Azkals Eye 3 New Members

THE Philippine Football Federation is looking into the possibility of getting a Fil-French goalkeeper and two Fil-British standouts to play for the Azkals in the future.

Eighteen-year-old Alphonse Areola could someday beef up the aging Azkals’ roster should talks to make him play for flag and country prosper.

The 6’2” Areola currently plays for the Paris St. Germaine Club, a squad which sees action in a first-division league in France.

Areola, who used to be a member of the France’s national under-16 team, is currently PSG’s third-choice goalkeeper.

He is reportedly being groomed to become one of their top goalies and as a part of France’s senior national team as well.

At the moment, Areola is keen on joining the French men’s national squad.

The parents of London-based standouts Aaron de Rama and Jessie Arroyo have also come forward and expressed their children’s interest in seeing action for the national squad.

National team manager Dan Palami, who is leaving for Europe this August, said he is set to reach out to at least six Fil-European prospects.

Azkals’ team member Rob Gier, a Fil-British right back, has informed Palami of the new prospects as the squad’s newly designated scout. Peter Atencio

Azkals Target Areola Set For PSG Debut

MANILA, Philippines - A fast-rising goalkeeper being eyed by the Philippine Azkals as their next marquee player, could become the first Filipino to see action in the French top flight football.

Alphonse Areola, who was tagged by Azkals manager Dan Palami as one of the team's possible future members, is expected to be named on Paris St. Germain's (PSG) starting XI when they face Lorient in their season-opening home match Saturday.

The 18-year-old, who has Filipino parents, is currently second-choice goalkeeper in the club but was thrust into the spotlight after PSG's new shotstopper, Nicolas Douchez, was injured.

FIFA.com confirmed Friday that Douchez remains sidelined by his ankle injury and is unavailable for the Saturday clash, which will allow the teenager Areola to make his French Ligue 1 debut.

The Clairefontaine-trained Areola had an impressive pre-season with PSG, notching clean sheets in the team's wins over other clubs such Italian side AS Roma (3-0) and Argentinian giants Boca Juniors (3-0).

Although Areola also has played for France's national youth football teams, the 6'2" wonderkid has the choice to play for the Philippine Azkals, as long as he is not yet capped for the French senior team, according to FIFA rules.

Read more: Alphonse Areola: Azkals or Les Bleus?

PSG has offered to extend the youngster's contract to until 2015, even as Areola is allegedly a transfer target for English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

PSG are being tipped as one of the title favorites in the French top league in the coming season.

The club was recently bought by Qatar Sports Investments, which has brought in cash and 7 new players including the 42-million-euro Argentinian playmaker Javier Pastore.

by Jojo Malig

Weiss Stays As Azkals Coach

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine football team manager Dan Palami said German Michael Weiss will stay as coach of the Azkals despite the team’s loss against Kuwait in the World Cup qualifiers last week.

Although he declined to rate Weiss’ performance after Kuwait sent the Filipino booters packing with a 5-1 aggregate win, Palami, also regarded as the Azkals’ godfather, believes Weiss is still the wise choice for the national team.

“It’s very unrealistic to gauge him against a team like Kuwait, but in fact, even as it is (elimination), the stride that we have made in football has been considered short of phenomenon not just in Asia but in the whole world,” Palami said.

Weiss, who left for Germany on Sunday for a 10-day break, replaced British Simon McMenemy six months ago and has two-year contract with the Azkals.

Under Weiss, the Azkals became the first national squad to reach the second round of the qualifiers since 1950. Under his guidance, the team also earned a berth to the AFC Challenge Cup finals next year.

Asked if he sees a longer partnership with Weiss, Palami said: “A long time is a very strong word. But at least I know that what he’s doing is working for us. For as long as we get the results that we want, not in terms of the bottom line scores but in terms of how we play, then I suppose he really has a plop in the team.”

Meanwhile, Palami is not letting up in further improving the lineup. He is set to leave for Europe this month to recruit possible reinforcements for the Azkals.

The national team is seriously considering on tapping French-born Alphonse Areola, a 6-foot-2 goalie who plays for French First Division side Paris St. Germain.

The 18-year-old Areola, whose parents are Filipinos, is seen to be an able replacement for Fil-British keeper Neil Etheridge, who is expected to have limited time with Azkals following his scheduled promotion as main reliever for his club Fulham in the English Premier League.

 By FRANCIS SANTIAGO

Palami: Azkals Need New Blood

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine national football team manager Dan Palami said the Azkals are not getting any younger and will need to replenish their lineup for future competitions.

Palami, who appeared on ANC’s Hardball sports show, cited as an example the Azkals' first defensive unit.

“We have Ray Jonsson, who is about 32; we have Rob Gier, who is 30 years old; we have Aly [Borromeo], 28; and Anton [del Rosario] is 29. So we really need to replenish the back 4,” he said.

Although the team's veterans still have a lot of playing years ahead of them, Palami said the team needs younger footballers who will fill their boots.

More foreign-trained players

He added that while the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is building up the country’s grassroots program, the team management is scouting more overseas-based players who can potentially help the Azkals in future tournaments.

“We are concurrently trying to get the interest of good players outside the Philippines and get them to play for us,” he said.

Palami admitted that it is too early for the Azkals to rely solely on local players.

“In fact when I started managing the team, the first thing I did was to look for locally based players,” he said.

“Unfortunately, our grassroots program had been dormant for a few decades so it will take a while before we get locals. [But] it will probably happen in 4 years,” added Palami.

Among the European-based players reportedly eyed by the team management is Alphonse Areola, an 18-year-old goalkeeper who currently plays for the Paris Saint-Germain football club in France.

by Dennis Gasgonia