Philippines has a bright future declares Dooley

Male: Coach Thomas Dooley believes the Philippines have a bright future despite Friday's heartbreaking AFC Challenge Cup final defeat by Palestine.
The Philippines, who finished third at the previous edition in 2012, had progressed to their first AFC Challenge Cup final with an unbeaten record only to 1-0 to Palestine at the National Stadium.
But despite the Philippines seeing their hopes of a first-ever appearance at the AFC Asian Cup dashed following the defeat, Dooley is confident of continued progress from the two-time AFF Championship semi-finalists.
"My task was to win the Challenge Cup and I didn't," said Dooley, who was appointed in February.
"But on the other hand, I was trying to build something with the team and I think we did a pretty good job through to the final, so I think this team has a bright future. If we continue to work hard and find more young players, I think we will have a great future."
Third-choice goalkeeper Patrick Deyto was the only player not used by Dooley in the five games, with teenagers Kenshiro Daniels, Amani Aguinaldo and Daisuke Sato as well as 20-year-old OJ Porteria all gaining valuable experience during the tournament.
"The young players are the future, so we have to find players and we have to develop the players," added Dooley.
"Sato is 19 years old, Amani is 19 years old, and OJ and Ken who came in, they have a future in the national team. It doesn't mean we want to kick the old players out, but maybe the pace of the game will be better and it is good to have a young average age, especially with young players who can develop."
Palestine striker Ashraf Al Fawaghra scored the only goal of the final with a free-kick a minute before the hour mark, with the Philippines unable to find a response after 2012 AFC Challenge Cup top scorer Phil Younghusband missed their best chance four minutes before half-time.
"It was a tough game. The boys played hard and played good and I am proud of everyone who was in the team who played at this tournament," said Dooley.
"We had a good tournament; we just didn't get the final result we were looking for.
"Palestine have a great team and nobody scored against them. We tried to, and we were close a couple of times, but it didn't work out.
"But overall, I am happy with the way they team played at this tournament."

afc.com

Azkals fall short of goal after sorry loss to Palestine in AFC Challenge Cup final

By Karlo Sacamos

THE Philippines’ cherished dream remained just that: a dream.

The Azkals fell short of reaching the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup after bowing to Palestine, 0-1, in the AFC Challenge Cup final early Saturday at the National Stadium in Maldives, Male.

A stunning second-half free kick from Ashraf Alfawaghra proved to be the difference and sent the Filipinos into misery.

The Palestinians thus brought some good news to their war-torn nation after booking the last ticket to the Asian Cup where they will be up against quality teams Japan, Jordan, and Iraq, among others.

Overall, it was still a remarkable finish for the Azkals, who reached a final of a major tournament for the first time in history.

The Palestinians dominated possession in the first half where they created at least four clear-cut chances that were just denied by standout Filipino goalkeeper Roland Muller.

Muller, however, failed to save Alfawaghra’s free kick that went into the upper-left corner, awarded to Palestine after Jason de Jong committed a foul in the 58th minute.

The Azkals conjured their own attempts, including their best chance four minutes before stoppage time when Phil Younghusband escaped his defender, took the goalkeeper one on one, but fired his shot over the bar.

Searching for that equalizer, Daisuke Sato attempted a long-range missile that was just saved by the Palestinian goalkeeper a few minute before second-half injury time.

spin.ph

YouTube : FINAL: Palestine vs Philippines: AFC Challenge Cup 2014 (full match)

AFC Challenge Cup final : Philippines 0-1 Palestine

AFC Challenge Cup final in Maldives

Philippines vs Palestine

Start : 9 pm Maldives , 5 pm London , Midnight Philippines

Tv : ABS CBN Sports and Action from 11.30 pm

Livescore : www.futbol24.com

Official Livestream : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3BbUDklH-A (not available in Middle East , Germany and PH)

alternative :  http://www.vnews.mv/vtv 

http://www.goalnepal.com/matchinfo.php?id=1669

The winner of AFC Challenge Cup will play in Group D in Asian Cup 2015 against Japan (Jan 12) , Jordan (Jan 16) and Iraq (Jan 20).

Injured players : Juani Guirado, Neil Etheridge and  Ruben Doctora Jr are not expected to play.

Nursing injuries : Daisuke Sato and Stephan Schröck are nursing injuries but are expected to play


Azkals Starting XI v Palestine: Gier, Sato, De Jong, Aguinaldo, P. Younghusband, Reichelt, Schrock, Rota, Steuble, Mulders & Muller

45 mins Schrock out , Lucena in

57 mins 1-0 Alfawaghra ,Palestine
Mulders out , Porteria in
Rota out , Daniels in
1-0 FT

AFC Challenge Cup finals: Win or bust for Azkals

By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MALE, Maldives—All or nothing. Win or bust.

For a Philippine side looking to make its dream a reality, it all boils down to one last game in the AFC Challenge Cup here Friday.

Their resolve strengthened by a dramatic semifinal win over the host country, the Azkals seek to rewrite history when they face Palestine in a final that offers compelling storylines for both nations.

What was a long shot four years ago when the team rose to prominence with their victory in Vietnam is now a whisker away for the Azkals, who came here with the belief that their time has come to win this competition for Asia’s emerging football nations.

“There’s no doubt this is our biggest ever, our biggest opportunity,” said skipper Rob Gier. “But we’re not really trying to focus too much on the history side of things. We just want to focus on the game.”

Although the atmosphere won’t be as hostile as in the 3-2 extra time win over the Maldives in the semifinals Tuesday night, the Azkals expect a dogfight just the same with the Palestinians also looking to bring home the title to lift their country’s spirits.

It’s been a long and arduous journey for the Azkals, who endured heartaches after losing in the semifinals of major tournaments three times.

They want to seize the moment this time.

“The boys are ready to play and make the country proud,” said Azkals manager Dan Palami. “It’s the culmination of our journey and we hope and pray it ends up with us being victorious.”

Palestine came into the tournament as one of its lower-ranked teams based on the Fifa tally, but it has hardly played like one, winning three of its four matches without conceding a goal. The team also carries the hope of a nation seeking a lift due to its country’s political situation.

“I hope to win but it’s a hard match,” Palestine coach Jamal Mahmoud told Filipino reporters Thursday.

“It’s very big for  us because you know Palestinian is in occupation and we want to bring good news to the country that we have a team that they can be proud of.”

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/154362/afc-challenge-cup-finals-win-or-bust-for-azkals#ixzz337uTzk00

Schrock: I’ll play through injury

By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MALE, Maldives—Still hobbled by pain in his right hamstring, Filipino-German midfielder Stephan Schrock isn’t about to miss the biggest game in the history of Philippine football.

The Azkals have managed to reach the finals of the AFC Challenge Cup, even with Schrock hurting since the group stage.

Determined to contribute, Schrock said the injury will not stop him from seeing action in the duel against Palestine Friday night at National Stadium here.

“I’d have to be dead to not play,” said Schrock, who is coming off a long season with German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.

Schrock was substituted in matches against Laos and Turkmenistan, which ended in 2-0 wins. Although he felt ready to start in the 3-2 semifinal win over the Maldives, coach Thomas Dooley opted to let him come off the bench in the second half.

“I was on 40 or 50 percent at best (against the Maldives),” Schrock told the Inquirer. “During the warmup I felt good but after the first touch, I felt pain right away.”

Also hurting is Daisuke Sato, who is nursing a minor Achilles injury.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/154357/schrock-ill-play-through-injury#ixzz337tzU7Dt

Veteran Chris Greatwich delivers memorable goal anew

By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MALE, MALDIVES—Scrappy as it may look, chalk this one to the collection of the Philippines’ greatest goals in international football.
And the scorer, Chris Greatwich, isn’t exactly a stranger to important goals for the country.
The 30-year-old Greatwich, who is celebrating a decade of playing for the Azkals late this year, again provided the late heroics when he smashed home Patrick Reichelt’s pass in the 104th minute, lifting the Philippines to a 3-2 extra time win over the Maldives in the semifinals of the AFC Challenge Cup at National Stadium here.
“The goal was all a bit of a blur really,” said Greatwich. “I wasn’t sure if Patrick’s shot was going wide so I just had to stick it in just in case. Just really happy we only had to hold on 15 minutes until the end and reach the finals.”
The goal from close range sent fans into ruptures not just the Filipino gallery in the stadium, but those who stayed up to the wee hours of Wednesday morning in Manila to witness the late drama on television.

Advertisement:Replay Ad

Greatwich was the same player who rescued the Azkals from the brink of defeat against Singapore in the AFF Suzuki Cup four years ago, before scoring the first goal in the historic 2-0 win over then defending champion Vietnam—a victory that led to a first semifinal appearance in the tournament.

It was the tournament that catapulted the Azkals to stardom after long years of playing with little fanfare.
“Perhaps Vietnam had more impact in terms of where Philippine football was, but from a tournament perspective, it is the most important one,” said Greatwich.
The Filipino-British midfielder came in as a halftime substitute for Jerry Lucena, who actually put the Azkals on top with a close-range strike to make it 2-1.
Greatwich was on the bench for a couple of matches after suffering an eye injury in the opening minutes of the Afghanistan game last May 20.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to play you just have to be mentally ready,” said Greatwich.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/154288/veteran-chris-greatwich-delivers-memorable-goal-anew#ixzz335PNTm3D

YouTube Semi Final 2 - Philippines vs Maldives: AFC Challenge Cup 2014

Date with destiny as Azkals reach Challenge Cup finale after Maldives squeaker

By Karlo Sacamos

IT seems nothing was ever going stop the Azkals from sealing their date with destiny.

Putting on a performance to remember, the undermanned Philippine men’s football team survived Maldives, 3-2, in a pulsating semifinal match that needed extra time to reach the Finals of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup on early Wednesday at the National Stadium in Male.

The Azkals made history, winning a breakthrough Final Four match in a tournament for the first time ever as they showed tremendous character even without a handful of key cogs and star Stephan Schrock playing limited minutes due to an injury, no less than against a fellow resilient squad with the home crowd behind it.

More importantly, the Filipino booters moved on the cusp of realizing their dream of qualifying to the prestigious AFC Asian Cup next year.

The Azkals thus set up a final match against Palestine on Friday after the latter eliminated Afghanistan, 2-0, in their own semifinal match earlier.

Chris Greatwich, who has provided the Philippines some of its most important goals in the recent past, reprised his heroics, firing the winner deep in the first half of extra session that silenced the hostile partisan crowd while sending their TV-viewing Philippine fans, who stayed up late in the wee hours of the morning, into delirium.

Not to be outdone was Roland Muller, who rose to the occasion anew by denying a penalty for the second straight game, apart from other impressive saves that kept the home squad at bay.

Phil Younghusband also scored for the second straight game, while Jerry Lucena scored his breakthrough international goal for the national side, which fended off a tough challenge from the Maldivians before hanging tough down the stretch.

Younghusband put the visitors in front with a half-volley after Maldives failed to clear a free kick 19 minutes into the game as he solidified his status as the country’s top scorer after increasing his tally to 36 international goals.

Mohammed Umair leveled the count with a chip shot over Muller in the 36th minute, but the Azkals quickly regained the lead three minutes later when Lucena converted a Daisuke Sato cross from the left side.

Maldives, however, sent Ibrahim Fazeel to the penalty area after drawing a foul, only for his attempt to be blocked by Muller in the 53rd minute.

Still, the home side, behind the prolific Ali Ashfaq, just would not budge and equalized anew in the 66th when Assadhulla Abdulla struck a neat back kick off a corner.

Both squads wound up tied after more than 90 minutes, prompting overtime, where Greatwich’s flick in the 104th minute off an off-target shot by Patrick Reichelt proved to be the difference.

Maldives was so desperate to equalize that the home team didn’t show fair play when the some Azkals suffered injuries in extra time.

Still, the Filipinos held on in the memorable match that saw rain drizzle near the end.

spin

YouTube : SF2 - Philippines vs Maldives: AFC Challenge Cup 2014 (Full match)

AFC Challenge Cup Semifinal - Maldives vs Philippines - 2-3 After Extra Time

AFC Challenge Cup Semifinal - Maldives vs Philippines

National Stadium, Male

Tuesday 27. May

Time : 21.00 Maldives, Midnight Philippines

Official Livestream : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7USUJ87am6A

Tv Philippines : ABS CBN Sports and Action

-------------------------

Injury update :

Juani Guirado, Neil Etheridge and Ruben Doctora Jr is injured .

Stephan Schröck got hamstring injury , not in starting XI..

Dennis Cagara has left Maldives and will not be available more in AFC Challenge Cup.


Azkals Starting XI : Gier, Sato, De Jong, P Younghusband, Reichelt, Aguinaldo, Muller, Lucena, Steuble, Mulders & Rota

18 mins 1-0 Phil Younghusband
36 mins 1-1 Maldives
39 mins 2-1 Jerry Lucena
2-1 HT
Jerry Lucena out , Chris Greatwich in
2-2 Maldives
Paul Mulders out , Stephan Schrock in
2-2 FT

Extra time 2 x 15 mins
109 mins Martin Steuble out , Simon Greatwich in
3-2 Chris Greatwich

Confident Azkals seek finals slot vs Maldives

By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MALE, Maldives—Their confidence boosted by their stellar performance the last time out, the Philippine Azkals seek to move one step closer to their cherished dream of reaching the AFC Asian Cup here.

With morale high and still armed with depth and firepower, the Azkals take on host Maldives Tuesday in the AFC Challenge Cup semifinals at National Stadium here.

The Azkals qualified as the top team in Group B with two wins and a draw, but the record counts for nothing in the knockout match expected to be played before 13,000 mostly hostile fans.

“It will be a very difficult game for us,” said Azkals coach Thomas Dooley. “We’re not only up against the Maldives team but the country. The crowd will give them energy and power to negate whatever advantage we have.”

Azkals manager Dan Palami remains confident that the side will reach the finals.

“Maldives has been beaten before (by Burma (Myanmar), 3-2, in the group stage), its not impossible to beat them,” he said.

The Azkals’ depth is being tested with injuries to a few players and the departure of Dennis Cagara, who returned to his second-division side in Denmark, while Stephan Schrock is feeling pain in his hamstring.

With Daisuke Sato proving to be a revelation in the tournament at leftback, Cagara has been given only one start in three matches.

Get past the semifinals The Azkals, who enjoyed a two-day break, feel they are ready to finally get past the semifinals of a major tournament—a stage where they have already stumbled three times.

“Something in the camp feels a bit different this time,” said skipper Rob Gier. “I’m confident this team has enough ability and mental strength to deal with the pressure. We’re not happy with just a semifinal place.”

The Azkals stunned long-time nemesis Turkmenistan, 2-0, to book their place in the semifinals with goals from Phil Younghusband and Phil Reichelt and Roland Muller helping keep a third straight clean sheet with a penalty save.

The Azkals are one of only two teams in the tournament that have yet to concede a goal, the other being Palestine, which faces Afghanistan Tuesday.

No stranger to big matches, Younghusband is relishing a duel with a Maldivian side, which beat the Philippines, 2-1, in the same tournament in 2009 here.

“I wanted to play the Maldives and it would be good to play before a huge crowd,” said Younghusband.

One player who’s going to get extra attention from the Azkals is Maldives skipper Ali Ashfaq, the tournament’s leading scorer with three goals.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/154070/confident-azkals-seek-finals-slot-vs-maldives#ixzz32rJLHJUf
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

AFC expresses concern over ACC intervention

Male', MALDIVES - Asian Football Confederation (AFC) expresses its concern in respect of the intervention by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of the Republic of Maldives to investigate alleged misconduct in the sale of tickets of the AFC Challenge Cup tournament currently being held in the Maldives.

In a press release made by AFC few minutes back its said that the AFC Challenge Cup is carried out under the direct auspices of the AFC.

“While the AFC Challenge Cup, currently taking place in the Maldives, is carried out under the direct auspices of the AFC, Football Association of Maldives (FAM) is nominated by AFC to carry out all activities of the tournament at a local level. Hence, if there is any complaint in respect of any matter arising in respect of the tournament, including sale of tickets for matches, such complaints should be addressed to the established bodies of AFC under its statutes.”

It also said that if any domestic investigative authority attempts to intervene if the affairs of AFC, the Maldives is at risk of being penalized for such intervention, including suspension.

“Since the jurisdiction to investigate any misconduct remains exclusively with the AFC and FIFA, if any domestic investigative authority attempts to intervene in the affairs of AFC or in any tournament conducted by AFC in partnership with FAM, the Republic of Maldives, as a member of AFC and FIFA is at risk of being penalised for such intervention, including suspension from international events and tournaments. AFC further wishes to convey to the domestic investigative authorities that the Football Association of Maldives is audited by AFC on a regular basis, and remains in good standing. AFC also believes that conduct of FAM in the current tournament is transparent, and in accordance with the established rules of the AFC.”

AFC also thank the general public for the support given to conduct the tournament in the Maldives, and notes with appreciation the spirit of the general public in supporting its national football team.

- See more at: http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/AFC-expresses-concern-over-ACC-intervention-5451#sthash.accv4Wqu.dpuf

MAldivesoccer.com

YouTube : Turkmenistan vs Philippines: AFC Challenge Cup 2014

AFC Challenge Cup - Philippines 2-0 Turkmenistan

Start : 4 pm in Maldives , 7 pm in Philippines
TV : ABS CBN Sports and Action from 6.30 pm
Official Livestream : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICAisYcDNqw

Alternative link http://footballschedule.tv/turkmenistan-vs-philippines-live-stream-24-05-2014/

Neil Etheridge and Juani Guirado are both out because of injuries.

Azkals staying at Bandos Island Resort. Need another boat ride today to get to Male...

--------------------------------------------------------------

Azkals Starting XI vs Turkmenistan: Gier, Sato, De Jong, Aguinaldo, P. Younghusband, Doctora, Muller, Schrock, Steuble, Rota & Mulders

29 mins Reichelt in , Doctora Jr out
0-0 HT
1-0 Phil Younghusband
Lucena in , Schrock out
Del Rosario in , Rota out
2-0 Reichelt

Semi-Finals May 27, 2014 Palestine vs Afghanistan (1530 hrs) Philippines vs Maldives (2100 hrs)

Etheridge, Guirado injuries dent Azkals defense ahead of crunch clash against Turkmenistan

By Karlo Sacamos

A shorthanded Philippine men’s football team is leaving nothing to chance as it aims to seal its place in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup on Saturday when it battles Turkmenistan in Male, Maldives.

Fresh from a breakthrough 2-0 victory over Laos on Thursday, the Azkals cap off their Group B campaign against a dangerous Turkmen side that is a two-time runner-up in the competition featuring emerging footballing nations in the continent.

Kickoff is set at 7 p.m. (PH time) with the action shifting to the island nation's capital after two matches in Addu City.

A draw is sufficient for the Azkals to claim one of two two Final Four slots in their bracket, where they are currently tied on top with Afghanistan with four points apiece, followed by Turkmenistan with three, and eliminated Laos, which has yet to register in the point column.

“But I think we now have to start treating it like: if you want to be champions in this tournament, then the mentality is always to beat the other team,” Azkals manager Dan Palami said, with the lofty goal of booking the lone ticket to the prestigious AFC Asian Cup next year in mind.

"If we want to win the championship, we have to beat everyone anyhow,” Philippine coach Thomas Dooley added. “We have to go to the next game and we want to win the next game no matter what.” 

Recent history is on the Philippines’ side as the Filipinos edged the Turkmen, 1-0, in the qualifiers last year in Manila in a win that clinched the country’s entry to the group stage.

But the Filipino booters will be missing the services of two injured defensive stalwarts in goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and center-back Juani Guirado.

"It's (injuries) something we have to deal with and see what we have and we have great players on the bench who can come in and do the same job," said Dooley, who is expected to start ‘keeper Roland Muller anew and could field Jerry Lucena in Guirado’s place.

Turkmenistan likewise has its casualties in ‘keeper Nikita Gorbunov and defender Serdar Annaorazov, who are suspended after picking up straight red cards in their last match.

spin

YouTube : Laos vs Philippines: AFC Challenge Cup 2014 (Full Match)

Azkals updates Saturday

Azkals playing last AFC Challenge Cup group match tomorrow in capital Male on 4 pm Maldives time ( 7 pm Philippines)

Injury problems :

- Neil Etheridge
- Chris Greatwich
- Juani Guirado


Neil Etheridge was released by Fulham Fc today  , his contract expired this month.

Turkmenistan got two players sent off  against Afghanistan: Nikita Gorbunov (GK) and Serdar Annaorazov (DF) are suspended in the match against Philippines. Also Shohrat Soyunov (two yellow cards ) will be serving suspension.

Ruslan Mingazov (MF) from Latvian club Skonto Riga is expected to strengthen the Turkmenistan team. He did not play the first two matches.

Philippines qualify for semifinal with a win or draw against Turkmenistan.

YouTube : Philippines vs Afghanistan: AFC Challenge Cup 2014 (Full Match)

YouTube : Laos vs Philippines: AFC Challenge Cup 2014