Azkals face China, Korea in Asian Cup

By: Cedelf P. Tupas

DUBAI – The Philippines will face powerhouse squads South Korea and China when it makes its debut in the Asian Cup in January next year in the United Arab Emirates.

Following the draw held at the posh Armani Hotel here, the Azkals landed in Group C with Kyrgyzstan, a team they have beaten twice in friendly matches two years ago.

But the real test will be against the Chinese and the Koreans, whom the Azkals will face for the first time. China beat the Philippines, 8-1, in a friendly in Guangzhou last June 2017.

“I think its a good draw because at least we’ve played two teams in the group before so we know what to expect,” said Azkals skipper Phil Younghusband.

Group A includes UAE, Thailand, India and Bahrain, while defending champion Australia landed in Group B with Syria, Palestine and Jordan. Group D will feature Iran, Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen, while Group E has Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanon and North Korea.

Battling it out in Group F are Japan, Uzbekistan, Oman and Turkmenistan.

The top two teams in the six group and the four best third placed will qualify for the knockout stage.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/296100/azkals-face-china-korea-asian-cup#ixzz5EZ9Uw87a

PFF Advisory: AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Draw

The group stage draw for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will be held on Friday 4 May 2018 at: 7:30 PM local time (11:30 PM Philippine time) at the Hotel Armani in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The Philippines are in Pot 4 and will drawn in 1 of the 6 groups for the tournament. The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 begins on 5 January 2019.

Philippine Men’s National Team Manager Dan Stephen Palami and team captain Phil Younghusband will attend the draw ceremony.

The draw will be televised LIVE on FOX Sports.

AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Draw

Venue: Hotel Armani, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Time: 7:30 PM local time (11:30 PM Philippine time)
Television: FOX Sports (starting at 11:30 PM Philippine time)

http://pff.org.ph/2018/05/03/pff-advisory-afc-asian-cup-uae-2019-draw/

AFF U16 Girls Championship - Philippines 0-2 Malaysia

PALEMBANG (3 May 2018) – Vietnam and Malaysia picked up their first win in Group A of the AFF Under-16 Girls’ Championship after two rounds of matches.

Vietnam, who were drawn scoreless by Myanmar in their first game, blasted Singapore 4-0 at the Athletic Jaka Baring 1.

Across town at the Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium, Malaysia – held to a 3-3 draw by Singapore two days earlier – played a tighter game to beat last year’s finalists Philippines 2-0.

“It was a very balanced game,” said Malaysian head coach Justin Ganai afterwards. “The girls played well and the difference today was that we just took our chances well.”

The Malaysians, who were eager to shore up their defence after the slump against Singapore, pushed hard at the start and it did not take them long to carve out the lead.

Just ten minutes in, Nur Qiasatina Nizam fired in from some 20metres which caught Philippines keeper Isabelle off guard and as she scrambled for the save, Ain Nur Qaseh Azman came in to slot the ball home.

Just three minutes later, Malaysia doubled their advantage when Ain Nur picked up the pass from Nur Mecca Hazri to score.

The Philippines tried hard to get into the game and where they finished the first half with a cracker from Maria Gloria Lazo that failed to beat Malaysian custodian Nuralyaa Natasha Zukefli.

The second half saw both teams pushing in numbers but the Philippines improved their defensive line to prevent Malaysia from adding to the scoreline.

For the Malaysians, they were not going to let it slip like they did against Singapore as the first three points gave them a booster ahead of their next match against Myanmar next.

“It was an unfortunate loss where the two early goals shook the team,” said Philippines head coach Marielle Benitez. “We managed to keep possession but our finishing was lacking.”

http://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/u16-girls-win-for-malaysia-and-vietnam/

PFL - Davao Aguilas 0-2 Ceres-Negros

AFF Suzuki Cup 2018

AFF Suzuki Cup Matches Nov 13 : Philippines vs Singapore Nov 17 : Timor-Leste/Brunei vs Philippines Nov 21 : Philippines vs Thailand Nov 25 : Indonesia vs Philippines

PFF Advisory: AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 Draw

The AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 Draw will be held on Wednesday 2 May 2018 at 2:00 PM local time (3:00 PM Philippine time) at the Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Philippines is in Pot 3 along with Myanmar. Teams will be drawn into 2 groups of 5 teams and will be played in a home-and-away format where the Philippines will have 2 games at home and 2 games away.

PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. and general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes will attend the draw ceremony. The draw will only be available via livestreaming at the tournament’s official website, AFFSuzukiCup.com and on its official Facebook page.

The AFF Suzuki Cup kicks off on 8 November 2018.

AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 Draw Ceremony
Venue: Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia
Time: 2:00 PM local time (3:00 PM Philippine time)
Livestream: http://www.affsuzukicup.com/2018/live-streaming and https://www.facebook.com/affsuzukicup/videos/2080964208599369/

http://pff.org.ph/2018/05/01/pff-advisory-aff-suzuki-cup-2018-draw/

Kaya FC–Iloilo Denied Iloilo Sports Complex Debut

Despite ensuring all necessary requirements were met to host their first Philippines Football League match at the Iloilo Sports Complex, Kaya FC–Iloilo have been denied their debut in the nation’s football capital. The PFL communicated to the club, that Wednesday’s opponents, Global Cebu, would be unable to travel to Iloilo, effectively forfeiting the match.

“We’re very sad and disappointed because we were really looking forward to playing our first game here in Iloilo, and showing the fans what Kaya FC is all about, and hopefully gaining the support and admiration of the Province of Iloilo,” said Kaya FC–Iloilo General Manager, Paul Tolentino. “We deem this action to be extremely unprofessional, and disrespectful both to the club, and to everyone in Iloilo that was looking forward to watching an entertaining game tomorrow. We fully expect the PFL to deal with the issue seriously and to hand out the appropriate sanctions.”

“As a player, syempre very disappointed, especially since hindi ako makakalaro ng first game ko in my hometown. Yung mga teammates ko din, excited na kaming lahat na makapaglaro. Yung local governemnt ginawa din lahat para masuportahan kami,” rued Barotac Nuevo-native Jovin Bedic. “Hindi ko lang alam ah, baka natakot lang din sila. Syempre yung crowd ng Iloilo, iba yan eh. Sino ba namang hindi [ma-intimidate]?”

(“As a player, of course I’m very disappointed, especially since I won’t be a able to play my first game in my hometown. All my teammates, we were so excited to be able to play. The local government also did everything to support us,” rued Barotac Nuevo-native Jovin Bedic. “I don’t know, maybe they got scared. Of course, the crowd in Iloilo is unique. Who wouldn’t be intimidated?”)

“I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who really made this venue possible for May 2nd. As the game drew closer, the excitement was really building. We’re frustrated with the issue right now because, we were really hyped to play our first game in Iloilo — our new home, and a new challenge,” said Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida. I have friends from Manila and Negros who traveled to watch the game. May mga nag-leave para makapanood. With the situation, hindi namin hawak yung control kung ano ang magiging decision ng mga club. But I’d like to say sorry, and we look forward to seeing everyone in our upcoming home games.”

(“I have friends from Manila and Negros who traveled to watch the game. There were those that took leaves so they could watch. With the situation, we don’t control what decisions other clubs make. But I’d like to say sorry, and we look forward tossing everyone in our upcoming home games.”)

“For tomorrow, we’re turning it into more of clinic and a meet and greet. We’ll also be working with local coaches to see if its possible to have a friendly against one of the collegiate teams. It won’t be an official match of course, but there’ll still be something that we can give back to those who come to the venue,” said Paul Tolentino.

All tickets for the May 2 match will be honored at any future Kaya FC–Iloilo home game. Simply bring the ticket to the Iloilo Sports Complex.

http://www.kayafc.com/news/kaya-fc-iloilo-denied-iloilo-sports-complex-debut/

Kaya FC: Clash vs Global Cebu in Iloilo cancelled

Why won’t Global Cebu come to Iloilo?

ILOILO City – The awaited match between Kaya Iloilo and Global Cebu in the ongoing 2018 Philippines Football Club at the Iloilo Sports Complex on Wednesday will not push through, to the home team’s dismay.

Kaya general manager Paul Tolentino announced the cancellation of the match – supposedly Kaya’s first in its new official home field in La Paz district – in a news conference on Tuesday.

“I have to inform everybody that the match for Wednesday with Global Cebu FC is not going to push through,” Tolentino told the press.

“We got a letter (email) from [PFL] last (Monday) night that Global [is] not travelling to Iloilo,” he said.

Tolentino refused to say what stops Global Cebu from coming to Iloilo. He referred the press to the PFL.

“We are very sad and disappointed because we were looking forward to play our first game here in Iloilo and show the fans what Kaya FC is all about,” the team general manager said.

Kaya team captain Jovin Bedic shared the same sentiment.

“Ako, as a player, siyempre very disappointed na siyempre hometown ko pa, tapos first game,” said the native of Barotac Nuevo town, dubbed the “football capital” of Iloilo province.

“Very disappointed na hindi ako makapaglaro ng first game ko dito, at saka siyempre iyong mga tao din, excited na kaming lahat na makapaglaro,” he said.

Asked what he thinks Global’s reason for not coming, Bedic said the Ilonggo crowd may have “scared” the opposing team. “Hindi ko alam baka natakot din sila kasi iyong crowd ng Iloilo iba naman.”

Despite this Tolentino hopes Ilonggo football fans would still come and watch Kaya’s two other home games against Davao Aguilas scheduled on May 20 and June 2.

He clarified that fans who bought tickets for the cancelled May 2 match may still use them for the May 20 and June 2 matches.

“We will honor the tickets na nabili para hindi masayang. Ayaw naming sayangin ang pera ng tao,” he said.

On Wednesday Kaya will hold a football clinic and a meet-and-greet with fans who will head to the Iloilo Sports Complex.

CERES REQUESTS VENUE CHANGES

Moreover Tolentino said Kaya’s May 12 game against Ceres Negros – originally scheduled in Iloilo – will be held in Bacolod City. The PFL changed the venue at the request of Ceres.

“They requested that the first game on May 12 be held in Bacolod and the July game – which was supposed to be played in Bacolod – be held in Iloilo,” said Tolentino

He said the PFL schedules are in conflict with those of the ASEAN zonal semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation Cup that Ceres currently joins./PN

https://www.panaynews.net/kaya-fc-clash-vs-global-cebu-in-iloilo-cancelled/