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Showing posts with label bahrain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bahrain. Show all posts
20 July 2011
AFC requests Fifa to rescind Borromeo and Schrock suspension
Twitter: @cedelfpt : "AFC requests Fifa to rescind Borromeo and Schrock suspension, clearing them for first leg clash vs Kuwait"
19 July 2011
Azkals victorious in defeat
BY PATRICK SALOMON
THE Philippines' 'Azkals' national football team capped their short stay in Bahrain last night with a tough 1-3 defeat to the kingdom's under-23 Olympic squad. A capacity crowd turned up at the Muharraq Club stadium in Arad to watch the much beloved 'Azkals' one last time before they depart for Kuwait to play the first leg of their Fifa World Cup qualifying clash.
And even with 'the Azkals' losing for the second time in three days against the hosts, their time in Bahrain proved to be a success and the friendly matches were "a big experience" for the team, according to 'Azkals' manager Dan Palami.
"It is our first time in this part of the world; we didn't know what to expect, but after a few days here, I'd like to say this was one of the better organised camps that we've had," Palami told the GDN.
Three of yesterday's goals were scored within an eight-minute stretch in the first half, earning Bahrain a 2-1 advantage after 45 minutes. The Bahrainis then sealed the big victory three minutes before full time.
"It was a good, tough last game with the team of Bahrain. It will give the boys something to think about as we head over to face Kuwait," Palami said.
Substitute Ahmed Juma'a opened Bahrain's account in the 36h minute with a brilliant header off a corner kick. Juma'a rose above the Philippine defence and sent the ball home past 'Azkals' goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano, standing in once again for top choice Neil Etheridge, who has missed the trip to Bahrain due to commitments with his British club Fulham.
Hisham Mansoor then doubled the hosts' advantage five minutes on. Left unmarked at the right edge of the box, Mansoor unleashed a cracker that powered into the top-right corner of the net.
The two-goal margin was short-lived, however, as 'the Azkals' were able to get one back just before the interval. Co-captain Emelio Caligdong headed home off a Manuel Ott cross. From the left of the area, Caligdong brilliantly sent the ball over the head of Bahrain goalkeeper Ashraf Al Sebaie and into the right of goal.
Both teams made several changes for the second half, but neither could add to the score until the closing stages of the contest.
Sayed Dhiya Saeed, who came on late for the home side, applied the finishing touch after receiving the ball just outside the 18-yard box, dribbling into the area and rounding a charging Sacapano.
Tap-in
He completed his move with an uncontested tap-in for Bahrain's third, drawing the ire of 'Azkals' head coach Hans Michael Weiss. The German tactician was unavailable to comment following the game.
It was Saeed's second goal against the Filipinos in as many matches. He supplied the Olympic team's second in their opening 2-1 victory on Saturday at the National Stadium in Riffa.
"What we were trying to do again today was try different combinations; we've been missing two or three players who will be playing against Kuwait, so we tried to mix things up a bit again," Palami said of 'the Azkals' game plan.
"We had a couple of good chances, especially in the first half. But big credit to the Bahrain team; they are a really good side. Although, all in all, I think we played well ourselves, and we had chances of our own."
Yesterday's match was a hugely physical encounter, with six yellow cards being shown by the match referee, three apiece for each team.
Bahraini defender Rashed Al Hooti, meanwhile, had to be rushed to the hospital midway through the first half. He was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle early in the game, and had to be stretchered off the pitch.
The match was a fitting ending to the first-ever Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games, which proved to be a huge draw for the Filipino community of Bahrain and even of Saudi Arabia.
Gulf Daily News
THE Philippines' 'Azkals' national football team capped their short stay in Bahrain last night with a tough 1-3 defeat to the kingdom's under-23 Olympic squad. A capacity crowd turned up at the Muharraq Club stadium in Arad to watch the much beloved 'Azkals' one last time before they depart for Kuwait to play the first leg of their Fifa World Cup qualifying clash.
And even with 'the Azkals' losing for the second time in three days against the hosts, their time in Bahrain proved to be a success and the friendly matches were "a big experience" for the team, according to 'Azkals' manager Dan Palami.
"It is our first time in this part of the world; we didn't know what to expect, but after a few days here, I'd like to say this was one of the better organised camps that we've had," Palami told the GDN.
Three of yesterday's goals were scored within an eight-minute stretch in the first half, earning Bahrain a 2-1 advantage after 45 minutes. The Bahrainis then sealed the big victory three minutes before full time.
"It was a good, tough last game with the team of Bahrain. It will give the boys something to think about as we head over to face Kuwait," Palami said.
Substitute Ahmed Juma'a opened Bahrain's account in the 36h minute with a brilliant header off a corner kick. Juma'a rose above the Philippine defence and sent the ball home past 'Azkals' goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano, standing in once again for top choice Neil Etheridge, who has missed the trip to Bahrain due to commitments with his British club Fulham.
Hisham Mansoor then doubled the hosts' advantage five minutes on. Left unmarked at the right edge of the box, Mansoor unleashed a cracker that powered into the top-right corner of the net.
The two-goal margin was short-lived, however, as 'the Azkals' were able to get one back just before the interval. Co-captain Emelio Caligdong headed home off a Manuel Ott cross. From the left of the area, Caligdong brilliantly sent the ball over the head of Bahrain goalkeeper Ashraf Al Sebaie and into the right of goal.
Both teams made several changes for the second half, but neither could add to the score until the closing stages of the contest.
Sayed Dhiya Saeed, who came on late for the home side, applied the finishing touch after receiving the ball just outside the 18-yard box, dribbling into the area and rounding a charging Sacapano.
Tap-in
He completed his move with an uncontested tap-in for Bahrain's third, drawing the ire of 'Azkals' head coach Hans Michael Weiss. The German tactician was unavailable to comment following the game.
It was Saeed's second goal against the Filipinos in as many matches. He supplied the Olympic team's second in their opening 2-1 victory on Saturday at the National Stadium in Riffa.
"What we were trying to do again today was try different combinations; we've been missing two or three players who will be playing against Kuwait, so we tried to mix things up a bit again," Palami said of 'the Azkals' game plan.
"We had a couple of good chances, especially in the first half. But big credit to the Bahrain team; they are a really good side. Although, all in all, I think we played well ourselves, and we had chances of our own."
Yesterday's match was a hugely physical encounter, with six yellow cards being shown by the match referee, three apiece for each team.
Bahraini defender Rashed Al Hooti, meanwhile, had to be rushed to the hospital midway through the first half. He was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle early in the game, and had to be stretchered off the pitch.
The match was a fitting ending to the first-ever Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games, which proved to be a huge draw for the Filipino community of Bahrain and even of Saudi Arabia.
Gulf Daily News
Bahrain U23 breaks through Azkals defense to win test match 3 - 1
By EARL VICTOR ROSERO
Emelio "Chieffy" Caligdong (13) scored another goal against the Under-23 Olympic team of Bahrain early morning Tuesday, but the host booters punched through the defense of the men's national football team with two goals in the first half and a clincher in the last minutes of the tune-up match.
Coach Michael Weiss decided to include Angel Guirado (12) and Phil Younghusband (10) in the starting line-up this time around. James Hall (18) and Jose "OJ" Porteria (15) had their slots in the first friendly in Bahrain.
Hall had the jersey number Nate Burkey used in the two matches versus Sri Lanka while Burkey wore Stephan Schrock's 17. Porteria's 15 was Ricardo Becite's number in Round 1 of the World Cup Qualifiers.
Guirado and Younghusband have been nursing injuries sustained in Round 1 against Sri Lanka. They were not in the first eleven of the previous test match with the host team. At the grandstand, Filipina-Bahraini Zoei Al-Shaikh was tweetcasting again as Dimples_426 to her Twitter followers in the Philippines.
The friendly turned rough early on because of a hard tackle by Jason de Jong (25) versus a Bahraini player. Medics brought in a stretcher and carried the fallen player off the pitch. Bahrain tried to exact revenge by attacking the goal. Keeper Ed Sacapano (22) was able to intercept. But Bahrain soon made two more attempts just a while later and those shots went in.
Many minutes of passing and tackling in the midfield went by and then Caligdong snuck in a goal with a header at close range just before the half-time break. But that was to be the only Philippine goal in the match.
In the second half, Weiss made several substitutions so the reserves will get some playing time but he kept Sacapano on guard at the goal. Bahrain scored a third time as the match was about the end. Weiss was not pleased because the striker met little resistance as he approached the goal and sent the ball in. --OMG, GMA News
Emelio "Chieffy" Caligdong (13) scored another goal against the Under-23 Olympic team of Bahrain early morning Tuesday, but the host booters punched through the defense of the men's national football team with two goals in the first half and a clincher in the last minutes of the tune-up match.
Coach Michael Weiss decided to include Angel Guirado (12) and Phil Younghusband (10) in the starting line-up this time around. James Hall (18) and Jose "OJ" Porteria (15) had their slots in the first friendly in Bahrain.
Hall had the jersey number Nate Burkey used in the two matches versus Sri Lanka while Burkey wore Stephan Schrock's 17. Porteria's 15 was Ricardo Becite's number in Round 1 of the World Cup Qualifiers.
Guirado and Younghusband have been nursing injuries sustained in Round 1 against Sri Lanka. They were not in the first eleven of the previous test match with the host team. At the grandstand, Filipina-Bahraini Zoei Al-Shaikh was tweetcasting again as Dimples_426 to her Twitter followers in the Philippines.
The friendly turned rough early on because of a hard tackle by Jason de Jong (25) versus a Bahraini player. Medics brought in a stretcher and carried the fallen player off the pitch. Bahrain tried to exact revenge by attacking the goal. Keeper Ed Sacapano (22) was able to intercept. But Bahrain soon made two more attempts just a while later and those shots went in.
Many minutes of passing and tackling in the midfield went by and then Caligdong snuck in a goal with a header at close range just before the half-time break. But that was to be the only Philippine goal in the match.
In the second half, Weiss made several substitutions so the reserves will get some playing time but he kept Sacapano on guard at the goal. Bahrain scored a third time as the match was about the end. Weiss was not pleased because the striker met little resistance as he approached the goal and sent the ball in. --OMG, GMA News
18 July 2011
Today : Bahrain Olympic 3-1 Azkals FT
Second match Bahrain Olympic NT against Azkals will be played today.
Time : 19.00 Bahrain time (Midnight Philippines)
Muharraq Club stadium in Arad. (capacity 20000)
Bahrain Sports tv is going to show this match delayed ? (livestream links ? )
News, links, line-ups , comments before , during and after match can be posted in "comments"
Twitter : Cedelf Tupas and Zoei Al-Shaikh
Time : 19.00 Bahrain time (Midnight Philippines)
Muharraq Club stadium in Arad. (capacity 20000)
Bahrain Sports tv is going to show this match delayed ? (livestream links ? )
News, links, line-ups , comments before , during and after match can be posted in "comments"
Twitter : Cedelf Tupas and Zoei Al-Shaikh
Azkals look to bounce back
By PATRICK SALOMON
THE Philippines' senior men's national football team, known as 'the Azkals', are set to turn it up a notch tonight when they play their second friendly match in three days against Bahrain's under-23 Olympic team.
Their first meeting on Saturday, held at the National Stadium in Riffa, ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts, with Sayed Dhiya Saeed scoring the winning goal early in the second half.
'The Azkals' will be looking to turn the tables on their rivals this time around, and give what is expected to be a capacity crowd of Filipino supporters an evening to remember at the Muharraq Club stadium in Arad.
Head coach Hans Michael Weiss admitted, however, that 'the Azkals' will be far from full strength for the game, which kicks off at 7pm. Several 'Azkals' players have been unable to make it to Bahrain and are also expected to miss the Philippines' match against Kuwait on Saturday in the all-important first leg of their second round qualifying clash for a 2014 Fifa World Cup berth.
"We are missing five or six players; we are here with a young team and not our first squad," Weiss told the GDN. "Even against Kuwait we will not be complete. It will be this team along with one or two additional players, and that's it."
Despite this, 'the Azkals' went right back to work in preparation for tonight's friendly, which will be a second opportunity for them to adapt to the region's sweltering summer temperatures and gauge their level of readiness before flying off to Kuwait tomorrow.
"Playing these games here against Bahrain are really a big help to our team," said 'Azkals' co-captain Emelio Caligdong, who scored their lone goal on Saturday with a spectacular rocket from 30 yards out.
Challenge
"This is a good challenge for us. It is our first time to play a Middle East team, and it is helping us get ready for Kuwait," Caligdong added. "We are also very happy with the great reception we have had from the fans here; we would like to thank everyone for that."
'The Azkals' trained for over an hour early yesterday evening at tonight's match venue. They capped it off with a scrimmage against the varsity football team from AMA International University Bahrain, who are the major sponsors of their visit. The game, which featured shortened halves, ended tied 1-1.
Right after their workout, Bahrain's Olympic squad took to the pitch. Coach Salman Shareeda said that he too is looking forward to tonight's clash.
"These matches are like a high form of training for both teams," Shareeda said yesterday. "I am very happy to be playing these friendly games and we welcome the Philippine team to Bahrain.
"For tomorrow, we have 26 players who are fit and ready. I gave a chance to some players in the first game on Saturday, and tomorrow I hope to give an opportunity to others. It will be a good game."
Meanwhile, coach Weiss acknowledged that the level of football in the Gulf is on a higher level than in the Philippines, where, largely because of 'the Azkals', the game is now experiencing a meteoric rise in popularity.
"Football is much more developed here; it is a religion here and they focus on it at a very young age," Weiss said. "The game is definitely highly advanced, and right now we cannot compare it with that in the Philippines, where it is now only growing.
"We rely on strong character and on Filipino players from outside to help football develop and bring it to a different level. But to be really be established in the football world, it will take another three to five years at least."
Tonight's match caps the first-ever Bahrain-Philippines Friendship Games, which have been organised by Creator Marketing Consultancy in partnership with the Bahrain Football Association and Philippine Football Federation.
Tickets for the game can be purchased at the venue.
Also yesterday, 'the Azkals' met with Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Maria Corazon Yap-Bahjin during their visit to the Philippine Embassy.
Gulf Daily News
THE Philippines' senior men's national football team, known as 'the Azkals', are set to turn it up a notch tonight when they play their second friendly match in three days against Bahrain's under-23 Olympic team.
Their first meeting on Saturday, held at the National Stadium in Riffa, ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts, with Sayed Dhiya Saeed scoring the winning goal early in the second half.
'The Azkals' will be looking to turn the tables on their rivals this time around, and give what is expected to be a capacity crowd of Filipino supporters an evening to remember at the Muharraq Club stadium in Arad.
Head coach Hans Michael Weiss admitted, however, that 'the Azkals' will be far from full strength for the game, which kicks off at 7pm. Several 'Azkals' players have been unable to make it to Bahrain and are also expected to miss the Philippines' match against Kuwait on Saturday in the all-important first leg of their second round qualifying clash for a 2014 Fifa World Cup berth.
"We are missing five or six players; we are here with a young team and not our first squad," Weiss told the GDN. "Even against Kuwait we will not be complete. It will be this team along with one or two additional players, and that's it."
Despite this, 'the Azkals' went right back to work in preparation for tonight's friendly, which will be a second opportunity for them to adapt to the region's sweltering summer temperatures and gauge their level of readiness before flying off to Kuwait tomorrow.
"Playing these games here against Bahrain are really a big help to our team," said 'Azkals' co-captain Emelio Caligdong, who scored their lone goal on Saturday with a spectacular rocket from 30 yards out.
Challenge
"This is a good challenge for us. It is our first time to play a Middle East team, and it is helping us get ready for Kuwait," Caligdong added. "We are also very happy with the great reception we have had from the fans here; we would like to thank everyone for that."
'The Azkals' trained for over an hour early yesterday evening at tonight's match venue. They capped it off with a scrimmage against the varsity football team from AMA International University Bahrain, who are the major sponsors of their visit. The game, which featured shortened halves, ended tied 1-1.
Right after their workout, Bahrain's Olympic squad took to the pitch. Coach Salman Shareeda said that he too is looking forward to tonight's clash.
"These matches are like a high form of training for both teams," Shareeda said yesterday. "I am very happy to be playing these friendly games and we welcome the Philippine team to Bahrain.
"For tomorrow, we have 26 players who are fit and ready. I gave a chance to some players in the first game on Saturday, and tomorrow I hope to give an opportunity to others. It will be a good game."
Meanwhile, coach Weiss acknowledged that the level of football in the Gulf is on a higher level than in the Philippines, where, largely because of 'the Azkals', the game is now experiencing a meteoric rise in popularity.
"Football is much more developed here; it is a religion here and they focus on it at a very young age," Weiss said. "The game is definitely highly advanced, and right now we cannot compare it with that in the Philippines, where it is now only growing.
"We rely on strong character and on Filipino players from outside to help football develop and bring it to a different level. But to be really be established in the football world, it will take another three to five years at least."
Tonight's match caps the first-ever Bahrain-Philippines Friendship Games, which have been organised by Creator Marketing Consultancy in partnership with the Bahrain Football Association and Philippine Football Federation.
Tickets for the game can be purchased at the venue.
Also yesterday, 'the Azkals' met with Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Maria Corazon Yap-Bahjin during their visit to the Philippine Embassy.
Gulf Daily News
17 July 2011
AMA 1-1 Azkals
Azkals drew AMA International University (Bahrain) 1-1 today in a 30 mins practice match .
Phil Younghusband scored, assist Ian Araneta
Phil Younghusband scored, assist Ian Araneta
Bahrain Under-23 Olympic team nips Philippine Azkals
MANAMA—Chieffy Caligdong continued his brilliant form, but it wasn’t enough to lift the travel-weary and short-handed Philippine Azkals past Bahrain’s Under-23 Olympic Team Saturday night before a loud crowd of 10,000 Filipinos at the National Stadium in Riffa.
Bahrain won the exhibition match, 2-1, with Caligdong, the veteran winger from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo accounting for the lone Azkals’ goal in the first half.
Getting plenty of space at midfield, Caligdon grifled home a sublime left-footed effort from 30-yards five minutes before halftime in what he said as one of his best goals for
the country since he debuted in the Tiger Cup in 2004.
Caligdong, the co-skipper together with Aly Borromeo, also scored on a virtuoso finish for the opening goal in the 4-0 rout of Sri Lanka in the second leg of the first round
World Cup qualifying in Manila last July 3.
But the euphoria that enveloped the stadium on Caligdong’s goal was short-lived as Bahrain grabbed the winner five minutes into the second half when Sayed Dhiya Saeed beat Eduard Sacapaño from close range following a defensive mix-up.
“The match has to be seen as a training session for the players who will take the pitch in Kuwait on Saturday,” said Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss.
“The travel preparations were not ideal as some of the players arrived in Bahrain the morning before the match.”
The second match of this two-game series dubbed the Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games is slated at 7 p.m. Monday (12 midnight in Manila) at the Muharraq Club Stadium in Arad and Weiss promises to take a “less cautious and aggressive approach.”
“The result is not that important,” said Weiss. “What’s important is adapting to the weather. It was quite hot during the game but I think the longer we played, we were able to withstand (the heat).”
“The goal gives me a lot of confidence,” said Caligdong, who has nine full international goals under his belt. “Hopefully, this also gives the team a morale boost before Kuwait.”
Caligdong said the team has no problems dealing with the hot weather, but must address the lack of aggressiveness in the early goings.
The Azkals are gearing up for the second round showdown with 10-time Gulf Cup of Nations champion Kuwait on Saturday. The second leg is set July 28 at the Rizal
Memorial Stadium in Manila.
Weiss also didn’t have the luxury of the same full-strength side that beat Sri Lanka as he was forced to field a younger, inexperienced team against the Bahrainis.
Weiss kept Phil Younghusband and Angel Aldeguer, who combined for three goals in the victory over Sri Lanka, on the bench because of injury.
Standouts Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Ray Jonsson are still tied up with their clubs in Europe while the Azkals are still awaiting the arrival of veteran
defender Rob Gier and first-choice goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
Newcomer James Hall, a former youth team player at English Premier League side Everton, started for the Azkals just behind Yannick Tuason up front.
Patrick Hinrichsen, an attacking midfielder, was deployed as rightback early on together with Anton del Rosario, Borromeo and Roel Gener, who played the entire 90 minutes despite traveling for 12 hours the morning before the match.
Jason de Jong was paired up with Manny Ott at midfield for the first time since the Suzuki Cup qualifiers in Laos, while Caligdong and James Younghusband provided the attacking threat on the flanks. Defender Jason Sabio came in as a sub, along with Ian Araneta and Misagh Bahadoran.
Facing a squad that has advanced to the main round of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics, the Azkals were kept on the backfoot early and fell behind nine minutes into the match when Abdulwahab Al Malood eluded Anton del Rosario on the right before firing a shot past Sacapaño.
Inquirer.net
Bahrain won the exhibition match, 2-1, with Caligdong, the veteran winger from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo accounting for the lone Azkals’ goal in the first half.
Getting plenty of space at midfield, Caligdon grifled home a sublime left-footed effort from 30-yards five minutes before halftime in what he said as one of his best goals for
the country since he debuted in the Tiger Cup in 2004.
Caligdong, the co-skipper together with Aly Borromeo, also scored on a virtuoso finish for the opening goal in the 4-0 rout of Sri Lanka in the second leg of the first round
World Cup qualifying in Manila last July 3.
But the euphoria that enveloped the stadium on Caligdong’s goal was short-lived as Bahrain grabbed the winner five minutes into the second half when Sayed Dhiya Saeed beat Eduard Sacapaño from close range following a defensive mix-up.
“The match has to be seen as a training session for the players who will take the pitch in Kuwait on Saturday,” said Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss.
“The travel preparations were not ideal as some of the players arrived in Bahrain the morning before the match.”
The second match of this two-game series dubbed the Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games is slated at 7 p.m. Monday (12 midnight in Manila) at the Muharraq Club Stadium in Arad and Weiss promises to take a “less cautious and aggressive approach.”
“The result is not that important,” said Weiss. “What’s important is adapting to the weather. It was quite hot during the game but I think the longer we played, we were able to withstand (the heat).”
“The goal gives me a lot of confidence,” said Caligdong, who has nine full international goals under his belt. “Hopefully, this also gives the team a morale boost before Kuwait.”
Caligdong said the team has no problems dealing with the hot weather, but must address the lack of aggressiveness in the early goings.
The Azkals are gearing up for the second round showdown with 10-time Gulf Cup of Nations champion Kuwait on Saturday. The second leg is set July 28 at the Rizal
Memorial Stadium in Manila.
Weiss also didn’t have the luxury of the same full-strength side that beat Sri Lanka as he was forced to field a younger, inexperienced team against the Bahrainis.
Weiss kept Phil Younghusband and Angel Aldeguer, who combined for three goals in the victory over Sri Lanka, on the bench because of injury.
Standouts Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Ray Jonsson are still tied up with their clubs in Europe while the Azkals are still awaiting the arrival of veteran
defender Rob Gier and first-choice goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
Newcomer James Hall, a former youth team player at English Premier League side Everton, started for the Azkals just behind Yannick Tuason up front.
Patrick Hinrichsen, an attacking midfielder, was deployed as rightback early on together with Anton del Rosario, Borromeo and Roel Gener, who played the entire 90 minutes despite traveling for 12 hours the morning before the match.
Jason de Jong was paired up with Manny Ott at midfield for the first time since the Suzuki Cup qualifiers in Laos, while Caligdong and James Younghusband provided the attacking threat on the flanks. Defender Jason Sabio came in as a sub, along with Ian Araneta and Misagh Bahadoran.
Facing a squad that has advanced to the main round of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics, the Azkals were kept on the backfoot early and fell behind nine minutes into the match when Abdulwahab Al Malood eluded Anton del Rosario on the right before firing a shot past Sacapaño.
Inquirer.net
Brave Azkals go down fighting
By PATRICK SALOMON
THE Philippines' senior men's national football team, more popularly known as 'the Azkals', put on a memorable show last night despite a 1-2 defeat to Bahrain's under-23 Olympic team.
The match was the first of two friendlies in three days between the two sides, and it kicked off the first-ever Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games.
Close to 5,000 Filipinos braved yesterday's heat and humidity and flocked to the National Stadium in Riffa for the tie. Some were at the venue as early as 3pm, more than four hours ahead of the game's 7pm kick-off.
Such was the star power of the visiting 'Azkals', who were battling not only the talented hosts but also jet-lag and an all-new climate. They received inspiration though from their legion of fans, who cheered them on at their every kick.
"It felt like a home game," 'Azkals' captain Alexander Borromeo told the GDN. "The way the fans were cheering for us; it was great."
Sayed Dhiya Saeed scored the winning goal for Bahrain early in the second half. With the opposing defence napping, he received a brilliant pass right in the face of goal, and all he needed was to tap the ball past 'Azkals' goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano, who had guessed the wrong way.
Earlier, Abdulwahab Al Malood opened the scoring in the ninth minute, finishing a solo run on the left of the box with a fancy dribble and a superb shot past Philippine defender Anton del Rosario. Al Malood's strike powered into the top-left corner of the net, giving the hosts the early advantage.
But while Al Malood's shot was impressive, Emelio Caligdong's equaliser five minutes before half-time was a sight to behold.
Operating on the left flank, Caligdong unleashed a rocket from nearly 30 yards out that flew into the top-left corner of goal. Bahraini goalkeeper Eyad Nasser Salem had no chance of stopping the well-hit shot, and the Filipino fans erupted in celebration.
Their joy was short-lived, however, as only four minutes after the re-start, Saeed put Bahrain back in front with his tap-in from close range. Though it lacked the flare of the game's first two goals, it did its job for Bahrain.
'The Azkals' had a few chances to level the scores in the second half, but couldn't supply the finishing touch.
"It was a good experience for our side against a good Olympic team from Bahrain," 'Azkals' coach Hans Michael Weiss told the GDN. "We were missing a couple of players here and there, but big credit to our guys who overcame their fatigue and the heat tonight.
"I was happy with the game, and I am looking forward to the second match. It will be a different day, so hopefully a different game."
Popular 'Azkal' James Younghusband, who hit a long-range shot just right over the crossbar during the first half, commented: "It was a good test for us; especially to get used to this weather before Kuwait next week. Everyone worked hard, and we did well to keep the game close.
"The fantastic thing from tonight was all the support we got; it was outstanding to see all the fans come here and give us a cheer."
The 'Azkals' and Bahrain's Olympic team are set to meet once again tomorrow at the Muharraq Club stadium in Arad. The match starts at 7pm.
The Friendship Games have been organised by Creator Marketing Consultancy in partnership with the Bahrain Football Association and Philippine Football Federation. AMA International University Bahrain are the major sponsors.
For inquiries on tomorrow's game, call Rem on 36064822, Chris on 37768683, Rene on 39678323, Edith on 39678313, Nino on 36271121 or Rod on 36598588.
Gulf Daily News
THE Philippines' senior men's national football team, more popularly known as 'the Azkals', put on a memorable show last night despite a 1-2 defeat to Bahrain's under-23 Olympic team.
The match was the first of two friendlies in three days between the two sides, and it kicked off the first-ever Bahrain-Philippines Football Friendship Games.
Close to 5,000 Filipinos braved yesterday's heat and humidity and flocked to the National Stadium in Riffa for the tie. Some were at the venue as early as 3pm, more than four hours ahead of the game's 7pm kick-off.
Such was the star power of the visiting 'Azkals', who were battling not only the talented hosts but also jet-lag and an all-new climate. They received inspiration though from their legion of fans, who cheered them on at their every kick.
"It felt like a home game," 'Azkals' captain Alexander Borromeo told the GDN. "The way the fans were cheering for us; it was great."
Sayed Dhiya Saeed scored the winning goal for Bahrain early in the second half. With the opposing defence napping, he received a brilliant pass right in the face of goal, and all he needed was to tap the ball past 'Azkals' goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano, who had guessed the wrong way.
Earlier, Abdulwahab Al Malood opened the scoring in the ninth minute, finishing a solo run on the left of the box with a fancy dribble and a superb shot past Philippine defender Anton del Rosario. Al Malood's strike powered into the top-left corner of the net, giving the hosts the early advantage.
But while Al Malood's shot was impressive, Emelio Caligdong's equaliser five minutes before half-time was a sight to behold.
Operating on the left flank, Caligdong unleashed a rocket from nearly 30 yards out that flew into the top-left corner of goal. Bahraini goalkeeper Eyad Nasser Salem had no chance of stopping the well-hit shot, and the Filipino fans erupted in celebration.
Their joy was short-lived, however, as only four minutes after the re-start, Saeed put Bahrain back in front with his tap-in from close range. Though it lacked the flare of the game's first two goals, it did its job for Bahrain.
'The Azkals' had a few chances to level the scores in the second half, but couldn't supply the finishing touch.
"It was a good experience for our side against a good Olympic team from Bahrain," 'Azkals' coach Hans Michael Weiss told the GDN. "We were missing a couple of players here and there, but big credit to our guys who overcame their fatigue and the heat tonight.
"I was happy with the game, and I am looking forward to the second match. It will be a different day, so hopefully a different game."
Popular 'Azkal' James Younghusband, who hit a long-range shot just right over the crossbar during the first half, commented: "It was a good test for us; especially to get used to this weather before Kuwait next week. Everyone worked hard, and we did well to keep the game close.
"The fantastic thing from tonight was all the support we got; it was outstanding to see all the fans come here and give us a cheer."
The 'Azkals' and Bahrain's Olympic team are set to meet once again tomorrow at the Muharraq Club stadium in Arad. The match starts at 7pm.
The Friendship Games have been organised by Creator Marketing Consultancy in partnership with the Bahrain Football Association and Philippine Football Federation. AMA International University Bahrain are the major sponsors.
For inquiries on tomorrow's game, call Rem on 36064822, Chris on 37768683, Rene on 39678323, Edith on 39678313, Nino on 36271121 or Rod on 36598588.
Gulf Daily News
PHL Azkals 1, Bahrain 2 in first tune-up match
Emelio "Chieffy" Caligdong shot a goal versus Bahrain's two in the first tune-up game of the men's national football team with the host country's Under-23 Olympic contingent.
"Operating on the left flank, Caligdong unleashed a rocket from nearly 30 yards out that flew into the top-left corner of goal. Bahraini goalkeeper Eyad Nasser Salem had no chance of stopping the well-hit shot, and the Filipino fans erupted in celebration," the Gulf Daily News reported Sunday.
Filipina-Bahraini Zoei Al-Shaikh as Dimples_426 also tweeted the match results from the grandstand of the Bahrain National Stadium in the city of Riffa southwest of the capital, Manama.
Caligdong, an Airman in the Philippine Air Force, scored the goal in the first half of the match.
"We were missing a couple of players here and there, but big credit to our guys who overcame their fatigue and the heat tonight," coach Michael Weiss said after the match as reported by the Gulf Daily News
The next tune-up game will be on July 19 at another venue, the football stadium in the town of Arad on Muharraq Island. Kick-off will be at 12:30am PHL time (7pm in Bahrain).
Bahrain's U-23 team is preparing for the Asian qualifying round of the 2012 London Olympics while the Philippine Azkals are getting ready to meet Kuwait in Round 2 of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers early morning of July 24.
The Azkals meet Kuwait a second time on home turf on July 28.
"Operating on the left flank, Caligdong unleashed a rocket from nearly 30 yards out that flew into the top-left corner of goal. Bahraini goalkeeper Eyad Nasser Salem had no chance of stopping the well-hit shot, and the Filipino fans erupted in celebration," the Gulf Daily News reported Sunday.
Filipina-Bahraini Zoei Al-Shaikh as Dimples_426 also tweeted the match results from the grandstand of the Bahrain National Stadium in the city of Riffa southwest of the capital, Manama.
Caligdong, an Airman in the Philippine Air Force, scored the goal in the first half of the match.
"We were missing a couple of players here and there, but big credit to our guys who overcame their fatigue and the heat tonight," coach Michael Weiss said after the match as reported by the Gulf Daily News
The next tune-up game will be on July 19 at another venue, the football stadium in the town of Arad on Muharraq Island. Kick-off will be at 12:30am PHL time (7pm in Bahrain).
Bahrain's U-23 team is preparing for the Asian qualifying round of the 2012 London Olympics while the Philippine Azkals are getting ready to meet Kuwait in Round 2 of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers early morning of July 24.
The Azkals meet Kuwait a second time on home turf on July 28.
16 July 2011
Today : Bahrain Olympic NT 2-1 Azkals FT
Today at 7 pm (local time)
Bahrain Olympic (U23) vs Philippines
National Stadium in Riffa, Bahrain
Temperature now in Bahrain : 38 degrees
Bahrain Olympic qualified for Round 3 in Olympics qualifying after losing 0-1 at home for Palestine , but winning 2-1 away . They are preparing for Round 3 in Olympics qualifying that start in November in group C with Japan , Malaysia and Syria
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