AFC Asian Group C Standings

Azkals put on good performance in 0-1 defeat to favored Korea

by Sid Ventura

In a match almost everyone thought would end in a blowout loss, the Philippine Azkals played one of their most impressive matches in recent history, giving heavily favored South Korea all they could handle before conceding a 0-1 decision in their AFC Asian Cup debut at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Even though their first-ever match in Asia's most prestigious football tournament ended in defeat, it was a performance that exceeded expectations. Korea, after all, was runner-up to Australia four years ago and is ranked 53rd in the world compared to the Azkals' 116th. They enter this tournament as one of the favorites, and just six months ago shocked the world by upsetting defending champion Germany, 2-0, in the World Cup.

"In the first half I thought we played extremely well," defender Luke Woodland said after the match. "We're a good team. We want to go through."

The Azkals certainly looked like a good team, more than holding their own in the first half, with Alvaro Silva anchoring a solid back line that thwarted a Korean offense that had possession 82% of the time. They even created a chance in the 41st minute, with Javier Patiño volleying a lob from Daisuke Sato that goalkeeper Kim Syeung-Gyu had to work hard to deflect out. The Azkals' 5-4-2 formation gave their favored foes all sorts of problems, although on offense they generally lacked that one extra pass or touch to create chances.

The Azkals came out more aggressive at the start of the second half, and Patiño had an excellent chance in the 49th with a wide-open shot from inside the box that Kim had to dive to save.

Korea finally broke through in the 67th minute when Hwang Ui-Jo struck from close range on an assist from Hwang Hee-Chan. Hwang Ui-Jo nearly scored again in the 74th with only Michael Falksgaard to beat from five yards out, but the Azkals keeper did well to parry it out.

Still, it was a noteworthy result, with several players standing out. Aside from Silva and Patiño, Stephan Schrock put on a vintage performance in midfield, while Falksgaard manned the posts well.

The Azkals joined fellow newcomer Kyrgyzstan, which lost to China 1-2, in the cellar of Group F, but thanks to the low scoreline are still in position to claim one of the four slots in the knockout round reserved for third-placed teams.

The Azkals next take on China on January 11.

NOTES:

- Sven-Goran Eriksson made a last-minute change to the 23-man lineup, inserting defender Amani Aguinaldo for veteran Paul Mulders.

- Stephan Schrock wore the captain's armband for this historic match.

- Phil Younghusband did not start and entered the game in the 88th minute

http://tv5.espn.com/story/_/id/25705376/azkals-drop-0-1-decision-powerhouse-korea

PHL Azkals begin historic AFC Asian Cup bid today

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE HISTORIC AFC Asian Cup campaign of the Philippine men’s national football team begins today as the Azkals play their debut group stage game in the continental football spectacle in the United Arab Emirates.

Playing for the first time ever in the Asian Cup, the Philippines takes on South Korea in a Group C match at the Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai at 9:30 p.m. (Manila time) where it hopes to set its bid to a good start.

The Azkals are also set to face China and Kyrgyzstan in the grouping with the top two teams automatically advancing to the next round.

Today’s game marks the first time that the Philippines is facing South Korea in 39 years.

The last time the two teams met, the Koreans lorded it over the Filipinos, winning, 8-0. The Taeguk Warriors have a 7-0 record against the Philippines and have scored 35 total goals and not allowing any to the Southeast Asian squad.

For this year’s Asian Cup, Azkals coach Sven-Goran Eriksson are banking on the efforts of a 23-man team, most of whom are already staples with the team.

Called up were goalkeepers Nathaniel Villanueva, Michael Falkesgaard and Kevin Ray Hansen, and defenders Alvaro Silva, Carli De Murga, Daisuke Sato, Stephan Palla, Luke Woodland, Adam Tull, Curt Dizon and Paul Mulders.

Also part of the team are midfielders John-Patrick Strauss, Iain Ramsey, Manuel Ott, Kevin Ingreso, Stephan Schrock, Miguel Tanton, James Younghusband and Mike Ott, and forwards Jovin Bedic, Phil Younghusband, Patrick Reichelt and Javier Patino.

Top goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is not part of the Azkals for the Asian Cup because of his commitment with Cardiff City in the Premier League in Europe.

Despite the uphill battle facing them right at the onset of group play, Mr. Eriksson said it would not let it stop them from trying to make waves in the tournament and going all out.

“I think the Philippines have to go in with one target: to go through, to go further. That’s not easy but if you can do that, that’s good…” Mr. Eriksson was quoted as saying by the AFC Website, underscoring the kind of mindset his team has to have if they are to make things happen.

“We have to have that target if we go to the tournament. We can’t just go and be happy that we are there. Yes, we’re happy but that’s not enough. We have to try to go through,” added the coach, who led the Azkals to a semifinal finish in the AFF Suzuki Cup late last year.

After South Korea, which incidentally was the runner-up in the last edition of the Asian Cup in 2015 behind champion Australia, the Azkals will face off with China on Jan. 11 and Kyrgyzstan on Jan. 16.

Apart from winding up in the top two in their respective groupings, a team can advance to the next round of the tournament if it is one of the four best third-placed teams among the six groups in the group stage.

The 2019 AFC Asian Cup has the theme “Bringing Asia Together.”

The Azkals’ matches can be seen over FOX Sports which is available on SkyCable Channels 31 & 32 (SD) and 253 & 254 (HD) and on Cignal Channels 263 and 265 (HD).

https://www.bworldonline.com/phl-azkals-begin-historic-afc-asian-cup-bid-today/

Azkals viewing parties - Updated list

Plato Bar - Manila




Others :

CDO Marmar Basha, Corales Ave, across Xavier Univ Gym -Dennis Ardiente

Quezon City : Malingap Food Central , Diliman

Hat Trick Sports Bar , Bacolod City

Kublai's , Magallanes, Makati, Manila (Ultras Filipinas)

Cheers bar , Sydney , Australia

http://cheersbar.com.au/live-sport/?fbclid=IwAR3CqBa0oi7dIFqvJo7z9IMc2rQcYBqbJJQ4NMmUAxxTalwjbFkHfeQK9OQ

Philippines' Woodland aiming high in return to UAE

Dubai: The Philippines may be in unchartered territory ahead of their first-ever AFC Asian Cup Finals match on Monday, but, for one of their players, UAE 2019 is something of a triumphant homecoming.
Azkals midfielder Luke Woodland (pictured above, centre) was born in Abu Dhabi, just over an hour away from Dubai's Al Maktoum Stadium, where the Southeast Asians will begin their Group C campaign against the highly-rated Korea Republic.


Woodland's family relocated to England when he was two years old, but he revealed his delight at returning to the country of his birth for the Philippines' historic first step on the Continental stage.

"My dad worked in Dubai for five years, then was in Abu Dhabi for two more years," he explained.

"So for me, when I knew the Asian Cup was being held here, I thought it’s my first Asian Cup, great venue, great city to be in, big Filipino community as well, so good for the team, and for me, I love it out here."

Upwards of 600,000 Filipinos live and work in the United Arab Emirates, with over 400,000 based in Dubai alone, and Woodland hopes these numbers will translate into a surge of support for an Azkals side facing the 2015 AFC Asian Cup runners-up.

"(There's a) big community here," said the Woodland. "We’ve played in Qatar before, we’ve played in Bahrain before, and a big Filipino community there came and supported us, so for sure we’re going to have people behind us as well.

"So for us to come out here it kind of helps the Philippines as a country, with us coming to the tournament helps us push up the sport a little bit, it’s good for the country and good for us."

After Monday's opener, the Philippines will meet China PR and fellow debutants Kyrgyz Republic as they look to extend their stay in UAE beyond the group stage.

Having qualified for the AFC Asian Cup Finals for the first time, and fresh from reaching the semi-finals in the 2018 AFF Championship, the Southeast Asians are riding high, and - while under no illusions as to the seriousness of the challenge at hand - Woodland remains calm and confident of a strong showing.

"The feeling in the team is good, the (AFF Championship) squad is basically the same team. One or two players come in, come out, (but it's the) same team we’ve brought here, so everyone knows each other for a long time," he revealed.

"We’ve got a very tough game in our first game against Korea Republic. First and foremost, it’s a very good experience for us boys, and a good chance to get our names out there as well.

"Realistically, I think we can push for third spot (in the group). We’ve played China before, we know how they are, how they play. We’ve played Kyrgyz Republic before. Korea Republic; we’ve got to respect them as a big team going into the tournament and let’s just see what we can do against them.

 While no Philippines player has previously appeared in a major international tournament, they are under tutelage of one of the competition's most experienced head coaches in Sven-Göran Eriksson.

The 70-year-old former England boss has enjoyed a glittering coaching career which has included trips to three FIFA World Cups, and having such experience in the Azkals' corner is invaluable according to Woodland.

"For me, Sven - growing up in the UK as well - he was in my prime England days with (Steven) Gerrard, (Frank) Lampard, all those boys, so having a coach like Sven, he’s got the wisdom, he’s been through so many squads, you can’t question what he’s doing," he said.

"For the boys there’s no better coach for us at the moment, and Scott (Cooper), Chris (Greatwich), all the other boys behind Sven. It’s perfect for us going into this tournament with the history and knowledge Sven’s got, and Scott backing him up.

"It’s good for us. A lot of teams know the Philippines coming into this tournament.

"Who’s the gaffer? Sven. Alright let’s have a good go."

http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/news/philippines-woodland-aiming-high-in-return-to-uae

PFF Advisory: AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Broadcast Details

The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 formally kicks off on Saturday 5 January 2019 in the United Arab Emirates.

The Philippine Men’s National Team will face Korea Republic, China PR, and Kyrgyz Republic in Group C starting on Monday 7 January 2019.

All three matches of the Azkals will be shown LIVE and exclusively on FOX Sports Asia. Live-streaming is also available via the FOX+ mobile app.

The telecast details are as follows:

7 January 2019 – Korea Republic vs Philippines
Venue: Al-Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, UAE
Kick-off time: 5:30 PM local time (9:30 PM Manila time)
TV Channel: FOX Sports

11 January 2019 – Philippines vs China PR
Venue: Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Kick-off time: 5:30 PM local time (9:30 PM Manila time)
TV Channel: FOX Sports

16 January 2019 – Kyrgyz Republic vs Philippines
Venue: Rashid Stadium, Dubai, UAE
Kick-off time: 5:30 PM local time (9:30 PM Manila time)
TV Channel: FOX Sports 2

FOX Sports is shown on SkyCable Channels 31 & 32 (SD) and 253 & 254 (HD) and on Cignal Channels 263 and 265 (HD)

http://pff.org.ph/2019/01/04/pff-advisory-afc-asian-cup-uae-2019-broadcast-details/

Philippines MNT Ready For AFC Asian Cup 2019

The Philippine Men’s National Team arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates today 3 January 2019 as the build-up to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 reaches fever pitch.

As one of the 24 teams taking part in Asia’s showpiece tournament, which begins this Saturday 5 January 2019, the Azkals aim to write a new chapter in Philippine football as they battle the best teams in Asia.

The Philippines kick off their Asian Cup campaign in Group C against inaugural Asian Cup winners Korea Republic on 7 January at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, followed by China PR on 11 January at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, and the last match against Kyrgyz Republic on 16 January at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai.

“Our journey to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup is a dream realized,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. “The team’s participation in this tournament is testament to the massive strides the Philippine football community has done in recent years.”

Leading to the tournament, the Philippines made their fourth semifinal appearance in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018.

The team recently regrouped in Doha, Qatar for a training camp where they met Vietnam for a tune up match last 31 December 2018 in a 4-2 loss.

23 players formed the final squad for the Asian Cup led by team captain Phil Younghusband, Stephan Schröck, Michael Falkesgaard, and Manny Ott.

“To represent the Philippines in the biggest tournament in Asia is the greatest honor the players can give back for flag and country,” underlined Araneta. “Let us all get behind the team in the Asian Cup and together strive to dream the impossible.”

http://pff.org.ph/2019/01/03/philippines-mnt-ready-for-afc-asian-cup-2019/

Vietnam booters stun Azkals

NEWLY-MINTED AFF Suzuki Cup champions Vietnam defeated regional rivals Philippines, 4-2, in an international friendly late Monday at the Al Duhail SC Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

The Azkals will now proceed to Dubai, United Arab Emirates tomorrow and will have four days to prepare before their first AFC Asian Cup match against South Korea on Jan. 7.

Majority of the team were part of the Suzuki Cup squad that made it to the semis for the fourth time in the last five editions.

The Philippines, however, will sorely miss the services of ace goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who was left out of the 23-man squad owing to his Premier League commitments for Cardiff City.

Trying to stave off relegation, Cardiff City is currently placed 16th in the Premier League standings with 18 points from 20 matches, having defeated Leicester City 1-0 on Saturday, with Etheridge saving James Maddison’s second-half penalty that preserved the victory.

Michael Falkesgaard will now be the first-choice goalkeeper for the Azkals, with Kevin Hansen, who plays for AC Horsens in the Danish League, as back-up.  The Philippines has a third goalkeeper in University of the Philippines standout Ace Villanueva, one of just two homegrown players picked for the tournament.

Newly-signed Ceres Negros midfielder Miguel Tanton, who suited up for the Philippines in the 3-2 win over North Korea two years ago, returns to the squad.

Headlining the Azkals, who are currently at No. 116 in the latest Fifa world rankings, are the Younghusband brothers, Phil and James.

https://journal.com.ph/sports/other-sports/vietnam-booters-stun-azkals