Updates on PFL season 2021

 The Philippines Football League (PFL), together with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), has been continuously evaluating the feasibility of staging the PFL season 2021, which will be centrally hosted at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

The National Capital Region is under Alert Level 4, while the province of Cavite, where Carmona is located, is under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) until the end of the month.

League officials led by PFL commissioner Coco Torre is currently discussing with the seven (7) participating clubs the following items:

1. Quarantine status of Carmona, Cavite and if the Local Government Unit (LGU) will allow the conduct of contact sports and;
2. Feasibility and logistical capabilities of clubs to be under a semi-bubble as mandated by the IATF.

Prior to the league kickoff, clubs are highly encouraged to allot enough time to train as to avoid long term injuries which is a very important health consideration tantamount to minimizing the risk of COVID-19 infections.

The PFL and Clubs will have another meeting on the first week of October to discuss the direction of PFL for 2021.

“We (Clubs and PFL) are doing everything we can to make the League happen this year, despite the realities on the ground,” said Torre. “We owe it to the fans and stakeholders, but at the same time we must ensure the health and safety of our players.”

https://pfl.org.ph/updates-pfl-season-2021/?fbclid=IwAR3-Gg9i1-9tStuYgtD4uB9FwrJ-VocZZnMMOnSa39AXoaxwhFeBkE_GzWk

Report: Philippines 2-1 Hong Kong

 The Philippines hammered out a narrow 2-1 win over Hong Kong last Friday to clinch a second straight AFC Women’s Asian Cup appearance.

Making only her second appearance for the Philippines, Chandler McDaniel struck the winner three minutes from time after Chung Pui Ki cancelled out Tahnai Annis’ goal early in the second half at JAR Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The win gave the Philippines a perfect six points in Group F as it followed up a similar 2-1 win over Nepal.

It was a composed performance by the Filipinas, a far cry from their scrambling victory last Saturday in their debut. They pressed a Hong Kong side that was held to a goalless draw by Nepal high up the pitch and constantly threatened inside the box.

Annis put the Filipinas on top with a header in the 17th minute off a pass from Rocelle Mendaño, who was the only change in the starting lineup of coach Marlon Maro.

Sara Castañeda missed an opportunity to make it 2-0 late in the first half with her tamed effort straight Ng Cheuk Wai.

Chung equalized in the 61st minute with a pinpoint free kick from just outside the box beating Inna Palacios.

The Filipinas hardly looked troubled though as McDaniel tested the Hong Kong goalkeeper from distance just shortly after.

McDaniel finally broke loose in the 87th minute, pouncing on a ball near the halfline and showing excellent control before rifling home a confident finish to give the Filipinos a deserved win.

With the victory, the Philippines became the sixth team to qualify for the continental competition set in India from January 20 to February 6, 2022.

Already assured of Asian Cup spots are host India, Japan, Australia, China and South Korea, which won Group E of the qualifying round.

The Philippine Women’s Football Team is backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the MVP Sports Foundation and team manager Jefferson Cheng.

“We are truly delighted by this remarkable achievement by our Philippine Women’s National Team,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta. “Qualification to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is a testament to the hard work and sacrifice made by the players and the coaching staff and the support of sponsors and stakeholders. But we cannot rest on this achievement. We will leave no stone unturned in preparing the team in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, where the Top 5 teams will qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.”

“This is a major achievement for our Philippine Women’s National Team given the hardships the team had to go through due to the pandemic,” added PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “The team’s hard work and efforts were duly rewarded by qualifying for the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup as one of 12 teams that will vie for the five FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 spots. We could not have achieved this if not for the dedication of the players, the coaching staff, our supporters, and of course our fans.“

https://pff.org.ph/2021/09/24/report-philippines-1-0-hong-kong/

AFF Suzuki Cup Schedule

 

Philippines In Group A For AFF Suzuki Cup 2020

 

 

 

The Philippine Men’s National Team’s were drawn in Group A to familiar oppositions in the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup following the official draw ceremony held today 21 September 2021 in Singapore.

The Azkals were drawn together with five-time champions Thailand, four-time winners Singapore, Myanmar, and the winner of the Qualifying Round between Brunei Darussalam and Timor-Leste in Group A.

Group B features defending champions Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout semi-finals.

The tournament is scheduled for 05 December 2021 until 01 January 2022. The Philippines will be competing in their 12th AFF Suzuki Cup having been four-time semifinalists from 2010-2014 and again in 2018.

PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr. and general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes attended the virtual draw ceremony together with other AFF officials.

“We wish the Philippine Men’s National Team all the best in the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 later this year,” said Araneta. “It will be an interesting competition being held in the midst of the pandemic. Nonetheless, we request all Filipino football fans to rally around our team in its bid to be champion of Southeast Asia’s most prestigious football competition, which had a television audience of almost 200 million during the 2018 edition of the AFF Suzuki Cup.”

https://pff.org.ph/2021/09/21/philippines-in-group-a-for-aff-suzuki-cup-2020/

PFL mulls postponement

 

By 

Ian Suyu 

The Philippines Football League (PFL) floated the possibility of postponing its fifth season due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis in the country.

PFL commissioner Coco Torre revealed that they are contemplating whether to push through or reschedule the league in 2022, citing the unstable health situation that is giving the league a hard time finalizing its plans.

Torre said clubs are looking at playing on 15 October, but everything still depends on the quarantine status in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The PFL is set to be held at the Philippine Football Federation National Training Center in Cavite and Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.

“We’re looking at 15 October as the opening date. But if things don’t work out, then we might postpone the season entirely,” Torre said in a phone conversation.

“We don’t want to keep on extending it because it also adds up to our resources and expenses.”

The PFL was originally scheduled to start its games as early as 21 August, but the implementation of a stricter community quarantine in Metro Manila and other provinces forced the league to reschedule its opening on 25 September.

Torre said they are still managing their expectations as the Covid-19 trend shows no signs of slowing down, especially after registering a record-high 26,303 cases on Saturday for a total caseload of 2.24 million.

With that, the league chief said their utmost priority right now is to assure the safety of all players and staff amid the pandemic.

Eight clubs are expected to see action in the upcoming season, which will be held under semi-bubble set-up.

“Of course, we want to be realistic on this matter. But we are hoping that our present scenario will still improve,” Torre said.

“If not, then we’ll just ask for the fans and stakeholders’ understanding that we are going for the safer route for the players and the league.”

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/09/15/pfl-mulls-postponement/

Report: Nepal 1-2 Philippines

 The Philippine Women’s National Team left it late to claim a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Nepal to put them on the cusp of qualifying to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 last Saturday 18 September 2021 at JAR Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

A goal down with only minutes remaining in regulation, Tahnai Annis and Camille Wilson scored the vital goals in the 90th and 92nd minutes to lift the Philippines over Nepal and claim the much needed three points in Group F.

Despite the win, the Philippines had to endure almost 80 minutes a goal behind after Bimala Chaudhary found the back of the net in the 10th minute.

Nepal’s goal did not dampen the Philippines as they pressed on for the goal. Annis was close in the succeeding minutes but was unable to get a touch on the ball.

Going to the stoppage time, the Philippines held their resolve in the search for an equalizer and found it as the clock reached the 90th minute. The debuting Chandler McDaniel latched on an inviting cross from the right flank and found the on-rushing Annis free in the box, who sent it to the back of the net to give the Philippines a deserved lifeline.

With time remaining on the clock, the Philippines went on in search for a winner. Camille Rodriguez sent a cross for McDaniel, who had enough touch with her to send it to the patch of Wilson to pounce on the winner.

Head coach Marlon Maro was elated on the win which puts the country a step closer to qualification.

“The new players played well and initiated the first goal,” said Maro. “Our adjustments in the second half resulted in us scoring in the last five minutes.”

The Philippines next face Hong Kong on Friday, 24 September 2021 at the same venue for a chance to clinch qualification to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022.

The Philippine Women’s National Team is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), MVP Sports Foundation, and Team Manager Jefferson Cheng.

Photo: AFC

PWNT squad

 

PHI WNT All Set For AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers

 The Philippine Women’s National Team mark their return to competition as they vie for a place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 through the qualifiers which kicks off on 18 September 2021 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The Philippines, ranked 68th in the FIFA Rankings, is in Group F and will face Nepal (ranked 101st) and Hong Kong (ranked 78th) at JAR Stadium in Tashkent.

Twenty-two (22) players were called up for the qualifiers. Goalkeeper Inna Palacios is the team captain, while Hali Long is the co-captain. Former youth national team players Arianna LePage and Isabelle Mapanao are among the new additions to the squad.

Tahnai Annis, Jessica Miclat, and Ryley Bugay, who were part of the team that competed in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 in Jordan make their return to the squad.

The head coach is Marlon Maro and assisted by Michael Agbayani, Jose Maria Aberasturi, Marlon Piñero, Anthony Albao, and Ms. Rose Ton Bariñan.

PFF Women’s Committee co-chairperson Mr. Jefferson Cheng is the Team Manager.

In preparation for the qualifiers, the team had online training sessions beginning early this year before conducting a training camp in Irvine, California, USA from 04 August to 11 September 2021.

The team left for Uzbekistan last Sunday, 12 September 2021.

The Women’s National Team is also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), MVP Sports Foundation, and Team Manager Jeffersong Cheng.

Players:

Player	Position	Last Appearance
Inna PALACIOS (captain)	Goalkeeper	2019 SEA Games
Olivia DAVIES MCDANIEL	Goalkeeper	First tournament with WNT
Isabelle MAPANAO	Goalkeeper	From Youth NT (2019 Girls U16)
Ryley BUGAY	Defender	AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018
Sofia HARRISON	Defender	AFF Women’s Championship 2018
Chelo HODGES	Defender	2019 SEA Games
Hali LONG (co-captain)	Defender	2019 SEA Games
Tara SHELTON	Defender	2019 SEA Games
Patricia TOMANON	Defender	2019 SEA Games
Tahnai ANNIS	Midfielder	AFC Women's Asian Cup 2018
Sara CASTAÑEDA	Midfielder	2019 SEA Games
Anicka CASTAÑEDA	Midfielder	AFF Women's Championship 2018
Malea CESAR	Midfielder	First tournament with WNT
Charisa LEMORAN	Midfielder	2019 SEA Games
Rocelle MENDAÑO	Midfielder	AFF Women's Championship 2019
Jessica MICLAT	Midfielder	AFC Women's Asian Cup 2018
Camille RODRIGUEZ	Midfielder	2019 SEA Games
Alyssa UBE	Midfielder	First tournament with WNT
Camille WILSON	Midfielder	AFF Women's Championship 2016
Alisha DEL CAMPO	Forward	2019 SEA Games
Arianna LEPAGE	Forward	From Youth NT (2019 Girls U16)
Chandler MCDANIEL	Forward	First tournament with WNT

AFC Women's Asian Cup

 
The Road to India begins for the Philippine Women's National Football Team with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan this month!

The Philippines is in Group F and will face Nepal and Hong Kong.

Note: Kick off times are in Uzbekistan time (GMT+5)