Be part of Cebu’s home team! 
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=694715749509068&set=a.389665303347449
Philippines Women's National team will play the Pinatar Cup
Women's Tournament in February
on February 21st Women's Tournament 
27 players have been invited to a training camp in the U.S. which will take place until January 31 at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in California.
If reports and claims are indeed true, the upcoming season of the Philippines Football League (PFL) will be very interesting, to say the least. As of late, several teams are very active in announcing their signings for the upcoming PFL season. This is good to generate more interest and awareness in the domestic league, which is set to start in the first week of March.
One team, is in fact, consistent with its announcements and updates, which the other clubs should follow suit to make more interest and noise. This early, this club, a newcomer in the league, deserves an A for effort.
While the list of the teams that will be participating has not been officially disclosed yet, PFL Commissioner Coco Torre said at least 15 teams have confirmed their intent in joining the tournament. These teams are either working on their documents and other requirements (to include the registration fee), which is probably the reason why the Philippine Football Federation can’t yet disclose their identities. The 16th team is facing a disciplinary case and must settle this first before being allowed to enter the tournament.
Fifteen will always be a better figure than five, the number of teams that competed last year. At the very least, the tournament will be bigger and hopefully the quality of teams competing is higher, too. I pray too that the teams joining the PFL will be there for the long run and that they remain sustainable.
The status of the domestic league is always a good way to gauge the status of football in the country. To clarify, this is just one of the ways to ascertain how football is in the country. Para malinaw lang sa mga trolls at mga experts kuno.
Expected to compete are the old and reliable teams such as Kaya FC Iloilo, Dynamic Herb Cebu, Stallion Laguna FC and Mendiola 1991, while reports say that Davao Aguilas, Maharlika Manila FC, Manila Montet FC, Manila Digger FC, Tuloy FC, Don Bosco Garelli FC, United City FC, Loyola FC and Taguig City United FC are also in the mix.
Which brings us to the next question? Who are the players suiting up for these teams? Our football friends, who also act as de-facto scouts in identifying possible Azkals’ prospects based abroad, have a long list of players that could play in the new PFL season. The list contains prominent names such as Omid Nazari, Kevin Ingreso, Andreas Esswein, Adam Reed, Amin Nazari, Luke Woodland, Kieran Hayes, Matthew Custodio, Zach Wadell, Enrique Bernan and many more. Some of the names in the list can also play for the Azkals.
Speaking of the Azkals, there are reports, too, that a change of the moniker is forthcoming. The PFF announcement naming Freddy Gonzalez as its Director of National Teams also boosted this probability when there was no mention of Azkals when it referred to the Philippine Men’s National Team.
A former national team player, Gonzalez replaced Dan Palami as team manager of the national team and is tasked to lead the squad’s preparation for a pair of qualifiers in March, a home and away fixtures against Iraq.
The decision to change the moniker is always the choice and decision of the PFF, no contest there. And whatever they decide to use, I wish them all the luck. I’m more interested in the preparations for the crucial games against Iraq. And I also hope that the management and the players will not be distracted from the moniker change with less than two months before the games against Iraq.
Regardless of the moniker, one thing remains and ever constant, the name of our country should matter the most.
https://manilastandard.net/sports/314408348/fingers-crossed-for-bigger-better-domestic-league.html
This year Scotland will be up against England, Philippines and Sweden. The tournament will serve as preparation ahead of UEFA European Qualifiers Round 2 in March.
Pauline MacDonald’s side will take on Sweden in the first match at the Pinatar Arena on Monday, 5 February. The winner of this match will face either England or the Philippines. There will also be a runner-up match to decide third and fourth placed teams.
Fixtures:
Match Day 1 – Monday, 5 February 2024:
A1 - Scotland WU17 v Sweden WU17, 11am
A2 - Philippines WU17 v England WU17, 4pm
Match Day 2 – Thursday, 8 February 2024:
Winner A2 v Winner A1
Runner-up A2 v Runner-up A1
All matches will take place at Pinatar Arena, Spain.
Gonzalez, 46, who will also directly oversee the Philippine Men’s National Team (PMNT) will take on the role as the PMNT prepares for a pair of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying matches in March.
“We are proud to have Freddy Gonzalez on board as Director of National Teams,, and as concurrent Manager of the PMNT,” said PFF President John Gutierrez.
“Mr. Gonzalez’s appointment represent the start of a new era and direction for the PMNT. As a former national team player himself, his passion to play for the country, his football knowledge, and his experience all give him a clear understanding on what needs to be done to be successful at the international level.”
Gutierrez added: “Freddy has always been driven to win. His drive for excellence, professionalism, attention to detail, and great organizational skills are important qualities we need. We cannot wait for him to get started and the PFF will be working closely with him in putting together the team that will support our players and coaching staff.”
One of the finest locally-developed players during his prime, Gonzalez played for the country from 1997 to 2002.
He was widely regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s top strikers with his performances in regional competitions leading to a contract with Ngan Hang Dong A in the Vietnamese top-flight, the first Filipino player to have achieved the feat.
He briefly made a comeback in 2011 to play in the United Football League for three seasons, before focusing on his various business interests.
Gonzalez is relishing the opportunity to give back to the national team.
“It is a huge honor to be part of the Philippine Men’s National Team once again, this time on the management side,” said Gonzalez, who studied at the University of Portland and is an alumnus of the Colegio San Agustin Makati.
“President John Gutierrez’s mandate is to improve all our national teams. We have been talking about the possibility of me helping out the national teams during his campaign, which is something that I was also open to doing.”
Gonzalez added: “Personally, there is no greater honor than representing the country. My time with the national team was one of my most memorable as a player. Managing the team is a huge challenge but it’s a challenge that I’m excited to take on. There is massive potential in the PMNT and we’re ready to forge ahead with our plans and programs. With such a short turnaround before the next set of matches in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, we have plans in place for the team to ensure their readiness for battle. We will continue to work on assembling the strongest national team and make sure that they are supported. With consistency, we can hopefully see changes translate into improved results on the field.”
The Philippine Women’s National Team will continue to be managed by Mr.Jeff Cheng, who brought Philippine women’s football to new heights after reaching the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “Mr. Jeff Cheng will remain as the The Philippine Women’s Team Manager and we have the highest confidence in his leadership. We look forward to seeing our female squad achieve more, and inspire more young girls to become excellent footballers,” said Gutierrez.
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Football Federation announced that Philippine Men’s National Team Manager Dan Palami is stepping down from his role as team manager with the PMNT.
“Sir Dan Palami, the long-time manager of the Philippine Men’s National Team has expressed his intention to step down as the team manager of the PMNT to give the new PFF administration a free hand moving forward,” said PFF president John Gutierrez. “The PFF would like to express its appreciation to the invaluable contributions of Sir Dan to Philippine football as a whole.”
Under Palami’s management, the Men’s National Team reached four AFF Championship semi-final appearances in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2018, and earned a historic qualification to the AFC Asian Cup in 2019.
“As you can see, the PFF is moving forward, and I thought it was time for me as a courtesy in deference to what Sir John will do in the next four years,” said Palami. “I want to give him the elbow room and free hand to do what he thinks is necessary for Philippine football to move forward.”
The decision for the next PMNT manager will be made by PFF in due course.
The Men’s National Team upcoming schedule will be the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers against Iran this March and Indonesia and Vietnam on June 2024 with the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup Championship also in scheduled later this year.
https://pff.org.ph/2024/01/09/pff-announcement-mens-national-team/
