive results and gain the respect of the big clubs and this is what we did today,” he added.

Stallion-Laguna FC assistant coach Richard Leyble acknowledged that fatigue set in for his players in the second half but praised his rivals for the way they never gave up when they fell behind.

“Without our three starters in our first 11 it was difficult for us,” Leyble said as Nathan Alquiros, Ricky Sendra and Abou Sy were all unavailable for the match.

“We just have to avoid the same mistakes and how to sustain our fitness for the entire 90 minutes.”

https://pfl.org.ph/maharlika-manila-notch-historic-victory/

Kaya-Iloilo dominates Maharlika Manila, gets winning start

 By Kent Garcia

Title contenders Kaya FC-Iloilo started their 2020 Philippines Football League (PFL) brought to you by Qatar Airways campaign on a positive note as they beat newcomers Maharlika Manila FC 1-0 at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite last October 28, 2020.

The seemingly close scoreline flattered Maharlika as last season’s runners-up outplayed them throughout the match but only had a solitary goal to show for it with Jason Panhay hitting the back of the net in the 30th minute.

Key players from the capital club was missing for their league debut with Joaquin Canas, Misagh Bahadoran and Sung-min Kim not in the lineup for head coach Roxy Dorlas. Furthermore, they lost veteran midfielder Serge Kaole at the 12th minute due to a serious injury.

Kaya went on to dominate the match as they looked forward to give Maharlika a rude welcome to the PFL. New midfield additions in Dylan de Bruycker and OJ Clarino wreaked havoc and helped in setting the offensive for the Ilonggos, helped by Daizo Horikoshi and veteran Panhay. Their first major chance came at the 12th minute as Maharlika goalkeeper Henri Bandeken Fong saved Horikoshi’s shot from the right side.

It set a precedent on what will be the scene for most of the match as Kaya kept on pushing and Maharlika more content on defending deep and hit on the counter-attack. The persistence paid off for Kaya in the 30th minute as Horikoshi sent a searching low cross through the Maharlika penalty area with forward Kenshiro Daniels and de Bruycker playing the dummy and left it to Panhay who lashed out a first-time shot with his right foot to send the ball to the top right corner and bag the match’s only goal.

Maharlika didn’t go down without a fight and even created chances of their own, most notably a couple of attempts initiated by their homegrown player MJ Libre. The short yet pacey winger from Tondo created the newcomers’ first clear chance on goal in the 22nd minute as his searching cross from the right side was mishandled by the Kaya defense and fell to his teammate Charlie Beaton who struck it but was denied by Kaya defender Carlyle Mitchell. Four minutes later, Libre went on to strike a powerful attempt outside the box which deflected off Kaya defender Simone Rota and just went a few inches over the Kaya goal manned by Louie Casas.

The same story continued in the second half as Kaya looked to score a second to seal their win, with head coach Yu Hoshide subbing in Jovin Bedic, Eric Giganto and Arnel Amita to bolster their attack. However, a determined Maharlika side kept their defensive composure in crucial moments to keep the scoreline despite the men in yellow continuously pushing on. Kaya’s best chance of the second half came in the 92nd minute as a goalmouth scramble almost produced a goal but Beaton and Bandeken Fong teamed up miraculously keep the ball off the line, much to the frustration of their opponents.

Both clubs will be back in action on October 31 (Saturday), with Stallion Laguna the next side to test Maharlika while Kaya takes on the youthful Azkals Development Team.

Kaya XI (4-1-4-1): Louie Casas (GK); Marco Casambre, Simone Rota, Carlyle Mitchell, Shirmar Felongco; Marwin Angeles (captain); Jason Panhay, Dylan de Bruycker, Daizo Horikoshi, OJ Clarino; Kenshiro Daniels.

Maharlika XI (4-3-3): Henri Bandeken Fong (GK); Jerry Barbaso (captain), David Basa, Anton del Rosario, Mateo Yuhico; Jose Montelibano, Serge Kaole, David Fornea; Charlie Beaton, Yannick Tuason, MJ Libre.

http://huddleph.com/2020/10/29/kaya-iloilo-dominates-maharlika-manila-gets-winning-start/

United FC blanks Azkals

 By Ian Suyu

United City FC eked out a tight 1-0 victory against the Azkals Development Team to start its title-retention bid in the historic opening of the Philippines Football League (PFL) at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

UCFC midfielder Mike Ott completed a volley kick off Manny Ott in the 26th minute to bag their first three points in the compressed bubble tournament.

The former Ceres-Negros squad imposed airtight defense as midfielder Takashi Odawara and skipper Stephan Schrock dominated the possession right from the get-go, giving the young Azkals team a hard time to press the ball throughout the match.

ADT had its chance to clinch for a draw after Manny Ott was booked for a red card in the latter part of the second half but failed to convert its last-minute runs against the defensive scheme of the defending champions.

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/10/28/united-fc-blanks-azkals/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

PFL Wednesday - United City 1-0 Azkals Development Team

 

Full match :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JocnvBgRrDA&t=1809s

PFL kicks off Wednesday

 The Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways will kick off on Wednesday, 28 October 2020, at PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

The league will release a revised schedule of matches on Monday.

“We are happy to announce the kickoff of the 2020 PFL season on Wednesday,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta on Sunday night. “This is a big moment for everyone in  the football community. We appreciate the collective effort from the PFF, the clubs, and most important, the Games and Amusements Board and the city government of Santa Rosa, Laguna.”

The league had initially scheduled its opening last Sunday 25 October, but inclement weather caused by Tropical Depression Quinta  and positive Covid-19 test results on some players prompted the postponement of the matches.

Following positive results on players from two clubs after RT-PCR tests on 21 October 2020 and their isolation, all players, coaches, and staff underwent antigen tests last Sunday inside the league’s “bubble” in Seda Nuvali in Santa Rosa, Laguna. All had negative results.  Antigen tests will be conducted regularly every other day for the two clubs. Pre-match day antigen test will also be conducted for the rest.

PFF and league officials appreciate the quick implementation of health protocols in Seda Nuvali and are grateful for the guidance and support of GAB Chairman Baham Mitra and Santa Rosa Mayor Hon. Arlene Arcillas.

All clubs will strictly adhere to health and safety protocols prescribed for the league while staying in Seda Nuvali and playing matches at PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite. League coordination with the city government of Sta. Rosa, Laguna and municipal government of Carmona, Cavite will also continue.

https://pfl.org.ph/pfl-statement/?fbclid=IwAR3Y5js-qxNsn7YBxD4pvvf7rb_fRBp2m2Exh_JgjrJN7RF4AyHnZ8k_2uM

PFL postpones kickoff after 9 test positive for COVID-19

 By CNN Philippines Staff

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 24) — The Philippines Football League announced that it has postponed its kickoff scheduled on Sunday to a few days later, after nine people, including a coach and five players, caught the coronavirus disease.

The league management said in a statement on Saturday that the coach and players were from two football clubs and were tested on October 16 and 21 before they entered the league's "bubble" in Seda Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Close contacts of the cases were also later tested and three more people were found positive, management said.

"We have anticipated this scenario hence there is a set of health and safety protocols in place for incidents such as this," said PFL Commissioner Coco Torre. "What is important is that all continue to adhere with the protocols which are aimed to prevent or minimize the spread of the virus."

The PFL did not mention a new date for the kickoff, but noted that should its first three matches on Sunday push through in Carmona, Cavite, they may be disrupted by bad weather due to Tropical Depression "Quinta."

https://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2020/10/24/PFL-2020-kickoff-postponed-covid-19.html?fbclid#.X5RJS1gP9QM.twitter

PFL STATEMENT ON LEAGUE KICKOFF

 The Philippines Football League is postponing its kickoff initially scheduled for Sunday 25 October 2020 to a few days later.

Inclement weather brought on by Tropical Depression Quinta is expected in the area of the match venue, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite, on Sunday which may lead to disruption of the three matches scheduled for Matchday 1.

RT PCR/swab tests were conducted on 16 and 21 October 2020 prior to their entry to the league’s “bubble” in Seda Nuvali in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Five (5) players and one (1) coach, among two (2) clubs, tested positive in the RT-PCR tests conducted on 21 October 2020. They had to be isolated. Further tests were conducted on those with close contacts on these persons last Saturday, 24 October 2020 and three (3) returned positive.

“We have anticipated this scenario hence there is a set of health and safety protocols in place for incidents such as this. What is important is that all continue to adhere with the protocols which are aimed to prevent or minimize the spread of the virus. Upon checking, we have confirmed that those who tested positive admitted had a close contact with the player who was first to test positive,” said PFL Commissioner Coco Torre.

“We put emphasis on the safety of each and every individual in the bubble, whether player, staff, or match official,” said PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “We understand the current situation and with participants’ strict compliance with bubble-specific protocols, we hope to push through with kickoff in a few days.”

https://pfl.org.ph/pfl-statement-league-kickoff/

6 PFL clubs now inside Sta Rosa bubble for 2020 season

 By Reuben Terrado

ALL six clubs that will compete in the 2020 Philippines Football League have entered its bubble on Wednesday, days before the kick-off at the Philippine Football Federation National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

The clubs – United City FC, Kaya FC-Iloilo, Stallion-Laguna, Mendiola FC, Maharlika FC, and the Azkals Development Team – are now at the league’s quarters Seda Nuvali Hotel in Sta. Rosa, Laguna for the staging of the bubble tournament backed by Qatar Airways opening on Sunday.

“All the members of the teams as well as PFL personnel in the bubble will undergo mandatory swab tests, and hopefully, none of them will test positive as practice begins on Friday and Saturday,” said PFL commissioner Coco Torre.

The Azkals Developmental Team and Mendiola FC open hostilities of the league on Sunday, 9 a.m., with Stallion-Laguna and Kaya FC-Iloilo clashing at 4:30 p.m.

Capping off opening day is the match between United City FC led by Azkals skipper Stephan Schrock taking on Maharlika FC at 8:30 p.m.

The league will be a short single-round series with the club with the most points by Nov. 6 to be declared as the champion.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta is glad that after a lengthy process of gaining the go-signal to play in a bubble from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), professional football is back in the Philippines.

https://www.spin.ph/football/pfl/six-pfl-clubs-now-inside-bubble-for-2020-season-a795-20201022?ref=feed_1_section

PFL reverts to old format for "bubble" season

 By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--In a sudden development, the PFL is going back to the classic football season format.

League commissioner Coco Torre confirmed on Wednesday night that the Finals Series, which would have pitted the top four teams after the regular season to declare the champion, has been scrapped off from the calendar for this year.

This means the top team of the season will be determined the usual way, that is, the club with the most accumulated points after all the matches are played will be crowned champion.

Torre said that the omission of the playoffs from the PFL season was a result of a meeting between club owners on Sunday.

"They were discussing key factors such as player fatigue and physical fitness given the fact that for seven months there was no football at all," he quipped in an online press conference.

The six participating clubs, namely defending champion United City, last season's runner-up Kaya Iloilo, Stallion Laguna, Mendiola, newcomer Maharlika Manila, and guest squad Azkals Development Team, will play a single round robin tournament, which means each squad will only have five games.

While five is too few for a number of matches per club this year, Philippine Football Federation secretary general Ed Gastanes said that it will not affect the PFL's participation in next year's AFC Champions League.

"Because of the pandemic, both FIFA and the AFC have authorized the leagues and the NA's (national associations) to shorten the league duration. We have been told that we are free to do that without violating any regulation from FIFA and the AFC," he said.

The champion of this year's PFL season will get an outright spot in the AFCCL group stages.

The runner-up, on the other hand, will enter the AFCCL qualifying phase.

Meanwhile, the PFL moved its supposed Oct. 24 twinbill to the following day, which means the season will begin with a triple-header.

The season opener between ADT and Mendiola will now be played at 9 a.m. of Oct. 25, while the marquee match-up between Kaya Iloilo and Stallion Laguna will kick off at 4:30 p.m.

The other clash of Matchday 1 between Maharlika Manila and United City will now be the nightcap of the opening day festivities at 8 p.m.

All the matches will happen at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona as part of a bubble.

The full schedule will be released at a later date.

https://www.dugout.ph/2020/10/pfl-reverts-to-old-format-for-bubble.html?fbclid=IwAR23oPyWg-OJsEAtRR2FetVAUhrTAdD1Ibbp1mNFtGVr6DvH48vhsKAjfZY