Philippines[R]

Good thinking xyz, although it doesn't seem to be complete. One thing I noticed about Roland is that when Neil is available to play, he usually doesn't show up. I could understand that, but it would be nice to have some depth in case Neil injures himself in the middle of an important tournament or game.

This interview also shows that he hasn't immersed himself as much in the Filipino culture prior to joining the team, unlike some of our players like the Younghusbands or Neil Etheridge who visited Manila often and was close to their cousins.

One thing is for sure, their other Fil German teammates Schrock, and Wolf, have been following the team, tweeting each other and wishing they were in Nepal.

 

There have been some notable quality additions to the UFL, the local professional league, in the current mid season transfer window. They include K league veterans, a Fil German potential national team forward from the lower divisions in Germany, Iranian additions to help the local Iranian squad, the usual African imports, as well as for the first time a loan from a Spanish 3rd division squad CF InterMadrid, the same team who routed a UFL Phillippine team selection while visiting the Philippines last year.

 

2-1 Turkmenistan over the Philippines

Heartbreaking loss as the
Azkals lead most of the way until the 80th minute.
Missing 2 of our best players was such a big loss. Midfield was just not the same giving up too much possession in the 2nd half.

 

Up early I see.....just made it home. Glad to see we are up.

 

That backline is horrible...too many ball watchers

If we had Angel we could probably score a few more to make up.

 

coach weiss'es substitution patterns did not work out as gener lost his man in that last goal. heartbreaking loss but we have to remember one thing, we still have another chance at the asian cup in the next challenge cup 2014. the way I see it overcoming most likely finalist north korean would have been a tall order even if we had made the finals this time. if north korea wins this edition, we don't have to worry about them in 2014.

Mike don't lose hope. you still might get a chance to see them play in Australia if they win the 2014 edition of the Challenge Cup which I hope they can host.

BTW yup I woke up at 3:30 AM to watch the game. now have to get ready to gowork on a few hours sleep.

 

Well done to filos.. I think they should be ready and stronger for the 2014 Challenge Cup and lets hope it falls under FIFA match days..

I know the limelight wont be there at all (but it is a minnow tournement) it might be tried to be played a couple of weeks prior to the start of the 2014 World Cup? that way, all teams can bring their strongest teams....

 

To bad Azkals.

 

We will be at a disadvantage again in the 3rd place match against Palestine as our starting goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, was issued a red card near the end of the game, after an inadvised kick directed at a passing Turkmenistan player. Since all the alternate keepers available are locally based, and lack experience, it would be difficult for them to replicate what Neil provides for the team every game.

As for the next challenge cup in 2014, there are plans by the Philippines to bid for hosting privileges for both the qualifiers and the finals. If they win this, they will then have the chance to schedule the games during the European offseason or on FIFA match dates. This will allow teams like Palestine and the Philippines to bring their best players to this tournament which I think will provide the Philippines and these countries their best chance of winning the tournament and joining the Asian Cup in Australia.

 

Since when did hosts of a tournament such as a continental tournament (albeit lower tier competition) have control when it takes place?

 

Well I presumed the hosts have some input in the scheduling of the games especially for the finals event. After all, they will be responsible for most of the expenses as host.

Of course, the AFC makes the final decision in these kind of events, but I presume there is a certain flexibility afforded the hosts to provide their input as to scheduling.

Some hosts simply cannot hold events bec. of severe climatic conditions during certain times of the year or have other ongoing events, so some discussion as to scheduling is allowed.

 

2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers are scheduled for 2 .to 17. March 2013 and the finals from 8. to 23. March 2014.

http://www.the-afc.com/en/resources/afc-calendars-download/28-competition

 

jonny,

Is that schedule(esp. in the finals schedule) fixed in stone this far out? There has to be some flexibility in the schedule esp. for those hosts whose climate is severe for that time of year.

 

I dont think there is climate problems in March ? in 2010 they had in late February in Sri Lanka.

I think they may be only flexible within few days , the calendar for 2013 and 2014 is fixed now by AFC.

 

Too bad. We will have to do with a less than complete lineup again then. At least there would be a hometown advantage if we do win the bid.

Are there any FIFA matchdates close to that time frame?

 

22. and 26. March in 2013 , nothing in 2014

 

I don't think the calendar is fixed, I've personally seen changes, very slight changes anyway.

But this is the AFC being professional. It is good to see that they can forward think and at times adapt.

Let's not forget, 2008 AFC Challenge Cup was played in July - August. So AFC can be flexible. I alsothink that AFC enterain bids to host the event and they have to look at everything. If Philippine tel them that if selected the best time to host is ???? because of ?????? then host it then. They won't take it to Phills if Feb/March is a bad time and who knows best? AFC or Phills FA? AFC will work with the Phills if selected for the best suitable time.

I do think if AFC are quick to act and tender the competition as early as possible then the competition can be played at any date in that year. And to be frank, wih the winners going to Asian Cup, it's probably best to play it as late as possible in that calendar year.

 

We also have to consider that the summer of 2014 is filled with World Cup events. They might not want to schedule any event that would distract them from this during this time frame.

 

3rd Place match

Philippines 4-3 Palestine

Wide open match. Witn starting goaltender Etheridge out, the Philippines decided to go on the attack to help compensate, as their suspect defence again let them down a few times. Held on in the end for the narrow victory.

Phil Younghusband hiked his goal total to 6 goals and is now the clear favourite to win the Golden Boot Award for most goals in the tournament pending the results of the championship match.

There is a lot of speculation back home that if we did not lose Angel Guirado and James Younghusband to suspension in the game against Turkmenistan, who again played key roles in the victory tonight, we would have beaten Turkmenistan and would be playing for the championship today. Unfortunately, even if that happened, it would have been a tall order to overcome the defending champion North Korea.

Still it feels good to finish the tournament with a win to silence the many critics back home who don't want football to succeed in our country.

 

Congrats.

The frustrating thing about suspensions you never get a sense what would happen when you are on your strongest and so leaves you out wondering. On the other hand it is an important signal to act upon to have a big bench (so to develop further). When Pele is asked before the WC who will win, he picks the team with the best bench (which is often his Brazil ) as he knows that is what it takes to win it all.

That is poor thinking maybe even from the critics. Better football would improve the top sport climate. The sense of being really good at something, people choosing for a sport career more easily than a career in normal society and envisions such a possible future. That benefits basketball and football as you get a more sport orientated society. With top sport climate comes industries that support it even further and jobs around sport that make people able to pay the bills. More sports could benefit then again from that and more focus of society will go to sport again.

I will even go further. Here is the best youth Academy in my country:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trRCz99m0_A"]Athletic skills track at Ajax[/ame]

They even install basketball fields to improve the eye hand coordination instead of only the foot eye one. Would it then not work also the other way around, to become more complete athlete's?



Is there also a video from this last game (highlights)?

 

DRB300,

I think we would have been a deep team if all our players were available at least for this level of competition, but because we were not able to have our best players released from their clubs, injuries, passport issues and suspensions(both from cards as well as self imposed due to disciplinary reasons) we were left somewhat lacking in depth at certain positions during the competition.

There are a lot of fans in the Philippines(primarily basketball but also other sports) who are feeling threatened by the sudden rise of popularity of football back home. They don't understand the game and don't want to cede the limelight to a sport that has largely been neglected and ignored before the Suzuki Cup victories in 2010. Some of them might feel that they are losing commercial opportunities that are now being bestowed to football clubs, and players. Just like in the US, they like to poke fun at a sport that is played mostly with the feet rather than with the hands. Whenever a controversy arises, they pounce on it at every opportunity, hoping that this resurgence of interest in football will fade away, just as it had in the past.

Unfortunately for them with the Azkals leading the way, the tide has turned, and the momentum football has gained, show no signs of abating. The local league is starting to attract crowds especially with the increasing standard being shown after every tournament and encouragingly in the capitol region of Manila, you are seeing kids playing football in the streets, where before this rarely every happened.

We have lot to look forward to in Philippine football and with the continuing success of the national team and the local league, football is here to stay in the Philippines whether the critics like it or not.

I will post the video highlights as soon as I can find one DRB.

Congratulations are in order for Phil Younghusband for winning the Golden Boot Award(6 goals). Whenever a visiting team like the LA Galaxy of the MLS or CF InterMadrid(3rd division Spanish team) plays the Azkals, they always inquire about Phil's availability, after he plays well against them, but for some reason Phil Y, who used to be part of the Chelsea reserves, prefers to stay at home in our local league, for both professional and personal(family) reasons.

 

Notable quote from our suspended goaltender Neil Etheridge who was viewing the match from the stands:

“If we stop conceding sloppy goals, we would be massive contenders in this competition for years to come,” said goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who watched from the stands as he was suspended for incurring a red card against Turkmenistan.

 

To "stop conceding sloppy goals" is obviously easier said than done. You could easily say the same thing with the likes of Turkmenistan, Palestine and perhaps a couple more teams as well.