DOOLEY WANTS AZKALS TO BELIEVE THEY CAN BEAT DPR KOREA

After beginning their campaign in impressive form with victories over Bahrain and Yemen, the Azkals have since suffered four defeats and a draw and are currently fourth in Group H.

Bahrain are presently in third place and will advance straight to the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers, with the Philippines running the risk of having to go through the playoffs should they not finish as one of the four best fourth-placed teams.

But with the Bahrainis facing a tricky visit to Group leaders Uzbekistan, the Azkals know that a victory of their own should be enough to see them climb above their competitors.

Although it will not be easy against a DPR Korea outfit also challenging for top spot, Dooley insists his team must believe in themselves, especially after last Thursday’s brave display in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Uzbekistan.

“Because of the fight last week against Uzbekistan, they know how to play against those big teams,” he said, according to Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“They just have to have confidence against North Korea.

“This time, it’s a little bit different; I want to win now, and my opinion is we can win.

“Anything is possible.”

There will also be extra motivation for the Philippines after veteran defender Juan Luis Guirado confirmed in Monday’s pre-match press conference that the game would be his last before retiring from international football.

The 36-year-old, who was born in Spain but qualified to play for the Azkals through his mother, has been a mainstay in the team since 2012 and represented them at two AFC Challenge Cups and AFF (Asean Football Federation) Championships.

“Tomorrow (Tuesday) will be my last game in the national team,” said the Ceres La Salle centre-back.

“I feel myself as still a young person, but my body is not anymore.

“We have a busy schedule with our club and here (with the) Azkals. I have to focus on my team and my family.

“This has been the most beautiful experience of my life as a person and a footballer.”

It appears the Philippines are currently transitioning to a new generation, with Guirado following the likes of Rob Gier, Paul Mulders and Jerry Lucena to have called time on their international careers recently.

afc.com

Azkals defender Juani Guirado announcing national team retirement

The Philippine national men’s football team saw the departure of another key member after Filipino-Spanish defender Juani Guirado announced his retirement from Azkals duty.

Guirado said that the Azkals’ FIFA World Cup Qualifier match against North Korea on Tuesday will be his last game.

“I made this hard decision a few weeks ago,” Guirado said. “I feel myself still young but my body (is not after) all the international games plus in the club for playing in a very high level.”

Guirado, a member of Ceres-La Salle FC in the United Football League, will be retiring with 34 international caps under his name.

The 36-year-old Guirado suited up four years for the Azkals, joining the team in 2012 a year after his brother, Angel, donned the national team colors.

Guirado made his mark as one of the team’s reliable defenders, with his solid play becoming an anchor of the Azkals backline.

Guirado was the fourth player to retire from the national team this year. Jerry Lucena and Paul Mulders declared earlier this March that they won’t be playing anymore for the Azkals.

The Fil-Danish Lucena and Fil-Dutch Mulders, both 35, represented the Philippines for four years.

Guirado’s partner in the backline, Rob Gier, also 35, announced his retirement last February.

Interaksyon.com

UFL transfer window

The schedule of the 2nd Transfer Window of the 2016 UFL Football Season, to wit:

OPENING: Monday, 04 April 2016 (12:01 AM)

CUT-OFF (close of dropping of players): Sunday, 10 April 2016 (11:59 PM)

CLOSING: Sunday, 17 April 2016 (11:59 PM)

https://www.facebook.com/agilafc/posts/1270188232996116

Azkals vow win over North Korea in World Cup, Asian elims

by Olmin Leyba

MANILA, Philippines – After putting up what they considered as a strong showing in a 0-1 away defeat to world No. 74 Uzbekistan, the Philippine Azkals hope to get the job done against their next opponent in the joint Fifa World Cup-AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers – North Korea – which they host at the Rizal Memorial Stadium tomorrow night.

“We want to continue the hard work (from the previous game) against Uzbekistan and use that momentum to get a good result against the No. 2 ranked team in our group (North Korea),” team manager Dan Palami said.

Last Thursday, already saddled with personnel woes due to injuries, suspensions and retirement of key players, the Azkals found themselves further disadvantaged in Tashkent when OJ Porteria was sent off 10 minutes into the match against the White Wolves who were cheered on by 34,000 home fans. With Neil Etheridge making spectacular saves, Phl XI held its ground against Uzbeks’ searing assault most of the way but surrendered the game-winner to Anzur Isamailov.

Uzbekistan leads Group H with 18 points followed by North Korea with 16, Bahrain with nine and Phl with seven.

Misagh Bahadoran and Manny Ott, who served their suspensions in Tashkent, and Roland Muller, who was unavailable last week, have rejoined the Azkals for the duel with the Chollima. James Younghusband has also been called up but his brother Phil will still sit this one out due to injury.

The Azkals had their training at Rizal yesterday, a day after arriving from Tashkent. North Korea, which took a bye in the March 24 fixtures, arrived in Manila Saturday morning and immediately trained there.

“They (North Korea) are coming in fresh. They came ahead of us. But the players are eager to prove to the fans that we will be fighting from start to finish,” said Palami, whose wards previously bravely battled North Korea to a scoreless draw over in Pyongyang.

It was a long flight back to Manila from the Uzbek capital via Incheon but the Azkals had ample rest at the Transit Hotel in Incheon Airport before eventually flying home.

Although out of the 2018 World Cup, Phl is still in the hunt in the 2019 Asian Cup.  A No. 3 standing at the end of group play will ensure the Pinoy booters outright qualification to third round of the Asian Cup.

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/03/28/1566883/azkals-vow-win-over-north-korea-world-cup-asian-elims?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

GAME TICKETS ADVISORY - Philippines vs DPR Korea

GAME TICKETS ADVISORY ON THE 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER MATCH BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND DPR KOREA ON MARCH 29, 2016

We wish to advise all football enthusiasts that the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia (TM) – Asian Qualifiers / AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 (TM) Qualifiers (Round 2) match between the Philippines and DPR Korea will be held on Tuesday, 29 March 2016, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. Kick-off is at 8:00pm.

Tickets are sold via TicketWorld thru its online booking and major ticket outlets.

Tickets prices are:
Category 1 – Php 1,500.00
Category 2 – Php 1,000.00
Category 3 – Php 500.00
Category 4 – Php 300.00
Category 5 – Php 200.00
Category 6 – Php 100.00

Tickets will also be sold at designated Ticketworld sale outlets at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium beginning 3:00pm of 29 March 2016.

We invite all to watch and support the Philippines national team during their ultimate match in the joint 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia (TM) – Asian Qualifiers / AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 (TM) Qualifiers (Round 2).

FIFA World Cup Qualifier : Philippines vs DPR Korea , 29. March

From the Philippine Football Federation:

The following players have been called up to compose the national squad for the Home Match against the DPR Korea National Team on 29 March 2016 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Philippines under the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ – Asian Qualifiers / AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ Qualifiers (Round 2):

• AGUINALDO, Amani Manuel – Global FC
• ARISTORENAS, Jorrel Zachary – Loyola Meralco Sparks FC
• BAHADORAN, Misagh – Global FC
• CLARINO, Mario Javier – Global FC
• DANIELS, Kenshiro Michael – Kaya FC
• DEL ROSARIO, Dominic Liam – Kaya FC
• DEYTO, Patrick Phillip – Global FC
• ETHERIDGE, Neil Leonard – Walsall FC
• GADIA, Daniel Bernan – Loyola Meralco Sparks FC
• GUIRADO, Juan Luis – Ceres-La Salle FC
• MULLER, Roland – Servette FC
• OTT, Manuel – Ceres-La Salle FC
• PATIÑO, Javier – Henan Jianye FC
• RAMSAY, Iain – Tractorsazi FC
• REICHELT, Patrick – Ceres-La Salle FC
• ROTA, Simone – Stallion FC
• SATO, Daisuke – Global FC
• STEUBLE, Martin Markus – Ceres-La Salle FC
• TANTON, Miguel – Kaya FC
• TRIGO, Tomas Angel – Loyola Meralco Sparks FC
• VILLANUEVA, Dennis – Global FC
• WOODLAND, Luke –
• YOUNGHUSBAND, James Joseph – Loyola Meralco Sparks FC

The team with the accompanying officials arrived in Manila last night, Saturday, 26 March 2016 from Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The Philippines vs. DPR Korea match will be the ultimate game of both teams under the joint 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ – Asian Qualifiers / AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ Qualifiers (Round 2):

The match will be aired live at 8:00pm (Manila time) on 29 March 2016 via ABS-CBN Sports+Action Channel 23.

27 March 2016. PFF House of Football, Pasig City.

Dooley eyes contract extension

By: Cedelf P. Tupas

INCHEON—If he had it his way, coach Thomas Dooley would like to keep his post as Philippine Azkals coach.
The German-American tactician told the Inquirer that his contract with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) will expire after the North Korea game on Tuesday. An extension has yet to be concretely discussed.
“I don’t want to be anywhere else than to work with the guys and be part of something we are building for Philippine football,” said Dooley in a brief chat during the team’s stopover at Incheon International Airport. “But that is not my decision to make.”

Dooley took the Azkals job in February 2014 after impressing manager Dan Palami and PFF general secretary Ed Gastanes in an interview. It was his first national team coaching stint after a storied professional and international career in the German league as well as with the US.
Among the highlights of Dooley’s stint are a runner-up finish in the AFC Challenge Cup and a semifinal appearance in the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2014. Cedelf P. Tupas

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/209655/dooley-eyes-contract-extension#ixzz441gIubBZ

FIFA World Cup Qualifier : Philippines vs North Korea

FIFA World Cup Qualifier Philippines vs North Korea March 29
Stephan Schrock, Phil Younghusband and Kevin Ingreso ruled out due to injuries.

Manny Ott and Misagh Bahadoran will be returning from suspension while OJ Porteria will be serving the red card suspension .

James Younghusband, Daniel Gadia and Miguel Tanton get call-ups for North Korea match .