CCSC is football-ready

By Cheska D. Geli

Tuesday, September 4, 2012
CEBU City Sports Center has the basic structure that can be an effective foundation for a football stadium that can host international games.
This was affirmed by Philippine Football representative David Gua, who was sent by PFF president Nonong Araneta to inspect the condition of football fields in Cebu, especially the CCSC field, which is set to host an international friendly between the Philippine Men’s Football Team and Singapore this November.

Gua, in his one-day visit, went to inspect Aboitiz Field, Sacred Heart-Ateneo de Cebu, University of San Carlos and Cebu City Sports Center.
“I’d like to clear that this is not only for the Challenge Cup hosting, but is about whether Cebu has fields that can host fundamentals of FIFA-level competitions,” said Gua.
Competent
From the fields he visited, he found the newly-renovated CCSC field stands with good
basic structure that can competently hold a number of people.
“If they can accommodate 50,000 for the Sinulog, what’s 15,000 for Challege Cup,” said
Gua.
He mentioned that the key elements in hosting an international game include two football stadiums and an international airport, which Cebu has.
International football competitions call for simultaneous matches and aside from the CCSC field, USC has a good chance to be an option if it will be finished within a projected time.
As with the Aboitiz field, he said it cannot be used for a closed training session, while Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu has nice soil, but it needs weeding and flattening.
It is up to the PFF to discuss the improvements needed, but he mentioned that to attract the crowd for international tournaments there should be good lights, too.
Improvements
Gua said the pitch needs basic improvement, but it is already good enough. It needs brand-new goals and back-up goals. As to the size, the field only needs minor adjustments to comply with international standards.
“Because Manila is getting tight, PFF is looking at provinces in Visayas and Mindanao because football is for everybody,” he said.
He emphasized that Asian Football Federation and Asian Football Cup are also looking at new football venues to give players options from the usual areas in Myanmar and Bangkok.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on September 05, 2012.

Azkals test progress versus Cambodians

By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PHNOM PENH—The Philippines’ buildup for the AFF Suzuki Cup makes a stop in this quaint city by the Mekong River, evoking memories of the long and tough grind the Azkals went through two years ago.

The Filipinos face an old foe in the Cambodians at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in a friendly at National Olympic Stadium here.

It will mark the first clash between the two sides since they played to a scoreless draw in the AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying in Vientiane, Laos.

While the Azkals advanced to the main tournament because of the standoff, the Cambodians were stalled on goal difference.

“We barely survived them last time, so it’s going to be interesting how far both teams have progressed since then,” said Azkals manager Dan Palami.

The Azkals will be armed to the teeth with Europe-based Neil Etheridge, Paul Mulders and Jerry Lucena playing.

James Younghusband is suspended for the game by the PFF Disciplinary Committee.

Coach Michael Weiss and Palami, who were both slapped with two-game bans for a “failure in leadership” during the incident that led to the complaint of AFC match commissioner Cristy Ramos, have also appealed their sanctions.

Nonetheless, Weiss believes his team is in good shape.

“The team should be in a very good condition,” said Weiss, whose team will visit Singapore on Friday and Laos on Monday.

inquirer.net

YouTube - UFL Cup opening

"Strongest ever" Malditas hope to reach AFF Women`s finals

By Karl Decena

Despite lackluster performances in the previous years, the Philippine national women’s football team is setting its sights on an ambitious goal in the 2012 ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship this September in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
“We want to make it to the finals,” Malditas coach Ernie Nierras said. “If we don’t make it to the finals, we will be disappointed.”
Nierras made the pronouncement despite the Malditas’ failure to get past the group stages in the past four editions of the tournament. However, he believes that this year’s lineup is the most formidable the country has ever had.
“The team that I have now, this is the strongest I’ve ever seen in the women’s national team,” Nierras said.
The Malditas will be led by team captain Marielle Benitez, a many-time UAAP Most Valuable Player from La Salle. The team also boasts a number of Fil-foreigners such as Fil-Americans Heather Cooke, Ashley O’Connor, Abby Komarc, Angeline and Patrice Impelido, Fil-Australian Nenita Burgess and Fil-Canadian Mallory Dayot.
The team will also be bolstered by players from the UAAP schools, such as Louella Amamio, Jowee-Ann Barruga, Aisa Mondero and Marice Magdolot from University of Santo Tomas; Inna Palacios, Samantha Nierras and Natasha Alquiros from La Salle; Isabella Fernando and Kathleen Rodriguez from Ateneo; Etang Ladero and Vanessa Mondero from Far Eastern University; and Cristina Delos Reyes from University of the Philippines.
Nierras added that he is confident about their chances this year as they had better preparation this year.
“We’ve been training for eight months. Unlike last year na medyo hirap tayo, we are able to address all the needs this time,” Nierras said. “This is the only time that we played 30 games to prepare (for the tournament).”
The Malditas will battle Myanmar, last year’s finalist, on September 13, host Vietnam, also the 2010 champion, on September 14, and Singapore on September 17 to complete their matches in Group A.
The Filipinas need to finish in the top two of their group to advance to the crossover semifinals and face the two best teams in Group B that features defending champion Thailand, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Interaksyon

Azkals squad for ASEAN friendlies

Official squad for ASEAN friendlies :

Goalkeepers :

Neil Etheridge (Fulham Fc)
Ed Sacapano (Army FC)
Ref Cuaresma (Loyola FC)

Defenders :

David Basa (Global FC)
Rob Gier (Ascot United , England)
Jason Sabio (Kaya FC)
Jerry Lucena (Esbjerg, Denmark ,available for Cambodia and Singapore friendly)
Roel Gener (Army Fc)
Carli de Murga (Global FC)

Midfielders :

Nestorio Margarse (Army Fc)
James Younghusband (Loyola Fc, suspended for Cambodia friendly)
Marwin Angeles (Global Fc)
Marvin Angeles (Global Fc)
Misagh Bahadoran (Global FC)
Chieffy Caligdong (Air Force ?)
Jeffrey Christiaens (Global Fc)
Jason de Jong (Stallion Fc)
Paul Mulders (Ado den Haag , Netherlands)
OJ Porteria (Kaya Fc)
Andres Gonzales (Loyola Fc)
Patrick Reichelt (Global Fc)

Forwards :

Ian Araneta (Air Force ?)
Denis Wolf (Global Fc)
Phil Younghusband (Loyola Fc)


Stephan Schröck (Hoffenheim , Germany ) might be available for Singapore and Laos friendly

Azkals may get Schrock for Laos, Singapore friendlies

The Philippine men’s national football team may get a boost for their friendly matches against Singapore and Laos as Filipino-German midfielder Stephan Schrock is available for both games.

Schrock made his debut for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim last September 1, but was sent off after receiving a red card at the 74th minute. Hoffenheim lost 0-4 against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Azkals team manager Dan Palami said it was a “fortunate” development for the Philippine Azkals, who are playing three friendly matches as part of their preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup later this year.

Schrock will not be available for the team’s friendly against Cambodia on Wednesday, but he may be there for their game against Singapore on Friday and against Laos on September 10.

“Fortunately we have Schrock coming in for the Singapore and Laos games,” Palami said. “I hope he is able to buy a ticket.”

“He made his debut for Hoffenheim and he got a red card. I’d like to think he might have done it on purpose para makapunta siya dito,” Palami joked.

He explained that Hoffenheim allowed Schrock to join the Azkals since he will not be able to play on their next game on account of his red card anyway.

“He always wants to play for the Philippines,” Palami said of Schrock. “Kahit kailan, kapag sinabi mo na may game, hahanap at hahanap siya ng paraan na payagan ng club.” – With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News.

Azkals gear up for friendly matches

The Philippine national football team left for Cambodia Monday for the first of a series of friendly matches which will be part of their preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup later this year.

The Philippine Azkals will play Cambodia on Wednesday and Singapore on Friday. They will then face Laos on September 10.

The team left just days after it was announced that two of their players, Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado, have been cleared of the sexual harassment charges filed by match commissioner Cristy Ramos last March.

"We are quite happy that somehow, the Disciplinary Committee found no basis for the sexual harassment complaint," Azkals team manager Dan Palami said.

"Sexual harassment will not be tolerated in whatever form in whatever way. The management looked into the allegations seriously and promptly, and we cooperated with the investigation," he added.

"Everybody is quite happy that there's been a resolution to the case. Finally, 'yung mga dating nagbabatikos at least mapapalinawagan na sila na wala namang nangyaring sexual harassment."

Even so, suspensions were still handed out on some of the players as well as members of the team management.

Moy and Guirado were each handed a one-game ban, while James Younghusband, who was the team captain at the match, was also handed a one-game suspension.

Moy is currently in the United States and is looking for a club in Hong Kong, while Guirado is playing for a club in India. Both players did not make the trip with the Azkals because of their suspension.

Meanwhile, both Palami and Coach Hans Michael Weiss were given two-match suspensions, which came as a surprise to both.

"Sabi there's a failure of leadership kasi nangyari nga 'yung sitwasyon na 'yun," Palami said.

"We have reservations on the penalties, especially to the players and coaches who were never parties to the case, and whose sides were never heard," he said.

"Ang side lang na explained ay kay Angel Guirado at Lexton Moy. They should have filed the proper charges also, they should have asked for our statements regarding that."

Meanwhile, Weiss said he did not understand why he was meted out a suspension.

"I am more than surprised. I have difficulty understanding this decision... It will be very absurd to accept this decision," he said.

Palami said he has already filed a notice of appeal for his ban.

Younghusband, for his part, expressed his disappointment over the sanction but called it "a part of football."

"Obviously, I'm really disappointed with the decision but suspensions are a part of football and it's up to the players as a team to be professional and just move on and get on with playing," he said.

Palami is hopeful that the Philippine Football Federation's (PPF) Appeals Committee will overturn the sanction, but he said he will have no problem serving the suspension should it be upheld.

"If it sticks, I don't mind staying in the bleachers or wherever the fans are and cheer for the team," he said. "Pwede ka naman manood, so you'll be an ordinary spectator and I don't mind that." -- With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

7. September International friendly Singapore - Philippines

Singapore Squad named for Philippines Friendly

SINGAPORE, 3^rd SEPTEMBER 2012: The Football Association of Singapore has named the Singapore squad for the International Friendly against the Philippines, taking place on Friday, the 7^th September 2012 at the Jurong West Stadium, in preparation for the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup, later this year.

Nazrul Nazari and Shahfiq Ghani of Courts Young Lions, together with Tampines Rovers’ Jufri Taha, earned their first international cap for Singapore when they were featured against Hong Kong in another International Friendly last month. Veteran players Shahril Ishak and Agu Casmir have re-joined the squad after missing out on the last call-up as they were nursing respective injuries.

The squad boasts 16 players from LIONSXII, who finished their debut Malaysian Super League season as runners-up, together with 11 players from various S.League clubs such as Balestier Khalsa FC, Tampines Rovers FC, Home United FC, Courts Young Lions FC, Singapore Armed Forces FC and Tanjong Pagar United FC.

The average age of the squad is 25.9 years, and the team features 8 players below the age of 23 years thus creating a judicious blend of youth and experience as they prepare the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup 2012. The players have been selected purely based on merit and their performances in the Great Eastern-YEO’S S.League and the Malaysian Super League.

International Friendly: Singapore vs Philippines

Date: Friday, 7^th September 2012

Time: 7.45 pm

Venue: Jurong West Stadium

Ticketing
Date: Friday, 7^th September 2012

Time: 5.00 pm onwards

Venue: Jurong West Stadium

Pricing: S$10 (Adult), *S$2 (Concession - Student/ Senior Citizen)

*Students (Primary, Secondary, ITE, JC Students Only) and Senior Citizens have to produce their concession passes upon entry into the stadium. Concession tickets are also applicable to children aged 7 and below whom require a seat in the stadium.
*Please note that there will be a seating allocation for both the Singapore and Away fans.
*Please be reminded that all purchasing fans are required to present their photo identification card upon purchasing match tickets.

FAS Media