24. February
Kaya Fc Iloilo 2-1 Manila Digger
28. February
Taguig Fc 4-2 Manila Digger
Mendiola 4-1 Maharlika
29 February 2024
28 February 2024
Manila training camp NT
NATIONAL TEAM CALL-UPS
Here are the 34 local-based players from the professional and collegiate ranks who were called up for the ongoing training camp.
They will be joined by foreign-based players in the upcoming FIFA International Window.
27 February 2024
26 February 2024
Tom Saintfiet new Azkals coach
The Philippine Football Federation welcomed new Men’s National Team 
head coach Tom Saintfiet
PH football federation retires Azkals moniker, eyes new direction
By: Jonas Terrado
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) confirmed Monday that it will no longer use the famous “Azkals” moniker that has been the identity of the country’s men’s football team for almost two decades.
Team manager Freddy Gonzalez said the decision came with the intention of focusing on the new direction the PFF administration wants to have with the men’s team, particularly its desire to have equal identity with both homegrown players and overseas-based counterparts commonly known as Fil-foreigners.
“We are not using the Azkals name anymore because it doesn’t fit with the new direction the team is going,” Gonzalez said after the PFF held a press conference announcing the appointment of new coach Tom Saintfiet at Studio 300 in Makati City.
“We feel that it already had its time and we now don’t consider overseas-based players as half Filipino. Everyone is Filipino and we’re all Filipino,” added Gonzalez.
The name had been used since the mid-2000s, used as a reference to a local term to describe a street dog. It became an even more popular moniker when the Philippines pulled off an upset of Vietnam in the group stage of the 2010 Asean Football Federation Cup at the latter’s home pitch in Hanoi.
Former team manager Dan Palami, who resigned in January, is said to own the Azkals trademark, and, according to Gonzalez, even offered to turn the name over to the PFF so that the moniker can still be used.
But the PFF said that it would rather take a different direction. In fact, the federation had been using the terms “men’s national team” or “MNT” in its press releases.
“Whether we come up with a new moniker or the fans come up with the new moniker, that’s something will just happen over time,” said Gonzalez, adding that addressing the moniker situation may be addressed after the Philippines’ two World Cup/Asian Cup Qualifiers matches against Iraq in late March.
Read more: https://sports.inquirer.net/554427/ph-football-federation-retires-azkals-moniker-eyes-new-direction#ixzz8SrZqFMz1
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
24 February 2024
Jesper Nyholm call-up for Azkals
Fil-Swedish Jesper Nyholm got a call-up for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in March
23 February 2024
Ex Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet will be the new coach for Azkals ?
Ex Gambia coach tom Saintfiet could be the new coach for Azkals ?
More changes coming soon?
Some enterprising fans of the men’s national football team, or formerly known as the Azkals, have been going out of their way in finding answers to the pressing question of whether the current coach will still call the shots in next month’s resumption of the World and Asian Cup qualifiers
The Philippine Football Federation has remained mum on this matter and as expected, is also not helping. It only adds more to the anxiety and concerns of fans, who are eagerly awaiting developments on the team.
But if The Designated Kit Man is made to believe, changes will be forthcoming soon in the team. Several sources have said that a new coach is coming to replace Hans Michael Weiss. In fact, this incoming coach is reportedly bringing with him some of his people from his previous spell from another national team. The sources added, too, that his team will be bolstered by local officials, who will complement and complete his coaching staff.
According to the same sources, Weiss will not be completely out of Philippine football altogether, but he will be asked, instead, to handle one of the national youth teams.
As of the moment, Weiss still has a valid contract with the national men’s football team until the end of the year. Another source said an official announcement will be made in the next few days to clarify the status of the head coach.
But again, not until the PFF makes the official announcement then these pieces of information remain nothing but speculations.
The Designated Kit Man tried to reach out to Weiss, but the German coach remained tight-lipped about his tenure. He, however, gave a short reply. “We will see a decision by February 29,” he replied.
I guess a little bit more to know the real score on this nagging issue.
Equally as anticipated is the composition of the squad that will see in an away-and-home series against Iraq next month. As of now, there’s no official announcement yet on who will be called to join the national training pool.
Just like the status of the coach, the list of players coming back to the country or who are already here remains a matter of speculation, too. There were earlier reports that Santino Rublico will return to the team. The problem is, even if Rublico comes back, he can only play one game against Iraq. He has accumulated two yellow cards from his previous game, so he will serve an automatic one-game suspension.
Just like other reports, Rublico’s coming is yet to be confirmed. There were also rumors that the PFF has reached out to Sebastian Ramussem, Raphael Obermair, several current and prospective Azkals in the past few weeks, but there is no way for me to confirm. Just like the rest, I will have to wait for the PFF to make the official announcement.
On the upswing, the decision to let overseas-based players make the initial efforts in making themselves available for the national team is much welcome. Players, who have the potential to play for the national team are advised to come to the country first, try out and show what they are made of is intriguing and probably good in the long run. At least, on the bare minimum, there is the obvious and concrete manifestation of the desire to play for the national team, simply because they want to do so and not for anything else. This will also help in weeding out those “pabebe” Azkals wannabes, who think that playing for the three stars and the sun is the last resort in their careers.
We can’t blame them actually, considering the state of football in the country, where it is desperate to gain popularity and support from Filipinos, who are so crazy with basketball and volleyball. Compared to other countries, to say football is among the top 5 sports in the Philippines is such a stretch.
https://manilastandard.net/sports/314419120/more-changes-coming-soon.html
20 February 2024
15 February 2024
PWNT Squad for friendly and Pinatar Cup
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT
#Filipinas have been called up for the upcoming Pinatar Cup which will feature 8 
players.
February 21, 3:00pm CET/10:00pm PHT
February 24, 2:05pm CET/9:05pm PHT(
/) February 27, TBA
14 February 2024
Electric Atmosphere Expected At Rizal Stadium for the First Game
PFL announced yesterday that the season will now kick off in the first week of April instead of the initially planned March. Specifically, our first game is now set for April 7th at Rizal Stadium against Taguig United FC, a newly established club with a different approach from us. While we’ve focused on marketing and nurturing young local talent, Taguig FC has been more discreet in the media but has been actively recruiting experienced players. It’s bound to be an extremely challenging match for us, but also thrilling to face such seasoned opponents. We are anticipating an electric atmosphere and a large crowd in the stadium as both of these clubs are among the very few with the ability to attract large crowds and boast a significant fan base! We can expect a fantastic spectacle in the stands! Exciting times ahead for sure…
11 February 2024
Azkals player Sato joins Davao Aguilas
MANILA, Philippines: FILIPINO-JAPANESE national footballer Daisuke Sato has finally returned to his roots after announcing his intention to play for the Davao Aguilas FC in the upcoming Philippine Football League (PFL) next month.
Davao Aguilas Club President Mike Atayde confirmed the latest development over the weekend, saying they are very happy to sign up Sato in their roster not only as a player but also a football teacher for aspiring young talents in their club.
"This is absolutely my big dream to play for Davao, the place where I was born. I always feel at home and connected with Davao," Sato, the 29-year-old defender, said. "I really wanted to play for Davao ever since, but I was playing abroad then. I traveled around Europe for the last ten years." He also expressed confidence to the capability of the Davao Aguilas coached by head tactician Aber Ruzgal and assistant Luis Atayde, noting that he's super excited to lead the team.
"We can achieve greater things and I'm here to help and do everything for the club. I'm ready for it." Sato, a Sports Science graduate from Sendai University, added that this is the right time to give back to Philippine football particularly to the kids who are aspiring to play global competitive football to represent the country as a national player.
"The Philippines has so many talented players, but we have to maximize these talents, and I want to be the one to guide, teach and help them with my experience," Sato added. "The Philippines need grassroots to develop our homegrown players to promote for the national team." The SATO DAFC UMAK football school will be our starting point.
08 February 2024
Women's U17 - Philippines 0-1 Sweden
Third place match Pinatar Cup in Spain
Philippines vs Sweden
Livestream :
https://www.facebook.com/PilipinasWNFT/videos/340554975630465
07 February 2024
Europe ID Camp - Spain
https://twitter.com/PilipinasWNFT/status/1755187847047631253
05 February 2024
Women's U17 - Philippines 0-2 England
Philippines 0-2 England
Philippines play Third place match against Sweden on Feb 8
Livestream link
Philippines U17 Women - MIMA Cup in Spain
Here's the final list of #FilipinasU17 players who will take part in the Mima Cup in Spain which kicks off later today!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
