Group H: Thailand (H), Malaysia, Bangladesh, Philippines
25 May 2023
24 May 2023
23 May 2023
PFL Statement on Azkals Development Team
The Philippines Football League announces that Azkals Development Team (ADT) will cease to participate in the ongoing PFL Season 2022/23 following its decision to withdraw from its participation in the PFL.
ADT has already notified the league, as well as the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), of its decision and as such, all remaining fixtures of ADT will result in a 0-3 forfeit win in favor of their opponents.
With this development, Dynamic Herb Cebu FC, which was set to face ADT on Saturday 27 May 2023, shall be awarded as a 3-0 win, and are now at 50 points, two points behind leaders Kaya FC-Iloilo, with 15 wins, 5 draws, and 1 loss ahead of its match against Stallion Laguna FC tomorrow 24 May 2023 at 3:30 PM. Kaya and Stallion will also battle this Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, which may potentially decide the champion of the PFL Season 2022/23.
PFL looks forward to its expanded program of the Copa Paulino Alcantara which is projected to comprise twenty (20) teams. The Cup competition is seen as an opportunity for high performing amateur clubs/teams. Qualified and successful teams or clubs hope to receive an invite to the newly restructured league come season 2023-2024.
PFL Statement on Azkals Development Team - The Philippines Football League
21 May 2023
Rebosura double seals women's title, UAAP Football treble for FEU
The FEU Lady Tamaraw Booters secured their 11th UAAP women's football title, their first since 2015, with a close 2-1 victory over the defending champions DLSU Lady Booters, with goals from Regine Rebosura in the 46th and 118th minutes against Shai Del Campo's 90+10th minute equalizer this Sunday in the Finals of the UAAP Season 85 Women's Football tournament.
Both teams started off quickly, looking to exploit switches of play. DLSU's Shai Del Campo struck just wide after slipping past an off-guard Tamaraws defense after 7 minutes, while it was Regine Rebosura in the 10th minute who forced a save from DLSU keeper Alexandrea Gumilao.
Rebosura again almost had a chance to score in the 13th minute after a well-weighted cross from FEU skipper Dionesa Tolentin, but was stopped inside the box.
In the 27th minute, the girls in green could have gone in front with Maria Layacan hitting a shot on target, but was just blocked by the FEU defenders. Layacan again found space in the 34th minute after beating the Tamaraw Booters' high line to Arantxa Trebol's long pass, her shot going just wide of the right post.
Still, the match remained scoreless heading into the interval, but the team from Morayta scored barely a minute into the second half. Rebosura struck from close range after a deflected FEU corner found her wide open.
League top scorer Angelica Teves looked to equalize in the 60th minute for the Lady Booters from a free kick just outside the 18-yard box, but her shot went straight into the gloves of Jessa May Lehayan.
The Lady Tamaraw Booters looked to double the lead in the 71st minute, with substitute Lylhanie Cayabyab pouncing off of a Gumilao deflection, her shot going wide of the near post.
Shai Del Campo was closing down on FEU's goal in the 79th minute looking for the equalizer, but was called for a handball on the buildup. Moments later, Mikaela Villacin put the ball in the back of the net off a Del Campo pass beyond FEU's reach, but was marginally offside.
Yet just when many would have thought the match was won, in virtually the last tick in regulation, Shai Del Campo headed home from point-blank range to keep the Lady Booters alive and force extra time.
But when it looked like the match was headed for the dreaded penalty shootout, Rebosura made it two on the night with a tap-in off of Gumilao's initial save.
Matchwinner Regine Rebosura was awarded the tournament's Best Midfielder and Rookie of the Year, while fellow Lady Tamaraw Booter Katrina Magbitang was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
La Salle's Angelica Teves earned Best Striker honors with 8 goals to her name. UP's Coline Acelo and Jennifer Baroin were given the Best Goalkeeper and Best Defender awards, respectively. Ateneo was given the Fair Play Award for accumulating the fewest cards this season.
The women's title sees the Far Eastern University complete the third-ever Treble (men's, women's, and juniors) in UAAP Football history, the first two also by FEU in Seasons 76 and 77. https://esbfph.wixsite.com/esbf/post/rebosura-double-seals-women-s-title-uaap-football-treble-for-feu?fbclid=IwAR2mPXEteO_2m0J_SepSY4TWE5hx9WqixUkV-3oEJEeEavyP8i8aWZGgZzs
The multi-year dud
Just two months later, the big signing turned out to be one big dud.
“What’s happening with the Azkals and why can’t we get a coach who will last for more than one tournament?” I asked.
“We’ll be coming up with a new coach,” he said, “We’re still negotiating with the salary... Barae was just an interim coach... We need a good coach for the AFC qualifiers, our coaching leaves much to be desired.”
Already heavily criticized for their failures lately, the latest twist won’t make the Azkals and the PFF endear with the fans.
Who goofed the announcement? Why were there no efforts to correct the misinformation? To be fair, it’s not like the PFF was hiding something because it was Nonong himself who broke the news when he said in an interview that the Azkals don’t have a coach.
After the assembly, while the PFF president was busy entertaining requests for photos, Nonong answered a question I was yet to ask.
“The players are also asking, ‘Who is our coach?” he said. If fans are getting dizzy with the coaching merry-go-round, the lack of stability is a big issue for the players.
PFL - Cebu 1-0 Stallion Laguna
𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋-𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 | The title hope is still alive for Cebu Football Club as they beat the visiting side, Stallion Laguna Football Club Philippines, 1-0 courtesy of JB Borlongan.