Demitrius Omphroy Appears In Justin Bieber’s Video

MANILA, Philippines – Demitrius Omphroy is not only one of the promising newcomers in the Philippine National Football Team (Azkals), but also a music video star who has appeared in Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend."

The 23-year-old half-Filipino athlete is seen four times in the music video, more prominently at around the 1:40 mark, where he’s shown standing beside a blonde girl. He’s also the same guy seen inside a car with his love interest a little past the video’s third minute.

Photos during the shooting of “Boyfriend” were posted in Omphroy’s Facebook fan page.

Omphroy, born in the US to a Filipino mother and a Panamanian father, was diagnosed a few years ago with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease, that, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is “a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.”

Having played for the Toronto FC before joining the Azkals, Omphroy noted himself as the first player in the history of the Major League Soccer (MLS) with MS.

In an interview with the New York Times last year, Omphroy said that he has grown more cautious of his health and diet.

“It’s very uncertain what your body could end up making you deal with. I don’t know if something could randomly happen or when I’m going to have an episode. You just can’t predict it,” he said about MS.

As seen in his personal Tumblr blog, Omphroy aims to spread awareness about the illness.

“In the end, my goal is to help find a cure to a disease that I have to deal with on a daily basis,” he said in one of his posts last year tackling his initiative, Art4MS Online Auction.

Aside from being an athlete, Omphroy lists himself as a singer, actor, and artist.

Fil-German Stars For Azkals

MANILA – Substitute Patrick Reichelt scored his first international goal in the 81st minute as the Philippine Azkals made up for an evening of missed chances with a 1-0 win over Guam Tuesday night at the start of the Philippine Football Peace Cup at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

With his mother watching him in action for the first time in five years, Reichelt made it a perfect moment by scoring a header off a defensive lapse by Guam's Scott Leon Guerrero to give a sparse Azkals crowd something to cheer about.

Behind the heroics of Reichelt, who came in for Ian Araneta in the 65th minute, the Filipino booters avoided what could have been a lousy draw to take the early lead in the four-nation tournament.

Earlier, Yang Chao Sun scored on a penalty kick in the 90th minute to help Taiwan force a 2-all tie with Macau.

The breakthrough goal of the Fil-German began when Jeff Christiansens booted a long corner to Jason Sabio, who then attempted to score a long header.

Guerrero was able to deflect the shot into the air but as he watched the flight of the ball, Reichelt made an alert move by leaping over the Macao defender for the only goal of the match.

"It's a dream come true," said Reichelt, whose Filipina mom came to Manila as part of her two-week vacation to watch her son play.

The match, however, saw an inconsistent, sometimes sloppy play from the Azkals, who also entered the tournament minus charismatic brothers Phil and James Younghusband due to monetary and commitment issues.

Araneta, Chieffy Caligdong, Denis Wolf and Carli de Murga blew a number of chances to score, highlight a night where the Azkals attempted 10-of-19 their shots on goal.

"I'm happy with the result. I'm not happy with the game but I think we can be better," said coach Michael Weiss.

‘PFF cannot meet Younghusbands’ demands’

The Philippines opens its campaign in the four-nation Paulino Alcantara Peace Cup against Guam at Rizal Memorial Stadium tonight with the specter of Phil and James Younghusband’s absence hanging over the national side.

The Azkals will be without two of their key players who were dropped from the lineup because of “commitment issues and economic and non-economic demands.”

National coach Michael Weiss remains upbeat even without the Fil-British brothers, who have accounted for 33 goals since they made their senior debuts in 2006.

“We have prepared well and there is good spirit in the team,” said Weiss, whose squad will be looking to end a 99-year wait for an international title.

The Azkals will be seeking a repeat win against Guamanians whom they crushed, 3-0, last June in Bacolod.

Philippine Football Federation communications head Ebong Joson revealed there “are certain economic and non-economic demands from the Younghusbands which we cannot meet.”

Without giving specifics, Joson said the PFF cannot even afford half of what Phil Younghusband “counter-offered” in the contract they gave in exchange for full commitment from national players until the 2012 Suzuki Cup in November.

But the brothers, in a separate press conference, said they were ready to accept the offer, although they have yet to sign the contract.

“We will even play for the national team for free,” said James.

Another tricky issue on the contract, James said, was their involvement on promotional activities of the team, which they cannot totally commit to.

The Younghusbands have a myriad of activities apart from the national team as they are also under contract with UFL club Loyola Meralco. They also run their own football academy aside from their commercial endorsement deals.

“They have performed but now they’ve overstretched a little bit too much,” said Weiss, noting that the two players have missed training sessions and matches in lieu of other commitments.

“They made a promise (of being there) and I said I cannot tolerate that you are not in the team most of the time.”

The German coach added: “We only asked for their total commitment from September to November.”

Weiss was noncommittal when asked if he was ready to give the brothers another chance after the Peace Cup.

“We’re still ready to play for the national team,” said the brothers.

Phil, James Dropped From Azkals

The Philippine Azkals will try to win the Philippine Football Peace Cup which starts tomorrow at the Rizal Memorial Stadium without charismatic brothers Phil and James Younghusband.

Both brothers, arguably two of the team's most popular players, have mysteriously been left out for the week-long tournament after the Azkals released their official lineup yesterday.

Their absence, despite the event being a friendly, will certainly play a key role in the team's preparation and cohesion for the AFF Suzuki Cup group stage slated November in Bangkok, Thailand.

The move will be the latest of a series of absence by the brothers this year. They recently missed the friendly match against Laos in Vientiane (the Azkals lost 2-0) to commemorate the one-year death anniversary of their mother.

They were also absent when the Filipino booters played friendlies in the Middle East, Malaysia and Chicago this year, citing various commitments.

Curiously, both players were also benched in the first half of the Azkals' 2-2 draw against Indonesia in June.

"Having greatly benefited from Suzuki Cup 2010, we expect our players to work harder than ever this year. Unfortunately, not everyone in the team could assure us of this; a few have already signified their unavailability for some crucial activities leading up to the tournament," the Azkals also said.

Still, Weiss has lightning-quick left winger Chieffy Caligdong, Denis Wolf and Patrick Reichelt to lean on.

Philippine Azklas fall to Laos, 1-2

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines failed to follow up its impressive win over Singapore as it yielded to lower-ranked Laos, 1-2, in a friendly Monday night to wrap up its three-game Southeast Asian stretch at the National Stadium in Vientiane.

The Azkals, who blanked Singapore, 2-0, last Friday, gave up two penalties which Laos capitalized on with as many goals.

Rob Gier salvaged a goal late off a throw in by Jason Sabio in the 92nd minute.

Gier though, committed a foul inside the box which resulted to Laos’ first goal in the 52nd minute before another foul by Neil Etheridge gave Laos a 2-0 cushion.

Next up for the Azkals is the Philippine Football Peace Cup on September 25-29 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The Philippine Azkals drew Cambodia, 0-0, in their first friendly.

source: Mb.com.ph

Azkals Take On Laos

MANILA, Philippines — Perked up by their memorable 2-0 win over Singapore last Friday, the Philippine Azkals hope to close out their three-nation tour with a bang as they collide with Laos on Monday at the New Laos National Stadium in Vientiane.

Led by Chieffy Caligdong and Stephan Schrock, the Azkals face the hosts at 7 p.m. at the Laotian capital in their first meeting since their 2-2 draw in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying stage.

In that match, the Filipino booters rallied from a 2-0 deficit with James Younghusband scoring the equalizer in extra time to force a tie. That feat eventually propelled the Azkals to the group stage where they clinched a semifinal berth – also a first for the country.

Coach Michael Weiss still considers Laos as a very dangerous team but with the way his boys played against the Singaporeans he expressed confidence of closing their three friendly games on a high note – even without brothers James and Phil Younghusband.

The Younghusbands immediately flew back home after their game to commemorate the first death anniversary of their mother.

Weiss was particularly happy with the brilliance displayed by Caligdong, Younghusband and Schrock.

Caligdong and Phil scored to help the Philippines beat Singapore, 2-0, at Jurong West Stadium in the Lion City.

The win over Singapore was the country’s first since 1972, thus making their feat the more impressive.

It was also a nice bounce back from Wednesday's scoreless draw with Cambodia where the Azkals blew a number of chances to score in the rain-drenched affair held in Phnom Penh.

Caligdong's eighth-minute goal set the tempo for the Azkals victory.

Younghusband tagged on one more to add some cushion to the lead – big thanks to Schrock’s gutsy effort.

source: mb.com.ph

Azkals Celebrity Look-Alike

I like to begin this post with my favorite Azkal player. For me Phil Younghusband can replace Taylor Lautner as Jacob in Twilight if they're going to remake this movie. Their face features are very identical and I think there may be other celebrities who look like him besides Taylor Lautner. Maybe you know some celebrities I am not that familiar with. You may list down the names of celebrities who you think Phil has much resemblance with. Tell us also who can be the celebrity look-alike of the other Azkals members so we can post it here in our blog.

Azkals rue draw with Cambodia

PHNOM PENH—Unable to finish off countless chances, the Philippines failed to get a reward for its hard work and settled for a scoreless draw against a stubborn Cambodia side Wednesday night at the wet and slippery National Olympic Stadium here.

Ranged against a team that needs to go through qualifying for the AFF Suzuki Cup, the Azkals were unlucky not to grab a late winner as they continued their buildup for the biennial tournament.

Phil Younghusband bungled an effort from eight yards in the 13th minute, Jason Sabio shook the crossbar with a header, before Patrick Riechelt was denied by the post six minutes from time.

While the outcome was similar to their last meeting, the Azkals looked the more threatening side this time, particularly in the second half where they carved out chance after chance in heavy downpour.

“We should have won the match very clearly but there were chances that we couldn’t take advantage of,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss, whose side had 18 attempts on goal with 11 on target.

Except for a near goalkeeping mishap from Neil Etheridge when he miskicked a clearance in the 63rd minute and a half chance on the breakaway from Khem Borey, the Azkals were hardly troubled by the home side that was buoyed by a crowd of about 8,000.

Carli De Murga and Rob Gier needed to produce last-ditch tackles in the first half to prevent a couple of chances for Cambodia.

Younghusband was substituted in the 65th minute, making way for Denis Wolf, who also had three chances, including a clever turn from just outside the box before forcing a save from the Cambodian keeper Su Yatai.

Coming in for Jerry Lucena at halftime, Reichelt made an instant impact on the right wing on his international debut, but was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when his shot hit the post in the 86th minute.

The Filipinos face Singapore Friday for the second of their three-country swing with Fil-German Stephan Schrock, fresh off his Bundesliga debut, back in the fold.

Azkals test progress versus Cambodians

PHNOM PENH—The Philippines’ buildup for the AFF Suzuki Cup makes a stop in this quaint city by the Mekong River, evoking memories of the long and tough grind the Azkals went through two years ago.

The Filipinos face an old foe in the Cambodians at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in a friendly at National Olympic Stadium here.

It will mark the first clash between the two sides since they played to a scoreless draw in the AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying in Vientiane, Laos.

While the Azkals advanced to the main tournament because of the standoff, the Cambodians were stalled on goal difference.

“We barely survived them last time, so it’s going to be interesting how far both teams have progressed since then,” said Azkals manager Dan Palami.

The Azkals will be armed to the teeth with Europe-based Neil Etheridge, Paul Mulders and Jerry Lucena playing.

James Younghusband is suspended for the game by the PFF Disciplinary Committee.

Coach Michael Weiss and Palami, who were both slapped with two-game bans for a “failure in leadership” during the incident that led to the complaint of AFC match commissioner Cristy Ramos, have also appealed their sanctions.

Nonetheless, Weiss believes his team is in good shape.

“The team should be in a very good condition,” said Weiss, whose team will visit Singapore on Friday and Laos on Monday.

source: mb.com.ph

Azkals leave Monday for 3-country swing

With suspensions on its coach and one of its key players looming, the Philippine football team leaves for Cambodia today to start a three-country swing in preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup in November.

German coach Michael Weiss will still travel with the Azkals as he files an appeal to rescind a two-match suspension meted by the Philippine Football Federation Disciplinary Committee for a "failure in leadership" during the Philippines-Malaysia friendly last February.

James Younghusband, who skippered the team in the match, is also expected to appeal the decision that rules him out from the match against Cambodia on Wednesday.

The committee had earlier cleared Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado from the sexual harassment complaint filed by Football Confederation match commissioner Cristy Ramos, but still sanctioned members of the side for what it described as "breakdown in discipline" during the prematch inspection.

"I don't get the point so much because first of all the people in the locker room have been given the tasks to look after the team in case I'm absent," Weiss told the Inquirer. "We are a team that works well so there's no necessity for the coach to be with his players all the time like a kindergarten teacher."

The Azkals, whose members conducted a clinic yesterday at Philsports in Pasig as part of the launching of the 1 Goal for Peace program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process, face Singapore on Friday and Laos on Sept. 10. Cedelf P. Tupas

source: mb.com.ph

Azkals lend support to peace talks, initiatives

Azkals lend support to peace talks, initiativestting a boost from the men’s national football team, the Azkals, which will dedicate all its games in September for peace.

Azkals team manager Dan Palami said they will hold a football clinic at the kickoff dubbed “1Goal for Peace” at the PhilSports Complex on September 2, in support of National Peace Consciousness Month.

“We are actually dedicating all our games this September for peace,” Palami said, according to an article posted on the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process website.

At Sunday's clinic, the Azkals are expected to share their skills with some 100 underprivileged children on the basics of the sport, as part of the peace month celebration.

Azkals team captain Aly Borromeo said the team players, who are preparing for this year’s Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup, will take part in the peace month, as new Ambassadors for Peace, through teaching football which he said is a “great avenue” to promote peace.

“Just like (in playing football as a team), if you want to promote peace you need to work together, you put aside the differences," he said.

“In the peace process no one’s the same. (But) it’s really about finding a way to explore everyone’s uniqueness to increase the welfare of everybody. With football, being part of the team…we need to add on the strengths of each other to maximize the welfare. Just like when we are trying to promote peace or resolve conflict, we have to do the same,” Azkals Jason Sabio said.

Palami said observing peace month is an avenue to “raise awareness of the situation of peace problem here in the Philippines.”

He said the team “is happy to be a part of this” celebration and hopes that “we can finally see an end in the conflicts that we have in the Philippines.”

“1Goal for Peace is the kick-off ceremony for Peace Month. The OPAPP said September has been declared as the Peace Consciousness Month since 2004.

Meanwhile, OPAPP spokesperson Polly Michelle Cunanan said the OPAPP has lined up several activities this month “to mainstream the peace process and promote" the peace process to the general public.

For her part, presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles said the government is glad in getting the support of the Azkals, who are much admired by Filipino youth.

“I am, and I’m sure the country is thankful to the Azkals and the PFF for their support to achieve peace in the country,” she said.

OPAPP leads the annual festivity of peace month with the theme “Ako. Ikaw. Tayo. Magkakaiba, Nagkakaisa sa Kapayapaan.”

It urges different sectors, including government agencies, private and civil society organizations, to contribute in achieving a just and lasting peace for the country.

The “1Goal for Peace” event will be spearheaded by OPAPP and the PFF, and will see participation by various peace process stakeholders to drive home the message that peace building requires hard work, collective efforts, and support of all members of the Philippine society.

Peace fair

During September, a peace fair will be held in partnership with the People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR), together with non-governmental organizations including the Asian American Initiative, Generation Peace, PNoyPinay, and Muslim Alliance for National Advancement.

The peace fair will gather Muslim and Christian children to give them the opportunity to know each other and participate in fun activities.

Other activities in line for Peace Month include:

- a massive “I Am for Peace” campaign involving famous celebrities launch on September 14 - KaPEACEtahan, the Peace Month’s main event on September 21, a cultural and gala program showcasing peace process milestones coinciding with the International Day of Peace - simultaneous “I Want Peace” Concerts on September 28 in key cities in the country - “Peace Lens” photo exhibits in various malls in Metro Manila throughout the month - “Teem up for Peace”, a golf fundraising tournament on September 28.

Several online contests will also be held via http://opapp.gov.ph/peace-month-2012. —ELR, GMA News

Azkals cleared of sexual harassment charges, but draw suspensions

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Disciplinary Committee has cleared players Angel Guirado and Lexton Moy of the sexual harassment charges filed by FIFA official Cristy Ramos, according to reports, but slapped the two with one-match suspensions for a "breakdown in discipline".

“Cristy Ramos verdict out: PFF Disciplinary committee finds the players innocent of the sexual harassment charges, pls RT” tweeted longtime football supporter Craig Burrows Friday afternoon.

More about this news here.

Source: Yahoo! PH Sports