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27 November 2021
Azkals gear up for AFF Suzuki Cup 2020
Twenty seven players make up the Azkals lineup for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 set in Singapore beginning December 5.
The Azkals have been grouped with Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar and Timor Leste in the competition that will run until January 1, 2022.
Singapore will be the Azkals’ first assignment on December 8, followed by matches against Timor Leste (December 11), Thailand (December 14) and Myanmar (December 18). Except the match against Myanmar, which will be played at Bishan Stadium, all of the Azkals’ games are slated at the National Stadium.
Captain Stephan Schrock leads the squad that also includes a handful of veteran campaigners like vice-captain Patrick Reichelt, Mike Ott, Martin Steuble, Angel Guirado and Kenshiro Daniels.
Making their return to the squad after missing out on the Fifa World Cup and AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers last June are Amani Aguinaldo, Kevin Ingreso, Iain Ramsay and Daisuke Sato.
Defender Jeff Tabinas, who made his debut against China in the qualifiers, has also been recalled along with Mar Vincent Diano and goalkeepers Bernd Schipmann and Kevin Ray Mendoza.
Having represented the country in the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers last October in Singapore, Oliver Bias, Justin Baas, Dennis Chung, Oskari Kekkonen, Sandro Reyes, Christian Rontini and goalkeeper Quincy Kameraad are also in the squad.
Naturalized striker Bienvenido Marañon has been called up for his first tournament for the Azkals, just like Sweden-based defender Jesper Nyholm. Amin Nazari, Matthew Custodio and Harry Foll.
Unfortunately, with the AFF Suzuki Cup held outside the FIFA window, the Azkals will also miss some big names like Gerrit Holtmann, Patrick Strauss, Raphael Obermair, Michael Kempter and Neil Etheridge, who are all tied up with their respective clubs.
“This is a very prestigious tournament,” said Azkals coach Scott Cooper. “We have a history of doing well and going to the semifinals, but we need to do more than that.
“We have to look at the last Suzuki Cup (in 2018) and that half of that schedule, was in the FIFA calendar. For this tournament, we have so many players unavailable and most of them were unable to be released by their clubs. We don’t have that luxury as other countries so we’re hoping that organizers look at the calendar in the future.”
Azkals team manager Dan Palami admits the buildup to the tournament has been far from ideal with players based in different parts of the world and still playing for their clubs with less than two weeks before the actual tournament.
Compounding the situation are the injuries to some key players.
“We have to deal with the situation,” said Palami. “I think now more than ever, the team will have to summon the never-say-die spirit that Filipinos are known for.”
Other players who were unable to secure a release from their clubs are Josh Grommen, Patrick Deyto and Randy Schneider.
The Azkals also suffered a huge blow with the late withdrawal of several players due to injuries. Among them are Jarvey Gayoso, Manny Ott, Carlie De Murga, brothers Michael and Matthew Baldissimo, Sebastian Rasmussen and Adrian Ugelvik.
Javier Patiño and Michael Falkesgaard have also retired from national team duties.
“It’s extremely difficult hence we have to temper our expectations,” said Cooper. “We have a nice squad and we have a new addition in Jesper Nyholm, whose season is finally finished, so we can bring him in and there’s couple of new faces coming in.”
Nonetheless, Cooper said the Azkals still need to be ambitious and “represent ourselves well.”
“We have a good squad, we must be positive and go on and show what we can do.”
http://theazkals.com/news/azkals-gear-up-for-aff-suzuki-cup-2020/?fbclid=IwAR1m9c95YXQpdd0fEi4iX2ckuHtKGm_wCEbB1w_VFpLTUmwcSaP6k68816w
19 November 2021
18 November 2021
16 November 2021
15 November 2021
13 November 2021
Copa Paulino Alcantara - ADT vs Mendiola
Exciting match between Azkals Development Team and Mendiola FC 1991.
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Azkals Development Team just needs a point to secure their spot in the Semi-Finals, while Mendiola FC 1991 is in a must-win situation to advance.
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Watch the match live on One Sports, One Sports+, PFL Facebook and Youtube, Smart Sports Facebook, and Puso Pilipinas Facebook and Youtube.
10 November 2021
09 November 2021
Nov 10 - Copa Pauino Alcantara
Mendiola FC 1991 will face Kaya FC-Iloilo at 4:00 PM, followed by Stallion Laguna FC against the Copa Paulino Alcantara debutants Dynamic Herb Cebu FC at 7:30 PM.
Watch the matches live on One Sports, One Sports+, PFL Facebook and Youtube, Puso Pilipinas Facebook and Youtube,
Official Club Statement regarding the UCFC withdraw from the Copa Paulino Alcantara 2021:
Official Club Statement regarding the UCFC withdraw from the Copa Paulino Alcantara 2021:
When United City FC took over the licenses from Ceres-Negros to rescue the club in July 2020, the parties signed an agreement outlining particular obligations to be fulfilled by Ceres-Negros.
However, some have unfortunately not been met by the former club, as of this writing.
As the successor of Ceres Negros, United City FC is now being dragged into legal disputes brought forward against Ceres-Negros, for which United City FC is neither responsible nor have caused the circumstances, as all this arose before the take-over of the club, which is undisputed.
Since the legal actions taken against the former Club Ceres-Negros have been registered with FIFA, it has now affected the United City FC Club license application for AFC competitions, which as of writing, is "provisional".
UCFC has handed the matter over to its legal council, and together with the support of the PFF, all parties are working towards an amicable solution.
In the meantime, United City FC decided to pull out of the Copa Paulino Alcantara competition, as our participation would affect the outcome for the 2022 AFC Cup nominations of the other teams involved, among other factors, which had to be considered.
With sadness, we took this step, especially since our players and staff have been preparing for our return to local competitions, following our participation in the AFC Champions League last July.
Prior to our withdrawal, we informed all stakeholders, including the PFF, PFL, and the other Clubs representatives and as a result, we have been met with strong support and understanding for our decision.
We apologize to our fans that the ongoing Copa is, unfortunately, being played without us.
However, we assure you that UCFC will be stronger and better in 2022 when we aim to defend our PFL title and to go a step further in AFC competitions.
07 November 2021
Kaya edges Azkals Development Team in Copa opener
By David Tristan Yumol, CNN Philippines
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7) – Kaya FC-Iloilo started strong in its bid to reclaim the Copa Paulino Alcantara with a 2-0 win over the Azkals Development Team (ADT) in the opening game of the tournament on Sunday at the Philippine Football Federation Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Both squads went on a tactical battle in the first half as ADT, coming off its stint in the 2022 AFC Asian U-23 Cup qualifiers last month in Singapore, exerted more defensive pressure that left Kaya with a few chances to complete successful offensive attacks.
In the second half, the Iloilo-based football club became more aggressive in creating offensive set plays that exposed the defensive lapses by the young ADT side.
Japanese winger Daizo Horikoshi delivered the wide-open first goal of the tournament in the 54th minute after the ADT defense was left scrambling following a cross by defender Audie Menzi.
"It is also my first goal with Kaya. Super, super happy," said Horikoshi in the post-match interview.
Veteran national team member Simone Rota benefited from another confused ADT backline by scoring the second goal in the 70th minute, off a short pass assist by Menzi near the box from a prior free kick by team captain Jovin Bedic.
ADT failed to complete its set plays in the succeeding minutes as Kaya trusted its defensive stops to score the first three points of this year's Copa Paulino Alcantara.
"In the first half, we expected ADT will press high. We didn't have any official games for so long, especially ADT was really fresh," said Kaya mentor Yu Hoshide. "In the second half, we fixed all so we're able to win."
Kaya looks to gain the top seed in the semifinals and complete a sweep of Group B on Nov. 10 as they face Mendiola FC 1991 in the first game at 4:00 p.m.
The main fixture, slated at 7:30 p.m., will pit the only Group A clubs Stallion Laguna and the debuting Dynamic Herb Cebu.
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