World Cup Qualifiers: Philippine Azkals salvage draw versus Sri Lanka

COLOMBO—A resilient Philippine side fought back to salvage a 1-1 stalemate against Sri Lanka Wednesday in the first leg of their opening round World Cup qualifying match at the Sugathadasa Stadium here.

Substitute Nate Burkey, making his debut for the Philippines, headed home James Younghusband’s saved header in the 50th minute to give the Azkals a precious away goal heading to the second leg in Manila on Sunday.

An away goal will only count if a two-leg series ends up tied on aggregate, meaning a scoreless draw will be enough for the Azkals to go through to the next round against Kuwait.

Playing their first World Cup qualifying match in 10 years, the Azkals fell behind on the 43rd minute when Pordi Chathura’s 20-yard free kick beat a diving Neil Etheridge to his right.

It was an eerie reminder of the late equalizing goal that the Azkals yielded to Myanmar in the AFC Challenge Cup in March.

After a quiet opening half, the Azkals, egged on by about 200 Filipino supporters in the stadium, came alive in the last 45 minutes, keeping the Sri Lankans on their heels.

Stephan Schrock, making his Philippine debut, was an influential figure at central midfield and his passing constantly opened up the Sri Lankan defense.

But except for Burkey’s goal, the Azkals lacked the clinical finishing touch to punish the Sri Lankans, who refused to back down, making the match a rugged affair.

One such incident came in the 18th minute when Phil Younghusband was fouled by midfield enforcer Fazlur, triggering a scuffle in the middle of the field.

James Younghusband and  got yellow cards in the aftermath of the incident. The Azkals had two other yellow cards – Schrock and skipper Aly Borromeo – who were booked for mistimed challenges.

Phil Younghusband had two glorious early chances saved by Manjula Fernando in the first half, before the Filipino-British striker was substituted by Burkey in the 40th minute for what looked like a hamstring injury.

Putting more pressure on the Sri Lankans immediately after the restart, the Azkals were rewarded with Burkey’s scrappy goal.

Chieffy Caligdong, the only homegrown player in the starting lineup, floated a long free kick into the area that was met by James Younghusband, whose header looked to have crossed the line.

Amid the confusion, Burkey was quickest to react and he banged it home for the equalizer.

Schrock, a standout rightback playing for Greuther Furth in the German second division, was still proving dangerous with the ball and his effort from just outside the box just went wide in the 60th minute.

Another chip pass from Schrock offered substitute Ian Araneta with a late scoring chance, but the Air Force striker managed a weak effort that was easily saved by Manjula.

Just when everyone thought the Sri Lankans were playing for a draw, the hosts managed to conjure one more chance when Nimal fired a bristling shot that draw an impressive reflex save from Etheridge in the first minute of injury time.

The Azkals arrive in Manila Thursday night, leaving them with two full days to prepare for the rematch against the South Asians. Source

More tenacious Azkals battle Sri Lankans today

by Cedelf P. Tupas

COLOMBO—Skipper Aly Borromeo watched the World Cup final pitting Spain and the Netherlands at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg last year and wondered if he would ever play a single match in the sport’s biggest stage, let alone get a shot at making it there.

Borromeo and his fellow Philippine Azkals finally get that precious crack at the tournament starting Wednesday here when they battle Sri Lanka in the first round of the 2014 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers at the Sugathadasa Stadium in this port city in the Indian Ocean.
“Every football player dreams of playing in the World Cup,” said Borromeo, a veteran of the national side since 2004.

Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders proud Filipinos

by Cedelf P. Tupas

COLOMBO—They may have sterling club football careers, but for Stephan Schrock and Paul Mulders, nothing beats the feeling of representing the Philippines.

Schrock, a Filipino-German rightback who is one of the brightest talents in the German second division, and Fil-Dutch Mulders, who recently inked a two-year deal with Dutch first division team ADO Den Haag, will be making their debuts for their mothers’ country when the Azkals play Sri Lanka today.
“I am very proud to wear a Philippine shirt and I’m sure my nanay will also be proud,” the soft-spoken Schrock, whose mother hails from Cotabato, said in an interview with the Inquirer.

Report: Carlos Tevez set to start for Argentina in Copa America curtain-raiser

Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez is set to start Argentina's first Copa America clash against Bolivia, after being included in the first team in training under the watchful eye of coach Sergio Batista.

Cancha Llena reports that Carlitos got the nod over Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria and was included alongside Lionel Messi and Ezequiel Lavezzi in Tuesday's training session, three days before the Copa curtain-raiser in La Plata. Argentina trained behind closed doors in the AFA's Ezeiza complex, using the team that is expected to compose the first XI.

Azkals to seek early edge vs Sri Lanka

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals will seek to gain an early advantage over the Sri Lankan Brave Reds when they clash in Round 1-1st Leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Wednesday.
The Azkals, who spent 2 weeks training in Germany, plan to beat the Brave Reds with improved offense and better team cohesion.
Filipino-Dutch Azkals Paul Mulders said he hopes the hard training they did in Germany will help them win against Sri Lanka.
“I think the guys did a good job [in training],” he said.
Team captain Aly Borromeo said the camp helped foster better communication between teammates. He added that it also forged cohesiveness with new entrants to the team.
“This is not just in preparation for Sri Lanka, it’s also in preparation for Kuwait which will be a bigger game for us,” said Borromeo.

Coach: Azkals capable of beating Brave Reds

ACTING under-23 football coach Yanti Barsales expressed confidence yesterday that the Philippine Azkals national football team has what it takes to beat the Sri Lanka Brave Reds when they clash in their first home-and-away encounter at the Sri Lankan national squad’s own home grounds at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Wednesday.

“Kayang-kaya nila iyan. Makakalusot tayo. Ito na ang pinakamalakas nating national team,” said the former member of the Azkals, who retired last month at age 38.
Barsales said the Azkals had enough time to prepare against the Brave Reds, who had also undergone a revamp and will be playing with a new lineup.

Baguio: Regular football league mulled in Baguio City

by Roderick Osis

A REGULAR fixture of football tournament is set to greet the city after a private firm affirmed to support the grassroots development of the sport in the Summer Capital.

With Goshen Land Capital promising to back more football tournaments in the city, the first Mayor Domogan Football Cup is ready to kick off this coming weekend at the Melvin Jones Football grounds with six teams seeing action in the premiere Men’s open division.

But aside from the football competition, there will be an 11–a–side exhibition match featuring Pinsao Football Club and Baguio City National High School in their g-strings for a 20 minute game.
 

Asian teams start on road to Brazil 2014

SEOUL (AP) - Less than a year after Spain lifted the World Cup trophy in Soweto, teams from football's largest and most diverse confederation are embarking on qualifying for the 2014 edition in Brazil.
The sixteen lowest-ranked Asian nations are aiming to make it past the first round, with first-leg matches played Wednesday and the return matches on Sunday. Winners will progress to the second stage in late July.
The likes of South Korea, Japan and Australia, which all qualified for the 2010 World Cup, will not enter qualifying for Brazil until the third round begins in September.
This week features Afghanistan against a Palestinian team, the Philippines against Sri Lanka, and a southeast Asian derby between Cambodia and Laos.
In other matches, AFF Cup winner Malaysia should be too powerful for Taiwan, Vietnam is expected to beat Macau, Pakistan takes on Bangladesh, East Timor travels to Nepal and Myanmar meets Mongolia.

Azkals U16 whips Anthonies FC

Philippines U16 'Young Azkals' beats against Anthonies FC of Dumaguete, Young Azkals slams Anthonies FC with a stunning score of 4 nil. The tune up game was held in Silliman Ballfeild in Dumaguete City, tomorrow they will face another tune up game to Bacolod and San Carlos City. Source

Know your Azkals: Misagh Bahadoran all fired up

by Mav C. Gonzales
“Sometimes I get tired explaining to people how Iran looks like. We’re not an Arab country. We don’t have deserts at all. There are four season and when it’s winter, I even go snowboarding and ice skiing," says Misagh Bahadoran, one of the Azkals’ newest strikers.

Iran, cookies and the smolder (you have to watch the movie “Tangled" to get that) are just a few of the things that can get Misagh fired up. With his Iranian features, blue eyes and Kapampangan food fetish, he sticks out like a sore thumb here in Manila.

And that gets people asking, how did he even end up here?

Fil-Iranian Misagh Bahadoran (right) with U-23 forward Yannick Tuason during practice. Mav C. Gonzales

Baguio: G-string football players in Domogan Cup

THERE were Baguio golfers who teed off proudly wearing their G-strings during cold Baguio mornings but football players clad in G-strings doing the rainbow?
It would be a sight to see. Dubbed the First Mayor Mauricio Domogan Football Cup, it will showcase grassroots football players in Baguio score goals wearing G-strings as their kits paired with football boots and shin guards.
he football cup will be an arena for public school children and other teams to have a competitive football tournament to enhance their character and football skills. The tournament is open to qualified football teams from different age groups, ranging from 8 under to 16 under, ladies’ teams and men’s football teams.

PFF readies more tickets for Azkals' July 3 match

by Earl Victor Rosero
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is working out ways to make additional tickets available for the July 3 World Cup Asian qualifying home match of the Azkals, the men's national football team.

Rick Olivares, the local organizing committee's media officer for the July 3 match said via Twitter, "There will be additional tickets. But we'll make the announcement on Monday when everything is final. Working on extra seating!"

Olivares has also reminded local football fans, through his blog, that strict measures will be implemented to see to it that the Azkals' coming home match will be safety, secure and fun for all.

1,700 more Azkals July 3 match tickets go on sale Tuesday

by Earl Victor Rosero
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) announced Monday morning that it will release 1,700 additional tickets for the July 3 World Cup Qualifiers match of the men's national football team, popularly known as the Azkals.

Bonnie Ladrido, chairman of the local organizing committee, said via Twitter at about 11am Monday that Ticketworld will start selling the tickets tomorrow morning at 10am. There will be 400 upper grandstand tickets at P2,060 each and 1,300 red bleachers tickets at P206 each.

"These tickets were reserved for Sri Lanka and new seats (were) created. Matagal nang ubos. Dagdag lang 'to," explained Rick Olivares, media officer of the organizing committee.

Ladrido had earlier said to GMA News Online via phone interview that they decided to keep the total number of tickets at 13,000 to avoid the overcrowding that happened at the Pana-ad Stadium in Bacolod City last February 9 when thousands more jampacked the stadium to overflowing.

Azkals in 'good shape' after training in Germany

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals held their first practice today in Sri Lanka, 2 days before their match against the host team for the first leg of their World Cup qualifier.
The Azkals arrived in Sri Lanka last Sunday after a 2-week training program in Germany.
In an interview with Boyet Sison on ANC’s Hardball, Dyan Castillejo said the Azkals were extremely tired after the long flight.
“They just rested, ate a lot, and caught on their sleep. This morning they had a good breakfast and a short walk by the beach near their hotel,” Castillejo said.
The Azkals will have two days to get used to the weather in Sri Lanka, which Castillejo said was quite similar to the Philippines.
“The Azkals are in good shape after training in Germany... They were able to work on the cohesion which is so important for the team,” Castillejo said.

Football Medals in SEAG? Preposterous!

by Mike Limpag
I ONCE announced in an online forum that I’d run as naked as the day I was born if the Philippines made the semifinals of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
I admit, it was one of those if-you-want-the-moon-then-aim-for-the-stars kind of move.

I also admit it was one of those dares I was so looking forward to finding an excuse not to do.
But on the night the Philippines crashed out, losing to Malaysia, 4-2—in a match the team led, 2-1, I was disappointed.
No, not because I lost the chance to do my dare. What I said was so far from my mind that night.
What I was thinking was those 15 minutes when the Philippines was ahead, 2-1, and a semifinal appearance—seemingly impossible only a week before—was right there for the taking.
If only…
But curiously Vince Santos, the then team manager, was giddy.
We just crashed out and this guy was optimistic?

Coach Weiss not worried by Azkals’ circuitous trips

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine football team coach Michael Weiss allayed fears on Sunday that the long trips in Germany and the travel from Frankfurt to Colombo would take a toll on the Azkals when they face Sri Lanka for their World Cup first-round qualifying clash on Wednesday.

“The team is tired, but this is normal,” Weiss said in an e-mail to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
“But we will be in good shape on Wednesday,” assured the German coach.

Azkals arrive in Sri Lanka

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals have arrived in Sri Lanka for the first leg of their World Cup qualifier.
The Philippine National Football team will face Sri Lanka on June 29, Wednesday.
The Azkals finished a two-week training program in Germany to prepare for their match.
The team played in four practice games against German teams. They won the first two games and lost the last two.
While in Germany, the team was joined by Filipino-European players Angel Guirado, Rob Gier, Stephen Shrock and Manuel Ott.
Team captain Aly Borromeo said that the Azkals are stronger as a team now and that they are ready to play against Sri Lanka. Source 
With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

After retiring, Yanti Barsales suits up as coach for RP Under-23 football squad | Sun.Star

After retiring, Yanti Barsales suits up as coach for RP Under-23 football squad | Sun.Star

Third Division German squad toys with Azkals

Third Division German squad toys with Azkals

Rains can’t stop Azkals’ game

by Peter Atencio

RAIN or shine, the second stage of the World Cup Qualifying match between the Philippine Azkals national football team and the Sri Lanka Brave Reds will go on as scheduled.

WCQ Philippines general coordinator Cathy Rivilla said this yesterday after conferring with Philippine football officials on the conditions of the pitch at the Rizal Memorial Track Football in Vito Cruz.
“The field is playable. Only the referee can stop the game,” remarked Rivilla after she and Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta watched as heavy rains drenched the grass-covered playing area from the comforts of the stadium’s observation deck.
Rainwater, which flooded the surrounding streets of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, did not flood the pitch though and simply trickled down to the hidden drainage ditches around the area.
Rivilla, who was also accompanied by organizing committee chairman Bonnie Ladrido, expressed satisfaction over the way the pitch is taking on the rains.

Azkals bow to Darmstadt, but remain upbeat vs Sri Lanka

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA—The Philippines football team fell in another crushing defeat Friday, this time against German third division team Darmstadt, 0-5, in its final test match before leaving for Colombo for its first round World Cup qualifying date against Sri Lanka.
The Azkals, who lost 0-4 to second division side FC Ingolstadt Wednesday, got off to another jittery start and paid dearly for it.
They fell four goals behind in the first 25 minutes in a match that reportedly drew around 500 spectators, most of whom are Filipinos based in Frankfurt.
Again missing the services of experienced players Ray Jonsson, Stephan Schrock and Jerry Lucena, who are tied up by club commitments, the Azkals surrendered one more goal in the second half.

Azkals up close: Anton del Rosario

by Barry Viloria

MANILA, Philippines – It’s not at all surprising that Azkals player Anton del Rosario speaks of the football sport as “soccer.” He is practically American—having been born and raised in California, USA, by Filipino-Spanish parents.
Del Rosario started hitting the pitch at the age of 5. He said his family played a big role in influencing him to take up football.
“My dad used to play rugby and stuff like that… My mom was the one who was in love with soccer. My mom used to coach us when I was a kid,” he said.
Del Rosario added that his brother, former Philippine international booter Armand del Rosario, provided him added motivation to excel in the sport.

Azkals shoot TV comercial with Silver Swan

"Oh... Anong tinitingin-tingin niyo dyan? TSIBOG NA!!!" - Phil Younghusband

Green Archers United conducts tryout in Visayas

Manila, JUNE 23 (Sugod.com) – Green Archers United announced on friday the confirmed tour in the Visayas region to conduct a two-day tryout in Bacolod (July 10) and San Carlos City (July 11).
“Tryouts will be conducted by Coach Dolfo Alicante and Asst. Coach Tating Pasilan, as well as Manager Monchu Garcia. They are open to all interested footballers over the age of 18 regardless of past school or club affiliation” the club announced on facebook.
The club finished sixth in the first division of the recently concluded LBC United Football League season. Just seven points above bottom club Navy FC.
Local football players will get a chance to tryout for the club several months ahead of their next UFL season. Source

Azkals up close: Team manager Dan Palami

MANILA, Philippines – Football is alive and well in the country, thanks to the popularity of the Philippine Azkals.
But behind the resurgence of the sport in this basketball-crazy nation is a no-nonsense Azkals team manager named Dan Palami.
Palami, the current Leyte Football Association president, is credited for assembling the core of the Azkals team we came to know.
He became part of the Philippine Azkals in late 2009 when the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) asked him to manage the team.
“Nobody wanted the job… I mean nobody wanted to handle a team that was losing

Azkals up close: Misagh Bahadoran

MANILA, Philippines – For Azkals striker Misagh Bahadoran, school was his key to get into football.
The 24-year-old Filipino-Iranian said he had to prioritize his studies before he could get his father's permission to join the national team.
"They invited me to join the Philippine football team but because my fist priority was my school and college, my dad did not allow me to go," said Bahadoran.
With years of hard work in school, he earned his college degree and was finally allowed to join the Azkals.
"I just graduated as a dentist from the Centro Escolar University," said a beaming Bahadoran. "He (his father) then allowed me to play football."
Bahadoran maintained a good relationship with football ever since he was a boy.
"My brother was a very good football player. I used to play football with him so I've loved football back when I was 5, 6 years old," he said.
Now that he fulfilled his father's wishes, he's glad to fulfill his own.
"My parents are happy with what I'm doing," he said.

Iraq put Iran out of Olympic qualifying

TEHRAN, June 23 (Reuters) - Iran’s hopes of playing in the 2012 London Olympic soccer tournament vanished on Thursday when they were beaten 2-0 by neighbours Iraq in the second leg of a second-round qualifier.

Two goals by Amjad Radhi, one either side of halftime, put 2004 Athens Games semifinalists Iraq through to the third round of qualifiers.
Arash Afshin and Hamidreza Aliasgari had chances to equalise for Iran but both players put the ball wide.
Fighting broke out between two rival players after the game in Tehran’s Azadi stadium and Iranian fans shouted slogans against the head of the country’s football federation Ali Kafashian, calling for his resignation, according to official news agency Irna.
Iran, who last qualified for the Olympics in 1980, beat Iraq 1-0 in the first leg on Sunday in Arbil.
“I think that there is a sense of regret in our inability to qualify for the Olympics for (so long),” Iran coach Alireza Mansourian said.
Iraq will go into the 12-team draw on July 7 for the third round of qualifying.
Earlier this month, Iran said it planned to complain to world soccer’s governing body FIFA after its women’s team were banned from an Olympic qualifying game due to their Islamic dress.
Officials banned the team just before the start of a match in Amman and awarded opponents Jordan a 3-0 win. FIFA later said it had warned Iran about dress-code rules. (Reporting by Sanam Shantyaei; Writing by Zahra Hosseinian; Editing by Clare Fallon) Source

Rizal memorial football stadium to host Kuwait

See more of the latest photos of the stadium at PHL Azkals at facebook.com:

Manila, JUNE 23 (Sugod.com) – Rizal memorial football stadium has emerged as the top choice to host the World Cup qualifier between Kuwait and Philippines IF ever the national team managed to go past Sri Lanka on July 3 according to an article by Rick Olivares.
The home match for the second round of the AFC 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be played on July 28, 2011, less than a month after the first round winners are declared, and rizal memorial football stadium will be ready by then.
A successful hosting of the international event could paved way to establishing rizal memorial football stadium as the ‘true’ home of the Philippines national football team.
Prior to these matches, Panaad Stadium in Bacolod city has been considered a home to many international matches of the national team but federation officials chose the stadium in Manila as the ‘home’ for their FIFA World Cup campaign.
Rizal memorial football stadium last hosted an international football match in the 1991 Southeast Asian Games when the Philippines achieved a fourth place finish after losing 2-6 to Thailand and 2-nil to Singapore in the semi-finals and third place play-off respectively.
It will be almost 20 years until the RMFS will host another soon-to-be successful international football event. Source

Azkals lose to Division 2 squad in Germany

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Azkals got a rude awakening on Wednesday when they faced a Division 2 squad in Germany.
The Azkals suffered a humbling defeat at the hands of FC Ingolstadt, 4-0.
The German club, which finished in 14th place in Germany's 2nd division football tournament, raced off to a 3-0 halftime lead and never allowed the Azkals to get into a groove.
The Philippine football team will play one last game in Germany, this time against 3rd Division squad Darmstadt 98 on Friday. They will fly off to Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday for the 1st leg of their FIFA World Cup group qualifier. Source

Sri Lankans to give Azkals 'torrid time'

by Olmin Leyba
MANILA, Philippines - The Sri Lankan football team admitted lagging behind in training against what its coach labeled as “a difficult opposition” but vowed to give the Philippine Azkals a “torrid time” in their upcoming 2014 Fifa World Cup Asian qualifier.
“We commenced training late (already) due to a delayed selection process. However, we are in a positive frame of mind to counter the challenge before us,” Brave Reds coach Jang Jung said in a report on Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror.
Veteran defender Rohana Ruwanthilake leads the 25-man roster tasked by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) to do battle with the Azkals on June 29 at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Azkals up close: Paul Mulders

by Shiela Reyes

MANILA, Philippines – Born in a country where football is played with passion, Azkals midfielder Paul Mulders said it's his destiny to play the sport.

“In Europe, football is like the number one sport," the 5'11" Filipino-Dutch told abs-cbnNEWS.com. "[There] you just race with the ball.”
Mulders, the newest addition to the Azkals line-up, was born in Amsterdam to a Filipina mother and a Dutch father.
He said he started kicking the ball at age 3.
He grew up to become an offense-oriented player, making it into the pro ranks by entering the Dutch first division league.

Azkals face tougher foes in last 2 matches in Germany

by Earl Victor Rosero
The men’s national football team, popularly known as the Azkals, will pit their skills and game strategy against those of FC Ingolstadt 04, a second division Bundesliga football club on June 23 at around 12am Manila time.

"The tune-up games in Germany will help them bond and learn about each teammate's game so they can complement each other and work better together," Stephen Permanes said to GMA News Online via Facebook interview.

Permanes is a member of the Philippines' under-23 national team training pool. As midfielder for the University of the Philippines' football team, he was named the UAAP Season 73 most valuable player.

FC Ingolstadt announced on its website the test match against the Azkals. That fixture was supposed to have taken place two days prior but was reset, allowing the Philippine team two extra days to rest and train further for the friendly.

Members of the Philippine Azkals take a break from their training to tour Amsterdam. Ace Bright

Sri Lanka unveils 25-man team for Azkals match

MANILA, Philippines – The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has unveiled its twenty-five man team that will go against the Azkals for the FIFA World Cup qualifier.
According to the Sri Lanka Daily Mirror, defender Rohana Ruwanthilake will once again lead the Sri Lanka national team.
Ruwanthilake has been the team captain for Sri Lanka for the past four international tournaments.
The other Sri Lankan players are:

Greatwich heads SEA Games aspirants

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA—The Philippines is leaving no stone unturned in its preparations for the Southeast Asian Games as it bids to land a first medal in the men’s football competition slated in the Indonesian cities of Palembang and Jakarta.
With five months to go before the Games, the Under-23 squad began training yesterday at the PhilSports pitch with 20 aspirants showing up led by veteran international Simon Greatwich as well as former national team players Yannick Tuason, Mark Ferrer, Chris Camcam, David Basa, Jerry Barbaso and the returning Matthew Hartmann.
In the runup to the biennial competition, the Under-23 squad will also see action in a five-nation pre-SEA Games tournament next month in Jakarta.
Aside from the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia are also fielding teams in the tournament, according to Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.
The team is awaiting the arrival of veteran German coach Erich Rutemoller, who will serve as team consultant as Azkals coach Michael Weiss focuses on the senior squad now training in Germany for its
World Cup qualifying match against Sri Lanka.

Argentina legend Diego Maradona: Neymar is bad mannered just like Pele

Diego Maradona has said Santos striker and Real Madrid target Neymar is rude just like Pele after his recent comments regarding Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

"Neymar is bad mannered, like Pele," the Al Wasl coach told TVE. "Messi is an exceptional player and I doubt anyone can separate him [from being the best]."

Neymar claimed he could become better than Messi by playing at Santos (Pele's former club), suggesting there is no need to leave Brazil to be the best, despite being linked with Barca's bitter rivals.

And Maradona made the comments on the eve of the 25th anniversary of his hand of God goal against England in the 1986 World Cup. Source

Know your Azkals: School’s out for Paolo Pascual

by Mav C. Gonzales

Paolo Pascual was just a regular junior at the University of San Carlos in Cebu earlier this year. Regular, until he received a call from the Philippine Football Federation asking him to try out for the Azkals.

While it’s already an achievement to try out with a handful of other talented and experienced players from all parts of the globe, what probably sets Paolo apart is the fact that he made it to the national team. All that at 20-years-old.

“Ang tangkad ko kasi eh"

Paolo started playing football when he was 7-years-old at Paref Springdale School. Asked why he chose football over other sports, he said “it was the only club in school."

Coincidence? Maybe. Meant to be? Definitely.
He was a striker until grade seven when his coach realized he had the potential to be a good goalkeeper given his height.

Azkals up close: Eduard Sacapaño

by Barry Viloria

MANILA, Philippines – Before becoming a reserve goalkeeper for the Philippine Azkals, Eduard Sacapaño only enjoyed football from the sidelines.
“Parang na-encourage ako na manood... Dati nun, kumukuha lang ako ng mga bola sa likod na lumalagpas. Kinukuha ko then binabalik ko sa kanila kasi ‘di pa ko marunong mag-football,” said Sacapaño.
His childhood friend encouraged him to try the game.
“Magkapit-bahay kami at sumisipa-sipa na. Sumasali din ako hanggang tinuturuan niya ko. Nagustuhan ko siya (football),” he added.
Sacapaño later joined the West Negros College varsity football team, where he took the role of a goalkeeper-- a part he would be playing for the next decade or so.
“Dati nga, ayoko ng goalkeeper kasi nakakatakot. Parang ang hirap ng responsibilidad,” confessed the Bacolod native.

Cebuanos in futsal team

by Cheska D. Geli

TWO Cebuanos made it to the National Futsal Team that will face other neighboring countries in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games (SEAG).

Honey Mae Thomason and Binky Estrada are among the 15 players picked from the 30 hopefuls who tried out last March. Most players of the team are from Manila, and some are from Masbate and Bacolod.
It will be the first SEA Games appearance for the two. Thomason joined the national team last year and wasn’t able to play in the 2009 SEAG, where the team won a bronze medal, the highest achievement for a football team.

Both started playing the Bro. Mari Aberasturi of Don Bosco College.

Unlike football, Futsal uses a smaller but heavier ball that has less bounce than a regular football.

PH U23 team starts training today

by Cheska D. Geli

AS the senior team of Philippine Football is down to its last week of preparations for the World Cup first round match, the Southeast Asian Games bound team will start preparing for the biennial games today.

The under-23 coaching staff will work on finalizing a 23-man team out of the 47 hopefuls. The coaching staff will be led by team manager Dan Palami, coaches Norman Fegidero and Rolando Pinero and goalkeeper coach Michael Casas.
The team has yet to finalize the venue for the practices but they are looking at Alabang Country Club to host their training every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Palami, who will arrive today from Germany after being with the senior team, will meet with the players and staff to sort out plans for the SEA games preparation.

However, the training pool will not yet be complete as those who are based in the province and outside the country will be missing the first day of training. The team is expected to be completed within the week.

Engineering student Van Bossche of Azkals U23

Manila, JUNE 20 (Sugod.com) – Electrical Engineers have been successful in football. Don’t you agree? Arsene Wenger had a degree in Electrical Engineering from Strasbourg University and his influence in the beautiful game was tremendous and world-class.
Jacques Van Bossche, a filipino electrical engineering student at Ghent University and defender at Sporting Lokeren, may also take the same path.
He was invited by German head coach Hans Michael Weiss to try-out for the national team in February and a possible international call-up is likely to follow after a good performance in the Nagold Cup.
According to usapangfootball.proboards.com, Van Bossche will join the training camp of the U23 squad on thursday in preparation for the upcoming 2011 AFF Under-23 Youth Championship in Pelambang, Indonesia on July 16-26.
In the said tournament, the Philippines have been drawn against Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Myanmar, and Singapore in the group stage. Source

Rizal can only seat 13,000

by Olmin Leyba

MANILA, Philippines - Organizers of the Azkals’ home game against Sri Lanka on July 3 will limit the spectators to around 13,000 to avoid overcrowding the 70-year-old Rizal Memorial Football Stadium for the highly anticipated Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers match.
Cathy Rivilla, general coordinator for the home match, said after installing individual seats at the grandstand and painting dividing lines in the bleachers in accordance with Fifa’s seat measurements, the Rizal venue can only host a capacity of 12,873 spectators.
The lower grandstand and VIP areas (blue section) will accommodate 1,872; the upper grandstand (yellow section) will seat 2,870; and the bleachers will have 8,131.

1st PFF-Araw ng Lanao del Norte Football Festival

1st PFF-Araw ng Lanao del Norte Football Festival
MCC Football Field
Tubod, Lanao del Norte
June 18-19, 2011


Match Results

Gier, Mulders rejoin Azkals training camp

by Cedelf P. Tupas

Two more key players will rejoin the Philippine football team as it enters the final week of its preparation for the 2014 Fifa World Cup Qualifying clash against Sri Lanka.
The Azkals will be boosted by the arrival of Filipino-British defender and the return of Fil-Dutch attacking midfielder Paul Mulders in the team’s camp in Duren, Germany, as they continue their buildup for the June 29 and July 3 matches against the Sri Lankans.
The last phase of the Azkals’ preparations will include a duel with FC Ingolstadt on Monday and Darmstadt, a German third division side, on Friday.
The Azkals, fueled by strong attacking combinations, have shown stellar form in their first two test matches in the Germany camp, winning via 4-1 scorelines over Duren selection and the Under-19 side of Bonner SC.

Mga Fil-European Azkals, nagpaligsahan sa pagkanta ng ‘Lupang Hinirang’

Naki-bonding ang Azkals sa mga Pinoy sa Germany. Pati ang mayor ng Duren, dumating sa barbecue party para batiin ang mga Pinoy.
Ang highlight  ng okasyon, ang pa-contest ng pinakamagaling na grupo na kakanta ng pambansang awit sa araw ng paggunita ng kaarawan ni Rizal.
Sa Euro-Pinoys, mahirap ang contest na ito.
“Reading it from a piece of paper and not learning it when I was younger is hard,” ani Neil Etheridge.
“When we sing them in international matches when Lupang Hinirang is played, everybody can see na di name-memorize ng players natin… we divided the group into three groups,” ani Azkals manager Dan Palami.
Naunang nagpakitang gilas ang white team. Ang blue team, nagpalakas pa sa mga judges bago kumanta. Panghuli ang red team.
Pinaulit din sa pagkanta ang mga Euro-Pinoys para masigurong saulado ang titik ng Lupang Hinirang.
At ang desisyon ng hurado, panalo ang red team -- ang grupo ni Phil Younghusband at Chieffy Caligdong. Rose Eclarinal, Europe News Bureau, Duren, Germany. Source

Rains may spoil RMSC football duel

by Abac Cordero

Manila, Philippines - Preparations are in full swing for the Azkals’ home game against Sri Lanka on July 3 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, and yet there’s one thing organizers will definitely have no control of.
“It’s the weather,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia, who’s making sure that the historic stadium will be in its top form for the highly-awaited soccer match.
“I hope the weather cooperates. Majority of the seats won’t be covered and people will get wet,” he said, considering that the match will be held in the rainiest days of the year.
The Philippine Football Federation under Mariano Araneta is at the helm of the preparations for the match expected to draw a crowd never been seen in local sports for a long time.
They expect a crowd of 15,000 to 20,000, mostly soccer fans who will even come in from the provinces. The last time a crowd that big came to the stadium was during the 1991 SEA

Davao: PH booters beat Guam in Vietnam

THE Filipino girl booters ended their campaign in the AFC U14 Festival of Football in Vietnam with a 3-0 thrashing of Guam, a fitting finish to what was described by the coaching staff as an excellent run.

The PH squad was formed only months with the players coming from different regions, including five from Davao, but performed well enough to draw praises in the week-long competition against the best teams in Asia.
The national team also beat Chinese Taipei and Cambodia and held host Vietnam to a draw in the tournament played at the Than Long Sports Center in Ho Chi Minh. The girls lost to superior countries like Japan, China, DPR Korea and South Korea.

‘Azkals attack stronger than ever’

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA—From the looks of it, scoring isn’t going to be a problem for the Philippine football team.

As the Azkals turned their preparations for the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers up a notch in Duren, Germany, skipper Aly Borromeo and star striker Phil Younghusband believe the team’s attacking play is at its strongest.
The Azkals are toughening up for the first round qualifying match against Sri Lanka on June 29 and July 3. The winner of the tie will meet powerhouse Kuwait in another two-leg tie in late July.
“I think going forward we are very confident at

Philippine Team roundup: Azkals in natl anthem bout; POC assures no junket; PHL teams ready for SEA

by Angeli Sabillo
Azkals trained to sing the National Anthem

After winning against the Bonner SC Under-19 team at their two-week training camp in Germany, the Philippines men’s national football team Azkals took a break to engage in a singing contest of “Lupang Hinirang.”

“We have a great atmosphere here and the rapport among players in the camp is very encouraging. But we also want to get the team more inspired, show some nationalistic fervor,” said Azkals team manager Dan Palami.

That is why Palami offered 1,500 Euros (roughly P94,000) to the winning group of Azkals who can sing a decent rendition of the national anthem.

Inquirer revealed that of the 22-man team, only six are home grown. The rest grew up abroad, having one or both Filipino parents.

The Azkals are currently training in Duren, Germany for their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka.

Azkals post 2nd tune-up win in Germany, 4-1 vs teen-age team

by Earl Victor Rosero
The Philippines men's national football team, popularly known as the Azkals, notched a second win in their two-week training camp in Germany. Saturday's early morning test match ended 4-1 against the SC Bonner Under-19 team.

Scoring one goal each for the Azkals were Ian Araneta, Phil Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong, and Stephan Shrock. "Great game today," Caligdong said in a tweet to fans.

Elated, team manager Dan Palami thanked (through Twitter) the Filipino community in Germany "for the overwhelming support shown when they came in droves to cheer for the Azkals! Salamat po!"

Philippines' Azkals vs SC Bonner Under-19 in a test match in Germany. Rowena Abales Chien

The Azkals. Rowena Abales Chien

Tonight, the Azkals have some down time. They split into three teams for a competition on who sings best the Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine national anthem. For incentive, Palami put up a prize pot of 1,500 euros.

For their third test match, the Azkals will face Ingolstadt I, a Bundesliga 2nd division team, in Gerolfingen, Bavaria in southern Germany Monday evening (Manila time.)

Azkals up close: Getting to know Coach Weiss

MANILA, Philippines – Azkals German coach Michael Weiss said football is not just mere sport. For him, football is a challenge.
“We have to combine so many, many things and put them together. It is very interesting and challenging,” said Weiss in an exclusive interview with abs-cbnNEWs.com.
“It looks easy but you imagine how many pieces of puzzles you have to bring together to have a very good team.”

Football demands not just physical endurance, he said, but also strength of mind. “In Germany, they call the mind the ‘third leg,’” said Weiss.
The interplay of these factors in each game makes the sport thrilling and exciting for Weiss.
It’s no wonder that the German coach stuck with football ever since he had his first training in the sport at a tender age of 8.
Weiss, who was described by German football officials as a highly knowledgeable and experienced coach, took over the Azkals coaching job early this year.

"GO AZKALS GO" best chant!

The best Azkals chant i heard so far, the tune was so jolly and the lyrics are easy to memorize. GO AZKALS GO! 

Cebu: 3 Cebu coaches attend Fifa seminar

by Cheska D. Geli
CEBU football coaches are set to attend the Fifa Grassroots Pro-Active Instructors Course hosted by the San Carlos Negros Football Club on June 20-28.

Eleazar Toledo, Oliver Colina and Bro. Jose Mari Aberasturi will be joining 33 other grassroots managers nationwide under the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) in a series of lectures at the Algers Community Center and practical sessions at the San Julio Realty Football Club.
The three Cebuanos actively promote football in the municipalities of Cebu as they conduct clinics and help form clubs that will be supported by the Local Government Units.

That program will culminate with a province wide Governor’s Cup for the 12- and 10-Under teams.

Azkals get confidence boost from 1st win in Germany training

by Earl Rosero
After winning 4 – 1 in a test match in Germany against the Aachen-Duren select team Thursday, the men’s national football team, popularly known as Azkals, now rides a wave of confidence.

Team manager Dan Palami said in a tweet to Azkals supporters the team is “slowly getting their act together." Palami added that the match was a “good win" against the Duren selection.

On June 18, Saturday, at 1 a.m. Manila time, the Azkals’ second test match will be against the Bonner Junioren Bundesliga under-19 squad also from the Cologne region.

“Things are starting to fall into place," team captain Aly Borromeo said via Twitter after the match against Duren's booters. “Things are starting to look positive," Anton del Rosario echoed, also in a tweet.

Workers renovating 2014 WCup stadium go on strike

SAO PAULO (AP)—A group of workers helping to renovate one of the stadiums for the 2014 World Cup went on strike Wednesday, demanding higher salaries and improved conditions.

About 160 of the nearly 400 workers helping upgrade the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte stopped working. Local organizers said in a statement that constructors have been following union regulations, and that a commission has been created to negotiate with the workers.

They said that work was not completely halted because of the strike.
The private Agencia Estado news service says workers want to raise their monthly salaries from about $580 to $755. The renovation at the Mineirao is expected to cost nearly $470 million.
Belo Horizonte is one of the cities vying to host the opening match. Others include the nation’s capital, Brasilia, and Sao Paulo, South America’s biggest city. Source

Azkals 4-1 Niederau

Photographs by Bob Nguyen. Via Azkals Philippine Football Team FB fan page.

Mindanao: Beach Football Series

Kicksand Beach Football Mindanao Leg- Tournament Results

Men's Division
Champion Pitbullz
1st Runner-up S&G Vebtures
2nd Runner-up RMC Bulldogs
MVP- Jeric Iligan

Beckham still eyeing Olympics stint

LONDON. – David Beckham thinks he would be more useful as a player than a coach at the 2012 London Games when Britain fields its first Olympic football team since 1960.
The former England captain will be 37 when the Olympics come to London, but he maintains that fitness will not be an issue.
"There are 13 months to go and there are a lot of decisions to be made but I would love to be part of it," Beckham told the BBC on Monday. "I’m sure I’d be better as a player than a coach so I’ll have to wait and see. I still feel as if I’m 21 when I’m playing. I still love the game like I did when I was 21, I still feel as fit.
"Everyone knows I have looked after myself–eating-wise, fitness-wise. So I’m not in bad shape and I’ll continue to work hard and hopefully I can be part of it."
England under-21 manager Stuart Pearce is being lined up to take charge of the team, with The Football Association administering the team and set to provide all the players.

6 Germany-based PH Azkals begin training with team

SIX Germany-based Filipino players, led by prized find Stephan Schrock, have started training with the Philippine Azkals, who are currently in Duren, Germany for a series of tune-up matches against German football clubs as part of their preparation for the 2014 World Cup Qualifying matches against Sri Lanka.

Already recovered from his injury, the 25-year-old Schrock has started scrimmaging with the Azkals, who will play their first tune-up game against Juni Association, a team based in Duren on June 15, Wednesday.
Coach Hans Michael Michael Weiss said Schrock’s presence will be a big boost to the Azkals.
“He is a fantastic player,” said Weiss of Schrock,

Baguio: 1st MGD Football Cup kicks off next month

by Roderick Osis

IN PREPARATION for the upcoming men's national championship, an age group football competition is set to kick off next week hoping to lure top football teams from Baguio City and Benguet.

Dubbed the 1st Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan Football Cup, a men's 11-a-side tournament and a 7-a-side ladies open will topbill the month long competition which will also feature five age group competitions.
The tournament, which will also be part of the Goshen backed Baguio United Football Club, is making its mark in the national competitions as they head to Barotac Nuevo for the national championship of the Smart Men's National Open Club Championship.