30 March 2022
28 March 2022
24 March 2022
23 March 2022
Azkals folds to Akhyar Rashid, Malaysia in Tri-Nations
By
The Philippine Azkals suffered a rude awakening in their first match of the 2022 Tri-Nations Series after they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Malaysia, Wednesday evening at the National Stadium in Singapore.
Two first-half strikes from Malaysian forward Akhyar Rashid were enough to seal the victory for coach Kim Pan-gon’s men.
The Johor Darul Ta’zim winger eluded newcomer right-back Enrique Linares and shot past goalie Neil Etheridge at the second minute of the match and he followed it up with another superb finish off a counter-attack at the 24th minute.
The Azkals look to bounce back as they take on Singapore on Tuesday while Malaysia faces the same opposition on Saturday. Both matches will be held at the National Stadium with kick-off time scheduled at 8:00 PM.
Malaysia XI: Marlias (GK, C), Cools, Saad, Piee, Ong, Kutty, Rahim, Raj, Ahmad, Aiman, Rashid.
Philippines XI: Etheridge (GK), De Murga, Linares, Bardanca, Ingreso, Ramsay, Ott, Schrock ©, Strauss, Reichelt, Maranon.
https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/azkals-folds-to-akhyar-rashid-malaysia-in-tri-nations/234855
20 March 2022
19 March 2022
Philippines MNT To Face Malaysia And Singapore In FAS Tri-Nations Series
The Philippine Men’s National Team will battle Southeast Asian neighbors Malaysia and Singapore in the FAS Tri-Nations Series to be held from 23-29 March 2022 in Singapore.
The Philippines will face Malaysia on 23 March followed by Singapore on 29 March. Both matches will be played at the National Stadium.
The tournament will be the Azkals’ first international outing for this year and will also serve as the team’s preparation for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers scheduled for June 2022 in Mongolia.
Twenty-five (25) players were called up to comprise the Philippine delegation for the Tri-Nations Series.
Forward Gerrit Holtmann, who plays for Bundesliga side VfL Bochum, is set to make his long awaited national team debut. Joining Holtmann as the new additions to the squad are defenders Enrique Linares and Diego Bardanca.
Both goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and midfielder John Patrick Strauss make their return to the squad after missing out on the World Cup qualifiers and the Suzuki Cup campaigns last year.
| Neil Leonard ETHERIDGE | Goalkeeper | Birmingham City (England) |
| Kevin Ray HANSEN | Goalkeeper | Kuala Lumpur FC (Malaysia) |
| Quincy KAMMERAAD | Goalkeeper | Azkals Development Team |
| Amani AGUINALDO | Defender | Nongbua Pitchaya FC (Thailand) |
| Justin BAAS | Defender | Melaka United (Malaysia) |
| Diego BARDANCA | Defender | Buriram United (Thailand) |
| Carlos DE MURGA | Defender | Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia) |
| Enrique LINARES | Defender | UD San Pedro (Spain) |
| Daisuke SATO | Defender | Ratchaburi Mitr Phol (Thailand) |
| Oliver BIAS | Midfielder | Azkals Development Team |
| Jesse CURRAN | Midfielder | Kaya FC-Iloilo |
| Dylan DE BRUYCKER | Midfielder | Nakhon Ratchasima (Thailand) |
| Harry FÖLL | Midfielder | FC Villingen (Germany) |
| Kevin INGRESO | Midfielder | Samut Prakan FC (Thailand) |
| Oskari KEKKONEN | Midfielder | Kaya FC-Iloilo |
| Manuel OTT | Midfielder | Terengganu FC (Malaysia) |
| Iain RAMSAY | Midfielder | Nongbua Pitchaya FC (Thailand) |
| Stephan SCHRÖCK | Midfielder | Unattached |
| John Patrick STRAUSS | Midfielder | FC Erzgebirge Aue (Germany) |
| Dennis VILLANUEVA | Midfielder | Nakhon Ratchasima (Thailand) |
| Mark HARTMANN | Forward | United City FC |
| Gerrit HOLTMANN | Forward | VfL Bochum (Germany) |
| Bienvenido MARAÑON | Forward | Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia) |
| Jose Elmer PORTERIA | Forward | Kirivong Sok Sen Chey (Cambodia) |
| Patrick REICHELT | Forward | PT Prachuap (Thailand) https://pff.org.ph/2022/03/19/philippines-mnt-to-face-malaysia-and-singapore-in-fas-tri-nations-series/ |
14 March 2022
13 March 2022
12 March 2022
Gerrit Holtmann finally set for Azkals debut
With only three months left before the Philippine Azkals’ 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round campaign in Mongolia, preparations are in full swing to seal a ticket anew to the biggest stage in Asian football.
One of the players whom Filipino football fans want to wear the national team colors is Gerrit Holtmann, who has made 25 appearances so far for VFL Bochum in the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal scoring four goals and providing six assists.
“We will be using this camp in March to look at the players who would be debuting for the Azkals. Players like Gerrit Holtmann and a few more,” said Azkals team manager Dan Palami. “We have (Diego) Bardanca coming in, Enrique Linares coming in. So we’ll get to assess them plus the other players who have been with us for a while.
“Holtmann has already responded and has already made arrangements for his flights going to Singapore.”
A notable strike of the 6-foot-1 Fil-German winger, which came against Mainz on August 21, 2021, provoked excitement with the fantastic skills he demonstrated to score a solo goal. It even earned him the Bundesliga Goal of the Year Award for 2021.
“It is very seldom that a player of that quality has enthusiastically expressed interest to play for us,” added Palami. “It took a while and (coach) Scott Cooper had been working on him for the last two years to convince him and then finally he agreed.
“I think for football-loving fans who follow other leagues like the Bundesliga, we know how Gerrit has been making waves in that league and it’s important that we cap him immediately before Germany comes knocking at his door,” the sports patron beamed.
“That’s how we view this as well as the other young players who would be coming in as well.”
With Holtmann in the fold, the Azkals are set to participate in a tri-nation tourney this month against Singapore and Malaysia.
All matches shall be hosted by Singapore’s National Stadium from March 21-29, 2022, and this is being done to prepare all three teams for their qualification campaigns.
“We will be using this particular tournament to determine the squad that we’ll be using for the Asian Cup qualifiers in Mongolia this June,” said Palami.
“That’s going to be the main objective of these particular friendlies.”
tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/gerrit-holtmann-finally-set-for-azkals-debut/233886
08 March 2022
05 March 2022
Kaya FC-Iloilo’s All Set to Kickoff 2022 Season Versus Sydney FC
AFC Champions League | Preliminary Round
Sydney FC vs. Kaya FC–IloiloTuesday, March 8, 2022 | 7:30PM (4:30 PM PST)
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
After a four-month wait, Kaya FC-Iloilo’s football calendar is set to kick off with a bang. Coming off a historic year that featured the Filipino club’s breakthrough into the top flight of Asian football, the 2022 campaign begins with an away fixture in the land Down Under.
To return to the AFC Champions League, Kaya had to win two qualifying matches in a row—the first of which is the preliminary round against Australian powerhouse Sydney FC, who are currently in sixth place in the A-League standings.
However, following Changchun Yatai FC’s withdrawal from the competition, Tuesday’s match has been given a whole new meaning now that the victor will be given direct entry into the Group Stage.
For the second season in a row, Iloilo’s continental hopes come down to a single match to determine whether we’ll be playing with the ACL’s Group H in April or with the AFC Cup’s Group G later in June.
The boys certainly rose to the occasion last year—celebrating the club’s twenty-fifth anniversary by besting China’s Shanghai Port FC and gatecrashing the prestigious competition. If we can do it once, who’s to say we can’t do it again.
From repurposed basketball courts in the 90’s to the world-class pitches of the present day, Kaya’s identity and spirit as a club remain the same no matter where they play. One only needs to remember the club’s namesake: “Káya” [We Can].
Getting a taste of the Champions League level last season has made the team even hungrier, dead set on coming back and repeating history. Everyone’s chomping at the bit to put on a show—not only for the fans in Iloilo around the Philippines, but also for the many Filipinos who call Australia home.
“Aside from being able to test ourselves against some of Asia’s best clubs, one of the things we really look forward to when playing in AFC competitions is getting a chance to connect with Filipino communities all over the continent,” said Kaya President and GM Paul Tolentino. “Now that restrictions are starting to loosen up, we’re eager to get back to meeting our countrymen face-to-face.”
To all of our fellow Filipinos currently residing in and around the Sydney area, Kaya FC-Iloilo would like to invite you to come support us at the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on March 8. For such a big match on enemy grounds, we sure could use every bit of support we can get and we hope to see you there!
https://www.kayafc.com/news/kaya-fc-iloilos-all-set-to-kickoff-2022-season-versus-sydney-fc/?fbclid=IwAR1T0BLq-1howgkk0y4dBmPJJrsBlAf6Tv8rW0sRfBsPOD9FkNLSg-s2fXk
01 March 2022
Kaya FC Iloilo’s 2022 Offseason Roundup
After ending the 2021 season on a high with the Copa trophy in hand and a first-time AFC Champions League berth in the books, Kaya FC-Iloilo entered the offseason with the intention of building on that success this year. Following some emotional departures, the return of some fan favorites, and an influx of young talent, the new-look roster is primed to make some noise on the domestic and continental stages.
Retirements: Louie Michael Casas, Masanari Omura
Departures: Dylan de Bruycker (Nakhon Ratchasima) Marwin Angeles (Persik), Marco Casambre (Loan to Sukhothai), Kenshiro Daniels (Unattached)
Additions: Mar Vincent Diano (ADT), Oskari Kekkonen (ADT), Robert Lopez Mendy (Svay Rieng), Sandro Reyes (ADT), Jarvey Gayoso (ADT), Jesse Curran (Muangthong)
Kaya’s squad depth took a hit over the break, leaving some key positions vacant for the first time in a while. Club legend Masanari Omura called it a career after a decade playing in yellow and black, while homegrown icon Louie Michael Casas decided to retire and be with his family in the United States. Kenshiro Daniels has similarly opted to remain in the States to stay closer to family and to explore his options there. Former vice-captain Marwin Angeles moved to a club in Indonesia, while both Dylan de Bruycker and Marco Casambre took their talents to Thailand (albeit Marco’s is a loan deal and he’s expected to be back mid-season).
The front office promptly got to work: bringing back a fan favorite, several blue-chippers entering their primes, and some of the country’s most exciting young prospects.
Oskari Kekkonen and Sandro Reyes are coming off an impressive showing for the national team at the AFF U-23 Championship. Kekkonen did well to fulfill the responsibilities bestowed upon him with the captain’s armband, while Reyes had a breakout performance and finished as one of the best players in the tournament.
Jarvey Gayoso and Mar Vincent Diano enter the fold after two standout seasons with the Azkals Development Team, and Jesse Curran comes in as one of the most experienced players on the squad despite his age. All three are projected to become regulars on the Azkals for the foreseeable future.
Lastly, Robert Lopez Mendy is back and ready to reclaim his glory days with Iloilo, adding an explosive piece to the attacking front. All in all, Kaya used the offseason to bring immediate reinforcements while building for the future at the same time.
Without further ado, here are the official squad numbers for the 2022 Season:
- 1 – Zach Banzon | Goalkeeper
- 5 – Camelo Tacusalme | Defender
- 6 – Oskari Kekkonen | Midfielder
- 7 – Jovin Bedic | Forward
- 8 – Jesse Curran | Midfielder/Winger
- 9 – Eric Giganto | Winger
- 10 – Arnel Amita | Midfielder
- 12 – Mar Vincent Diano | Defender
- 13 – Jhan Melliza | Midfielder
- 14 – Ryo Fujii | Midfielder
- 15 – Marco Casambre | Defender (Out on Loan)
- 17 – Robert Lopez Mendy | Forward
- 18 – Jarvey Gayoso | Winger/Forward
- 19 – Carlyle Mitchell | Defender
- 20 – Daizo Horikoshi | Winger/Midfielder
- 21 – Sandro Reyes | Midfielder
- 22 – Fitch Arboleda | Winger/Defender
- 23 – Simone Rota | Defender
- 27 – Shirmar Felongco | Defender/Winger
- 44 – Audie Menzi | Defender
Though things are set to kickoff in a little over a week from now, the possibility remains for a last-second addition to the ranks. Regardless, the majority of this year’s cast is set and the soonest we’ll see the boys on the pitch is on Tuesday, March 8 versus Sydney FC. We’ll see you there!
https://www.kayafc.com/news/kaya-fc-iloilos-2022-offseason-roundup/
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