Chance for new Malditas discoveries as PFF launches maiden Women's Cup

By Karlo Sacamos

UNDERLINING the need for exposure and high-level competition for local lady booters, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) launched the PFF Women’s Cup which kicks off next month at the Turf BGC in Taguig.

With the UAAP limited to school-based teams, the country’s governing body for the sport decided to establish a bigger platform where club teams can also participate, thus the creation of the invitational 9-a-side tournament that will be played on weekends and run for two months, starting June 8.

“We see the potential of our women players and this avenue of high-pressure football will help them,” PFF general secretary Edwin Gastanes said on Friday.

Some players in the Malditas pool are expected to participate in the tournament where national team members will be scattered among the 10 teams taking part.

Malditas coach Ernie Nierras, who acts as league commissioner, will also have a chance to scout new talent for the team.

“This is an avenue for our national team players not only to compete in, but to be selected,” Nierras said.

Defending UAAP champion Far Eastern University fields an almost intact lineup, but is bracing for tough competition in Group A, where the Lady Tamaraws will be up against club teams Green Archers United, Sikat FC, Chelsea, and Mendiola FC.

2013 Pinay Football titlist University of Santo Tomas heads the cast in Group B, which also has school-based squads College of St. Benilde, University of the Philippines, and Ateneo, along with club team Loyola Meralco,

The maiden edition of the event follows a single-round format with the top two teams advancing to the crossover semifinals.

The competition will be played in 25-minute halves, with the 9-a-side setup perfect for the ladies, according to Nierras.

“Their technical skills will be enhanced because they will have more touches.”

spin.ph

SEA Games women’s football gets boot in 2015

By June Navarro
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — After excluding karate, wrestling and weightlifting from the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore, the SEA Games Federation kicked out women’s football as well.

Men’s football, however, was spared since the host country has a high probability of seizing a medal in the sport.

In a report on www.goal.com, SEAG Federation sports and rules committee chair Chris Chan admitted that the final roster of sports is based on Singapore’s chances of winning.

“Quite obviously, we want sports where we’re strong in, with popularity and following,” said Chan.

A total of 402 events in 36 sports were approved by the SEAG Federation, 24 of them Olympic sports and 34 regularly calendared in the Asian Games.

Philippine Olympic Committee first vice president Joey Romasanta represented the country in the meeting held in Singapore recently.

Only floorball, a hockey-like game popular in the city-state that debuted as a demonstration sport in 2013 Myanmar, and netball were included outside of the regular Olympic and Asian Games events.

Singapore’s decision was a big blow to the progress of the Malditas, the country’s women’s squad, who are just beginning to blossom as a competitive unit in regional competitions.

The Malditas didn’t perform well in the 2013 Games won by Thailand after failing to get past the group stages.

It marks only the second time in seven SEA Games editions that women’s football has been left out of the calendar.

Singapore didn’t participate in previous editions, except in 2003 when they were knocked out of the group stage.

U23 Azkals, Malditas required to show worth for Asian Games

By Marc Anthony Reyes
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines –The Azkals’ under-23 team and the Malditas have to prove they deserve berths in the Philippine contingent to the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, this September.

Dr. Ernest Jay Adalem of Samahang Basketbol Pilipinas, a member of the joint Philippine Sports Commission-Philippine Olympic Committee Task Force, said the two football squads have until July to compete in Asian-level events and make the criteria for inclusion to the Asian Games delegation.

“We have been instructed by Asiad chef de mission [and PSC chair] Richie Garcia to implement the criteria strictly,” said Adalem after the Task Force completed its first round of talks with national sports associations hoping to field entries to the continental meet.

Adalem, who is deputy CDM along with triathlon’s Tom Carrasco and lawn tennis’ Romeo Magat, said the criteria set is gold medal in the last SEA Games, top five ranking in Asia or top 20 in the world.

He said the submission of entries by name will be in August, giving Asiad hopefuls enough time to meet the criteria.

In measurable sports, the selection is easier because the athletes’ personal best can be compared with Asian Games and Asian Championship levels.

Adalem, the SBP treasurer, is in charge of team sports cluster that includes basketball, rugby and softball, which are shoo-ins due to their previous achievements in the international competition.

He said each NSA was given time to present its case to the Task Force, which had been meeting every day the past two weeks.

The teams that underwent screening included women’s handball. Off-hand, he said the Amigas, third placers in the recent SEA championships, have very slim chances of making it.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/145160/u23-azkals-malditas-required-to-show-worth-for-asian-games#ixzz2tElNuGnJ

PFF probes hot card scam in Malditas’ travel mess

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has started probing reports of alleged fraudulent transactions using "stolen credit cards" in obtaining tickets for the Philippine Malditas, the national women's team which had a winless campaign in the recent Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.
The investigation was triggered by a report from a parent of one of the Malditas who was held by airport authorities while on her way back to the US. Airport officials, according to Tom Lee, father of Malditas member Monika Lee, told them the younger Lee was using a ticket illegitimately-purchased using a compromised credit card.
The elder Lee alleged it was not the first incident of a US-based Philippine women's team member being held in an airport on a similar offense.
According to Lee, airport officials explained that the "ticket was not authorized" or "was purchased using a reported credit card." They were only released when they bought their own tickets and dropped claims on those purchased by Malditas' team officials.
"I know this is a serious allegation and should not be taken lightly," said Lee in a letter addressed to PFF secretary-general Edwin Gastanes, a lawyer, last Jan. 15.
"What I am requesting from your office is to investigate the questionable behavior / improper acts (of an official or officials involved) and provide a response detailing what will be done to address these issues. I am confident that you will look at the questions and supporting details I have provided and will reach the same conclusion."
Malditas' head coach Ernie Nierras claimed he has yet to see a copy of the complaint.
Nierras promised to issue a statement when he sees one.
PFF National Teams Committee chairman Dan Palami, however, wants a thorough investigation of the matter as it will put Philippine football in bad light.
"The PFF needs to address this issue immediately. This is a serious allegation which could affect the reputation of Philippine football in the international community," said Palami, who is backing the Philippine Azkals.
The PFF confirmed receipt of the complaint but is quiet on the details of the probe.
A ranking PFF official said PFF president Mariano "Nonong" Araneta and Gastanes are seriously studying the merits of the case and will come up with a decision when pieces of evidence have been completed, and all parties, especially Lee and Nierras, have supported their sides.
"Yes the PFF already received this letter and had already started its investigation," said a PFF official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "But we are keeping everything confidential for now. We'll make an announcement soon."
"What is important is that there is a complaint and the PFF, just like any other organization, is working on it."

tribune.net

YouTube : HansOn - S01E11: Ernie Nierras and Filbert Alquiros

Malditas endure delayed flights home as allegations of fraud rock team management

The Philippine national women’s football team had a lackluster campaign in the 2013 Southeast Asian Games last December, losing all of its matches to bow out of medal contention.

It was a disappointing result for the Malditas, who were pinning high hopes on their lineup composed of varsity players from the United States with Filipino lineage.

But according to some players, worse things happened outside the pitch. InterAksyon.com learned that some players had troubles getting to the Philippines and going back home due to the numerous delays in their flights, which were booked by Malditas coach Ernie Nierras.

Malditas midfielder Monika Lee shared on Twitter her flight delays back to the United States.

After the SEA Games, all the players went back to Manila, where US-based players boarded a plane going home. Lee left the Philippines on December 22, with layovers in Los Angeles and Miami before landing in Detroit, where her family lives nearby.

But she encountered a problem in the Los Angeles airport where she was barred from continuing her trip.

“And the fiasco CONTINUES. Stuck in LAX #MerryChristmas,” she wrote in a tweet last December 23.

In response to tweets, Lee said that the airport management had issues with the credit card used by Nierras to book her flight. “The credit card Ernie used was reported stolen. So I have no ticket and the agent said I’ll have to purchase my own,” she wrote in response to Malditas teammate Joana Houplin.

“It was news to me! I tried to check in & they told me the card was stolen & the name of the card didn’t match my coaches name,” she wrote in reply to a certain Adam Dury.

To avoid fraud, most airlines often require passengers to present the physical credit card used for booking flights. Cardholders who are not part of the trip, however, still need to present their cards to the ticketing office for verification prior to departure.

Lee’s mother, Nemone, also took to Twitter to share her frustration about the incident.

“I am so done with this! I just want my daughter home!!!! Never again. Hang in there,” she wrote in a tweet to Monika also on December 23.

more : interaksyon

FTW: Malditas in the SEA Games

Fil-am Malditas not getting home for Christmas ?

Seems that many fil-am Malditas are not getting home for Christmas because tickets beeing paid by stolen credit cards ?

"The credit card Ernie used was reported stolen. So I have no ticket and the agent said I'll have to purchase my own."

Monika Lee : https://twitter.com/m_lee18

YouTube : SEA Games Women - Vietnam 7-0 Philippines

Malditas try to keep hopes alive as they take on AFF champion Vietnam

NAY PYI TAW – The Philippines marches back to battle, eager to redeem itself and claim the most important victory in the 27th Southeast Asian Games women's football competitions.

The Malditas clash with reigning Asean Football Federation champion Vietnam for a win that will improve their chances of advancing to the semifinals. Vietnam also won the 2009 SEA Games, but the 2011 meet in Indonesia did not include a women's tournament.

Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the Mandalar Thiri Stadium in Mandalay, a city nearly three hours away via land travel from this newly-established Burmese capital.

Despite parading a powerful roster beefed by several US-based standouts, the Malditas still failed to live up to their lofty billing as they succumbed to Myanmar, 0-2, in their first match.

Officials didn't come forward to admit the team's lapses. Instead, they pointed at the noisy home crowd and several questionable calls as main reasons for their downfall.

And against the Vietnamese – a powerful team that ranks 28th in the latest Fifa ranking –the Malditas could have a more difficult time.

"Vietnam plays more like Myanmar and Thailand," said Malditas' team manager Filbert Alquiros. "They have the same style and employ the same strategies. But I think it will be an even match. It all depends on the bounce of the ball come gametime."

The Malditas need to prevail over the Vietnamese to remain in contention. They, however, also have to pray that the Vietnamese lose to the Burmese in their game on Sunday to formally clinch one of the two semifinal slots in Group A.

Should the Malditas prevail, but Vietnam also wins over Myanmar, there will be a three-way tie to be broken by the quotient system.

"It's something beyond our control," Alquiros said. "We'll just do our best (against Vietnam) and hope for the best. The girls are in high spirits. Everybody’s raring to go."

spin

YouTube : SEA Games Women - Myanmar 2-0 Philippines

Malditas kick off SEAG campaign on wrong foot with loss to two-goal hosts

• From: Reuben Terrado

• THE Philippine women’s football team opened its campaign in the 27th Southeast Asian Games on the wrong foot, losing to host Myanmar, 2-0, on Tuesday.
  Khin Malar Tun scored the first goal for the Burmese side, taking advantage of the Malditas' lapse on defense in the 29th minute before Than Than Htwe struck in the 57th.
  The Malditas hope to atone on Friday in their last Group A preliminary match against defending titlist Vietnam where a semifinal seat will be at stake.
  The Malditas are the lone football team of the Philippines in this year’s edition of the biennial meet after the Under-23 Azkals failed to get the nod of the Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission SEA Games Task Force.

spin.ph

Malditas out to prove worth as SEA Games women's football kicks off

WITHOUT the Azkals in the delegation, focus will be on the Malditas who will be out to prove their worth as they begin their campaign in the Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday in Mandalay, Myanmar.

The Philippine women’s football squad made the cut, while the Under-23 Azkals were scratched due to the stringent selection process of the joint Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission Task Force, with only gold potentials being included by the Task Force during the selection of athletes.

Now the Malditas hope to show they deserve the spot in the Myanmar.

“We have to repay the trust na binigay sa atin ng PSC and POC,” said Malditas head coach Ernie Nierras before leaving for Myanmar for the SEA Games. “Isang medalya lang naman ang hinihingi sa amin at isang kulay. Hopefully, in doing so, we will be able to bridge the gap ’yung expectations between the PSC and the POC.”

Nierras also sees the inclusion of the women’s team as proof of the growth of football in the country after the Azkals put the sport into the Filipinos’ consciousness three years ago with their strong showing in the Asean Football Championship.

“It’s more symbolic than just a medal. It’s actually bridging and expansion of growth of football with the women’s team as the only contingent,” Nierras said.

“Hopefully, in doing good, the PSC and the POC will feel that it is a start, football being included all the time (in the SEA Games),” said Nierras.

The Malditas open their campaign against Myanmar in Group A action at the Mandalay Thiri Stadium, about four hours away from the main hub of Naypyitaw. Indonesia pulled out from the tournament at the last minute.

Nierras is optimistic about the Malditas’ chances against the host, the bronze medalist when women’s football in the SEA Games was last held in 2009.

“I know them by heart,” said Nierras. ”We know these teams. The expectations are the same. We’ll see what happens.”

After Myanmar, the Malditas will take on defending champion Vietnam on Friday. The top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals.

The Malditas will miss skipper and long-time national team member Marielle Benitez, who suffered an injury during the team's preparation before the SEA Games.

spin.ph

Malditas dedicate SEA Games stint to Yolanda survivors

THE Philippine women’s football team popularly known as `Malditas’ vowed to win a medal in the 2013 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games for the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda during their courtesy call to Globe Telecom president and CEO Ernest Cu.

Malditas coach Ernie Nierras said the team is ready and determined to compete as they are dedicating all their games to the people who were affected by the recent natural calamity that devastated the Eastern Visayas region. 

“We trained so hard for the SEA Games, and the recent calamity only motivated us more to win for everyone in the Central Visayas,” Nierras said.

Cu, on the other hand, said Globe Telecom is always behind the campaign of the Malditas, especially in the SEA Games to be held in Myanmar.

“Their dedication to win for the country in the SEA Games will serve as an inspiration to many of our “kababayans” especially those who are severely affected by super typhoon Yolanda,” Cu stressed.

Cu added that as brand ambassadors of Globe Telecom, the Malditas will carry with them the Bangon Pinoy spirit which is the sincere desire to rebuild Central Visayas.

“After the SEA Games, the Malditas volunteered to help us in re-erecting the houses in Ormoc City, Leyte thru our partnership with Gawad Kalinga,” the Globe executive added.

The Malditas together with the Philippine futsal team known as the Muzangs, Green Archers United in the United Football League, and the La Salle Greenhills Football team are being supported by Globe.

spin

'Best' Malditas team assembled for SEA Games, says coach Ernie Nierras

• From: Karlo Sacamos

A mix of US NCAA standouts and homegrown stalwarts make up the composition of the Philippine women’s football team bound for the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.

The official lineup for the biennial competition was released Saturday and a quick look at it would reveal the team is reinforced by players who took part in the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup Qualifiers in May and the Asean Football Federation Championship last September.

Majority of the players are from the side that barely missed a spot in the AFC Asian Cup after a bridesmaid finish in the group stage in Bangladesh.

Despite a few key players out due to either injuries or personal matters, Malditas coach Ernie Nierras remains confident of the team’s chances to bag a medal in the SEA Games’ showpiece event, where they are bracketed in Group B with the host team, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

“This is still the best team (assembled),” Malditas coach Ernie Nierras said in a phone conversation on Saturday.

With skipper Marielle Benitez (ACL), Heather Cooke (achilles), and Camille Wilson unavailable, Nierras expects the rest of the players to step up for them to reach the crossover semifinals, at least.

Joana Houplin (Western Washington) and Jesse Shugg (Miami) are counted on to score the goals, while defenders Catherine Barnekow (North Carolina), Sarah Cook (UC Bakersfield), and new-girl Alexa Diaz (Seattle Pacific) will anchor the backline, along with first-choice goalkeeper Maria dela Cruz (Idaho State).

Natasha Alquiros (La Salle), Marisa Park (Wake Forest), and Sam Nierras (La Salle) are expected to facilitate the offense in the midfield.

Defenders Morgan Brown (Santa Clara), Katherine Lim (Boston), and Patrice Impelido (Western Michigan); midfielders Monika Lee (Loyola), Rachel Nichols (Cornell), Raylene Larot (Sacramento State), Megan Jurado (San Diego State), Chalise Baysa (Oregon), Aisa Mondero (University of Santo Tomas); forward Christina Delos Reyes (University of the Philippines); and ‘keeper Patricia Dull (Temple City) complete the 20-woman roster. 

spin.ph

Malditas squad for SEA Games

AFF WOMEN’S: Japan Top Group: Philippines End on a High

Across town at the Aung San Stadium, both Laos and the Philippines played free-flowing football to entertain the few hundred fans that had gone to watch the encounter.

Less than a minute into the tie and the Philippines took a well-deserved lead when striker Joana Houplin ran in from the right to score. Just two minutes later and she nailed goal No. 2 after beating the offside trap.

In the seventh minute, Houplin made it 3-0 when she found the back of the net off a tight angle before Laos finally woke up with the reply a minute later through a well taken free kick from Souchitta Phonharath.

Laos substitute keeper Phouth Khamsoukthavong was beaten for the fourth time in the game in the 33rd minute with Houplin again shot in from inside the box.

The change for Laos’ No. 1 Bounyong Akkhavong stemmed the tide somewhat but in the 59^thminute, Natasha Alquiros punished the Laotian backline with a wicked flick as the Philippines then made it 6-1 off Chalise Baysa (25^th minute) and then their final goal of the game Sunshine Soriano nine minutes to the end.

With Souchitta’s penalty in the 76^th minute blocked by Philippines keeper Patricia Dull, a second penalty deep in injury time was then converted by Phonethip Sengmany.

“We tried our best but the level between Japan and us is there for all to see,” said Myanmar coach Yoshinori Kumada.

aseanfootball

Group B Final Standings

Teams	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
JAPAN	4	4	0	0	19	2	+17	12
MYANMAR	4	3	0	1	14	4	+10	9
PHILIPPINES	4	2	0	2	15	11	+4	6
LAOS	4	1	0	3	5	17	-12	3
INDONESIA	4	0	0	4	1	20	-19	0

YouTube : AFF Women Myanmar vs Philippines

AFF Women - Myanmar 5-1 Philippines

Today

AFF Women`s Championship in Myanmar


Myanmar vs Philippines

3 min 1-0 Myanmar
21 min 2-0 Myanmar
37 min 3 -0 Myanmar
3-0 HT
53 min 4-0 Myanmar
75 min 4-1 Houplin , Philippines
85 min 5-1 Myanmar
5-1 FT

AFF WOMEN’S: Japan Too Slick for Philippines

YANGON (12 Sept 2013) – A Japanese Selection side put up a slick display of attacking football when they overwhelmed the Philippines 4-1 on the second match day of Group B of the AFF Aya Bank Women’s Championship 2013 here at the Youth Training Centre.

Considering that it was their first game of the tournament this year, the Japanese girls showed none of the jitters to take a 3-0 lead at the break before scoring another in the second half.

“We have achieved our goal in this first game which was to pick up the full points,” said Japanese coach Hiroyuki Horino. “We played to our strength which was to constantly put our opponents under pressure.”

Playing under what was really an unfavourable condition with the sweltering heat beating down, the Japanese girls were the first to get on the offensive and just five minutes in, a poor clearance from Imai Haruka’s corner allowed Tanaka Mariko to place her shot beyond the reach of Philippines custodian Patricia Dull.

Through the guile of Heather Cooke, the Philippines had one player who could turn things around when she used her height and her close ball control from the centre of the park. But with the lack of a pacey striker, it was always going to be a struggle for the Philippines despite the gallant effort from Cooke and the hardworking Natasha Alquiros as well as Samatha Nierras.

But in the 20^th minute, Japan went two goals up with a well taken low cross from Imai that was superbly headed into goal by Takahashi Miyuki.

And while the Philippines did come close with a swerving header from Cooke that almost caught Harada Miho on the wrong foot, it was Japan who finished the half confident with a 3-0 advantage when Hashiura Satsuki headed into an open goal following the hardwork from Imai and Takahashi.

Into the second half and the Philippines pushed harder in search of their first goal and just six minutes in, an open chance for Jilian Jamero was wasted when she sliced it wide with only Harada to beat.

Ten minutes later, a header from Maria Park off a cross from Camille Wilson narrowly missed the target as Japan then replied with their fourth goal  when an unmarked Imai blasted the ball in that came off from the under crossbar and into goal.

The Philippines finally got the goal they were looking five minutes to the end when Cooke headed in the corner from Alquiros.

“It was a brutal game in the first half with the heat slowing the girls down,” said Philippines coach Ernest Nierras afterwards. ”It was a good game for our young players and even though we lost today, we still have two more matches to play for.”

aseanfootball