Chieffy Caligdong Named Globe Ambassador

Not only that Azkals have proven that they are more than the pretty faces people see on the screen they were also successful in making Football popular in the Philippines. Today, we no longer cheer for basketball or other popular games we often see in the streets of the Philippines but we have found a new love with Football through the PH Azkals team.

Chieffy Caligdong were able to show the world that not only the good looking half pinoys can become popular on screen but he had shown that local talents has what it takes to play soccer. I think that's why Globe chose Chieffy Caligdong to become their sports ambassador.

Not only that the Azkals made football popular to the Philippines but most of their members can really become great models to our young Filipinos as well especially Chieffy. I hope that more businesses will support not only team Azkals but other local talents that are doing their best to be a great model and to do well in their sports. That way we will see less athletes who will decide to leave Philippines in search for greener pastures or for whatever reasons like what Chieffy shared in the article below.

Chieffy Caligdong has agreed to become a sports ambassador of telecom giant Globe in a move that will likely prevent the popular Philippine Azkals winger from leaving the country to join his wife abroad.

The pint-sized Caligdong formalized his partnership with Globe United during yesterday's press conference at the Legend Villas Hotel in Mandaluyong City attended by Globe CEO and president Ernest Cu and UFL club Green Archers United.

"It's a dream come true," Caligdong said in Filipino. "It's an opportunity to help (Globe) with its sports development program and we will be able to teach a lot of people."

As sports ambassador, the Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo-native will take part in football development programs of Globe and Green Archers United.

He will also "provide mentorship support" for the Archers team in the UFL. Globe recently forged a partnership with the club that finished ninth in the recent season.

There is also a chance that Caligdong may join the club following his impending discharge from the Philippine Air Force in December.

Team manager Monchu Garcia, however, is not closing the door on the possibility of the charismatic booter to don the Green Archer colors in the immediate future.

"We would be honored if he decides to join our team but he has to maintain his commitments with his current club (Air Force)," said Garcia. "But this three-way partnership is the first step towards developing and identify local talents."

The move may also signal Caligdong's stay in the country to remain as part of the Philippine Azkals.

Caligdong once said at the end of his UFL campaign with Air Force that he may decide to join his wife in the United States where she works as nurse.

Regardless, he will be available for the Azkals campaign in the AFF Suzuki Cup slated late-November in Bangkok. They are bracketed alongside host Thailand, Vietnam and the top team of the qualifying round in Group A.

"They're saying that we're again in the 'Group of Death' and that presents a challenge," he said. "I feel that we're a strong team and the teams are trying to avoid us and I'm confident about our chances in the Suzuki Cup."


source: mb.com.ph/

Azkals T-Shirts American Boulevard

Surely there are a lot of Azkals fans who are going to search for Azkals tshirts and other products. If you’re a fan of our Philippine football team these are one of the chances to show how you love our Azkals. When I went to SM Trinoma sometime before I saw an Azkals t-shirt being sold in American Boulevard store. I later found out that the the azkals t-shirt sold in american boulevard is not an official shirt. But if you still want to show your support to PH Azkals team then you can buy one of those amblvd azkals shirt for only Php 499.

You can buy azkals t-shirt also in other american boulevard branches:

SM Bacoor
SM Sta Rosa
Alabang Town Center
Isetann
SM Fairview
SM Megamall
SM Dasmarinas
SM Manila
Trinoma
SM North Edsa
Alimall
SM Clark
La Salle
Robinsons Place
SM Pampanga
SM Bicutan
CEU
Festival Mall
Katipunan
SM Marilao
SM San Lazaro

If the AMBLVD branch near you does not have the design or product that you want then maybe it will be more convenient for you to visit their other american boulevard philippines branches or visit american boulevard website. You can also visit their American Boulevard Facebook page.

Here are sample Azkals tshirts from AMBLVD FB Page

PFF mulls new date for 4-nation bash

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Football Federation is eyeing a late September schedule for the four-nation meet it is organizing in Bacolod City as part of the Azkals’ preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup.

PFF president Nonong Araneta said from the original slate of Oct. 12-16, the PFF is looking at new match dates of Sept. 25, 27, and 29 for the competitions that will feature Phl, Chinese Taipei and Macau and a fourth nation, possibly recent visitor Guam.

“We’re setting an earlier schedule to give way to the participation of the Loyola Meralco Sparks in the semifinals of the RHB Singapore Cup in the first week of October,” Araneta said.

The Sparks are bannered by two Azkals stalwarts, Fil-British brothers Phil and James Younghusband, and are set to face Singapore League powerhouse Tampines Rovers in the semifinals in October.

The four-nation meet in Bacolod will be this year’s version of the Long Teng Cup, an annual international bootfest among the Filipinos, the Taiwanese, and players from Macau and Hong Kong, previously held in Kaoshiung.

Last year’s champion Hong Kong had already begged off from the Bacolod tilt, according to Araneta, who added that they are looking at Guam to complete the roster.

“We’ve already written Chinese Taipei and Macau if they are available for the new dates and we’ll probably know their answer by this week,” said Araneta.

He added that the Guam Matao, who were in Phl last June 12 and dropped a 0-3 setback to the Azkals, will likely be invited to join this gig, having expressed interest to return to the City of Smiles.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Thais, Viets wary of Azkals, too

My Say: I think one reason why they are wary of Azkals is because the Azkals team is very eager to prove their worth in the field that they also have what it takes to win against Thailand and Vietnam football team and since the last AFF Suzuki cup, the PH Azkals team is training very hard to improve their teamwork and their skills. Just take a look with Phil Younghusband who is very excited with the coming AFF Suzuki Cup instead of fearing their strong opponents. Not only that Azkals football team is really preparing hard for their upcoming battles by calling foreign-born players and even even Aly Borromeo is fit enough to play to boost the Azkals power.

MANILA, Philippines - If the Philippines is wary of Vietnam and host Thailand in the group stages of the coming AFF Suzuki Cup, the Vietnamese and the Thais are equally on guard against the Azkals.

"Philippines has called up many foreign-born players recently. Their national team has turned into a completely different one. Therefore, we must be careful," Vietnam coach Phan Thanh Hung said as quoted by football website GOAL.Com.

The Azkals shed off their doormat image in biennial meet's previous staging in 2010, pulling off a giant 2-0 upset over the then reigning holders Vietnam in the group stages en route to a breakthrough semis appearance.

Much of the leap in the Pinoys competitive level has been attributed to the heads up plays of the Phl pros based in Europe.

"In coming time, we are going to keep close watch on their moves such as which players are called up, where they are from and their strength and weakness," Phan added.

The Azkals, 2008 winners Vietnamese and three-time ASEAN titlists Thais are bunched together in Group A of the Nov. 24-Dec. 1 meet, along with the winner of the Qualifying Round.

To prepare for the Suzuki Cup, Phan said Vietnam has set two friendlies against Indonesia in September and a pocket tournament with Turkmenistan, DPR Korea, and Iran’s Olympic team in October.

Thailand's coach Winfried Schaefer is also cautious against both the Azkals and the Vietnamese side, saying their groupmates are "very strong and there are no clear favorites."

"I have seen both Vietnam and the Philippines play and they are very strong," the German mentor said in a report on Bangkok Post.

"We have to train really hard and prepare well for the tournament so we can put a good team on the field," he added.

The Thais, who last won the title in 2002, may have to cram up their preparations as according to the Asean Football Federation (AFF) website, the Thai Premier League will only finish some 25 days before the Suzuki Cup.

"The national camp starts on Nov. 5 and we have arranged for two matches then. Prior to the camp, we need to play more matches. If we do not have enough quality matches, it will be a catastrophe for the team," Schaefer told the AFF.

Reports have it that Thailand is eyeing to play Iraq in a friendly at home on Sept. 1.

The Azkals themselves have lined up extensive build-up in the next five months, including training camp in the US, a series of friendlies, and participation in the Nehru Cup in India.

source: abs cbn news

Phil Younghusband excited on AFF Cup

Phil Younghusband, Philippines Azkals striker, is very excited on the upcoming AFF Cup even though the Azkals team received the "most difficult" draw. Phil is still optimistic on Azkals chances of success at the upcoming 2012 AFF Cup where they finished following on from their fourth place finish two years ago.

"It was the most difficult outcome that would have been possible, but if we want to show how far we've come and want to win the competition, we have to win the best teams," he told Goal.com.

Many Azkals fans are looking forward for the PH Azkals game and hoping that their favorite team will be able out do themselves and surpass their 2010's AFF Cup fourth place finish.

For this year's AFF match, The Azkals were drawn in Group A alongside powerhouse Thailand, Vietnam and the winner of the qualifying group which are being contested by neighboring countries, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Myanmar, Brunei and Laos.

Let's not forget to show our support once again to our favorite football team as they face their future opponents.

Azkals got invited to India tilt

PH Azkals team may cut short their training camp in the US to join a formidable field in the Nehru Cup in India from Aug. 22 to Sept. 2.

The Azkals football team are set to play at least three matches in the United States from Aug. 10 to 25, but according to Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Azkals team might accept the Indian invitation. Last time India was defeated by the Philippines in the AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal.

The PH Azkals team wants to get the best possible preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup late this year as they try to at least match their historic semifinal finish two years ago.

Participation of pedigreed sides like Jordan, Syria and Kenya in the tournament can be the one factor that can help persuade the PFF to join the Nehru Cup.

Aside from India and the Philippines the other country that has already confirmed to participate in Nehru Cup thus far is Maldives. Other teams that were invited in the tournament in India was Cameroon, Nigeria, Thailand, Costa Rica, Malaysia, and Zambia.

Pinoys will surely continue to root for PH Azkals team whether or not PFF decides to join the tournament in India.

Borromeo fully healed

Aly Borromeo, skipper of PH Azkals, wants to start playing again for the Philippine men's football team again after he acquired an ACL injury on his right knee since October last year.

Aly Borromeo is now fully recovered and he is set to play his first outing in the team's coming training camp in the US.

"I'm okay now, everything's going well and I'm looking forward to our preparations in the US, where we play three teams, including two from MLS (Major League Soccer)," said Aly.

Borromeo’s last played for Azkals was against Nepal in a friendly at Rizal on October 11, 2011. Weeks after the match, Aly tore his ACL while playing for Kaya FC in the United Football League (UFL), an injury that required him to rest for six months and a surgery.

"I'll be playing in the States; that's our arrangement with coach (Michael) Weiss. He will slowly infuse me into the team, starting in the US (trip)," he said of the camp that kicks off the Azkals’ buildup for the Nov. 24-Dec. 22 AFF Suzuki Cup in Malaysia and Thailand.

Its really great to know that Aly will be able to play again for Azkals. Hopefully he is fully recovered from his injuries.

Azkals FIFA World Ranking

Here's Azkal football team current standing in South East Asia rankings

1) Vietnam - 120
2) Thailand - 135
3) Philippines - 152
4) Indonesia - 153
5) Malaysia - 157
6) Singapore - 158
7) Myanmar - 180
8) Laos - 190
9) Cambodia - 192
10) Brunei - 201
11) Timor-Leste - 204

Even though the Philippines soccer team has fallen three places in the latest FIFA rankings there is still good news because they were able to retain their third spot in South East Asia after the two draws with Indonesia and Malaysia and Azkals team beating Guam 3-0.

Hopefully, the Suzuki Cup later this year will give the Azkals team the best chance of improving their rankings again and do better than their ranking of 148 from earlier this year.

Phil Younghusband Confirms Relationship with Angel Locsin

Phil Younghusband was interviewed in The Buzz earlier and has confirmed her relationship with actress Angel Locsin. He cited the story about three boxes that she presented to Angel that signifies the most remarkable moments since they met. Their relationship became official on May 27, 2012.