Big PFF plans for Rizal Stadium

Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA---The Philippine Football Federation is looking to use the Rizal Memorial Stadium for the national team’s matches even after the 2014 World Cup Qualifying game in July.

The PFF is considering both the eight decades-old RMS and the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod as the site for the first-round qualifying match against Sri Lanka on July 3.

PFF president Mariano "Nonong" Araneta said Rizal Memorial could also be the site of the international tournament which Asia Brewery plans to organize as part of the sponsorship deal for the Azkals late this year.

Allaying earlier fears that the Rizal stadium that could accommodate 30,000 people may not be safe for spectators, Araneta said the renovations done during the term of former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping has strengthened the base of the facility.

"The Rizal Memorial Stadium is safe," said Araneta, who has until April 15 to decide on the venue for the World Cup qualifying match.

Araneta said one of the basis for the selection of the venue will be the cost.

Araneta said the PFF spent P4 million for the staging of the AFC Challenge Cup prequalifying match against Mongolia in Bacolod.

With reports that the PSC could no longer fund the work needed to meet the minimum standards of the Asian Football Confederationfor the Rizal Stadium, Araneta said the PFF will tap sponsors to fund the construction of dressing rooms and media rooms

Inquirer.net

Davao booters reach PFF-Suzuki U23 Cup

DAVAO City advanced to the PFF-Suzuki U23 National Championship All-Mindanao Finals set April 28 to 30 after topping the Southern Mindanao eliminations that came to a close at the Tionko football grounds Sunday.

The Mindanao championship will also be held at Tionko field.

The host city team earned a total of six points after winning its two matches in the three-team field. Compostela Valley placed second with a 1-1 card and Davao del Norte third after carding 0-2.

Davao City beat Compostela on Sunday, 4-1, with goals coming from Enrique Romero-Salas (ninth minute), Juven Benitez (14th), Roelfred Napuran (31st) and Nur Hazuaral Mentang (84th).

Davao Football Association (DFA) general secretary Erwin Protacio said Comval's Amad Casimero knocked in the squad's only goal in the 58th via a penalty kick when Davao goal keeper Rufino Samuel Mantos III was shown a red card and sent off after he fouled a ComVal player inside the penalty box.

In the PFF U19 National Championship Southern Mindanao cluster, Davao City crushed Davao del Norte, 9-0. (MLSA)

Sun Star Davao

Baguio Football - Philex Pine Cup 2011

Tomorrow (APRIL 5, 2011) is the deadline to submit entry forms and deposit payments for our cup. Please e-mail documents to baguiounited@gmail.com and pay fees to the following bank account:

BAGUIO UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB, INC.
Chinabank Baguio-Abanao
Savings Account No. 371-013061-0

For those out-of-town teams needing assistance for accomodation, please e-mail us so we can refer you to afforable inn’s nearby. You may also avail of several transient houses within the area.

Coaches meeting and press conference on April 7, 2011 at Savory Classic Chicken, SM Baguio City, Baguio City, starting 2pm.

See you all soon.

Baguio Soccer

PFF eyes medal in SEA Games

A WEEK after knowing the Philippines’ opponent in the first round of 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifying, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has expressed high hopes to enter the medal tally of the 26th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this November in Indonesia.

The PFF President Mariano Araneta said he already gave “Azkals” team manager the full authority to form the best Under-23 squad that would challenge Southeast Asia’s powerhouse and reigning champion Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore.

“I’m hoping we can win a medal in this coming SEA Games,” said Araneta, noting the SEA Games Federation Council will allow three overage players per team. “They may allow three overage players but the coaching staff will take care of it.”

Azkals head coach German Hans Michael Weiss will also handle the team during preparation and competition proper.

Palami aims to end the medal drought since Philippines participated in
the 1977 SEAG by creating the strongest and youngest football team. He will also serve as team manager of the team.

It will be a multitasking job for the PFF as it also prepares for the World Cup qualifying first round where the Azkals battle Sri Lanka in June and July besides the coming SEAG U-23 event and next year’s Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup main draw.

JOSEF T. RAMOS


Manila Times

PFF U23 - Masbate vs Naga City

Pics from PFF U23 Southeast Luzon qualifier between Masbate and Naga City/Camarines Sur . Masbate won 3-1 Pics taken by Audie Altiche . More pics FB Masbate Football

ComVal booters down DavNor

COMPOSTELA Valley edged Davao del Norte, 3-2, to arrange a titular showdown with host Davao City in the PFF-Suzuki U23 National Cup Davao Region eliminations at the Tionko football grounds.


Josmer Tampos, Al Pauline Adorno and Jervie Paalan scored a goal each to give Compostela Valley its first but important win in the three-team tournament.


Davao City crushed Davao del Norte earlier, 4-2, to also post a 1-0 slate.


The Davao City-Compostela Valley clash was set at 3 p.m. Sunday. Both teams have three points each, but Davao City only needs a draw to clinch the championship because of its total goals scored.

Meanwhile, Davao del Norte blanked Compostela Valley, 4-0, in the PFF U-19 National Championship Davao Region Cluster also at the Tionko turf.

Arjhun Sevillano and Gino Lobitos scored two goals apiece for the Davao del Norte team in the one-sided match.

With the win, Davao del Norte was scheduled to play for the championship against Davao City yesterday afternoon.

Davao del Norte only needs a draw to clinch the championship.

In the PFF-Smart Club Championships Davao Region Cluster, Columbia FC of Davao City toppled PNP FC of Davao del Norte, 6-1.

Jayric Iligan scored a hat trick and Francisco Iligan Jr., Aldin Tiboron and Francis Alcala added a goal each to give Columbia the victory.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on April 04, 2011.

Fil-Dutch midfielder in hot water

BY BONG PEDRALVEZ

UNLESS he plays it straight, Filipino-Dutch midfielder Jason de Jong may miss future assignments for the national team, according to coach Hans Michael Weiss.

"I don’t know if I will consider him (De Jong) because of lack of discipline," Weiss said shortly before leaving for Germany to personally recruit players for the Azkals’ Asian World Cup qualifying series against Sri Lanka in June.

"A player on the national team can’t behave like him," added Weiss of De Jong, 21, although he declined to elaborate what the problem was with the mid-fielder.

Playing as the "enforcer" in midfield, De Jong was a vital cog in the Azkals’ successful campaign in last year’s AFF Suzuki Cup where the country reached the semifinals of Southeast Asia’s men’s football championship for the first time in its 14-year history.

De Jong was also apparently giving problems to his Indonesian ballclub Persiba Balikpapan, which signed him up for $80,000 for the rest of the Indonesian Super League.

Indonesian news reports said De Jong was sanctioned by his club recently after he reportedly threw a fit and left the stadium when he was benched by coach Haryadi in a match against Arema.

After seeing action in the opening leg of the Asian Cup Challenge match in Mongolia last Feb. 9 in Bacolod City, De Jong did not play in the second match in Ulan Bator and the ACC group stage tournament last week in Myanmar.

Weiss said he had several options to fill in the vacuum left by De Jong, including Filipino-Germans Manuel Ott and Stefan Schrock, who play for separate squads in the German second division.

"Ott will be ready by June 3 and is presently close to breaking into the first team. He will be match fit," said Weiss, referring to the 19-year-old midfielder who suits up for Inglostadt.


Malaya.com

No free tickets in Azkals home match vs Sri Lanka

MANILA, Philippines - Bad news for Azkals fans: there will be no free tickets in the Philippine football team's home match against Sri Lanka for the FIFA World Cup 2014 first round qualifiers.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) made the announcement on the ASEAN Football Federation's official website on Sunday, saying that it will have to raise funds to cover for the expenses of hosting the event on July 3.

"What is certain is that there won't be any free seating for the public," said PFF president Mariano Araneta, adding, "We don't know if we can get any subsidy from FIFA for the hosting and we have to rent for the said field and shoulder other expenses."

The PFF is considering 2 venues for the home game -- the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila and the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod. It has until April 15 to decide.

Araneta, Azkals team manager Dan Palami and coach Hans Michael Weiss made an ocular inspection of the 77-year-old Rizal Stadium last week. Except for some minor ground repairs, the 3 didn't see any major problems with the venue.

"We might just play there at around 4 p.m., so the lights would not have to be installed," Araneta said.

ABS CBN News