Fulham: Etheridge Exclusive

Neil, would you say the 2010/11 campaign was a season of progress for you?
 
Yes, of course! I think every year I’ve taken a step forward and this year was another step forward for me. Signing a two-year contract for me is a massive step in my career, so hopefully next year I can start to progress even more and we'll see what the future holds for me.
It must have been pleasing to be rewarded with a new contract after coming through the ranks from the Academy to the First Team squad?
Yes it was a great feeling. I think it reflected on how well I performed last season. Being more involved in the First Team did mean less reserve games for me, but the reserve games I did play in I coped with well and handled myself to the best of my ability.
How did you deal with moving up to the First Team, what was the adaptation like for you?

Ethics committee member calls for FIFA overhaul

SYDNEY (AP) - The only Australian member of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) ethics committee said football's world governing body urgently needs "complete structural" reform.
Veteran football broadcaster Les Murray, one of 13 members of the committee, attended Sunday's hearing at which executive committee members Mohamed bin Hammam and Jack Warner were provisionally suspended amid bribery allegations.
Asian Football Confederation president bin Hammam, who withdrew from the FIFA presidential race, CONCACAF chief Warner and two other Caribbean officials have been stood down pending an investigation.
Murray tells the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper the "reform has to be very deep ... there probably has to be complete structural and also constitutional reform." Source

Azkals thank Cebu

by Cheska D. Geli

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia commended the senior team of the Philippine National Football for bringing new interest to football in the country during their courtesy call at the Cebu Capitol yesterday.

The team had their training session yesterday morning and had their lunch at Marriott Hotel before they headed to the Capitol for a courtesy call.


Garcia said she was happy to have met the team, which was led by head coach Michael Weiss, team captain Aly Borromeo, who introduced the rest of the players, and co-captain Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong.

Azkals to face UFL All-Stars in a friendly match Sunday

Azkals to face UFL All-Stars in a friendly match Sunday

PFF President: off to crucial FIFA congress

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA—Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta left for Zurich yesterday to attend the International Football Federation Congress and seek help for the grassroots development program of the sport in the country.
Araneta, who flew to the Swiss city together with secretary general Ramon Manuel, said he has also scheduled a trip to Germany to meet with officials of the German Football Association (DFB) and explore the possibility of a partnership to boost the PFF’s search for more talents nationwide.

The Japan Football Association had earlier offered to help the PFF, including an aid of $20,000, but Araneta said he’s not expecting much with the disaster-hit country still rebuilding from the earthquake early this year.
“Japan has been helpful to us but we also don’t want to bother them because they are also rebuilding their country,” said Araneta.
Araneta said Saturday that he has yet to decide on his choice as Fifa president, who will be elected during the congress.

Cebu: Azkals mall tour today!

by Cheska D. Geli

SUPPORTERS of the Philippine National Football Team will have the chance for a meet-and-greet with their idols as the team heads to Ayala Center Cebu today for their mall tour at The Terraces, at 3 p.m.

Among the crowd favorites who will be present in the event are Phil and James Younghusband, goal keeper Neil Etheridge and Simon Greatwich.


Joining them are Cebuanos Paolo Pascual and Nathan Burkey, Roel Gener, Yanti Bersales, William Espinosa, Yannick Tuazon, Ricardo Bente, Eduard Sacapaño, Christopher Camcam, Nestorio Margarse, James Rochmitz and Misagh Bahadoran.

Davao kids in PH team

by Charles Raymond A. Maxey

TWO young footballers from Davao City have been named to the Philippines U13 boys football team, which will compete in the Asean Football Confederation (AFC) Festival of Football from June 1 to 7 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Darius Joseph Ramos Diamante and Javier Romero-Salas, both of the Ateneo de Davao University, were the only players from the Davao Region taken in by the national team. The PH boy booters will be playing nine other countries in the week-long tournament.


Both 13 years old, Diamante and Romero-Salaws didn't just earned slots to the national squad, they were also picked captains of the young booters bound for international competition. Diamante was picked skipper of the first team and Romero-Salas was named captain of the second team.

Barca players parade with trophy on open-top bus

BARCELONA, Spain (AP)—Barcelona players rode through the Catalan capital in an open-top bus Sunday, showing off the Champions League trophy they won by beating Manchester United in the final.

Thousands of fans greeted the players as the bus—decked out in the club’s red and blue colors with the word “Champions” on the sides—wound its way through the city.

The players later were introduced one by one before a packed crowd of more than 90,000 fans

UFL: Results

LBC United Football League


Match Results:


Loyola Meralco Sparks FC 5-2 Green Archers United


KAYA FC 2-2 Army FC

Philippine Azkals in Ayala Center Cebu on Monday, May 30

Meet and Greet with the Philippine Azkals

Wear your love for AZKALS for only P300 and get a meet and greet pass good for two (2) on May 30, 3PM @The Terraces! Available in the Privileges Desk starting Friday, May 27. Limited edition only! Good until supplies last! (Proceeds go to Cebu Football Association)

UEFA Championship: Man Utd vs FC Barcelona HIGHLIGHTS

Barcelona 1-0 Manchester United Rodriguez Goal!


Barcelona 1-1 Manchester United Rooney Goal!


Barcelona 2-1 Manchester United Messi Goal!


Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United David Villa Goal!

Full time 3-1 over Barca!

Messi’s Barcelona beats Man United 3-1 in final

by Stuart Condie

WEMBLEY, England (AP)—The debate is over now. Barcelona is on the list of soccer’s all-time greatest teams.
Led by another dominant performance from Lionel Messi, the Catalan club beat Manchester United 3-1 on Saturday to earn its third Champions League title in six seasons and No. 4 overall.
“I feel privileged,” Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. “The way we have won is what I am most proud of. We want to play football.
“Lionel is the best player I have seen and probably the best I will ever see.”

Cebu Futbol: Aroroy upsets USC-TC, 1-0

by Edri K. Aznar

Aroroy FC scored a 1-0 upset over division leader University of San Carlos-Technology Center (USC-TC) to bring home the crown in the Girls 17 category of the 11th Cebu Amateur Football Club yesterday at the San Roque pitch.

USC-TC was unbeaten in the elimination round and defeated Masbate’s Aroroy FC twice in the tournament. But somehow the visiting squad found a way to beat USC-TC, courtesy of an early goal from Tessa Marie Jazul, who was awarded with the Golden Boot, in the second minute.


USC-TC had countless scoring opportunities the whole match, including two free kick attempts outside the box in the waning minutes of the game, but somehow the ball just wouldn’t hit its target.

MTI successfully defended its crown in the Boys 14 division after a razor-thin 1-0 victory over Abellana National School-Pomeroy.

Mark Joseph Felicilda, who won MVP honors, scored the lone goal of the championship match in the first minute.

Meanwhile, San Carlos City’s Los Amigos edged out home team Paref-Springdale and grabbed the Boys 12 crown with a 1-0 win yesterday at the Paref-Springdale football field.

Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, on the other hand, defeated San Roque Royal United, 2-0, to clinch the Players 10 title also at the Paref-Springdale pitch.

The championship games of the Men’s Open and Boys 17 divisions will played today at the USC-TC pitch followed by the formal awarding, which will be graced by the PHL National Men’s team, the Azkals. Source

Azkals share expertise with kids

The Philippine National Football team shared their expertise with selected kids in a football clinic yesterday at the Aboitiz Field.

The Azkals trained the members of the Under-13 national team who dubbed themselves the Little Azkals. The young players are set to leave for Malaysia this Monday to face nine countries in the Asean Football Confederation Festival of Football.


“It’s an inspiration for the kids who are looking forward to be one with the Azkals someday,” said Richard Montayre of the Cebu Football Association.

PFF vows to stage better football tourney next time

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA—The Philippine Football Federation vowed on Thursday to do a better job in running national tournaments in the wake of the controversies that marred the staging of the PFF Suzuki Under-23 National Cup won by Negros Occidental.
“We apologize for the problems but rest assured, we will study what happened and put mechanisms to make the tournament run smoothly next time,” PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said in a statement.

Etheridge sees big future with Fulham

by Barry Viloria

LAPU-LAPU, Cebu – Filipino-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is confident that he has a bright future with his English Premier League team Fulham Football Club (FC).
Etheridge, who plays an important role in the Philippine Azkals, said Fulham has big plans for him.

"They think I have a lot of push toward the future," Etheridge, who plays as reserve goalkeeper for Fulham, told abs-cbnNEWS.com.
Fulham recently extended Etheridge’s contract until 2013.

Villaflor: United they fall?

I DON’T mind if the Azkals don’t want to be disturbed as they wrap up the last few modules of their “Let’s Get Exclusive Seminar,” including in-depth lectures on “Giving the Local Paparazzi the Runaround” and “Playing Hard to Get.”

So let’s leave them in peace, until this afternoon when they’ve freshened up to face their adoring fans in a clinic somewhere in Mandaue City, Cebu.


In the meantime, I’ll dwell on the more important stuff, such as the Uefa Champions League (CL) Final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United that will kick off a few hours from now.

Victory Liner brings football to Baguio

Manila, Philippines - Concurrent with the excitement generated by the sport in the country, Victory Liner delivered football mania in Baguio by sponsoring the recently concluded Victory Cup 2011.
Thirty-one teams from different schools/clubs in Luzon duked it out for the coveted Victory Cup award, a yearly competition organized by one of the country’s largest and most trusted bus liners, Victory Liner Inc.
Victory Cup 2011 marks the eight consecutive year Victory Liner has sponsored the football match.

FIFA calls Sepp Blatter to face ethics hearing

GENEVA— FIFA placed its own president under investigation Friday in a widening bribery scandal just days before Sepp Blatter is scheduled to face re-election against Mohamed bin Hammam.

FIFA said Blatter, who is accused of turning a blind eye to alleged bribes being paid to Caribbean voters, must submit a statement by Saturday before facing an ethics committee hearing in Zurich on Sunday.

“I cannot comment on the proceedings that have been opened against me. The facts will speak for themselves,” Blatter said in a statement released by his campaign advisers.

Springdale boots out SHS-Ateneo to advance

DESPITE the muddy football pitch which made it difficult for the players to pass the ball, Paref-Springdale booked a finals seat today against the Los Amigos in the 11th Cebu Amateur Football Club Interclub (CAFC) National Football Cup at the Springdale football field.

Springdale defeated Sacred Heart School- Ateneo De Cebu 2-1 in yesterday’s Boys 12-Under semifinals.


Jomigo Rafols scired first for Springdale in 4:31 minutes, before Ateneo’s Kurt Cuizon tied the match with a goal in the 12th minute.

Etheridge takes R&R before training with Azkals

by Bary Viloria

LAPU-LAPU, Cebu - Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge said he will be on rest and recreation (R&R) before joining his team’s intensive preparations for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka next month.
"My time now will be spent for the next weeks relaxing... I'm enjoying myself for a while," the Filipino-British, who arrived in the Philippines Monday night, told abs-cbnNEWS.com.

Etheridge said he wants to rest his body a bit after having spent the last months in rigorous

Karika Cup ready for kick off this week end in Baguio

EVEN WITH the strong rains expected to lash the region with Typhoon Chedeng, the monthly staging of the Karika Cup is set to push through this weekend. 

Scheduled on May 28, the Karika Cup, according to organizers will push trough as scheduled, however, if strong rains hit the summer capital by Saturday, officials said they are willing to postpone the games on Sunday, May 29 also at the Melvin Jones Football grounds.  

Typhoon Chedeng (international codename: Songda) was not expected to make landfall but will skirt along shores with winds stronger than 150 kilometers per hour and rainfall of 30

Azkals’ match in Rizal Memorial stadium to be a full-blown fan experience

Didn’t fully enjoy the Azkals’ game in Pana-ad? Didn’t get to go to Bacolod at all? Just watched the match on television or Youtube?

Fret no more because the upcoming World Cup qualifiers match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium is bound to be a great experience for the fans.

The Philippine Football Federation wants to "create an atmosphere where the people will enjoy being there" at the home leg of the Azkals versus Sri Lanka series.

NCR, Iloilo win in U19 Cup

by Rick Olivares & Dodo Bustamante

The National Capital Region continued to lead the way in the National Under-19 Football Cup at San Julio Realty Field in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental as they topped their division with a 10-1 rout of Naga-Camarines Sur last Wednesday, May 25.

In only the 3rd minute of the match, NCR’s Emmanuel Arre scored.  Although Naga's Sterling

Azkals world cup qualifier line up?

Aly Borromeo
Paolo Pascual
Chieffy Caligdong
Ian Araneta
Roel Gener
Yanti Barsales
William Espinosa (Fil-German)
Yannick Tuason
Ricardo Becite
Edward Sacapano
Christopher Camcam
Nestorio Margarse
James Rocklitz (Fil-Am)
Nathan Burkey (Fil-Am)
Anton Del Rosario
Neil Etheridge (Fil-English)
Jason Sabio (Fil-Am)
Simon Greatwich (Fil-English)
Phil Younghusband (Fil-English)
James Younghusband (Fil-English)
Leigh Gunn (Fil-Australian)

Possible players joining team in Germany

Rob Gier (Fil-English)
Jerry Lucena (Fil-Danish)
Stephan Schröck (Fil-German)
Angel Guirado (Fil-Spanish)
Dennis Cagara (Fil-Danish)
Ray Jonsson (Fil-Icelandic)
Patrick Reichelt (Fil-German)
Kevin Ingreso (Fil-German)
Olivier Pötsche (Fil-German)
Manuell Ott (Fil-German)
Jason de Jong (Fil-Netherlands)

Tagum, Igacos to field teams in beach football

TAGUM City and the Island Garden City of Samal will field teams to the Kicksand Beach Football Mindanao Leg slated June 10 and 11 at the Bluejaz Resort and Waterpark in Igacos.

Organizer Neilwin Joseph Bravo of the F1 Event Solutions said Thursday that they have extended slots to 16 teams per category from the original 12 teams each for the men's and women's divisions.

"We put a limit on the number of entries but more teams signified their intention to play so we
have to open more slots. Teams from Montevista and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA)

Manchester City's Kolo Toure banned for six months after positive drugs test

Ivorian handed suspension after taking wife's diet pills which contained a banned substance, and will not be able to take part in any "football or football-related activities".

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure will miss the start of next season after being banned from all football for failing a drugs test.

Fulham’s good behavior rewarded with European spot

LONDON (AP)—Fulham will be competing in the Europa League thanks to its good behavior on the pitch.

UEFA gave the English an additional spot in the competition because they led European football’s fair play rankings.

Floating Football Festival kicks off down under

The Big Issue Street Football Festival launched at Darling Harbour in Sydney today. 

Launching the event, New South Wales Minister for Major Events George Souris announced the NSW Government had committed funding until 2015 to support staging The Big Issue Street Football Festival annually. 

Philippine football team arrives in Cebu; with Neil

by Cheska D. Geli

THE Philippine National Football Team arrived yesterday morning for their Cebu visit where they are set to have a series of team- building activities, and trainings.

Head Coach Hans Michael Weiss led the team together with the coaching staff and players, who just came from Iloilo after they played a practice game and drew with a Korean-led Central Philippines University squad, 1-1.


Among the players who arrived yesterday were team captain Aly Borromeo, Ian Araneta, Chieffy Caligdong, Ed Sacapaño and Cebuano Paolo Pascual. Some of the new recruits also came with the team.

Football out of SEA Games?

DESPITE problems confronting the Football Association of Indonesia, which may affect Indonesia’s hosting of the 26th Southeast Asian Games, Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said the national under-23 football team will still continue their preparation for the biennial meet.

Araneta’s statement came in the wake of reports that the International Football Federation may suspend the membership of the Football Association of Indonesia for its failure to elect a new set of leaders during its congress last Friday in Jakarta.
“There is a problem in the hosting of the SEA Games. Baka sila ma-suspend at hindi matuloy ang SEA Games football sa Indonesia,” said Araneta after he was told by PSSI secretary general Joko Driyono that Indonesia has a “2000 percent chance of getting suspended by the

Azkals settle for draw in friendly vs CPU booters

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA—Missing several key players, the national football team was held to a 1-1 draw by a Central Philippine University side powered by Koreans in an exhibition game Tuesday at the Barotac Nuevo town plaza.


Azkals midfielder Ricardo Becite made his homecoming memorable with a late strike after Jovanie Simpron opened the scoring for the local side as the national team stepped up its buildup for the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Sri Lanka in June.

FIFA investigates bin Hammam, Warner for bribery

ZURICH (AP)—One week before FIFA’s presidential election, a new bribery scandal erupted that could destroy the candidacy of Sepp Blatter’s only rival and punish one of the federation’s longtime power brokers.
FIFA on Wednesday summoned Asian Football Confederation leader Mohamed bin Hammam and FIFA vice president Jack Warner to an ethics hearing Sunday to face allegations of corruption during the Qatari official’s campaign visit to Trinidad two weeks ago. The timing and the source of the allegations, longtime Warner ally Chuck Blazer of the United States, gives them a gravity not seen with FIFA’s other scandals.

Bin Hammam hopes to end Blatter’s 13-year presidency in a June 1 vote of FIFA’s 208 national members. But he could wind up barred from the vote in Zurich if the ethics panel decides to

Football reigns in Barotac Nuevo

 BAROTAC NUEVO, Iloilo, Philippines – The exhibition game of the Azkals Tuesday was a clear indication that football reigns in this Iloilo town.
“Bisan wala kami inugsulod sa kaldero, basta maka lantaw lang kami football, ok na (Even if we don’t have anything to cook and eat, as long as we can watch football),” declared the stage announcer said halfway through the friendly game of the famed national football team against Central Philippine University (CPU).
The crowd, mainly natives of Barotac Nuevo, particularly cheered the Ilonggo players with the Philippine Azkals.

PHL Azkals arrive in Cebu today

by Cheska D. Gil

THE Azkals fans who have long waited for the chance to see members of the Philippine National Football team in person might need to deal with the team’s special request on their stay in Cebu.

According to an official of the hotel that they will be staying at, the national squad requested for privacy during their short visit to the city, saying they wanted to keep a low profile.


“They want everything kept undercover. They do not want people to know where they are staying so there won’t be any welcome streamers for our special guests and we will not confirm any

Negros players endorsed to PFF

by Francis Santiago

MANILA, Philippines — Negros Occidental coach Norman Fegidero Jr. has recommended five players from his side, including highly-touted Joshua Beloya to be included in the pool for the national football team to the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia later this year.

Strikers Beloya and Aldrin Dolino, Lemuel Unabia, defender Camelo Tacusalme and Joven Bedic helped Negros capture the 1st Philippine Football Federation-Suzuki National Cup at the expense of fierce rival Iloilo on Sunday.

Messi defines current Champions League era

LONDON - At the age of 23, Barcelona's Lionel Messi has already come to define an era of European football in a way only a handful of players have managed since the days of Alfredo di Stefano.

Right now, as he prepares for Saturday's Champions League final against Manchester United, Messi is undisputedly the world's best, though he may have to win a World Cup to secure a place alongside all-time greats Pele and Diego Maradona.

In the Champions League, his 11 goals in 12 matches make him the top scorer this season and the most recent of them, a virtuoso run and shot in the semi-final first leg against Real Madrid, took the breath away for sheer technique and timing.

Azkals vs CPU-Korea in Iloilo 1-1

Full time 1-1. Ricardo Becite scored the equalizer for the Azkals while the #23 guy of CPU scored the 1st goal in the 19th'minute.

Mikhail Blacer

WEISS STILL NEED TIME TO FINALISE SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

MANILA (23 May 2011) – Philippines national chief coach Michael Weiss still need time before deciding on his line-up for the Philippines national side which is to play in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Sri Lanka next month.
“We are still evaluating the new players trying out, although I haven’t seen spectacular stuff,” said the 44-year-old after a training session at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. “I cannot single out anyone so far.”
Among those who are hoping to win their spot in the squad are Filipino-British Chad Gould, Fil-Aussie Leigh Gunn, Fil-Ams James Rochilitz and Nathaniel Burkey.

Caligdong powers PAF in running over Army booters

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA, Philippines—National Team standout Chieffy Caligdong scored twice and set up another to lead Air Force Rider to a 6-0 romp over Army Fritz and Macziol IBM Sunday night and within a point of clinching the United Football League title at the University of Makati pitch.
Caligdong delivered through a brilliant effort in the 29th minute and added a delicate lob over reserve Army keeper Joshua Singson in the 61st minute after providing the cross that allowed Reymark Palmes to open the scoring 12 minutes into the game.

Negros booters humble Iloilo 9-0 in PFF Suzuki finals

by Cedelf P. Tupas
BACOLOD, Negros Occidental, Philippines—There was no doubting Ceres-Negros Occidental’s dominance this time.
The Negrenses humbled rival Iloilo, 9-0, Sunday night, to complete a remarkable 12-1 aggregate victory in the final of the PFF Suzuki Under-23 National Cup before a raucous crowd at the Panaad Stadium.
Gino Palomo delivered a hat-trick, Joshua Beloya punctuated his tournament-long brilliance with two goals and an assist and Aldrin Dolino justified his Most Valuable Player award with another influential display as Negros took the fight of their region rivals early on to coast to the convincing win.

Football: Bin Hammam vows to restore FIFA 'pride'

SINGAPORE - FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam on Monday vowed to "restore pride" in football's world governing body as fresh corruption claims swirled before next month's leadership vote.
"Time for a fresh approach," Asia's football chief tweeted in capital letters, before adding: "Time to restore pride in FIFA" just a minute later.
FIFA has been beset by allegations of corruption in the run-up to the June 1 election, when Bin Hammam will challenge former ally Sepp Blatter, who is seeking a fourth and final four-year term.

Wayne Rooney vs Lionel Messi: Comparing the Stars of the Champions League Final

 

Spain’s best vs. England’s best.

England’s best player vs. the world’s best player.

FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney vs. Lionel Messi.

Saturday, the 28th of May will see the Red Devils take on La Blaugrana in a repeat of the 2009 UEFA Champions League final.

Tiger booter chosen to join under-23 team

by Peter Patencio

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas’ David Basa became the first homegrown talent to be chosen to join the national under-23 football squad seeing action in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia this November.

National coach Hans Michael Weiss told Basa that he’s going to join the Jakarta-bound squad after practice last Thursday at the newly renovated pitch of the Rizal Memorial Track Football Stadium.

Younghusbands to miss Azkals match in Iloilo

by Bong Pedralvez

BACOLOD CITY. – James and Phil Younghusband will not be around when the Azkals play in an exhibition match Tuesday in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, hometown of football chief Mariano Araneta Jr., and the start of the nationals’ team bonding in Cebu the succeeding day.
But the absence of the two Filipino-British siblings, both team mainstays, has the approval of national team manager Dan Palami and coach Michael Weiss, according to Cathy Rivilla, the executive director of The Younghuband Football Academy.

Negros blanks Iloilo to bag PFF Suzuki crown

by Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

THOUSANDS of Negrense football fans jumped to their feet and shouted in jubilation at the Panaad Park and Stadium when the referee blew the final whistle, signaling the end of the second finals game between Ceres-Negros Team and Iloilo Football Association.

Ceres-Negros blanked the invading Ilonggos, 9-0, to capture the crown in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Suzuki Cup at the Panaad Park and Stadium.

UFL: Loyola Meralco stops Navy FC

MANILA—Loyola Meralco zapped Navy FC, 4-1, yesterday in the United Football League at the University of Makati pitch.
Mark Hartman led the Sparks with three goals, including one in the first minute.  JP Merida also scored in the 41st minute.
Loyola Meralco temporarily occupies fifth place in the First division while Navy FC remained winless.
In another match, Global Smartmatic edged Kaya Cignal, 1-0, with a late goal from Aaron Altiche in the 90th minute.
Inq

Bacolod, Iloilo duel for U-23 football title

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines – Fierce rivals Bacolod and Iloilo battle for all the marbles tonight in the second leg of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Suzuki Cup U-23 National Cup championship that was made more interesting by the PFF’s decision to declare the series opener a 1-1 standoff.
Gametime is set at 6 p.m. at the Panaad Stadium with Bacolod and Iloilo out to settle their score in the confrontation that has already reached the boardrooms.
The Bacolodnons and the Ilonggos actually battled to a 1-1 tie after full time in the first leg in Jarolast Thursday, but the visiting booters from the “City of Smiles” scored two goals in extra time en route to a 3-1 win. Iloilo filed a protest citing rules in home-and-away format meets wherein a draw is only broken via an additional 15 minutes in the second leg, not the first.

Younghusbands lead National Games opener

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-British football siblings Phil and James Younghusband will lead the opening ceremonies of the National Games at the New Government Center in Bacolod City on Sunday.


The Younghusbands will be the guests of honor in the event organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
At least 4,000 athletes will participate in the Games that will run until May 29.

Tickets for Azkals vs Sri Lanka at Rizal Memorial won’t go for a song

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA, Philippines — Watch the Azkals in action—in prime seats at the Rizal Memorial Stadium—won’t come cheap.
The Philippine Football Federation released on Thursday the ticket prices for the Azkals home game against Sri Lanka on July 3 with the most expensive seats costing P3, 000 and the most affordable at P200.

Bonnie Ladrido, chair of the tie’s organizing committee, said they needed to price the 5,000

Injuries plague Philippine Azkals

by Peter Atencio

THE Philippine Azkals football team’s conditioning coach Joseph Malinay said yesterday that injuries may prevent the Azkals from practicing as a team.

Malinay said injured players Ian Araneta, Paolo Pascal and Edward Sacapano have yet to fully recover, and he’s doing all he can to speed up their recovery in time for the team’s stint in the Asian Football Confederation group stages in Myanmar slated two months from now.
“Hindi pa sila nakakasali sa practice dahil sa injuries nila. Pero nandiyan na sila,” said Malinay, who is tasked to monitor the fitness and conditioning of the Azkals.

£150million for Ronaldo

REAL MADRID want to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester City for a staggering £150million.

The Spanish giants know City are the only club who could afford the world-record fee.

And despite denials coming from Eastlands about any move for former United superstar Ron, Spanish sources claim the Blues ARE talking to Real about a possible deal.

The fee will even make billionaires City wince but it would be an astonishing move were Ronaldo to return to the North West where he was such a hero at Old Trafford.

United fans would be furious if he were to do a Carlos Tevez and sign up with the enemy.

Weiss needs more time to finalize team

by Bong Pedralvez

After supervising the last eight days of the Azkals’ training camp-cum-tryouts, national coach Michael Weiss is not yet ready to sift the wheat from the chaff.

"We are still evaluating the new players trying out, although I haven’t seen spectacular stuff," the 44-year-old mentor said after practice at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium that lasted until early evening last Wednesday. "I cannot single out anyone so far."

Stiff price for watching Azkals ‘live’

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA—Watching the Azkals in action—in prime seats at the Rizal Memorial Stadium—won’t come cheap.

The Philippine Football Federation yesterday released the ticket prices for the Azkals home game against Sri Lanka on July 3 with the most expensive seats costing P3,000 and the most affordable at P200.
Bonnie Ladrido, chair of the tie’s organizing committee, said they needed to price the 5,000 seats at the main grandstand at P3,000 and P2,000 to help cover the expenses incurred for renovating the Rizal stadium.

Iloilo vs Bacolod match report: SunStar

by Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

PAINFUL but sweet!

This is how to describe the 3-1 triumph of the Ceres-Negros Team over the Iloilo Football Association booters yesterday during the first leg of the Philippine Football Federation Suzuki Under-23 National Cup Finals at the Central Philippine University football pitch in Iloilo City.


These two neighboring rival squads battled through full time and two extension periods, but it seemed to be more like a wrestling match. The Negrenses had to overcome the physical game

Rizal, Baguio booters gain in Smart Club Luzon elims

Manila, Philippines - Smart-San Beda Football Club of Rizal and Baguio United FC finished 1-2 in the recent all-Luzon regionals to advance to the next round of the Smart Club Championships at the UP-Los Baños field in Laguna.
Spearheaded by the Younghusband brothers, Phil and James, the Rizal booters swept the opposition aside in the four-team tourney to wind up with a clean 3-0 win-loss record, capped by a 6-0 rout of the runners-up.
The charges of Baguio Football Association president Leo Arnaiz closed out their campaign

Younghusband, Azkals stay on track for World Cup qualifying match

Despite reports that popular striker Phil Younghusband is distracted by his ongoing romance with actress Angel Locsin, the Philippine Azkals are focused on hurdling past Sri Lanka in the first round of the World Cup qualifiers.

The Azkals, in a report at 24 Oras, entered Day 4 of their two-hour endurance and stamina training at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. They are less than six weeks away from their daring bid to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

FIFA to interview whistleblower over 2022 allegations

ZURICH - FIFA is to interview a whistleblower at the center of newspaper allegations that Qatar paid two members of the executive committee to vote for their bid to host the 2022 World Cup

PFF U-23 Championship: Bacolod 3-1 Iloilo

Smart-PFF U23 Championship

First Leg, Thursday, May 19, 2011 2:00pm

Venue: Central Philippines University

Iloilo (IFA) vs Bacolod (NOFA)

ET: 1-3, FT: 1-1

Goals by: Dolino-2, Bedic-1 (NOFA)
Sobremesana-1 (IFA)


2 red cards for IFA including the GK.

Source: 

Ilongo United FC

Bleacher'sBrew

RENOVATION TO RIZAL FIELD ON TRACK; TICKET PRICING SET FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

MANILA (19 May 2011) – The renovation to the Rizal Memorial Football Field is on track, ahead of the Philippines’ national team match against Sri Lanka in the FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifiers on 3 July 2011.

Maradona blasts Batista for ignoring Tevez

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)—Diego Maradona has said on Argentine TV that his successor as national coach must be “drunk” for suggesting Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez is not needed for the Copa America.
Sergio Batista said Tevez was not required because he had players like Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain who played in the same position.

“You would have to be drunk or stoned not to call up Tevez,” Maradona told the TyC sports

Villaflor: A football tragedy in three parts

by Noel S. Villaflor

“IT is convenient, for the purposes of analysis,” says the English novelist Martin Amis in an essay, “to look at the history of England managership since 1970 as a drama, or tragedy, in three parts or phases.”

For Amis, the common denominator of these phases is the “nervous breakdown” of three of the national team’s managers, (hence the title of his essay, “Football Mad”).
One can make sense of the history of Philippine football using Amis’ approach, from its downward spiral to its current struggle for redemption.

Azkals tickets will be sold starting June 3

Tickets for the home match against Sri Lanka will go on sale starting June 3 via Ticketworld outlets nationwide. Its all good news for football fans who have been craving for filipino football action on the international scene.
Philippines last played its home game in a packed Panaad Stadium where thousands of tickets were given out for free. Prior to that match, ticket sales were handled by the Philippine Football Federation but now a third-party company will handle the ticket sales.

De Jong ready to join national team to SEAG

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine football team has not closed its doors on Jason de Jong, the Fil-Dutch midfielder who was dropped from the Azkals crew for disciplinary reasons.
Coach Michael Weiss said the 21-year-old De Jong could return to the Phl fold, albeit not as a member of the Azkals seniors squad yet but via the under-23 team being formed for the Southeast Asian Games.

The defensive specialist has earlier fallen out of Weiss’ graces after he failed to show up in the

Ph Azkals' Fifa World Ranking drops to 1

Manila, Philippines- As of May 18, 2011 FIFA published update to world ranking table, Philippines 'Azkals rank from 155th it went down to 156th.

Phil expects to be ready for Sri Lanka

by Olmin Leyba

MANILA, Philippines - Phil Younghusband, the popular Azkals striker who’s recovering from injury and engaged in a number of off-field activities, promised to be “match-ready” in time for the Philippines’ Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers duel with Sri Lanka in June.
“I’m slowly getting back into it,” the Fil-British striker said during the Azkals’ training session at the Rizal Memorial pitch.

Younghusband missed the group stages of the Asian Challenge Cup qualifiers last March after

Azkals happy with Rizal football field makeover

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Philippine Azkals are pleased with the renovation of the Rizal Memorial Football field where their home game against Sri Lanka in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers will take place.

Chieffy Caligdong admits other commitments make it hard for team to focus on training

by Cheska D. Geli

FACING a new challenge now that the country attempts for an international sporting breakthrough, a chance to play for the World Cup, the Azkals’ training has been raised to the next level to improve players’ speed, endurance and footwork.

But on its second week of training for the World Cup Qualifiers, members of the Philippine

Manchester City's Roberto Mancini says Carlos Tevez has told him he wants to stay

The Argentine forward has told his manager he wants to be a part of City's Champions League campaign next season.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed striker Carlos Tevez has told him he

Some Azkals distracted by showbiz?

by Ricardo F. Lo

A story in The STAR’s Sports section yesterday should serve as an eye-opener for some Azkals who are “distracted” from training for the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier match with Sri Lanka in June and July.

Writer Olmin Leyba mentioned that Azkals coach Michael Weiss lamented how tired most of the players are “due to a number of things, from commitments to clubs and other ongoing competitions, to other non-football stuff,” with some of the more popular ones “moonlighting in 

product endorsements and modeling.”

And, I should add, being, as a venerable sports writer put it, “showbiz na showbiz.”

Younghusband: World Cup still a long shot for PH

MANILA, Philippines – Amid the country’s football craze, Filipino-British Phil Younghusband of the Philippine Azkals admitted that winning the FIFA World Cup is beyond the Philippines’ reach for now.
“Sana... pero hindi ngayon,” was Younghusband’s reply when asked point blank by “The Bottomline” host Boy Abunda if the country can win the World Cup.

“Pero sana, mga 20 to 30 years' time,” he added.

Coach inspires PFF to sharpen focus

MANILA, Philippines - The man who brought Malaysia to the Asian Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup throne in dramatic come-from-behind fashion was in Manila last weekend to inspire Filipino coaches in their quest for championship success.

Davao falls in PFF-Suzuki Cup

by Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan

DAVAO City suffered a heartbreaking 2-3 loss to Bacolod City in the semi-finals of the PFF-Suzuki U23 National Cup held at the Central Philippine University in Iloilo City late Monday afternoon.

Bacolod knocked in three straight goals in the first half, capitalizing on the loose defense of Davao booters.

Man Utd's Ferguson warned over 'best referee' comments

LONDON, England - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson received a warning from the Football Association on Tuesday after being charged with improper conduct for calling Howard Webb "the best referee in the country."
FA regulations make it clear managers are not allowed to comment on referees before a game, regardless of whether the statements are positive or negative and the FA said it wanted to use Ferguson's case as a warning to other managers.

Favorites Bacolod, Iloilo dispute Suzuki U23 title

After a month of intense football action, the PFF Suzuki Under-23 National Cup is down to two teams – Bacolod and Iloilo.

To the country at large, it might seem a battle between two nearby cities. In truth, think Ateneo-La Salle or Crispa-Toyota. That's how intense it can really get even if some of the protagonists on the sidelines tried to downplay it by using "safe" words.

"Mainit," described Iloilo head coach Marjo Allado with a sly smile. "It can get rough at meron din trash talking. Bragging rights talaga yan pagdating sa football."

Bacolod vs Iloilo in Suzuki U-23 finals could get rough

MANILA, Philippines – Local football fans expect a Crispa-vs-Toyota-like rivalry when Bacolod battles football neighbor Iloilo for the Philippine Football Association (PFF) Suzuki Under-23 National Cup title.
“Mainit,” said Iloilo head coach Marjo Allado about his team’s rivalry with Bacolod.
“It can get rough at meron din trash talking. Bragging rights talaga [ang pinaglalabanan naming] pagdating sa football,” he added.

Cutillas: Limit stint of Fil-fors in Phl XI

by Joaqin Henson

MANILA, Philippines - Former national coach Juan Cutillas yesterday appealed to the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) to limit the participation of Fil-foreign transients in all levels of international competition, particularly the coming Southeast Asian Games where the maximum age is 23 for the sport.

“I can speak freely because I am neutral,” said Cutillas, a former Spanish football player who now lives in the country with his Filipina wife and their two children. “I’m grateful that finally, football is gaining recognition and popularity in our country but there are several issues for the PFF to address. Let’s face it. The Philippines will remain at the lower level of the Asian standings for a long, long time. In the recent Challenge Cup qualifications, we couldn’t even beat

Kia Motors scores as the Azkals' official transport provider

The Philippine Azkals can now travel in style after they kicked off the most exciting partnership in motoring and sporting media history. The Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, is now the Azkals' official transport provider.

Negros to PFF: Act on complaint vs Iloilo

by Carla N. Canet

THE Ceres-Negros team and Iloilo Football Association are set for their final battle in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Suzuki U23 National Cup on May 19 and 22.

But serious concerns are still up and undecided.

This refers to the standing petition filed by the National Capital Region Football Association (NCRFA) against Iloilo for fielding two unregistered players in the tournament.

In his letter to PFF Secretary General Ramon Manuel, NCRFA president Atty. Rolando Tunay cited that the two Iloilo players, namely Mark Anthony Ferrer and Peter Sobredo, should not