PFF-Smart U22:Paparon hat-trick for NOFA’s back-to-back win

By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

Gerald Paparon fired 3 goals yesterday and led Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) to a lopsided 9-nil triumph over Leyte FA in Day 2 of the ongoing Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart U22 Amateur Championship Regional Qualifying 2015 at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
The San Carlos-hailed Paparon opened NOFA’s scoring spree in the 3rd minute as Aoki Harunori nailed the host’s second goal in the 6th minute followed by opening day top scorer Ilimona Usman in the 8th minute.
Having stunned by an early 3-goal advantage from the host-squad, the Leyte side tried to make some adjustments on their defenses to limit the Negrenses’ attacks.
However, NOFA seemed to be too much for the visiting team when Paolo Sanchez found his mark in the 12th minute to extend their lead while Paparon delivered his second in the 14th minute for an early 5-0 blast.
Leyte FA further tightened their defense to keep NOFA scorers from scoring a goal. But Paparon wasn’t done yet as he found the back of the net in the 45th minute to end the first half, 6-0.
In the second half, Usman had his second goal in the game after scoring in the 48th minute followed by Jordan Junco in the 52nd minute.
But before the referee blew his final whistle, Harunori managed to have his second goal and seal the game in the 90+4 minutes.
For NOFA head coach John Carmona, the first half was very convincing, while the second half could have been better. “I have reminded my players not to relax on defense as it may open some chances for the opponent to score,” he said.
Playing against Cebu later today, Carmona stressed that NOFA has the advantage, but advised his players to follow the game plan and minimize errors.

http://www.watchmendaily.com/sports/pff-smart-u22paparon-hat-trick-for-nofas-back-to-back-win/

PFF Smart U22 Qualifiers in Bacolod

PFF Smart U22 Qualifiers in Bacolod

Day 2

NOFA (Bacolod) 9-0 Leyte

NORFA (Dumaguete) 1-0 Cebu

PFF-Smart U22: Usman fires 5 goals to lead NOFA’s first win

By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

Host-Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) was too much for the visiting Negros Oriental Football Association (NORFA) after it recorded a 6-1 blast in yesterday’s opener of the PFF-Smart National U22 Amateur Championship at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
Diomar Caruscay opened the host’s scoring spree with an 8^th minute goal before former University of St. La Salle standout and NORFA star, Charle Ralph Allan Dabao III, equalized the scoreboard in the 11^th minute.
However, NOFA reinforcement Ilemona Usman came red hot with 5 goals – 4 in the first half. The Nigerian national beat his NORFA defenders to give NOFA a goal lead in the 31^st minute.
Eight minutes later, Usman got his second goal from out of the box before hitting two more goals in the 42^nd and 44^th minutes to end the half at 5-1.
In the second half, both sides played slow due to the scorching heat at the Panaad stadium.
But before the referee blew his final whistle, Usman nailed an exclamation goal in the 90+4 to seal NOFA’s first win.
Cebu and Leyte FA were still playing at press time in the other scheduled game.
For NOFA mentor John Carmona, the win was a great start for the team. “We made some major adjustments in the early minutes after we had several misjudgments in our defense.
“Fortunately, the players well responded to the instructions. But the temperature in the second half caused our players to slow down,” he said.
Carmona further said that in their play against Leyte today, they would also make some adjustments to avoid making mistakes.
Meanwhile, NOFA president Ricky Yanson Jr. said that PFF’s decision to award the hosting rights to the provincial association was based on their capability to run the tournament and its strong fan base./WDJ

http://www.watchmendaily.com/sports/pff-smart-u22-usman-fires-5-goals-to-lead-nofas-first-win/

Negros teams clash

Host Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) will face Negros Oriental FA at 1:30 p.m. today as the PFF-Smart National U22 Amateur Championship 2015 kicks off at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
The battle between the two Negros teams will follow after the 1 p.m. opening ceremony. The second match at 3:30 p.m. will feature Leyte and Cebu.
After facing NORFA today, the host team will tackle Leyte tomorrow in the first match and against Cebu on Saturday.
Winner in the three-day competition will advance into the national finals of the tournament on January 16-21, 2016 also in Panaad.
Earlier, NOFA president Ricky Yanson Jr. called on the Negrense crowd to show their support to the home team.
“I encourage everyone to come and support our team in this tournament. Let's show everyone how much we love this sport,” he said.
The NOFA U22 squad is composed of La Salle footballers Nessi Ramos, Joshua Dutosme, Aoki Harunori, Usman Ilimona, Charles Barberan, John Mark Jamelo, Regie Cisneros, Kent Guevarra and Jo Warren Bedia;
UNO-Rians Paolo Sanchez, Marivic Gancita and Randey Temana; and Gerald Paparone, Jasper Layagon, Jordan Junco, Diomar Carusaay, Joevanie Santos, Francis Jada Polvodrido, Angelo Frayle Ledesma, Kyle Bayabos, Von Loyd Baguioro and Ashley Pamiliar from Central Philippine State University-San Carlos.
Head coach is John Carmona with Dennis Penalosa, Jorwell Gines, Gus Rivas, and Carlo Andrew Demegillo, as members of the coaching staff.*NAB

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2015/November/19/sportnews1.htm

2 matches key to Azkals’ Asian Cup bid

By Cedelf P. Tupas

The Philippine Azkals got a bye in World Cup qualifying action Tuesday, but they’ll be keeping an eye on a couple of games that will impact their own campaign.

Group H leader North Korea hosts Bahrain in Pyongyang, while Uzbekistan clashes with Yemen in Doha, Qatar, with both matches equally crucial in deciding which teams will make the next round of World Cup qualifying.

The Azkals are in third, stuck at seven points from five matches so far, following their shocking 0-1 loss to underdog Yemen last Thursday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

But while their fate is no longer in their hands as far as qualifying for the third round of WCQ is concerned, the Filipinos can still gain an outright berth in the third round of Asian Cup qualifying if they finish third in the group.

Victories by North Korea and Uzbekistan on Tuesday will shut the door on the Azkals in the next round of World Cup Qualifying.

It will also enhance the Azkals’ chances of keeping third spot with Bahrain breathing down the Azkals’ necks at fourth with six points and Yemen in fifth with just three points.

“We have to go back to our earlier expectation which is to make the Asian Cup in 2019,” said Azkals manager Dan Palami after the loss to Yemen.

The Asian Cup, which will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates, has been expanded from 16 to 24 teams.

The Azkals posted wins against Bahrain (2-1) and Yemen (2-0), held North Korea to a nil-nil standoff and lost to Uzbekistan (4-1) in the first-round matches.

http://sports.inquirer.net/199105/2-matches-key-to-azkals-asian-cup-bid#ixzz3rhFMQFq7

NOFA ready for PFF-Smart regionals

By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

It’s all about pride.
This is the Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) squad’s battle cry as they face their Visayan counterparts in next week’s Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart U22 Amateur Championship Regional Qualifying 2015 at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
NOFA will be hosting teams from Negros Oriental FA, Leyte FA, and Cebu FA for the November 19-21 games, with the top team advancing in next year’s national finals – still at Panaad.
The eventual national champion may represent the country in international tournaments such as the Bolkiah Cup.
On Wednesday, NOFA led by association president Ricky Yanson Jr. presented their 22-man roster for the regional qualifying in a simple gathering at the Planta Bacolod Hotel and Residences.
The John Carmona-mentored side is led by skipper Nessi Ramos of University of St. La Salle alongside Joshua Dutosme, Aoki Harunori, Usman Ilimona, Charles Barberan, John Mark Jamelo, Regie Cisneros, Kent Guevarra and Jo Warren Bedia. Joining the team are University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos’ Paolo Sanchez, Marivic Gancita and Randey Temana; and provincial champion Central Philippine State University’s Gerald Paparon, Jasper Layagon, Jordan Junco, Diomar Carusaay, Joevanie Santos, Francis Jada Polvodrido, Angelo Frayle Ledesma, Kyle Bayabos, Von Loyd Baguioro and Ashley Pamiliar.
Helping out in the coaching task are Dennis Penalosa, Jorwell Gines, Gus Rivas, and Carlo Andrew Demegillo.
Yanson shared this tournament is an opportunity for the Bacolodnons and Negrenses to show their support for the home team. “I encourage everyone to come and support our team in this tournament. Let’s show everyone how much we love this sport,” he said.
The NOFA head also stressed that the regional qualifying game’s admission is free.
Meanwhile, Carmona said he’s confident his squad is at par with other teams.
Winner of the Visayas qualifying will join the top 3 teams from Mindanao and 4 others from Luzon to complete the 8 teams for the national finals on January 16-21, 2016 at the Panaad pitch.
Subsidies for food and accommodation of players are provided by PFF, revealed NOFA Gen-Sec Ronald Allan Treyes./

WDJ

Araneta gets fresh mandate to lead PFF

By: Cedelf P. Tupas

Former national team captain Mariano “Nonong” Araneta received a fresh mandate to lead Philippine football for the next four years, winning a second term unopposed during the 12th Philippine Football Federation Congress Friday at Century Park Hotel in Manila.

The athlete-turned-businessman, who is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Asian Football Confederation, has been at the helm in the PFF since November 2010 when he was unanimously voted by the PFF Congress to replace the late Jose Mari Martinez.

M’lang North Cotabato mayor Joselito Piñol was elected PFF vice president in the polls that also saw Lalaine Sarmiento of Quezon Province FA becoming the first female member of the PFF Board of Governors as representative of the women’s sector.

Speaking at a press conference after the Congress, Araneta said his priority will be the formation of a community-based national league which is expected to kick off in two years.

“The introduction of the new league in 2017 is a big task for us,” said Araneta. “That is the most important project that we have in mind for this term.”

Piñol who heads the North Cotabato FA said grassroots development remains a priority for the PFF as it tries to discover fresh talent who can be tapped to represent the country in the international level.

Dan Palami, the Leyte FA president who was also elected to the BOG, said the federation is faced with several challenges apart from the improvement of the national men’s team fondly called the Azkals.

“The big challenge is nurturing the interest in football and I think the institution of the national league certainly will spark interest on a regional based perspective,” said Palami, who also heads the national teams’ committee. “On a short term, we have to develop a strong marketing arm to market games to market sport and to attract more sponsors.”

Araneta said the hosting of the AFF Suzuki Cup next year should also spark interest for the sport.

“We should start preparations early and it should be a good occasion to focus showcase not just our football but our country,” said Araneta, referring to the most prestigious tournament in the region.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/198812/araneta-gets-fresh-mandate-to-lead-pff#ixzz3rPqzhSih

Azkals eye ‘ideal’ WCQ buildup

By Cedelf P. Tupas

With performances dropping in their past few games, the Philippine Azkals are aiming for a better buildup as they brace for a final push for a place in the next round of World Cup and Asian Cup qualifying.

Unable to sustain their strong start, the Azkals fell to third spot with seven points behind North Korea (13) and Uzbekistan (nine) in Group H, their hopes of reaching the next round hanging by a thread.

The top team in the group will move on to the third round while four best second placers from the eight groups will also advance while getting an outright spot in the 2019 Asian Cup. The third-placed team in the group will be assured of a third round spot in Asian Cup qualifying.

Preparations have been far from ideal for the Azkals in the last few matches with players linking up just a few days before matches. Several players travel from Europe where their clubs are based while local based standouts are currently in their off season in the league, hurting their fitness levels.

The Azkals also had to endure long travels to North Korea and Bahrain last month where they picked up only a single point from their two matches. The team was playing Yemen at press time.

“It’s been a learning experience for us, not just for the players but for management and the federation as well,” said team manager Dan Palami before the Azkals played Yemen last night. “We learned that even the smallest of detail like flight schedules could greatly impact our games. We have to handle this home and away format better.”

Palami said he plans to hold a camp overseas before the matches against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on March 24 and North Korea in Manila on March 29.

“We have to put ourselves in a position where there’s less stress for our players,” said Palami.

Azkals coach Thomas Dooley said details like league schedules and just having players together for at least a week should already boost the team’s chances of playing better.

“We still have a chance so it’s important that we prepare well in the last two matches,” said Dooley.

Captain Phil Younghusband, who missed the game against Yemen last night due to suspension, is confident the Azkals can pull off the improbable.

“Nothing’s impossible in football and we’ve shocked a few people before,” said Younghusband. “I wouldn’t put it against us with two games left and we want to do the best that we can, although knowing that it will be difficult with Uzbekistan and North Korea.”

 http://sports.inquirer.net/198769/azkals-eye-ideal-wcq-buildup#ixzz3rJzMpMxM