David Beckham gave his jersey to Phil Younghusband

We can still remember how the crowd went berserk when the football superstar scored the opening goal at the 20th minute.

Phil Younghusband asked David Beckham to exchange jerseys after the game. Beckham was nice enough to agree to the idea. But after he was subbed out, Beckham handed his jersey to boxing legend Manny Pacquiao who was there to watch the game. The fans at the grandstand got a little bit disappointed that he didn’t throw his jersey for a free-for-all, but still many of them got excited when they saw Beckham shirtless.

David Beckham still kept his promise to Phil Younghusband and gives him his jersey in the press conference.

LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena were very impressed by Philippine Azkals players especially Angel Guirado, Phil Younghusband and Chieffy Caligdong.

Phil Younghusband wants to have a future with Angel Locsin

Celebrity footballer Phil Younghusband would rather not put any label to his relationship with actress Angel Locsin. What’s important, he said, is that they’re enjoying each others’ company right now.

“For us, the status or what you call the relationship, doesn’t matter to us. We’re just very, very happy … I try to spend time with Angel as much as possible,” Phil told the entertainment press in a recent press con that launched him and elder brother James as football ambassadors for AKTV—TV5’s sports block on IBC-13.

In their three-year contract, the brothers will be hosting short instructional football videos, drills and lifestyle tips, which will be aired in between AKTV programs. The deal also serves as an opportunity for them to further inspire the youth to take up the sport—an advocacy they’ve been pursuing since 2009 via the Younghusband Football Academy.

Very caring

Phil, who described Angel as “one of the most amazing people” he has ever met, said that despite being together for months now, each day still feels like it’s their first.

“She teaches me Tagalog … Tagalog songs, things like that. I learn a lot from Angel. She’s very down-to- earth. She’s human … very caring,” said the soft-spoken Azkal forward and Loyola Meralco Sparks Futbol Club midfielder.

But the couple’s relationship is not all fun and games, Phil stressed. “I’m serious about Angel and I want to have a future with her.”

Phil also looks forward to see fans cheering for the Azkals in their coming friendly match against international football superstar David Beckham and the LA Galaxy team on Dec. 3.

Asked if he and Angel have tried playing football together, Phil smiled and said, “I hope to teach her in the future, but marami siyang ginagawa. She’s busy … with a new movie coming up. When we have time, I’d love to teach her.”

Poster boy

Although football is Phil’s priority, the 23-year-old athlete said he’s not closing his doors on the prospect of joining show biz. But at the moment, acting is out of the equation. However, Phil doesn’t mind doing photo shoots for magazines and endorsements once in a while—although he finds these things more tiring than playing football.

He also enjoys the glamour of being one of the poster boys of the local football scene.

“Yeah, it’s always good to drive down Edsa and see your billboard,” he said, laughing. “And to know that you’re promoting football at the same time is good. Obviously, one of my heroes is David Beckham, and to see me doing the same thing he does is great.”

What Phil doesn’t appreciate, however, are the random and sometimes bizarre rumors that seem to come out of nowhere. “Sometimes I hear things and I’m like, ‘Where did that come from? How did you even think of that?’ It’s all new to me,” he said.

source: http://entertainment.inquirer.net

P1-M Rizal Memorial Football Stadium

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Sports Commission is charging P1 million for the rental of the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium for the coming friendly between the PH team Azkals and the David Beckham-starred Los Angeles Galaxy.

PSC marketing chief Albert Almendralejo said last night that the amount is the standard rental fee for the use of the venue for two days, including the actual match on Dec. 3 which will be held at night.

“They will need lights during the game and they will use it the whole day on the first day because of the clinic and again during the game itself,” said Almendralejo.

He said there was no rental fee during the Azkals World Cup qualifiers against Sri Lanka and Kuwait and the friendly against Nepal since the government agency was in close coordination with the Philippine Football Federation, main organizer of the events.

According to Almendralejo, the rental fee is a standard rate and the PSC asking for three percent of total ticket allocations an SOP.

The match is reportedly selling tickets from P2,000 to P15,500.

Source: sports.inquirer.net

Azkals-Galaxy tickets go on sale Thursday

MANILA, Philippines - Tickets for the friendly match between the Philippine Azkals and major league soccer (MLS) club Los Angeles Galaxy will go on sale starting Thursday afternoon.

Tickets are priced at: P2,000, P5,000, P9,500, P10,500, P12, 500 and P15,500.

The game will be held on December 3 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and will be televised live on Studio 23 and BALLS HD.

The Galaxy will also hold an open practice on December 2 from 9 am to 11 am, with tickets for grandstand seats prized at P3,000, while bleachers seats will go for P1,500.

They will also hold a football clinic for children, which will cost P14,000 inclusive of an LA Galaxy event jersey, shorts, and a soccer bag. The clinic will be held from 2pm to 4 pm.

Both the open practice and the football clinic will be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The friendly match will feature Galaxy stars such as David Beckham, Robbie Keane, and Landon Donovan going up against the Philippine national football team.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Azkals U-23s taking it one game at a time

JAKARTA, Indonesia - It's been 2 days since the under-23 Philippine football team suffered their 2nd defeat at the 26th Southeast As

ian (SEA) Games.
They had a rest day on Tuesday and are back on the pitch practicing Wednesday, 2 days before their next match against Laos.

Have the young Azkals gotten their bearings back and ready to make a miracle run to qualify for the semifinals?

Coach Hans Michael Weiss says the key is to take things one match a time rather than to look at the daunting task of having to win the remaining 3 matches and hope for miracles against the leading teams in their bracket like Timor Leste and Vietnam.

In an ironic way, the 2 losses have sort of lifted some pressure off the shoulders of the young Azkals, 15 of whom will still be eligible for the 2013 SEA Games.

Weiss adds that they must now really focus on defense and take note of their lapses versus Timor Leste and Vietnam that virtually broke their backs.
Laos is next up for the U-23 Philippine Football team set on November 11, 4 p.m. Jakarta time.

Familiar face
Meanwhile, a familiar face in Philippine Football is now on the sidelines for the first time as an assistant coach.

Veteran national team member Yanti Bersales, who retired after the Myanmar match in June, is part of the coaching staff in Jakarta.

From what he's seen, he hopes the boys learn to loosen up and relieve themselves of the unnecessary pressure on them.

He says they should value this experience and exposure they are getting at such a young age.

As for bouncing back, Bersales says they have to forget what happened in the last 2 matches and simply look forward to their next opponent, Laos.

It’s as simple as that.

So far Bersales’ presence and veteran advice has been a welcome addition to the staff handling the very young team.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Azkals teeter on the brink

MANILA, Philippines - What was supposed to be a day of rebound became another moment of frustration for the Philippine under-23 football team as it yielded a 1-2 setback to Timor Leste last night at the Lebak Bulus Stadium, its semifinal bid in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in serious jeopardy.

Hoping to bounce back against a supposedly lighter opponent four days after their heartbreaking 1-3 loss to Vietnam, the U-23 Azkals found themselves on the losing end for the second straight game, thrust into a “must-win-big” situation from hereon in to keep their slim medal aspirations alive.

The Filipinos will try to get a win against Laos on Friday in the same venue, then against Myanmar on Nov. 13, and against Brunei on Nov. 15, all the while keeping their fingers crossed that the Group B leaders won’t pile up the points from their end.

The Timorese, who opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Brunei, enjoyed the provisional lead in the group with six points on two victories. Behind them were Vietnam and Myanmar with four points on one win and one draw at presstime.

Parading several tall, big, fast, and attack-minded players of Portuguese descent with experience in Australia and Portugal, Timor Leste pulled off the win despite the Filipinos getting a bigger chunk of possession (55 percent against 45 percent).

The Timorese had nine shots on goal against Phl’s four, one of which was completed and served as the dagger to the heart of the U-23 Azkals.

Diogo Rangel eluded Phl defender Patrick Hinrichsen then rolled the ball past Filipino custodian Roland Muller three minutes into the second half to break a 1-1 standoff, cranking up the pressure on the U-23 Azkals to try in vain to pile in the goals.

The Timorese got into the scoreboard 17 minutes into play when Murilo Robeiro de Almeida punished the Azkals for their poor marking off a counter attack. Almeida slotted it in off a delivery from Azwan Muhamad Saleh, giving Timor the lead and making his third goal in two games.

However, Phl’s Washington-based OJ Porteria, working off a pass from Jeff Christiaens, flicked it in 20 minutes later to knot the count, celebrating the goal with a dance routine with teammate Jason de Jong.

But the celebration was shortlived for the Filipinos.

Worse, the U23 Azkals will likely miss Fil-Spanish defender Carli de Murga in their next game as sanction for getting a yellow card in last night’s physical match, his second in the tournament.

source: philstar.com

Azkals medal hopes realistic

JAKARTA—The Azkals—though not necessarily the same batch that resurrected football in the Philippines—on Tuesday were the first group of Filipinos who arrived in this traffic-infested Indonesian capital for the 26th Southeast Asian Games.

And though finding newfound fame back home because of a series of sterling international performances, this Under-23 squad hopes to break through in these Games. That is to win for the Philippines its first football medal.

The famous Younghusbands, James and Phil, feared scorer Chieffy Caligdong and the indefatigable Aly Borromeo won’t be on this squad, but the Philippines probably has its best shot at going home with a medal.

“It’s doable, definitely,” team manager Dan Palami, the man chiefly responsible for that resurgence, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer moments after touching down after a nearly seven-hour trip from Manila to Singapore to here.

The Philippines’ best football finish in the biennial meet came in 1991, when the country hosted the Games in Manila. That squad went on to make the semifinals only to lose and settle for fourth place.

And if one would talk about the luck of the draw, then the Philippines had seemingly gotten one, and hopes to ride it all the way towards finishing in the money.

Bracketed with Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Laos, Vietnam and Brunei, the Philippines is in what coaching staff calls the “Group of Hope” as the other favorites, counting the host Indonesians, Singapore, Thailand and defending champion Malaysia are in the other. Cambodia is the fifth and last Group A member.

Only two groups make up the elimination round with the top two teams to advance to the crossover Final Four after a single round robin.

The Philippines faces Vietnam for its first match on Thursday.

Given that, the Filipinos, who will be reinforced by a number of Fil-foreign players, will play a total of five games and would need to top their group to draw the lightest possible assignment in the semifinals.

“We should realize that teams like Timor-Leste, Cambodia and Laos have actually built very good youth programs and the products of those programs are playing here,” said Palami.

The Azkals got a massive boost late Tuesday when Fil-German midfielder Manny Ott opted to join the team at the last minute, after earlier ruling himself out as he looks for a new club in Europe.

The Under-23 Azkals next play Timor-Leste on Nov. 7 at the Lebak Bulus Stadium before tangling with the Laotians on the 11th in the same pitch.

The rest of the 512-strong Philippine delegation makes its way to here and main venue Palembang province in the coming days.

SEAG coverage

Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission have given their endorsement to AKTV on IBC13 for the most comprehensive coverage of the 26th SouthEast Asian (SEA) Games to be held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.

The country will be sending over 9,000 athletes to participate in the biennial meet where there will be 44 sports events with 524 gold medals at stake.

The first free-to-air sports channel in the country, AKTV on IBC13 has supported Filipino athletes by airing their international matches in line with the ideals of TV5 Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and the MVP Sports Foundation, one of the biggest contributors to the SEA Games.

The SEA Games will offi cially be held on Nov. 11 to 22, with Palembang, Indonesia hosting majority of the events. Dedicating more broadcast hours as it airs the games live on the said dates, AKTV will also give highlights and up-to-the-minute reports. On top of an AKTV Center in Manila, coverage teams will be sent to each city to feature and support Filipino athletes.

AKTV will begin its extensive coverage of the SEA Games as early as Nov. 3 with the football matches at 5pm, featuring the Under-23 Philippine Azkals playing against Vietnam.

source: tempo.com.ph

Sports Unlimited: Azkals vs. Nepal

It was another shining moment for the Philippine Azkals as they blitzed Nepal 4-0 in a FIFA-sanctioned friendly match at the historic Rizal Memorial stadium. Team Nepal, which is ranked 135th in the world, is way above the Philippines which is on the 166th rung of the football ladder.

It may have been called a "friendly" but the Pinoy Azkals clearly gnawed at these Himalayan Tigers. Phil Younghusband scored the first goal for the Philippines in the 17th minute, sending the Rizal crowd on their feet. The pass by Paul Mulders enabled the Fil-Brit to kick the ball into the goal and put the Philippines in a 1-nil lead.

Inspired by his brother Phil's goal, James was on winged feet as he launched a long-range strike that flew to the net, marking the second goal for the Pinoy Azkals on the 29th minute.

Half time saw the UAAP cheerdancing champion, University of the Philippines, pull-off a show-stopping performance, to the delight of the crowd. The energetic and perky UP Pep Squad kept the crowd and the players in high spirits.

On the 55th minute, Phil Younghusband once again scored a goal that sent the fans on their feet.

The Nepalese tried their best to stop the rampaging Azkals and their attempts at scoring a goal were stopped by the Azkals towering goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

Hartmann scored the 4th and final goal for the Azkals, with an assist from Phil Younghusband.

With this brilliant performance against the higher-ranking Nepalese, the Philippine Azkals has made tremendous progress in a short period of time.

Fresh from their runner-up finish in the recently concluded Long Teng Cup held in Taiwan, the Philippine Azkals is looking forward to their steady progress in the football scene.

The Azkals' Chieffy Caligdong was presented with the golden boot award of the Long Teng Cup for being the tourney's highest scorer. The Barotac Nuevo native proudly showed his small trophy, marking the tiny Pinoy's spirited offense during the competition that helped the Philippines improve from second runner-up last year to first-runner-up this year.

Hong Kong finished with 7 points, Philippines with 5, Chinese Taipei with 4, and Macau with zero.
With this smashing performance by the Philippine National Football Team, fans are looking forward to seeing the Azkals in action once again.

One thing that the Azkals are counting on as they make their steady headway is the continued support of their Pinoy football fans!

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LA Galaxy to face Azkals in Dec. 3 exhibition

MANILA, Philippines – The LA Galaxy football team will be in town this December for an exhibition match with the Philippine Azkals.

Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta, Azkals team manager Dan Palami and LA Galaxy president Thomas Payne, and Jinx Macabenta of US-based promotional firm Fuelcels Inc. made the announcement at a press conference at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City this afternoon.

The exhibition match will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Payne said the entire LA Galaxy, which will be bannered by football heartthrob David Beckham, will be in the country for the exhibition. The squad will arrive on Dec. 1.

Prior to the match, the visitors will hold a clinic for Bantay Bata kids on Dec. 2, also at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Tickets to the game will go on sale on the first week of November, organizers said, with the prices to be announced soon.

Juan Luis Guirado to fill Aly spot

MANILA, Philippines - Azkals Fil-Spanish striker Angel Guirado’s older brother Juan Luis may try out to fill the spot vacated by injured defender Aly Borromeo for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup finals in Laos on March 3-18 and could fly in from Spain in February to be tested by coach Michael Weiss.

Guirado’s agent Rafa Garcia said yesterday Juan Luis has the experience and bulk to play physical defense but the question is if he can get time off work to join the Azkals. At the moment, the 31-year-old Juan Luis plays for Lermeno of Burgos in the Spanish Division III and is employed in a day job.

“We initially spoke to Juani about making himself available from February to March 20,” said Garcia, the Guirados’ first cousin. “He still has to check with his work if it’s possible.”

Borromeo suffered a torn ACL in the right knee during a recent UFL match and was scheduled to undergo surgery yesterday. He is expected to be out of action for at least five months. The Azkals join seven other qualifiers in the AFC Challenge Cup finals in March with the winner advancing to play in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. The other qualifiers are host Laos, North Korea, Palestine, India, Turkmenistan, Maldives and Tajikistan.

Garcia said another Fil-Spanish player Carli Martinez de Murga will definitely play for the Philippine under-23 squad at the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia next month. De Murga, who trained here before playing with the Azkals at the recent Long Teng Cup in Taiwan, will not join the juniors for training in Japan but will fly directly from Spain to Indonesia.

De Murga, 22, plays for the Racing Club Portuense in the Spanish Division III. Garcia said after the SEA Games, De Murga will return to Andalucia and await Weiss’ advice if he is to be called for the Challenge Cup.

In the Racing Club Portuense website, De Murga was quoted as saying he agreed to play for the Azkals because “I really want to know the country of my mother and this opportunity, I could not let go which makes her very happy and very proud of me.”

Guirado, who turns 27 on Dec. 9, is recovering from a contusion in his right ankle. He played with a heavily-taped ankle for Global in the UFL last Sunday. Guirado suffered the contusion 15 minutes into the Azkals’ recent friendly in Singapore and had to leave the match. Garcia said Guirado has received offers to play in Iran and Japan but remains uncommitted.

“Angel has a window of opportunity to play from December to January, perhaps in the Japanese Division II,” said Garcia. “International scouts are looking at him closely. Global has agreed to give him a leave if there’s an offer to play abroad. It’s Mr. (Dan) Palami’s way to give his Global players the chance to improve their game. We’re grateful to Mr. Palami for his support.”

Guirado has moved into a Wack-Wack condominium unit provided by Palami and plans to stay in Manila indefinitely. His Spanish girlfriend Rocio will visit for a week next month. Garcia said Guirado is determined to pay back Palami for his support by playing 110 percent every game whether for Global or the Azkals. Guirado’ Spanish father and Filipina mother live in Malaga.

Guirado and Azkals teammates Misagh Bahadoran and Topher Camcam made a cameo appearance at the Zonta Muntinlupa and Environs bazaar to support the campaign against abusing women and children at Ayala Alabang last Saturday. They were mobbed by fans and obliged everyone who asked for their autographs and posed for pictures.

Bahadoran, 24, is a Fil-Iranian striker who relieves either Chieffy Caligdong or Guirado with the Azkals. He also plays for Global. Bahadoran was born in Mabalacat, Pampanga where his mother Maryann Medina is from. He grew up in Iran and returned to Manila to take up dentistry at Centro Escolar University. The third of seven children, he finished dentistry last March and will take the board exams after playing for the Azkals.

“I don’t know when I’ll take the board or where I’ll practice, in Manila or Iran,” said Bahadoran. “I’ll decide when the Azkals don’t want me anymore. But for the meantime, I’m enjoying playing football and I’ve started a new business, operating a fleet of 17 taxis.” Bahadoran was a two-time Southeast Asian league top scorer in futsal and recruited to try out for the Azkals a day after his graduation from dentistry.

Camcam, 17, is one of three goalkeepers on the under-23 team. The others are Roland Moller and Paolo Pascual. Camcam played for the Azkals against Sri Lanka last July. He suits up for Kaya in the UFL.

source: www.philstar.com

Suzuki Phils. rallies behind Azkals in SEA Games

THE MEN’S National Under-23 Football Team that will see action in the 26th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Indonesia in November got another boost for its campaign as Suzuki Philippines (SPH) has thrown its full support to the team as official sponsor.

Recognizing the standing of football as the most popular sport in the world as well as upholding its commitment “to solidify the thrust of competitive sportsmanship through football gaming in the Philippines,” the company has decided to back the Junior Azkals, SPH said in a statement provided during the official sponsorship agreement signing at the Richmonde Eastwood Hotel in Quezon City yesterday.

“Since football is the most popular sport in the world, Suzuki clearly wants to capitalize on this foundation to be able to build a strong pool of young players that will carry the Filipino flag,” said SPH President Satoshi Uichida in the statement.

The sponsorship agreement is in line with SPH’s other programs for local football which include its support for the Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Suzuki U-23 National Cup earlier this year and for the country’s homegrown football heroes Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Yannick Tuazon, Paolo Pascual and Roel Gener.

With this latest backing, the PFF, the national sports association of football in the Philippines, said it is very excited with the partnership and more determined to do good in the upcoming SEA Games. “We in PFF, appreciate all the efforts of SPH in elevating the sport to higher heights, and we are optimistic all this backing will only merit positive results,” said PFF President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.

For his part, Philippine Azkals Team Manager Dan Palami said that while the enthusiasm of the players to compete in international tournaments stems from playing for flag and country, sponsorships from various groups are very much welcome, saying “With the belief that is coming from sponsors like Suzuki, it further fuels them (players)... thinking there is tangible support provided for them.”

This year marks the first time in six years that the Philippines is sending a football team in the SEA Games. The last time the country competed in the regional meet was in 2005 where it had only one win to show for. The best finish the Philippines had in SEA Games football was in 1991 when it made it to the semifinals as host.

The 2011 U-23 team is hoping to build on the interest generated, and headway made, by the Senior Azkals in the last year and a half. The team is made up of local talents backed up by at least seven experienced international campaigners, including Azkals members Roland Muller (goalkeeper) and Jason De Jong (midfielder).

The Philippines is in Group B along with Vietnam, Timor Leste, Laos, Myanmar and Brunei. The Indonesia SEA Games will be from Nov. 11 to 22. -- Michael Angelo S. Murillo

source:

http://www.bworldonline.com

Studio 23 will air Azkals game in Long Teng Cup

Meanwhile, the Azkals games in the upcoming Long Teng Cup will be aired on Studio 23 and BALLS Channel.

The games will be aired on the following dates:

September 30
Philippines vs HongKong 4:30 p.m. (BALLS Channel)

October 2
Philippines vs Chinese Taipei 7 p.m. (Studio 23)

October 4
Philippines vs Macau (BALLS Channel - Airing time not available yet)

Neil, Schrocky may lead Azkals vs Singapore in friendly

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED/CORRECTED) – Key Azkals players Neil Etheridge and Stephan Schrock will be free for their team’s friendly game against Singapore in October.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Nonong Araneta confirmed that the likes of Etheridge, Schrock, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara may play versus Singapore because their October 7 playdate falls under FIFA calendar.

“Yes, the date falls under FIFA calendar,” he said in a text message sent to abs-cbnNEWS.com.

The Singapore Lions agreed to play against the Azkals, giving the Nationals the opportunity to hone their skills.

The game will also give the Azkals a chance to improve its FIFA World ranking.

Singapore is currently 129th in the world, while the Philippines is ranked 162nd.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Fil-Spanish joins Azkals

ANOTHER Fil-Spanish player joined the Philippine Azkals national football team when they resume practice Monday.

National team manager Dan Palami on Sunday confirmed that 22-year-old Carlos Alberto Martínez de Murga Olaivar will be around when the Azkals do their daily workouts at the Alabang Country Club pitch and at the Rizal Memorial football grounds.

The Azkals are preparing for the Long Teng Cup in Taiwan next month.

Olaivar is a right back, who plays for Tercera Racing Club Portuense in Spain. The club plays in the fourth level of the Spanish league system.

His presence here comes at a time when Fil-Spanish striker Angel Guirado takes a rest from his injuries.

He is one of two new faces in the team, the other being Roland Mueller, a Fil-German goalie, who plays for MSV Duisburg in the second division Bundesliga, was recently accepted by the Azkals.

Meanwhile, private funds will be used to renovate the football pitch at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said this after the PFF signed a long-term agreement with the Philippine Sports Commission last Wednesday.

Funds amounting to $500,000 (around P21.7 million) will be used to set up a brand new artificial pitch at the Philsports complex, according to an agreement Araneta signed with PSC chairman Richie Garcia.

Peter Atencio

The money will come from international soccer body FIFA’s Goal 2 Project, which will course the funding through the PFF.

Under the new agreement, funding will be provided for the next 25 years to keep the Philsports turf in top condition, under the management of the PFF.

The facelifting of the 10,000-seat facility will give the PFF’s numerous national teams a chance to practice at any given time. Peter Atencio

source: manilastandardtoday.com

Azkals eye friendly with Bangladesh, India

MANILA—The Philippine Football Federation is still keen on hosting higher-ranked countries Bangladesh or India at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Oct. 9 to play against the Philippine Azkals.

Although Pakistan has expressed interest in going to Manila to face the Azkals, PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said their preference remains Bangladesh (No. 139) or India (No. 158), where former national coach Des Bulpin is currently employed.
The PFF has already agreed with the Football Association of Singapore to stage a friendly pitting the Azkals and the Lions in Singapore on Oct. 6.

Ranked 33 places higher than the Azkals at No. 129 in the world, the Lions, who will use the game as a warm-up for their World Cup Qualifying clash on Oct. 11, will be facing a full-strength Philippine side that will include the likes of Europe-based Neil Etheridge, Paul Mulders and Ray Jonsson.

Because of this development, the Azkals may be flying straight to Singapore from Taipei, where they will play three matches in the Long Teng Cup from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4.

Despite the already busy schedule of the national team, Araneta said the PFF is determined to organize a home match for the Azkals to take advantage of the international break, which runs from Oct. 6 to 11.

If the home match pushes through, the Azkals could be playing five matches in 12 days.

Clubs are inclined to release their players for national team duties during the international break.

“We still want to showcase our best team in Manila,” said Araneta.

Araneta said they are even willing to write off the $22,000 debt of Bangladesh to the federation just for them to agree to play against the Azkals.

The debt stemmed from expenses incurred by Bangladesh when they joined an age-group tournament in the Philippines during the time of former PFF head Mari Martinez.

Meanwhile, Azkals coach Michael Weiss has expressed concern over the condition of the pitch at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, even as he stressed that it should be maintained for the whole year, not just for certain matches.

“The condition of the pitch is like day and night compared to the Kuwait match,” said Weiss, whose wards started training at the Rizal Memorial Stadium late last week.

“The country has to ask itself whether it can only have a pitch for particular matches or whether they want a pitch that they can showcase to the country,” said Weiss.

“Normally it should be maintained the whole year and not only for particular matches. I hope they can correct that.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Caligdong to booters: Height doesn’t matter

PHILIPPINE Men’s Football Team – Azkals co-captain Emilio "Chieffy" Caligdong told the 206 participating teams and hundreds of Negrenses who witnessed the opening of the Mayor Doc Eric 7-A-Side Football Festival last Saturday that height doesn’t matter in football.

The 5’ 5” Ilonggo booter said that in football, height won’t affect one’s performance provided he has the will to excel. “You’ve seen me played. I’m short but I played hard to help the team wins. Look at Argentinean football icon Diego Maradona, he’s short like me but he carried his team to several World Cup appearances.”

“The importance is hard-work and perseverance that will help us in attaining our goals as football players. Aside from dedication, we must also be disciplined to succeed,” he said.

He likewise expressed his appreciation to the City Government of Talisay, headed by Mayor Eric Saratan for inviting him in to the opening of the football festival.

“I was amazed with the number of participants. This showed how Filipinos got their hearts into this game,” he stressed.

He also thanked the Negrenses for their overwhelming support to the Azkals, stressing that they will continue to do their best to make the country proud of the national team.

Two hundred-six teams from the cities of Dumaguete, Cebu, Iloilo and province of Negros Occidental are competing for the 8-category event simultaneously played at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College and Talisay City football pitch.

On the other hand, Mayor Saratan said that having this annual event is part of his commitment to football as he believed that this is the sports for Filipinos.

The event also coincided with the city’s celebration of its annual fiesta in honor of Saint Nicholas de Tolentino.

Games will resume on Saturday, September 10. (JSG)

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on September 06, 2011.

Azkals support Church’s one million tree project

MANILA, Philippines - One Million Trees, a project to help conserve the environment, was recently endorsed by Chieffy Caligdong and Roel Gener of the Philippine Azkals football team.

The national team mainstays urged the youth to take part in a simultaneous, nationwide planting on September 8, 2011, which coincides with the feast of the birth of the Virgin Mary, an important event for Catholics.

Caligdong and Gener, seen on videos in the Salesians of Don Bosco website (http://fin.sdb.ph) and Youtube, called on the youth to join the tree-planting drive by first logging on to Facebook and liking the page “1 million trees (CBCP Year of the Youth)”. Participants will get event updates on their Facebook walls.

The One Million Trees project is part of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Year of the Youth celebration which ends on December 16, 2011.

Representatives from various dioceses, religious organizations and government agencies will plant 49,920 seedlings nationwide on September 8.

Participants include the Archdioceses of Jaro and Cagayan de Oro; Dioceses of Balanga, San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Bangued, Borongan, Laoag, Iligan, Urdaneta, Surigao, Malaybalay and Cabanatuan; Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, a parish in Danao City, Cebu, and the organizations CFC-Singles for Christ (SFC) and the National Youth Commission (NYC).

The project is a response to Pope Benedict XVI’s call to use the earth’s resources wisely and to respect the environment.

In Pope Benedict’s message on January 1 last year for the celebration of the World Day of Peace, he says, “The Church has a responsibility towards creation, and she considers it her duty to exercise that responsibility in public life, in order to protect earth, water and air as gifts of God the Creator meant for everyone, and above all to save mankind from the danger of self-destruction.”

The Azkals, Filipino slang for street dogs, became very popular after the team won different international tournaments and reached the second round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time.

The Azkals can be seen in tv, print and billboard ads.Their popularity has brought unprecedented interest in football in a country long dominated by basketball.

source: mb.com.ph

Athletes take part in Alay Lakad 2011

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals and the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation team showed their support for Alay Lakad Foundation Inc. (ALFI), as both teams took part in Alay Lakad 2011 Sunday morning at the Quirino Grandstand.

The Azkals and the PDBF participated in the annual charity walkathon of the ALFI, which aims to support out-of-school youths.

Aside from the Azkals and the PBDF team, other walk groups include students from Muntinlupa City schools, cadets of the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, and students from the Philippine College of Criminology.

"The goal of Alay Lakad is to help the kids, and as there are many kids who look up to the Azkals, this would be a good way to show them that we are here to support them," said Azkals team manager Dan Palami.

Palami stressed the Azkals will continue to support activities that intend to help children.

"The social responsibility of the team extends beyond football," he said.

Azkals to hold camp in Bacolod

Negrenses will once again have the chance to see the Philippine National Men’s Football Team Azkals play at the Panaad Stadium on September 13, but the Philippine Football Federation announced that the game will not be for free.

To support its various thrusts in strengthening football development in the country, the PFF will sell tickets to the Azkals versus Suzuki Cup Under 23 champion Ceres Negros Team, priced at P200, P100, and P50, the Provincial Sports Office said.

The Azkals are scheduled to arrive in Bacolod on September 8 and will hold camp until September 15 to scout for new breed of players who will be included in the team.

Under the supervision of coach Hans Michael Weiss, the Azkals camp in Bacolod City is intended to boost the national team’s chances in international competitions, especially in the South East Asian Games in Indonesia this November.

Confirming the arrival of the Azkals this week, Angel “Nonong” Verdeflor, Executive Assistant for Sports, said the team will is scheduled to hold tune-up games against the Korean-reinforced Central Philippine University squad from Iloilo on September 9, and against Global Manila on September 11. The tune-up games will be open to the public for free.

Verdeflor said that before the Azkals vs. Ceres – Negros U23 match on September 13, Real Negrense Football Club and Bacolod United will clash in the preliminaries.

Meanwhile, Azkals co-captain Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong, expressed his appreciation to the city government of Talisay for inviting him to the opening of its Football Festival, Saturday.

In his message during the opening of the 7-a-side bootfest, Caligdong encouraged the players to remain dedicated in pursuing excellence in football.

He also thanked the Negrenses for their overwhelming support for the Azkals, stressing that they will continue to do their best to make the country proud of the national team.*NAB

source: visayandailystar.com

Long Teng Cup to showcase young Azkals

MANILA, Philippines – The younger members of the Philippine Azkals will have a chance to show off their football skills in the upcoming Long Teng Cup in Taiwan.

The Azkals will be up against teams from Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan in the friendly tournament to be held from September 28 to October 4.

"They're focusing on the Under-23 team," said Azkals defender Anton del Rosario.

Del Rosario said that the Azkals will be joining the Long Teng Cup in preparation for November’s Southeast Asian Games, where Under-23 teams are fielded.

He added that the tournament will be vital in giving the younger players much needed experience.

"They can hack it, for sure. They just need the confidence and the experience. That's what we need for our younger players, the experience," del Rosario said.

He also expressed confidence that the Philippines will have a good showing in the Long Teng Cup.

"There's always a good chance, especially playing in a local tournament like this. It’s a very friendly tournament," said del Rosario.

Neil Etheridge, Rob Gier, Jerry Lucena, Paul Mulders and Stephan Schrock will not be joining the Azkals for the competition.

Etheridge and Schrock both have commitments to their football clubs in Europe.

But the Azkals will be reinforced by the arrival of 23-year-old Filipino-German goal keeper Ronald Mueller.

The Azkals will begin training for the Long Teng Cup in Bacolod next week.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Malaysia, India invited vs Azkals

I remember Coach Weiss said in one of his interviews before that Azkals will have more international matches to improve the Azkals performance. I like this idea since the Azkals team still needs some improvements in their performance. Since most of the Azkals players came from different countries, more football matches will make the bonds of the team stronger. Hopefully, these matches will serve its purpose to improve Azkals level of play.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Football Federation has invited Malaysia and India to play the Azkals in October at home in friendly matches serving as preview of the national team’s two important competitions next year.

PFF chief Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta Jr. Friday said the invitation to the two squads came after Nepal turned down the PFF’s invite for an Oct. 6 exhibition match at the Rizal Memorial Football Field.

Playing against Malaysia and India, ranked No. 146 and No. 153 in the International Football Federation (Fifa), will give the Filipinos an opportunity to gauge their level of competitiveness as they will get to test the mettle of their future rivals in the AFF-Suzuki Cup and AFC-Challenge Cup, according to Araneta.

“We’ve invited India for an Oct. 6 date while Malaysia for Oct. 9,” said Araneta, noting that a response from Malaysia is expected in the next two days.

Malaysia, which beat Indonesia in the finals on 4-2 aggregate, is the reigning Suzuki Cup champion. The tourney is the same event where the Azkals’ brush with fame started following their historic semifinals finish last year.

India, on the other hand, is the 2008 Challenge Cup champion.

India alongside the Philippines, Nepal and five other countries, will play in the finals of the 2012 edition slated this March.

Araneta said Nepal, the host of Challenge Cup finals, declined the invite because the schedule runs in conflict with the Dashain, Nepal’s biggest festival of the year, which will keep the Nepalese booters busy.

source: mb.com.ph

2 Fil-foreigners to boost Azkals

Its great to know that Azkals is not giving up to strengthen their ranks by getting more players. 2 Fil-foreigners will be invited to boost the Azkals ranks. But I would love to see more local players to be included in the rank. I know that it will take some time to get some good local players here since Basketball is one of the most popular games here in the Philippines. But whether they are locally grown or fil-foreigner what important is the heart to play football and to play for the national team. We salute companies who also support sports teams not only the Azkals since our government cant support most of our sports teams.

PHILIPPINE Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss yesterday revealed that two more Filipino-foreign players are slated to arrive in the country to reinforce the Azkals and the national under-23 squad as they prepare for a series of international meets in the coming months.

Weiss, who has just arrived from a three-week visit from his hometown in Germany, said the team needs to be reinforced by high-caliber players if it hopes to be competitive against football powers in the near future.

“We have many players in line. We have to bring in high-quality players, not average,” said Weiss during Wednesday’s ceremony honoring the Azkals and the Philippine national 4-a-side team to the Homeless World Cup at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.

During the ceremony, executives of Pharma-Rex, the official marketer of paracetamol brand Cortal SQR, presented P500,000 as financial support to the football teams’ stint in the Long Ten Cup in Taiwan and the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

At the same time, HWC coach Rudy del Rosario and team supporters also received a check of P300,000 from Cortal SQR brand manager Anton Panajon. The national four-a-side squad will see action in the 2011 Homeless World Cup in Paris, France on Aug. 21 to 28. Peter Atencio - manilastandardtoday.com

2 Azkals may miss match

The Azkals faces another player problem because two of their players, Neil Etheridge and Marcus Stephan Schrock cant play next match. We have seen this kind of scenario when two of their players wasnt able to play in their 1st leg of Azkals vs Kuwait game. Hopefully they will find the right replacement for these players as soon as possible so that they will be able to play with the team or else they will surely have a hard time winning any match for their next play. We still dont know how much this will affect the Azkals team but they are surely still positive to win their next football matches.

MANILA, Philippines — Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and attacking midfielder Marcus Stephan Schrock are unlikely to join the Philippine football team when it sees action in the Long Teng Cup slated in Kaohsiung, Taiwan late next month.

The four-nation tourney is the first of many lined up for the Azkals following their elimination in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers last July.

The presence of the two players, who shone against the Kuwaitis during the qualifiers, will surely strengthen the Azkals’ chances, but team manager Dan Palami said he may just tap their services for a more important competition in the future.

The 6-foot-2 Fil-British Etheridge, 21, is set to be promoted as regular reliever on the first team of Fulham, which competes in the Premiere League, while the 5-foot-5 Fil-German Schrock is busy with his ballclub Greuther Furth playing in the German second division.

“It’s unlikely that he (Etheridge) will play. For Schorck, may be not also,” Palami said in a recent interview.

“We want to preserve our relationship with their teams, so we bring in the players only when it’s absolutely necessary,” continued Palami, who left for Europe Wednesday to scout possible reinforcements for the Azkals.

Palami, though, said the Under-23 pool preparing for the Southeast Asian Games in November will join the Azkals in the event, where they are bidding to improve on their second place finish behind Hong Kong last year.

The Sept. 28-Oct. 6 competition will have competing teams from Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong and Philippines although Philippine Football Federation chief Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta Jr said the organizers plan to expand the cast to six.

Last year, the Philippines finished with a 1-1-1 record in the competition, thumping Macau, (5-0) drawing with Taiwan (1-1) and bowing to Hong Kong (4-2).

Dragon boat paddlers not comparing selves to Azkals

The Azkals team is still pretty young compare to the Dragon boat team who were able to bagged medals before. The two sports should not be compare since they are different sports. If there is one thing to compare the Philippine Dragon boat team with the Azkals is their dedication to give honor for our country. They did their best to give prestige to our country. Although the Dragon boat team was successful in bringing home five gold medals while the Azkals team failed to make it in FIFA, both teams deserves our support. I just hope that people will give the Dragon boat team the same support they gave with Azkals. Its a good thing that President Noynoy acknowledges the Dragon boat team efforts and pushes to stop politics in sports.

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) team are shrugging off comparisons with the Philippine national football team, the Azkals.

"We are not comparing ourselves (with the Azkals)," said team manager Major Harold Cabunoc.

"What matters is we now saw that many of our countrymen appreciate this victory of ours," Cabunoc added.

The PDBF team won 5 gold medals and 2 silvers in the recent 10th International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Cabunoc said that it is not right to compare the dragon boat team with the football team, whose World Cup dreams ended last month after losing to Kuwait.

"It just so happened that we won," Cabunoc said. "Let's give them time and they’ll win maybe in a few years."

"It's hard to compare because... we play different sports," he added.

Cabunoc said he sees the growth of the dragon boat team's popularity through their Facebook fan page.

"We are very happy. Our Facebook fan page has already reached almost 5,000... This means that more and more people are supporting the group," Cabunoc said.

More honors

The dragon boat team continues to reap commendations from various organizations and has already received offers for product endorsements.

The 12 soldiers from the team were awarded the Military Merit Medal by Armed Forces of the Philippines vice chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu last Monday in Camp Aguinaldo.

Cabunoc said that Davao City and Negros Occidental are also planning honors for the team.

Meanwhile, team captain Sgt. Usman Anterola was grateful for the support being showered on the dragon boat team.

"We are very thankful that we were welcomed warmly. We are very happy with the outpouring of support for us, including those from abroad," Anterola said.

source: abs-cbnNEWS.com

Azkals radio stint at 101.9 Tambayan

Azkals Rob Gier, Misagh, Nate and Simon guesting at 101.9 Tambayan. You can watch their interview below.

Neil Etheridge Sexy Pics for F&H Ad

No doubt that Azkals continue to make a scene in Philippine entertainment industry as they get more Ad projects. Aside from Phil Younghusband, Neil Etheridge is also one of the favorite faces of Azkals team and there are many girls (and men) that go gaga to this young hunk. What is great about Neil is that he remains humble and unaffected by fame that he is currently getting.

Keeper of the goal
By: Tim Yap
Source: Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - What the people have seen over the past few days has been a terrible sight. For those involved and those watching, the country is already in a deep recession which we are trying hard to get out of and this looting and violence against our own people has not helped the cause or helped anyone for that matter. Shop owners, property owners and individuals have been attacked for reasons unknown to anyone. With the Olympics coming up next year we should be uniting as a country not destroying our own.’

Those words were uttered not by a commentator on the BBC or on any news channel for that matter. They came from the mouth of famed Azkals goal keeper Neil Etheridge -- someone we can call our very own.

Neil Etheridge lives 20 minutes away from where the London riots happened earlier this week. “The people involved are selfish and have destroyed many major cities all over the country,” says Neil over the phone, disappointment quite apparent in his low voice. Neil has attracted quite a lot of attention recently for keeping the flames alive for fans of football in the Philippines. This country needs new sports heroes. Neil Etheridge is one of the new flag bearers for this generation’s goal setters.

Not so slowly, the cityscape’s billboards are being lined with athletes telling us what to wear, eat and drink. Some mayors may squirm upon seeing men stripped down to their bare essentials, but hey, that’s their issue. Athletes, whether in their underwear or not, have replaced celebrities in selling fitness because for these titans, fitness is a 24-hour job. They wake up to train. And even if they know how to party, at the end of the day, they still have to get up and train. Playing ball is no easy feat.

Eyes on the prize

While we’re on the topic, I ask Neil about his photos, which circulated all over Twitter. Yes, his Folded and Hung (no pun intended) campaign where Neil keeps his eye on the goal, his intense gaze, arms raised and ready for action.

How did he prepare for the F&H shoot? I mean, it’s not everyday that you get photographed in your underwear. “I have a really great fitness trainer and he has helped me get into shape. Believe it or not my body never looked like that, and I am always looking to improve it. Steve Hines at Fulham Football Club has been a great help with my nutrition and work out. If you’re interested, he leaves tips and information at @peakxvfitness (on Twitter).” I will definitely follow this guy to see if my body will become like Neil Etheridge’s.

“In fact, I was a little shy because I didn’t really want to take my top of in front of a camera straight away. I am quite body concious, if you can believe that. I think (if) you ask most guys, they are.” Who would have known, right?

“He is extremely focused and gives his 110% when it comes to football. He’s really serious about fitness and sometimes goes to the gym twice in one day,” shares Neil’s and the Azkal’s constant companion, Joanne Samson, his agent at W Talent Management.

No to riots, no EDSA billboard

For this particular shoot for F&H, Neil shares, “At that shoot I was just myself. No special work out before. (I) just turned up to have fun in front of a camera.”

And then it got leaked on Facebook and on Twitter.

“I didn’t know at first it was being released and I thought it might have been leaked by accident because I saw it (first) on Twitter. Of course, I was very happy and proud of what I did and how it came out,” Neil speaks in a gentle giant tone, unaffected by fame and just really focused on whatever he does. “My agent from W Talent Agency was the one (who) encouraged me to do the F&H campaign.” That one photo has gone viral and is now posted all over the Internet, making Neil Etheridge a de facto sex symbol overnight.

How does he feel about the “sex symbol” tag? Does it make him feel uncomfortable, like some of our politicians? “Myself as a sex symbol? No, not really. I see myself as a normal person (who) always has time for others. I was lucky enough to be given a talent and I have (worked) hard (on) improving (it) to get to where I am today.”

Ladies, don’t cause a riot over this one. This one won’t be on EDSA anytime, so feel free to share.

The Azkals sexy posts for Health and Beyond

Behind the scenes of the Azkals Photo Shoot for Health and Beyond with Nate Burkey, Misagh Bahadoran, Anton Del Rosario, Simon Greatwich and Rob Gier by Thinline Advertising.

Azkals thanks their fans and sponsor

Pacquiao is also an Azkals fan

Before HBO secured the much awaited Pacquiao vs Marquez fight, Manny Pacquiao revealed to his fans that he is also a fan of the Azkals. It surely surprised the underdog Azkals that one of the well known athlete that the Philippines ever produce is their fan. Well, this surely has boosted the moral of the Azkals amidst the rape controversy that some members are currently facing. You can read the whole interview to Manny Pacquiao below.

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao has so many secrets – some must remain as secrets, though. But last Saturday, he revealed one.

To the surprise of a huge, animated crowd, Pacquiao admitted that he’s also one of the many who were caught up in the football fever that swept the country the past months following the sucess of the national football team.

His revelation further energized the crowd, especially the enthralled Azkals squad.

“Dati po hindi ako mahilig sa football. Pero ngayon mahilig na ako dahil sa Philippine Azkals,” said Pacquiao during the annual Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night at the historic landmark Manila Hotel.

The revelation came as a piece of good news for Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta and members of the Philippine Azkals, who were bestowed with the Presidential Achievement award.

The Azkals sparked a football buzz after their historic semifinal finish in the Suzuki Cup last year.

The eight-division world champion claimed that he was rooting for the Mexican football team before.

But when the Azkals shocked defending Suzuki Cup champion Vietnam, 2-0, his admiration for the Azkals got bigger.

“Dati Mexico ang pinapanood kong team. Ngayon Azkals na,” said Pacquiao who is set to fight Shane Mosley for the Filipino’s World Boxing Organization’s welterweight title on May 7 in Las Vegas.

The Azkals sustained their sizzling run last month by beating Mongolia, 2-0, in the first leg of their AFC Challenge Cup qualifier.

Pacquiao also had a fond memory of international boxing referee Carlos Padilla, Jr. – one of the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement awards.

He said in jest that Padilla helped him during his fight with Nedal Hussein of Australia.

“Nong natumba ako, matagal ako binilangan ni Mr. Padilla, syempre para maka-recover ako,” said the smiling Pacquiao.
Luckily for Pacquiao and Padilla, the fight was held in Antipolo City in 2000. Had it been fought somewhere else, a riot could have ensued.

“Andito na tayo sa Pilipinas, ginamit na niya ang pagka-advantage natin,” said Pacquiao who eventually stopped his foe in the 10th round. This was published in Manila Bulletin

2015 Asian Cup is Azkals next target

MANILA—The Philippine Azkals are setting their sights on qualifying for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia. And they will get their first shot as early as March next year when they see action in the final round of the AFC Challenge Cup hosted by Nepal.

“Bringing home the Challenge Cup is our next target as it ensures our participation for the 2015 the Asian Cup,” said Azkals manager Dan Palami. “It’s not akin to the World Cup, but the hype and excitement will be at the level of the World Cup.”

This early, Palami is already mulling the staging of friendlies for the Azkals in preparation for the Challenge Cup.

Palami rattled off India and Pakistan as prospective opponents for friendly matches for the Azkals in October.

“All of the friendly matches we will have are preparatory to the Challenge Cup and keep our rankings up,” said Palami, who had lamented the recent drop of the Azkals’ position in the Fifa rankings despite their victories against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh early this year.

When Palami flies to Europe late this month, he intends to talk to the clubs of Europe-based Azkals like Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara and lobby for their release for the March 3 to 18 tournament.

“We want to bring the best possible team to the Challenge Cup,” he said.

Although he has yet to reveal their names, Palami is also seeking to talk to new Filipino prospects for the team based in Europe.

“So far, we have six names, but it might expand to 10 before I leave,” said Palami.

The Azkals return to action in the Long Teng Cup starting Sept. 28 in Taiwan, with Palami expected to field a mix of the seniors team and the Under-23 squad that is preparing for the Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta in November.

The Azkals advanced to the AFC Challenge Cup main tournament for the first time by overcoming Mongolia in pre-qualifying, before finishing second behind Palestine in the group qualifying in Myanmar last March.

The other teams that qualified for the Challenge Cup, a competition for emerging Asian countries, are North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Maldives, Nepal and India.

The Azkals saw their World Cup qualifying run end last July 28 when they lost to Kuwait, 1-5, on aggregate after the second round.

Still, the Azkals already made history by reaching the second round after beating Sri Lanka in their first World Cup qualifying tie in close to 10 years.

The Azkals missed standouts like Lucena, Cagara and Mulders in the Kuwait tie because of club commitments

“This early we will already ask permission for their clubs so that it will be easier for us next year,” Palami added.

Published in inquirer.net

Dan Palami Scouts For New Azkals Members

Philippine Azkals manager Dan Palami is off, with Brussels, Belgium as the first stop on a working tour of Europe, searching for more football players of Filipino lineage to lure to the national cause. Some of the veteran Fil-foreign players on the Azkals are playing bigger roles with their mother clubs in Europe, and are going to be less available as the seasons wear on. Some of them may not even be released by their pro teams, at all.

When asked how he was going to attract these players, and if the job was easier now with the team’s relative fame, Palami had a standard-issue answer.

“What’s my pitch going to be? It’s going to be the same as it was with guys like Rob Gier, when nobody knew – or cared – about the Azkals,” explained Palami. “It’s a chance to play for flag and country.”

What the general public does not realize (particularly those who have biases against the inclusion of “half-Filipino” players), is that it is often a great financial sacrifice for these young men to come to the Philippines at the cost of jobs with limited slots in the soccer hotbeds in Europe. Some of our players receive $10,000-$20,000 salaries to play professionally in Europe, which is no mere pittance. Yet, many of them have risked their professional careers and taken leaves of absence to suit up for matches wearing the Philippine flag.

Managing sensitivities on the issue of race is also something the Philippine Football Federation is now conscious of. Bear in mind that the huge sums being given as sponsorship money to the Azkals actually go to the coffers of the PFF for grassroots development. With the sport’s development having been “dormant for decades” as Palami says, it will “take four years” or so before we develop another Chieffy Caligdong. In the meantime, the team needs the technology transfer and seasoned talent of Fil-foreign players who are willing to don the flag.

There are a lot of big tournaments awaiting the Azkals, who are also part of the United Football League individually, and to some extent, members of the Under-23 team. The Southeast Asian Games involves the younger Azkals, while the Suzuki Cup and AFC are slated for next year. These major tournaments coincide with breaks in major European leagues, as FIFA avoided the overlap between national and club teams. In the meantime, there are more diamonds in the rough home and away, waiting to be discovered. Published in The Philippine Star

Who Is Hotter Between James And Phil?

Who do you think is hotter? James Younghusband or Phil Younghusband? Cast your vote in our poll...

Phil Younghusband leads the poll 39-27

Azkals vs Kuwait Leg 2 Live Streaming

The Philippine Azkals vs Kuwait Al-Azraq World Cup qualifying 2nd leg match face-off continues later today, July 28, 2011. This will be the second leg and the home game for the Azkals. It will be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Philippines. You can watch Azkals vs Kuwait 2nd leg match Live Streaming below.

You can watch it via http://www.hayag.com/kumanderbungo



Kuwait won the game 2-1.

Kuwait beats PH Azkals

Kuwait The Blue football team tames the Philippine Azkals in their first leg match. They showed Azkals that they can stop them in their dreams of becoming the Asia’s best.

But still the Ph Azkals team still showed a good fight amidst of being tagged as the underdog in the match last Saturday night.

The more experienced Kuwaiti football team prevailed over the Azkals in the first leg of their second round World Cup Qualifying duel at the Mohammed Al-Hammad Stadium. The match ended in 0-3 in favor for Kuwait.

The first leg game looked more like a home match for the Azkals because Filipino OFWs flocked the stadium and they outnumbered the home fans. The Azkals team was somewhat unlucky not to score twice early of the game. Then the Al-Azraq broke through Azkals defense added two more goals in the second half that they completely dominated.

“We had a great fight here in Kuwait,” Weiss said. “The first half was one of our best performances. If we scored there we never know how the match would have turned. Kuwait is a strong team and they classically played us out in the second half. I just wish we wouldn’t have conceded a third goal.”

The Azkals vs Kuwait second leg match will be at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. The PH Azkals need to win by four goals or more to make it the third round for the first time. If Azkals have a 3-0 win it will only send the game into extra time so they need to get at least 4 goals in the next match.

“It’s quite disappointing because i knew we could have held them a 2-0 now with a 3-0 result it has become tougher task in Manila,” said Azkals manager Dan Palami. “But knowing that we have played against a team that has just beaten Saudi Arabia and Iraq and has just been crowned gulf champion should be something to be proud of as an emerging football country.”

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Azkals vs. Kuwait 1st Leg Match Highlights

Despite of the great defense by Azkals on their 1st leg match against Kuwait held at at the Mohammad Al Hamad Stadium, the team was all disappointed of not having even one goal though they had several attempts. The previously held game for the 2nd round World Cup qualifier gave Kuwait’s Al-Azraq a 3-0 lead leaving Philippine Azkals to target for 4-0 in order to defeat them and advance to the 3rd round of the World Cup qualifier.

In the absence of Azkals’ team captain Alexander Borromeo, midfielder Emelio Caligdong step up to lead their game. Azkals starting lineup was consist of Etheridge, Gier, Sabio, Del Rosario, James & Phil Younghusband, Ott, de Jong, Jonsson, Caligdong, Guirado while for Al-Azraq's, they were GK Nawaf Al Khaldi (c) dfamer matoug, fahad awad, hussain fadhel, mesad nada, mf fahad al enezi, fahed el ibrahim,talal el amer waleid ali, fw bader al mutwa, yousef naser.

#20 Yousef Naser scored Kuwait’s first goal, Musaed Neda scored the second, and #11 Fahed Al-Ibrahim made the final goal. Despite of the very physical game, great sportsmanship had been seen from Kuwait's GK Nawaf Al Khaldi as he helped Guirado when he’s down and in pain.

During the game, yellow card was given to #4 of Kuwait Hussain Fadel, #13 Musaed Neda. For team Azkals, MF Jason de Jong got one at 54:45 minutes of the game and another one for MF Simon Greatwich just before the final whistle.

Azkals are hoping to get more support from Filipino fans as they pave their way to the 2nd leg match versus Kuwait to be held live at their home court, Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, on July 28, Thursday at 5:30pm. The team also look forward to the return of their team captain Aly Borromeo and midfielder Stephan Schrock, who were suspended for the 1st leg after incurring 2 yellow cards in the Azkals' 1st round qualifier against Sri Lanka.

Watch Azkals vs Kuwait Live Streaming

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Go Team Azkals!

Angel And Phil Younghusband Dating Exclusively

Well, we've seen how worked up Phil Younghusband was when he played and scored in the Azkals vs Sri Lanka match and maybe because Angel Locsin was there to watch and cheer him up.

Believe it or not, young star Angel Locsin and Philippine Azkals member Phil Younghusband are dating exclusively. In one of their interviews, Angel and Phil said that they are content with what they have at the moment, and taking “that relationship” to a different level is something they both believe will have to wait.

“We are exclusively dating…we don’t want to rush things,” said Phil and Angel quickly added, “We are just enjoying our every moment together.”

Apparently the two agreed that they will exclusively date each other and that they will not see or date any other while in keeping the agreement.

On the other hand, you might already seen Angel Locsin and Phil Younghusband commercial for Century Tuna. They were introduced as a couple but still Angel says that she's single and defended that this is all not a gimmick since Phil asked Angel out on a date publicly on Twitter.

If you haven't seen Phil Younghusband and Angel Locsin TV Ad you can check our previous post or visit our facebook Azkals page and be updated with team Azkals. Photo by abs-cbn.