Malaysia beat Vietnam 2-0 in first leg of semifinal in AFF Suzuki cup.
Philippines play Indonesia tomorrow in Jakarta.
15 December 2010
FIFA World Ranking - Philippines up 1
FIFA World Ranking for December was released today : Philippines up 1 to number 150.
The highest ever ranking for Philippines !
ASEAN rankings :
121 Thailand
127 Indonesia
137 Vietnam
140 Singapore
144 Malaysia
149 Myanmar
150 PHILIPPINES
166 Cambodia
169 Laos
197 Brunei
201 Timor-Leste
FIFA website
The highest ever ranking for Philippines !
ASEAN rankings :
121 Thailand
127 Indonesia
137 Vietnam
140 Singapore
144 Malaysia
149 Myanmar
150 PHILIPPINES
166 Cambodia
169 Laos
197 Brunei
201 Timor-Leste
FIFA website
14 December 2010
2014 World Cup goal of national team
MANILA, Philippines - The main “goal” is to have the Philippine flag join the parade of colors of the great football nations of the globe in the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
Dan Palami, young businessman and sports patron who is playing the role as “very active” team manager of the country’s football team, aired confidence that with the proper training and support, the Philippines could vie in international football qualifiers and perform well enough to gain a slot in the next World Cup.
Palami, sans fanfare, had led a drive launched quietly last year to find promising football talents throughout the country to make up a rough pool from which to select members of the football team that has now been called “The Azkals”.
“We had enough unappreciated young football talent from which we formed a team that we are slowly but surely developing into a World Cup-class team,” Palami said in a recent interview before leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam where the Philippines put up a strong showing at the ASEAN Football Federation-Suzuki Cup, one of a long list of tournament qualifiers for the Brazil World Cup.
Palami declined to comment on the current controversy brewing in the local football scene as heads of football federations try to claim credit for the recent string of successes of the football team, saying he preferred to focus on motivating the team to work harder, and train for future battles on the football pitch.
He admitted that with the current lack of a nationwide football development program in schools, the task of spotting potential football talents was arduous and limited to the few football teams of some exclusive schools in Metro Manila and in certain provinces.
He noted that the current pool of 30 team members has many “Fil-foreigns” or Filipino-British or Fil-European youths who nurtured their love for and talent in football in soccer-crazy Europe.
philstar
Dan Palami, young businessman and sports patron who is playing the role as “very active” team manager of the country’s football team, aired confidence that with the proper training and support, the Philippines could vie in international football qualifiers and perform well enough to gain a slot in the next World Cup.
Palami, sans fanfare, had led a drive launched quietly last year to find promising football talents throughout the country to make up a rough pool from which to select members of the football team that has now been called “The Azkals”.
“We had enough unappreciated young football talent from which we formed a team that we are slowly but surely developing into a World Cup-class team,” Palami said in a recent interview before leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam where the Philippines put up a strong showing at the ASEAN Football Federation-Suzuki Cup, one of a long list of tournament qualifiers for the Brazil World Cup.
Palami declined to comment on the current controversy brewing in the local football scene as heads of football federations try to claim credit for the recent string of successes of the football team, saying he preferred to focus on motivating the team to work harder, and train for future battles on the football pitch.
He admitted that with the current lack of a nationwide football development program in schools, the task of spotting potential football talents was arduous and limited to the few football teams of some exclusive schools in Metro Manila and in certain provinces.
He noted that the current pool of 30 team members has many “Fil-foreigns” or Filipino-British or Fil-European youths who nurtured their love for and talent in football in soccer-crazy Europe.
philstar
Azkals rookie cites Phl's defense
MANILA, Philippines - National football team rookie goalkeeper Christopher Camcam won’t suit up for the AFF Suzuki Cup semifinals against Indonesia tomorrow and Sunday but the Azkals youngest player isn’t bothered. For the 16-year-old Benjamin, just making it to the 30-man roster is an achievement he’ll cherish forever.
Coach Simon McMenemy submitted a 30-man lineup to the AFF for the Suzuki Cup but a day before the start of hostilities, trimmed the cast to 22, leaving out Camcam and seven others. Although he’s not in the active list, the 6-2 Camcam left with the team for Jakarta yesterday.
“On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate our chances of beating Indonesia to be 7 or 8,” said Camcam. “We’re used to playing matches abroad. We beat Vietnam, the defending champion, in front of 40,000 fans in Hanoi. It’s no different playing in Jakarta. I think we’re the best defensive team in the tournament while Indonesia is best in attacking. So in the semifinals, it will be our defense against their offense.”
Camcam said the Azkals will keep a close watch on Indonesia’s deadly strikers Cristian (El Loco) Gonzales and half-Dutch Irfan Bachdim. “We can handle Gonzales,” he said. “Our defenders are solid – Aly Borromeo, Anton del Rosario, Rob Gier and Ray Jonsson. Anton and Aly will check Irfan (who has scored three goals so far in the tournament). Aly’s our leader. He’s a huge presence for us on the field. And coach Simon is a great motivator. He gets us all fired up. He knows what he’s doing. You couldn’t ask anything more from a coach.”
Camcam, a third year high school student at Linden Tree, said he never expected to be called up to the senior squad. He saw action on the under-16 team in an international tournament in Bacolod last year and was recommended by Philippine Football Federation technical director Aris Caslib to try out for the senior team with then coach Desmond Bulpin. When Bulpin left and McMenemy took over, Camcam remained on the training roster.
more : Philstar
Coach Simon McMenemy submitted a 30-man lineup to the AFF for the Suzuki Cup but a day before the start of hostilities, trimmed the cast to 22, leaving out Camcam and seven others. Although he’s not in the active list, the 6-2 Camcam left with the team for Jakarta yesterday.
“On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate our chances of beating Indonesia to be 7 or 8,” said Camcam. “We’re used to playing matches abroad. We beat Vietnam, the defending champion, in front of 40,000 fans in Hanoi. It’s no different playing in Jakarta. I think we’re the best defensive team in the tournament while Indonesia is best in attacking. So in the semifinals, it will be our defense against their offense.”
Camcam said the Azkals will keep a close watch on Indonesia’s deadly strikers Cristian (El Loco) Gonzales and half-Dutch Irfan Bachdim. “We can handle Gonzales,” he said. “Our defenders are solid – Aly Borromeo, Anton del Rosario, Rob Gier and Ray Jonsson. Anton and Aly will check Irfan (who has scored three goals so far in the tournament). Aly’s our leader. He’s a huge presence for us on the field. And coach Simon is a great motivator. He gets us all fired up. He knows what he’s doing. You couldn’t ask anything more from a coach.”
Camcam, a third year high school student at Linden Tree, said he never expected to be called up to the senior squad. He saw action on the under-16 team in an international tournament in Bacolod last year and was recommended by Philippine Football Federation technical director Aris Caslib to try out for the senior team with then coach Desmond Bulpin. When Bulpin left and McMenemy took over, Camcam remained on the training roster.
more : Philstar
Army Fritz and Macziol to host a friendly against Korean team, Suwon City
by Charles Palma
The United Football League club Army Fritz & Macziol IBM is scheduled to host a friendly against a South Korean professional club at the University of Makati (UMak) Football Field on December 16. It will be the first time in the history that a K-League club play a friendly against a local club.
The visiting team is Suwon City FC, founded in 2003, and currently playing in the Korean National League (better known as K-League). The South Korean club ended their season as Champions in 2010. The club was also crowned as runner-up in 2005, 2007, and 2008.
On the other hand, our local club Army Fritz & Macziol IBM is a force to be reckoned with. The current squad fought until the dying minutes of the last and most crucial match against the UFL inaugural season eventual winners Air Force Rider FC.
It is not just a normal friendly as both teams are big clubs in their respective countries. Fans will surely see a spectacular match between the best clubs of South East Asia.
It is a breakthrough in the history of Philippine football. Help Us. Tell your friends that the South Korean K-League visits Philippines United Football League.
UFL website
The game will be held in University of Makati at 4pm on Thursday, December 16, 2010.
UFL - Nomads, Air Force Rider Clinch Quarterfinal Spot
Nomads sealed their place in the knockout stage of the UFL-LBC Cup with a 1-0 victory over Green Archers Orient Freight Sunday night at the University of Makati pitch.
Steve Borrill struck the marginal goal in the 18th minute after brilliant work from Jacob Birchnall, who managed to elude three defenders before sneaking in the pass that led to the goal.
Air Force also clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with a game to spare after smashing Laos FC, 5-1, at the Nomads field.
Powered by national team standouts seeing action in the AFF Suzuki Cup, the Airmen easily scored their second straight victory to consolidate their lead in Group A.
Chieffy Caligdong, Martin Doctora, Mark Ferrer, Jaylor Soriano and Randy Bela-ong all found the back of the net for the Airmen, who opened their campaign three weeks ago with an 8-1 drubbing of Pasargad.
Army Fritz and Macziol IBM captured the No. 1 spot in Group C, after nipping Navy, 1-0.
Both teams were already assured of quarterfinal berths before the match and were disputing the top spot in the group.
Ed Gempisaw’s strong first-half header off Roel Gener’s corner kick lifted Army, which was boosted by the presence of national players like Gener, Nestorio Margarse and goalkeeper Edward Sacapano.
With the victory, Nomads finished the group stage with nine points to end up second behind Stallions, who claimed top spot with 10 points on three wins and a draw.
The loss meant an early exit for the Archers, who could have snatched a quarterfinal berth had it beaten Nomads.
Nomads finished the match with nine men after Borrill was sent off two minutes into second half stoppage time.
The Archers kept the pressure upfront and had loads of chances but were undone by their poor finishing touch or a lack of incisiveness on the attacking third.
UFL website
13 December 2010
RP XI to stay intact after stint in Asean
By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)
On the eve of their departure for Indonesia, members of the Philippine football team were assured that there would be no revamp of the team that recently scored a historic goal in the AFF Suzuki Cup.
“I don’t think the Philippine Olympic Committee will allow this to happen,” Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia told the team that paid a courtesy call on him yesterday morning.
Later in the afternoon they went to Malacañang to meet President Aquino.
The players, including their British coach Simon McMenemy and team manager Dan Palami, were up in arms over a recent statement by Philippine Football Federation president Jose Mari Martinez.
Martinez, who continues to enjoy the support of FIFA despite being ousted as PFF chief by 26 of the 33 provincial associations in the country, told The STAR that he wants a revamp of the Philippine team.
“I am now negotiating to recruit a Brazilian coach, Rick Figuerido, who has about 12 years of World Cup experience with Brazil, Mexico and Jamaica. I can form another national team that’s better than what we’ve got now,” said Martinez.
It did not sit well with the players, who will play the Indonesians in their two-game semis matchup on Dec. 16 and 19. It’s the first time that the Philippines, after so many years, reached the semis of the AFF Suzuki Cup.
“Mr. Martinez wants to revamp the team and bring in a new coach. I don’t understand and it disappoints me. A lot of the boys were disappointed reading that,” said McMenemy, who in four months had made great transformations for the team.
“I cannot understand how he can even say that. It’s so disrespectful as if we haven’t done enough for the country,” said McMenemy.
Team skipper Aly Borromeo can only smile and shake his head hearing Martinez’ calls for a revamp of the team that scored a historic 2-0 victory over the highly-regarded defending champion Vietnam last week in a group stage match.
Too bad that the Philippines lost its chance to host one of the two semis matches against Indonesia due to the absence of a venue that suits international standards. Martinez, however, is still pushing for the staging of the Dec. 19 match at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod.
Palami, who has invested a lot for the team, blasted Martinez for saying that the former had “brainwashed” the players into saying that the embattled PFF president should have no credit in the team’s recent success.
“To say that I brainwashed these players is utter disrespect to the minds of these mature people. He is belittling the minds of our athletes,” said Palami.
Garcia reminded the players to set aside the problems hounding the federation, and instead focus on the coming matches.
“Don’t let the problems of the federation bother you. I know how difficult it is but please try to forget what’s happening within the PFF. Don’t let one person affect your game,” said Garcia.
“You have all worked hard, and are in the point of winning. It’s hard to do but leave these problems behind and play for our country,” said the PSC chief, who also assured the players that if they go farther than the semis, they will get the chance to play before their countrymen.
“If you get to the finals (scheduled Dec. 26 and 29), we can put up the lights at the Panaad Stadium for you to play there. Rest assured that the next time around you will play before the Filipino people,” Garcia said.
Philstar.com
Gould to reinforce PHL team?
By Joaquin Henson
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Jose Mari Martinez left Manila for Jakarta yesterday afternoon and will represent the country in negotiations with Asean Football Federation (AFF) officials regarding the conduct of the two-match semifinal series of the Suzuki Cup on Dec. 16 and 19.
Before departing, Martinez said he had hoped to bring in Fil-British striker Chad Gould from England as reinforcement for the Philippine squad playing Indonesia but couldn’t get the 6-1 star to agree.
“I spoke with Chad and offered to personally pay to bring him to Jakarta,” said Martinez. “I can convince the AFF to allow him to play. But if he doesn’t get to play, at least, he’ll be with the team and we might be able to activate him in case we play in the finals.”
Martinez said he has tried unsuccessfully to contact officials from the Philippine team about Gould but got through to only one player whom he declined to identify.
“I brought in most of our Fil-foreigners and now, they don’t want to talk to me,” said Martinez who was removed as PFF president for cause during the recent National Congress on a vote of no-confidence from 26 of 33 provincial associations but managed to retain his position on the basis of a technicality upheld by FIFA, the Swiss-based world governing body for football. “I understand their cell phones have been taken away. I suggested for the team to enlist Chad who could be a big help to us. It would be at my own expense. I tried to contact the coach (Simon McEnemy) but no luck. Since they haven’t called Chad, I can understand why he’s not keen to go to Jakarta. He would be embarrassed if he shows up as a spectator.”
Martinez said he was told that Mariano Araneta, the PFF president-in-waiting, and former PFF president Johnny Romualdez will travel to Jakarta to accompany the national team.
“I know Johnny is an AFF vice president but I’m the only one authorized by FIFA to represent our country in official negotiations regarding the Suzuki Cup,” he said. “I will sit in the box during the matches as the Philippine representative, nobody else.”
More : philstar.com
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Jose Mari Martinez left Manila for Jakarta yesterday afternoon and will represent the country in negotiations with Asean Football Federation (AFF) officials regarding the conduct of the two-match semifinal series of the Suzuki Cup on Dec. 16 and 19.
Before departing, Martinez said he had hoped to bring in Fil-British striker Chad Gould from England as reinforcement for the Philippine squad playing Indonesia but couldn’t get the 6-1 star to agree.
“I spoke with Chad and offered to personally pay to bring him to Jakarta,” said Martinez. “I can convince the AFF to allow him to play. But if he doesn’t get to play, at least, he’ll be with the team and we might be able to activate him in case we play in the finals.”
Martinez said he has tried unsuccessfully to contact officials from the Philippine team about Gould but got through to only one player whom he declined to identify.
“I brought in most of our Fil-foreigners and now, they don’t want to talk to me,” said Martinez who was removed as PFF president for cause during the recent National Congress on a vote of no-confidence from 26 of 33 provincial associations but managed to retain his position on the basis of a technicality upheld by FIFA, the Swiss-based world governing body for football. “I understand their cell phones have been taken away. I suggested for the team to enlist Chad who could be a big help to us. It would be at my own expense. I tried to contact the coach (Simon McEnemy) but no luck. Since they haven’t called Chad, I can understand why he’s not keen to go to Jakarta. He would be embarrassed if he shows up as a spectator.”
Martinez said he was told that Mariano Araneta, the PFF president-in-waiting, and former PFF president Johnny Romualdez will travel to Jakarta to accompany the national team.
“I know Johnny is an AFF vice president but I’m the only one authorized by FIFA to represent our country in official negotiations regarding the Suzuki Cup,” he said. “I will sit in the box during the matches as the Philippine representative, nobody else.”
More : philstar.com
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