Young Azkals try to stay in medal running; Malditas shoot for first win

By: Cedelf P. Tupas 

The Philippine men’s and women’s football teams set out to stay in medal contention on Friday when the Young Azkals and the Malditas take on their Malaysian counterparts in group play of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

With only a point to show from their first two matches, the Young Azkals are hard pressed to win their remaining two games starting with their 8 p.m. clash with the heavily favored Malaysian side at 8 p.m. at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Over at Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna, the Malditas, just two days removed from their goalless stalemate with Myanmar, are aiming for a semifinal spot as they battle Malaysia also at 8 p.m.

But while the Young Azkals are the heavy underdogs, the same could not be said of the Malditas, who encountered little trouble in beating Malaysia, 3-0, in their previous encounter during the AFF Women’s Championship in Thailand early this year.

Women’s team coach Let Dimzon warned her team of complacency even as she stressed the importance of securing a victory for the country.

“We want to deliver some positive news for the country, that’s why the team is more motivated against Malaysia,” said Dimzon, who noted the Malditas’ improved defense in the draw with Myanmar.

The Young Azkals were left undone by a quick Myanmar counterattack on Wednesday that resulted in a 2-1 loss.

Nineteen-year-old defender Justin Baas, who scored on a sweetly struck volley to make it 1-1 at halftime, feels the Young Azkals are improving with every game.

But performances would need to be backed up by winning results in the next couple of matches, including against Timor Leste on Dec. 3.

Malaysia, the silver medalist two years ago in Kuala Lumpur, enters the match with a four-day rest after drawing against Myanmar, 1-1, on Monday. It will be a question of fitness for the Young Azkals, who will be playing their third match in five days. Captain Stephan Schrock and Baas are also playing in their fifth match in 14 days, including two games with the senior team in the World Cup Qualifiers early this month.

Read more: https://sports.inquirer.net/375173/sea-games-young-azkals-try-to-stay-in-medal-running-malditas-shoot-for-first-win#ixzz66cBqInxh

Nonong Araneta seeks fresh term against Ricky Yanson

By: Cedelf P. Tupas

Saying his performance and track record speak for themselves, Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Nonong Araneta seeks a fresh mandate when the PFF holds its annual Congress on Friday at Century Park Hotel in Manila. The elections will be held against the backdrop of the Southeast Asian Games, where the national team is currently fighting for life in a bid to make it to the podium.

Araneta, the country’s top football official the last nine years, will be up against Negros Occidental Football Association president Ricky Yanson, who had criticized the current PFF regime for its lack of grassroots programs.

Thirty-two regional football association presidents will be voting for the person who will lead the sport in the country in the next four years. Three Philippines Football League clubs–Ceres-Negros, Kaya-Iloilo and Stallion Laguna–are also expected to be accepted as members of the federation that will allow representatives of the clubs to also choose the next PFF chief.

With Qatar Airways announcing its three-year partnership with the Philippines Football League (PFL) starting next year, Araneta hopes to retain his post to also preserve unity among key stakeholders of the sport in the country.

Yanson, the PFF grassroots committee chair, has provided a glimpse of what’s to come if elected as he held the Mindanao and Luzon Cups in the last two months.

But he has also come under criticism from Araneta, who said that Yanson has not held a meeting for the PFF grassroots committee in four years and also has missed half of the last 20 PFF Board of Governors’ meetings.Araneta said he decided to seek a fresh term to prevent football from being “collateral damage” in the Yanson family feud.

Ceres-Negros FC owner Leo Rey Yanson and Ricky Yanson are on opposite sides of a bitter corporate dispute, which Araneta said could see the country’s top club pull out of the PFL should Ricky Yanson take the PFF top post.

“But I also think it’s about performance and track record,” said Araneta, under whose team the national men’s and women’s teams flourished with maiden AFC Asian Cup appearances in the last two years.

“I have served football for a long time and I will continue to do it in the next four years because I want to see through projects that I have already started.”

Araneta, a member of the executive committee of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association and chair of the Asian Football Confederation finance committee, wants to see through projects like the National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite. He is also set to implement the national under-17 tournament next year after the Qatar Airways deal will help augment expenses for the PFL.

Read more: https://sports.inquirer.net/375181/araneta-seeks-fresh-term-against-yanson#ixzz66cBLjuNK

SEA Games Men - Philippines 1-2 Myanmar

U-22 Azkals vow to come out a lot better in second game together

By: Cedelf P. Tupas

The Philippines may have seen the best and worst scenario when a young team represents the country in a prestigious football tournament like the Southeast Asian Games at home.

Reinforced by senior players Stephan Schrock and Amani Aguinaldo, the Under-22 Azkals got off to a nervy start against Cambodia before putting up a spirited second-half display in a 1-1 stalemate that forged a four-team tie with Malaysia and Myanmar in Group A.

“The buildup to the match was good and we were well-prepared, but we were a bit shaky at the start,” said 17-year-old attacking midfielder Yrik Gallantes, who assisted on the 18-year-old Dennis Chung’s goal in the 93rd minute.

“For young players and new teams, it usually happens. Some of the players were really nervous because everyone wanted to win, especially for the fans,” added Gallantes, whose Scotland-based parents hail from Cavite and Parañaque.

The Young Azkals have their work cut out for them as they seek their first win against Myanmar at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Schrock, who captained the side against Cambodia in front of close to 3,000 fans, said the result and the way it was fashioned out by the team will only forge a stronger bond among the players that will come in handy as they tackle tougher challenges in the tournament.

The Young Azkals are aiming to make the semifinals for the first time in the history of the tournament now reserved for Under-22 players with two over-aged reinforcements.

“This is the type of result that brings teams together,” said Schrock. “We will definitely work out a plan. It’s about me and Amani (Aguinaldo) adjusting with the team. We’ve been a full team only for a few days so expect us to get better.”

Gallantes promised an improved showing as the team continues to play together.

Meanwhile, Indonesia stunned defending champion Thailand, 2-0, thanks to goals from Egy Vikri and Osvaldo Haay in Group B at Rizal Memorial Stadium. ‍

https://sports.inquirer.net/374895/u-22-azkals-vow-to-come-out-a-lot-better-in-second-game-together#ixzz66QbyjwYN

SEA Games Women - Philippines 0-0 Myanmar

Binan Football Stadium

Chung scores late goal as Azkals force draw vs Cambodia

SANTA ROSA, Laguna — The Under-22 Azkals were able to walk away with a point against Cambodia after a 1-1 draw to open their campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Monday.

A late equalizer from substitute Dennis Chung in the 93rd minute put the Philippines back in the game after falling behind in the first half.

Keo Sokpheng scored for the Cambodia side in the 40th minute.

Both men's matches today in Rizal Memorial Stadium ended in draws, with Malaysia and Myanmar also figuring in a 1-1 stalemate earlier.

While Vietnam mauled Brunei, 6-0 in the men's match in Binan, Laguna.

 https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/11/25/1971889/chung-scores-late-goal-azkals-force-draw-vs-cambodia#MUzr6Yriv0MoHsJS.99

SEA Games Men - Philippines 1-1 Cambodia

Azkals assistant coach: Organizers should have coordinated with Philippine Football Federation

MANILA, Philippines — Azkals assistant coach Ernie Nierras couldn't help but express his disappointment following a string of mishaps concerning ASEAN football teams in their arrival here in Manila for the Southeast Asian Games.

Nierras, who is also part of the coaching staff of the U22 Azkals set to compete in the biennial meet, lamented the wasted chance of having 'home field advantage' due to the issues.

"Yun nga masama sa loob ko eh, Dapat home field advantage to eh... honestly, mas maganda pa kung dun tayo naglaro sa ibang bansa eh," Nierras said in an interview.

"Mas ma-handle nang mabuti yung ibang bansa yung paano tayo alagaan eh," he added.

Lack of coordination

Nierras said that a majority of the mishaps would have been avoided had the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) communicated more with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).

"Ang daming pagkukulang pero andun naman yung opportunity to do something better kung sana they worked closer with the Philippine Football Federation," Nierras said.

"Sino ba may experience? Kung alam mo na paano mo gawin, bakit magiimbento ka pa ng sarili mong sistema? Diba? Kausapin mo na yung Philippine Football Federation," he said of PHISGOC.

Nierras reiterated the audience of football in the region, saying that it was what drew most audiences to the SEA Games.

"Outside of the Philippines, the biggest draw of the Southeast Asian Games in any edition, in any country, is football," he said.

"So we've been telling them (PHISGOC)... please make sure these 17 countries who are coming from the men's and women's competition," he added.

But what's done is done, Nierras said and the Philippines must simply make do with the hand it has been dealt.

"Andito na tayo sa sitwasyon na to," Nierras said.

"Magaling naman tayo sa Pilipinas diyan eh, magaling tayo sa last minute, magaling sa tawid gutom. So ngayon, itatawid gutom nalang natin ito para ma-host natin mabuti and magtulungan tayo," he added.

Foreign football coaches have also let bygones be bygones after the mishaps and shifted their focus to the games ahead.

https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/11/24/1971491/azkals-assistant-coach-organizers-should-have-coordinated-philippine-football-federation?fbclid=IwAR1nn7KGuGAHAE6z2PhxjZxSxzUyf2xxm-yJ4C5VdCh7nkBdycn33YYIfVM