Philippine Women’s U20 And U17 Tryouts To Start January 2023

 The Philippine Women’s Under-20 and Under-17 national teams are set to conduct talent identification sessions this coming January 2023.

The tryout sessions mark the start of both team’s preparations for several international competitions scheduled for 2023.

The first tryout sessions will be in the United States from 20-22 January 2023 followed by tryout sessions in the Philippines in the later part of January 2023.

The PHI Women’s U20 National Team will be competing in the following competitions: AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers Round 1 on 04-12 March 2023 in Laos and Round 2 on 03-11 June 2023, and the AFF U19 Women’s Championship on 01-19 July 2023 in Indonesia.

Similarly, the PHI Women’s U17 National Team will compete in the JENESYS Football Tournament on 16-24 March 2023 in Japan, the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers Round 1 on 22-30 April 2023 in Guam, and Round 2 on 16-24 September, and the AFF U16 Girls’ Championship 2023 on 01-19 August 2023 in Indonesia.

PFF is looking for female players born on the following age categories to be part of the U20 and U17 women’s national teams:

https://pff.org.ph/2022/12/30/philippine-womens-u20-and-u17-tryouts-to-start-january-2023/

Football: Sarina Bolden leaves AS Elfen, to join Australian club

 MANILA, Philippines -- Filipinas striker Sarina Bolden is leaving WE League side Chifure AS Elfen Saitama and transferring to an A-League Women club, it was announced on Wednesday.

AS Elfen said on its website that they have terminated Bolden's contract "by mutual agreement." 

Bolden, who was instrumental in the Philippine women's national team's historic campaigns in 2022, is set to transfer to the Western Sydney Wanderers FC of the A-League Women.

She becomes the second member of the Filipinas to play in Australia, joining midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki who signed with the Western United FC in August.

• READ: PH midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki to play in Australian league
• READ: Hat-trick hero Bolden can be world-class, says Stajcic

In comments provided by the Japanese club, Bolden expressed her gratitude to AS Elfen for the experience of playing in the pioneering WE League.

"I am sincerely grateful. To all the coaching staff who have spent countless hours making sure the team is in top shape, who are still working hard to make it a great season, and to the staff working behind the scenes to make sure things run smoothly. I am grateful," said Bolden. 

"I am proud to be part of this club and call myself an Elfen team member. I believe that Elfen will continue to grow and become a club that does its best," she added.

Bolden made four appearances for AS Elfen in the 2022-23 season of the WE League.

She has 17 goals in 29 caps for the Philippines, and converted the historic penalty kick that secured the Filipiinas' qualification to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/28/22/sarina-bolden-leaves-as-elfen-to-join-australian-club

MATCH REPORT: Thailand 4-0 Philippines

 Thailand dominated the Philippines, 4-0, last Monday night at Thammasat Stadium to grab top spot in Group A of the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup.

A brace from Teerasil Danga and second half goals from Adisak Kraisorn and Suphanat Bureerat ensured maximum points for the Thais who are gunning for a seventh straight title in the competition.

It’s the second loss in three matches for the Azkals who were gunning for an upset after beating Brunei Darussalam, 5-1, last Friday night.

But the Azkals got off to a nightmarish start as Dangda fired the Thais ahead with a pinpoint header off a Theerathon Bunmathan delivery in the third minute.

The Azkals needed some fine saves from Julian Schwarzer to stay in the thick of the fight in the first half, before Amani Aguinaldo brought down Ekanit Panya inside the area for a penalty that was easily dispatched by Dangda.

The Azkals hardly threatened the Thai defense as the home side took a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.

Adisak made it 3-nil in the 57th minute firing from close range after a cross on the left from Teerasil before Suphanat capped the scoring four minutes later.

With Indonesia winning over Brunei, 7-0, the Azkals’ fate is no longer in their hands even if they win their last game against Indonesia on January 2.

A draw by both Thailand and Indonesia in their clash on Thursday will formally eliminate the Azkals in the group stage for the second straight tournament.

AFF Cup - Thailand 4-0 Philippines

 

Road warriors: Philippine Azkals to spend Christmas away from home for AFF Cup match

 There’s no such thing as a holiday break for the men's national football team.

The Philippine Azkals began their 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup with a historic loss to Cambodia. It was a big disappointment to say the least as the Cambodians haven’t won against the Filipinos in the past two decades. To get their AFF campaign back on track, the Azkals needed a huge win against Brunei Darussalam.

Raul Maningat

At the Rizal Memorial Stadium, in front of the home crowd, the Philippine contingent came up clutch and turned over a convincing 5-1 win over Brunei. With the victory, Team Philippines earned three points to put themselves at 4th place in Group A. At the forefront of this terrific bounce back outing were Sebastian Rasmussen who scored twice and assisted on a Jhan-Jhan Meliza goal, Kenshiro Daniels and one of the team’s fastest rising stars Sandro Reyes who finished with one goal apiece.

So, what’s the reward for this redemption win? Well, for a national team in the middle of competing in a big international tournament, they’ve got no choice but to spend Christmas on the road. In an Instagram story of Philippine squad mainstay Stephan Schröck, it appears that the Azkals are flying today, December 24 for their next match against Thailand, which is taking place on December 26.

Taking on the defending AFF Cup champions, the Philippine team is in for a tough battle. The reigning kings of Southeast Asian football are clearly on a different level compared to Brunei Darussalam, and the Azkals know that. No wonder they’re ready to sacrifice family time during the holidays to prepare for the challenge ahead.

After the Group A match against Thailand, the Philippines will take on another strong team in the Indonesians, who finished second in the 2020 AFF Cup. That will take place on January 2, 2023.

The Filipino footballers are all but ready to miss another holiday as they gear up for this crucial encounter against Indonesia. The life of a national athlete — it’s not all glitz and glamour is it?

https://www.onesports.ph/more-sports/article/8584/road-warriors-philippine-azkals-to-spend-christmas-away-from-home-for-aff-cup-match?fbclid=IwAR3dXwUlu1njSkcPHvlb6CJ5Ul6HdRv2sorBscU_nPHtoIRIV1VmNVmGRTw

Curt Dizon signs for Malaysian club Penang

 

Curt Dizon (United City Fc) has signed for Malaysian club Penang.

 

Azkals Beat Brunei For First AFF Cup Win

 

Sebastian Rasmussen grabbed a second half brace in his senior debut as the Philippines recorded its first win with a 5-1 smashing of Brunei Darussalam last Friday night in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Missing in the 2-3 defeat to Cambodia last Monday, Rasmussen introduced himself to the home crowd with a couple of cool finishes in the final half to cap a dominant performance by the home side.

Kenshiro Daniels scored his third goal in two matches, opening the scoring early on, before Sandro Reyes scored on a sublime strike to double the lead.

With Indonesia winning over Cambodia, 2-1, in Jakarta, Group A sees four teams all on three points with Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia all with a victory each after two matchdays.

Rasmussen came on for Daniels at halftime with coach Coco Ferre shuffling his squad with an eye on the away clash against Thailand on Monday.

It took only five minutes after the restart for the Azkals to make it 3-nil as Jhan Jhan Melliza found the top corner with his left footed strike, sparking celebrations at the RMS.

It was Melliza’s first international goal, too as the Azkals sustained their dominance. Captain Stephan Schrock came close with a header inside the box that went just wide, while Rasmussen was off target on another opportunity.

Rasmussen got on the scoresheet two minutes later with a stinging effort that Brunei goalkeeper Haimi Nyaring couldn’t keep out.

Substitute Razimi Ramili pulled a goal back for Brunei in the 68th minute, before Rasmussen capped the win with a cool finish.

https://pff.org.ph/2022/12/23/azkals-beat-brunei-for-first-aff-cup-win/

AFF Cup - Philippines 5-1 Brunei

 

Livestream ;

Philippines v Brunei DS | #AFFMitsubishiElectricCup2022 Group Stage - YouTube