Nepal Invited To Test Azkals' Mettle

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta Jr. said yesterday Nepal, ranked No. 136 by FIFA, has been invited to play the Azkals in an exhibition match here on Oct. 9 and it will be an early preview of what to expect in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup finals in March.

Nepal is hosting the Challenge Cup finals where seven other countries are playing after a series of qualifiers. The eight teams in the finals are the Philippines, India, Maldives, North Korea, Palestine, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Nepal.

Araneta said a plan for Manila to host a four-team invitational tournament has been scrapped because of conflicts with FIFA schedules. The Philippines, ranked No. 162 by FIFA, is booked to play in the Challenge Cup and the Suzuki Cup next year. The national under-23 squad, coached by Michael Weiss, will compete in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia. The PFF’s contract with Weiss expires in 2013.

Araneta confirmed that the Azkals will participate in the Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung on Sept. 28-Oct. 6. The tournament is traditionally among host Chinese-Taipei, Macau, Hong Kong and the Philippines. But organizers are planning to expand the cast to six with invitations sent out to Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia. Last year, the Philippines posted a 1-1-1 record in the competition, crushing Macau, 5-0, losing to Hong Kong, 4-2, and tying with Chinese-Taipei, 1-1.

Araneta said he expects Fulham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge to fly in for the Kaohsiung tournament. The Azkals will not undergo special training for the Long Teng Cup. However, the under-23 team will set up boot camp in Kuwait or Bahrain or Japan before the SEA Games in Indonesia on Nov. 11-22.

Regarding a training program for the Azkals in Europe, Araneta said he spoke with Sen. Edgardo Angara on the phone three weeks ago about the possibility of arranging a tie-up with a Spanish club. Last year, three officials from Real Madrid were in Manila to explore a working relationship with the PFF through Sen. Angara. It was then agreed that the PFF, still under former president Mari Martinez, would get the ball rolling by formally requesting training assistance from Real Madrid. An eyewitness said the Real Madrid and PFF officials shook hands to indicate a meeting of the minds. The formal letter, however, was never sent. The protocol in such an arrangement involves a triggering letter of request from a national federation and a city-to-city agreement to cement the relationship. Martinez was eventually replaced by Araneta who said he knows nothing about the Real Madrid meeting.

Araneta said he was informed that the Barcelona Football Club is interested to look into the early history of Filipino football star Paulino Alcantara who was born in Iloilo in 1896. Alcantara was the first Filipino ever to play in Europe and made his Barcelona debut at the age of 17. He finished his football career as Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer with 357 goals in 357 matches, a record that remains unmatched and unsurpassed. Alcantara later served as Barcelona club director and Spanish national coach. He died in 1964.

“We were advised that the Spanish consul would like to visit Iloilo sometime next month and find out more about Mr. Alcantara’s beginnings, how he is revered in Iloilo,” said Araneta. “Perhaps, this could be the start of a relationship between Iloilo and Barcelona and between the Azkals and the Barcelona Football Club.”

Sen. Angara recently announced in his twitter account that the Congreso de los Diputados in Spain, headed by Jose Bono Martinez, has issued an institutional declaration affirming close ties between the Philippines and Spain. The Philippines was cited by the Spanish Congress for “unparalleled magnanimity” towards Spanish soldiers during the Siege of Baler in 1898-99. The bond linking both countries is celebrated on Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day every June 30 as decreed by the Philippine government.

As for the Azkals incentives, Araneta revealed that each player received $1,000 after the recent Sri Lanka home-and-away series. Before the home game against Kuwait, the PFF gave the Azkals $500 with the promise of a $1,000 bonus for a win and a $4,000 reward for making it into the third round of the World Cup Asia qualifiers.

Cortal, a major Azkals sponsor, also offered incentives for the home match against Kuwait – P1 Million for every goal in a win and P500,000 for every goal in a loss. As it turned out, the Philippines lost a 2-1 heartbreaker. Because of the Azkals’ lone goal in the defeat, Cortal is committed to pay out P500,000. It’s not certain if the players will get a share of the incentive. Araneta said he is not involved in the commercial aspects of marketing the Azkals and wouldn’t know if the players will receive a share or if Cortal has even paid the bonus. He said team manager Dan Palami, who has registered the Azkals trademark, is in charge of the marketing affairs. As of yesterday, a high-profile Azkals player said he had not received a share of the Cortal incentive and didn’t know if the players would be given by Palami.

Araneta said the PFF grossed over P20 Million in ticket sales for the Sri Lanka and Kuwait matches at the Rizal Memorial. “We were told La Salle spends about P900,000 a year to maintain the pitch and we’re grateful to La Salle for transforming it into a world-class field,” he said. “We’re offering to pay half the maintenance costs as we know La Salle spent over P8 Million to rehabilitate the pitch and we’ll be making extensive use of it. We still have a lot to do in sprucing up Rizal, like cleaning up the restrooms in the gallery section. The unmoving clock on the giant scoreboard is an eyesore and we’ve had to rent two electronic scoreboards for the recent matches. We hope the Philippine Sports Commission will consider replacing the giant clock scoreboard with a digital system.”

By Joaquin Henson

Azkals Prepare For Hectic Schedule

MANILA, Philippines — In an effort to improve the Philippine football team’s world ranking, team manager Dan Palami said they plan to play four superior teams in friendly matches beginning next month.

The International Football Federation (FIFA) has set aside dates from Sept. 27 to Oct. 11 for international friendly matches, and Palami said they will take advantage of it by playing three senior national teams from the Gulf region before hosting a game against either India or Pakistan at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The Manila game is tentatively set Oct. 11.

“Our intention right now is to play as many friendlies as possible so our rankings can go up,” said Palami who hosted a dinner for the newly-formed Azkals Press Corps on Thursday.

The Azkals are ranked 162nd while India is at 153rd and Pakistan 171st.

Palami said a selection from the Under-23 pool preparing for the Southeast Asian Games in the Indonesia in November will join the Azkals during the friendly matches “so that they will have more international exposures.”

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta Jr. had earlier said the Azkals will be at full strength during these international exhibition matches since Filipino-foreign players will be released by their professional clubs in Europe.

Before the friendly matches, the Azkals, alongside a selection from the SEA Games pool, are set to compete in the Long Teng Cup, a four-nation competition set Sept. 28 to Oct. 4 in Taiwan.

By FRANCIS SANTIAGO

Funding Azkals a Yeoman’s Job

Football, thanks to the Azkals, is fast becoming the country’s obsession, replacing basketball as the Filipinos’ favorite sport.

But in order to preserve football’s emergence as the game best suited for the Filipinos and, at the same time, sustain the newfound popularity of the Azkals, the sport needs the continuous support of both the government and the private sector.

It’s truly a yeoman’s job in seeing the program through.

“TV, print and radio must continue to support football so that the interest will always be there,” said former soccer great Vic Sison, the goalie of the Philippine team that beat powerhouse Japan, 1-0, in Tokyo during the 1954 Asian Games.

On the other hand, the incumbent president of the Philippine Football Federation Mariano “Nonong” Araneta expressed a rosy future for the sport. He said that his group is talking with the Philippine Sports Commission to see how the PFF can oversee the maintenance of the Rizal Memorial pitch.

The 56-year-old Araneta has estimated the cost of maintenance could reach P900, 000 a year.
But the PSC’s allocation from Congress is not enough to spur a nationwide sports development program, including the promotion of football, which entails an enormous budget needed for the upkeep of foreign-raised booters and a coach from Germany, Hans Michael Weiss.

As a result of this dilemma, the PFF is now depending on the private sector for the crucial backup support.
Renowned sports patron Manuel V. Pangilinan, benefactor of the Smart Gilas national basketball team, leads the cash-rich private individuals and firms who are the chief backers of the football team.

In time, the Philippines will rise again and would no longer be the “Sick Man of Asia” in football.

* * *

In the old days, before we became a consumer-oriented community society, children created their own tools, especially for sports. Footballs or soccer balls were made from old rags, with their cover filled with hair gathered from the barber or hairdressers shop. Because these balls totally lacked bounce, naturally ground football was all that was possible.

In poor African and Asian countries, football shoes were out of the question. As these were not available, soccer players wrapped their feet with rags to prevent injuries.

On the other hand, players from highly developed countries are luckier because they can afford to buy such luxuries like football shoes, playing uniforms and appropriate equipment.

It is also worth mentioning here, that the price of one pair of branded football shoes made in the United States or Europe is more than the monthly salary of a worker in Africa or the other least developed countries.

By Manolo R. Iñigo

Azkals Say No To Showbiz

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Azkals strikers Rob Gier, Anton del Rosario, Simon Greatwich, Nate Burkey and Misagh Bahadoran have no interest in joining show business for now.

In an interview by “Showbiz News Ngayon” taped July 30 after they appeared on “Happy Yipee Yehey” and aired Aug. 2, Gier said, “I'm just enjoying and concentrating on being Azkals at the moment.”

Bahadoran echoed Gier’s sentiment by simply saying, “I just wanna be [an] Azkals player.”

For his part, Greatwich reasoned, “I'm really quite shy and stuff so we're just trying to keep it low key.”

The five football players were in the noontime “Happy Yipee Yehey” last Saturday as contestants of the game, “Tanging Hinga Mo.”

Gier, who emerged the winner, described their guest stint as “a fun experience.” According to the “SNN” report, Gier became a worldwide trending topic on the microblogging site Twitter that day.

“I was really enjoyed by ‘Happy Yipee Yehey,’” Bahadoran expressed.

On the other hand, Burkey said, “It was a lot of fun. A bit disappointed with my performance, though, but it was fun!”

After competing against Sri Lanka and Kuwait in their unsuccessful bid at the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, the Azkals are on vacation and will resume training soon for their upcoming matches. In an interview, Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Jr. said that in September, the Azkals would be competing in the four-team Long Teng Cup in Taiwan.

More, in October, the team will participate in the four-nation invitational competition hosted by the PFF and sponsored by Asia Brewery Inc.

Lastly, in November, the Azkals will compete in the men's football competition of the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia.

Thanking their supporters, Greatwich asked them in the same "SNN" interview to “Continue to cheer us on.”

Del Rosario expressed, “Thank you very much for all your support. We wouldn't be here without you guys. Keep on supporting.”

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA

Azkals Set Sights On SEAG, AFC

MANILA, Philippines - Its FIFA World Cup dream dashed for now, the Philippines shifts its aspirations to the next big competitions in the region – the Southeast Asian Games in November for the Under-23 team and the AFC Challenge Cup next year for the Azkals senior’s side.

Taking off from the Azkals’ breakthrough second-round stint in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) looks to win a first-ever medal in the SEAG in Indonesia, setting training camps abroad to hone up the squad.

“Coach Michael Weiss has already submitted a program so we’ll just be going to discuss the budget. There will be two camps abroad for the U-23. One in the Middle East and if the situation in Japan has already normalized, then we want to go to Japan,” PFF president Nonong Araneta said.

Some of the younger Azkals like Jason de Jong, Simon Greatwich and Manuel Ott will reinforce the U-23 side, boosting Phl’s drive to break into the medal picture in men’s football for the very first time in the biennial meet.

“We will definitely vie, work for that medal. We have a good chance, we’ve a good team and I think with the camp that we’re planning, with the training we’re preparing, the team will go a long way,” said Araneta.

Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge of Fulham is eligible at age 21, but he’s non-committal for the SEAG campaign as of now.

“I’m not sure (if I’ll be available). I still have to check my schedule (in England),” said the Fil-Britisth Azkals star.

Weiss said he will bring some of the youngsters with the Azkals senior team when they compete in the Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung, Taiwan Sept. 28-Oct. 6 “to test their readiness for the SEA Games.” After this, an intensive four-week training is up, highlighted by camps in Dubai and Bahrain.

The Long Teng will also start off the Azkals’ buildup for the AFC Challenge Cup from March 3-8, 2012. The winner qualifies for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup finals, Asia’s premiere football meet where reigning champ Japan and powerhouses Australia and South Korea are already seeded.

“The Azkals’ main forcus will be the AFC Challenge Cup eight months from now. We’ll be trying to go directly to the Asian Cup so for this one, we have to get all players ready,” said Weiss.

The Azkals will take a monthlong break after their 1-5 loss to fancied Kuwait in the World Cup prelims, including a 1-2 heartbreaker at the Rizal pitch.

“This is an achievement even if we lost twice to Kuwait,” Weiss said. “We’re in a growing process and the team can only learn from these experiences.”

By Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star)

More Friendlies To Toughen Azkals PFF Plans 4-Country Tourney

MANILA—Like Philippine Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss, the country’s football top honcho, Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, longs for the day when the national team will have the best available players, particularly the standouts based in Europe.

That’s why the Philippine Football Federation president wants more friendlies for the Azkals that also follows the International Football Federation (Fifa) calendar.

Araneta told the Inquirer yesterday that he plans to invite Asian countries like Malaysia, Hong Kong and China to play against the Azkals late this year or early next year.

Player availability has always been a problem for the Azkals as some of their best players like Stephan Schrock, Ray Jonsson and Neil Etheridge ply their trade in European leagues.

The trio played in the second round World Cup Qualifying duel against Kuwait last night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium after they were allowed by their European clubs at the last minute.

Araneta feels the current squad can still get better with the infusion of Europe-based players like Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara, whose availability are always in doubt because of club commitments.

“We really want to have the best available players for the team to have time to play together because that’s the only way we can improve,” said Araneta, who was also a national player in the late 70s until the early 80s.

“Those friendlies with our best players are the only way we can really gauge how good our team is and how good they can become.”

Araneta said that the only way to have the squad together is to set friendlies that are in line with the Fifa calendar.

The Azkals were in Myanmar for the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers when international friendlies were held.

They were in training camp in Germany during the international break last June and Araneta said the team missed the chance of playing friendlies against teams in the Middle East because they were in Germany.

Weiss said the current Azkals squad is still two to three years away from reaching its full potential.

“Our development has been fast, but in reality the process is longer,” said Weiss, who has three wins, three draws and two losses in his first six months in charge of the Azkals.

“The team has a lot of potential, but it will take time.”

Azkals-Kuwait Opening Game in Peril?

By FRANCIS SANTIAGO
MANILA, Philippines — The Kuwait Football Association (KFA) has threatened to pull out its national team from the 2014 World Cup qualifying tournament following a dispute with its government over funding, according to newspaper reports.

Quoting the non-English daily newspaper Al-Mustaqbal, the Arab Times reported Wednesday that KFA chairman Sheikh Talal Al-Fahd made the threat after the Kuwaiti government stopped supporting the association.

Reached for reaction, Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said he doesn’t think the Kuwaitis will forfeit their match against the Azkals which starts on July 23 (July 24 in Manila) at the Qadisiya Sports Club in Hawally.

The second match is set five days later at the Rizal Memorial stadium.

The Azkals have set up training camp in Bahrain to prepare for their second round match against the Al-Azraq, Kuwait’s monicker.

Meanwhile, the International Football Federation (FIFA), football’s highest governing body, deferred action on the PFF’s appeal with regards to the suspension of Aly Borromeo and Stephan Schrock.

FIFA said it cannot act on the appeal without the endorsement of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)..

Borromeo, the Azkals skipper, and Fil-German Shrock, an important piece in the midfield, are barred from playing in the first leg against Kuwait after getting their second yellow cards during home match against Sri Lanka in the first round nearly two weeks ago.

Two yellow cards merit automatic suspension.

The AFC had earlier told the PFF to lodge the appeal before the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

But FIFA, in a letter signed by Mark Caballero, head of the Discipline and Governance Committee, said the appeal should come from the governing confederation.

“What we’ll try to do is write AFC again, and hopefully we can get their endorsement,” Araneta said.

Unlike the Azkals who had to overcome Sri Lanka in the first round, Al-Azraq, a Middle East power is seeded in the second round.

Azkals coach Michael Weiss admits the team will be a heavy underdog, but promised to pull off an upset against the 10-time Gulf Cup champions who made it to the World Cup finals in 1982