Philippines[R]

Well, the main reason why Philippine clubs have been competitive in AFC competitions as well as other international tournaments is because of the reliance on foreign born/raised Filipinos, just like the national team. The competitiveness isn't because of the uplifting of standards of local football, mainly with regards to homegrown players. That is exactly how AFC club competitions is set up. The main focus is suppose to be on local talent hence the rule on only allowing four foreigners (3+1). But the Philippines is able to play around it (for the lack of a better term) with the use of the vast amount of foreign born/raised Filipinos.

If the better players, which is mainly the non homegrown players, get distributed across the league, that would actually be a good thing! That would mean in order to really be competitive, more focus would be on coaching. Better coaching should also mean development.

With that in mind, I'd like to see the PFF have some balls and be stricter with the club licensing criteria to include a cap on non homegrown players. That in itself should reduce costs but more importantly it would give more focus on developing local football. What Global FC have done and continue to do but not as bad as Ceres now where their squad is practically made up of non homegrown players (both Filipinos and non Filipinos) shouldn't be allowed/tolerated!

 

I am a Fil Am and consider myself just as much a Filipino as you, just like many of the European trained players who have decided to move to the Philippines. Schrock, our best player is very proud of his heritage, had the map of the Philippines tattoed on his body and tried to join the Philippine national team long before the PFF adopted the program of recruiting players of Filipino heritage to join the national team. Without them, there would have been no successful national team program, no professional league(where homegrown players could develop, and gain experience), no TV broadcasting deals or sponsors willing to sponsor this undertaking. A cap on non homegrown players is the most idiotic idea you have yet to propose in this thread and we both know you have made a lot of them. Besides acc. to the Philippine constitution, a Filipino is defined by whether your parents are citizens or not(jus sanguinis or by right of blood) and not by their place of birth(jus soli), so technically, our players from abroad can sue the league for discrimination if they ever passed such a stupid rule, which is what I am accusing you of now.

It is indeed important that homegrown players be developed, and make up most of the national team and that is their longterm goal but you need a professional league with clubs having youth academies for that to happen. The PFF has made it a requirement that clubs have youth teams as part of their licensing criteria. Some of the UFL clubs have already started developing academies and have had youth teams participating in UFL youth league tournaments that will help fulfill this mandate in the proposed national league. This will eventually lead to homegrown players raising their level of play that will allow to compete internationally. In most of the countries in the world, it is the professional clubs that develop the players and that was what was lacking in the Philippines for a long time. With the advent of the UFL and now the proposed Philippine national football league, they finally can fulfill their potential. Many of our homegrown players have developed and gained experience in the UFL and in AFC club competitions and our European trained compatriots have played a big part in helping them achieve their potential. Now you just want to disregard all of that. I know that you do nothing here in this thread but rant and criticize and I try to respect your opinions as much as I can, but sometimes you just don't make any sense.

 

Philippines projected to rise to 125 in the September FIFA rankings acc. to Football rankings and will be ranked above Iraq and Estonia for the first time ever. They will also reclaim the top spot in ASEAN after Thailand drops to 135.

 

The only thing idiotic and pathetic here is you and your constant lectures where you rehash the same thing over and over!! You regularly give them in these types of discussions to make it look like you have a point and as well as what appears an attempt at shaming the other person (me) even though you're just rambling on that doesn't lead to anything! This time it's about patriotism and the constitution blah blah....

My point on the cap on non homegrown players has nothing to do with discrimination, violating the constitution or labor laws or whatever else you try to accuse me of! It's about STANDARDS!! Something of which you don't seem to have! Even if you did, the bar is set quite low! Since you're the 'smart' one here, I'm sure you know the Philippine Basketball Association has a limit on "Fil-fors". Oh wait, you probably don't since you went as far as accusing me of bringing up the most idiotic suggestion I've ever made, even to the point of brining up patriotism and the constitution. Brilliant!

Oh and just for some clarity, I barely make suggestions on this thread!! Sure I comment and criticize when I feel the need but with good reason as there's way too much crap and inconsistency in Philippine football not to say something! For the rare times I would make a suggestion, it's nowhere near as far fetched as the way you're accusing me of this case! The only thing that's far fetched is your lack of an open mind.

Your entire second paragraph... which is the other idiotic thing is that you make it seem like development is a straight line. You rant on about how the professional league is finally being implemented with a club licensing system and then the youth league will be there etc. You even say that the homegrown players have developed and reached their potential. Ironically practically all the best players aren't homegrown!! Putting all that aside though, bottom line is still about standards!! I mean look at Ceres. A club that comes from a region which prides itself on being a "hot bed" of football in the Philippines which produces a chunk of the best local talent, yet you look at it's pro team and all you see is them trying to sign another foreign born/raised Filipino player! Currently they have 13 if you include Muller. You don't find anything wrong with that?!? At the same time I also never mentioned an actual figure for a limit on non homegrown Filipinos. So your accusation is even more idiotic! I would say 8-10 max and then you add the 3+1 foreigners. That's plenty enough therefore sensible and not "the most idiotic suggestion". You make it seem like I would set a limit of 3 or 4, now that would be idiotic! So no I'm not disregarding anything about development or anything else you think I'm disregarding! In fact its the complete opposite! Sometimes you just go overboard with your lectures and you end up not making any sense.

 

I knew about the PBA cap. The reason is still exists is that none of the Fil Ams dared to challenge it in court. I don't think it would stand to legal scrutiny if they did.

As for the proposed Philippine Football League, I hope they make it a priority to set up Academies with good coaches to help develop the future generation of national team players. The fact that they will be based regionally means that they will be motivated to scout and train the best youth football players in their area, to join their respective academies. I have always been supportive of the idea of recruiting those European trained national team players to eventually serve as coaches and managers in this league and help impart what they learned abroad to the younger players.

In the meantime, to keep the league STANDARDS up, they shouldn't be imposing any kind of artificial cap for those with Filipino blood. The fact that they are reducing the imports to 3 or 4 to comply with AFC rules should give more than enough playing time for the homegrowns to strive for and develop. If they can't make it to the top tier, then they can play and show their worth in the proposed 2nd tier.

 

Nyholm update : Fil Swede centerback and Azkal prospect Jesper Nyholm signs a 3yr contract with current third-placed club in the top tier Allsvenskan, AIK.

www.dt.se/fotboll/superettan/dalkurds-jesper-nyholm-har-bestamt-sig-klar-for-aik

The article mentions that the move applies from 2017, when Nyholm contract with Dalkurd expires. The contract is for three years.

 

September rankings confirmed

 

A nation with 100 million of inhabitants must have a national football league with AT LEAST 10 teams.

 

Give them time.

 

Alphonse Areola made his UEFA Champion's League debut last week in PSG's 1-1 draw against Arsenal. The PSG manager has decided to play Kevin Trapp in Ligue 1 games and Areola in their first Champion's League game.

Alphonse Areola ‏@areolaofficiel Sep 14 Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France

Que d'émotions pour ma première en Ligue des Champions hier soir !

 

After receiving his 3rd consecutive man of the match awards for Walsall, Saddlers and Azkals starting keeper Neil Etheridge has been named in @theleaguepaper League One's Team of the Day after beating League leader Bolton with 10 men.


FootballLeaguePaper Verified account ‏@TheLeaguePaper
Your League One Team of the Day, Walsall's Neil Etheridge was our top stopper after keeping Bolton at bay #FLPTotD



Here he receives his 3rd consecutive man of the match award for this win against Bolton




For his performance he received a perfect 10 in the Sunday paper

 

CMS Iaşi's newest star starting Azkal left back Daisuke Sato(who plays in the top tier Romanian League) celebrated his 22nd birthday in style as they win against Pandurii Târgu Journey, 3-2 at home. Sportmoldava.ro's pundits have Sato a high grade of 8 on yesterday's fixtures.

 

Azkals starter Neil Etheridge contributes to Philippine football with more than just his play. Last summer he held his second yearly workshop in his goalkeeper school in Manila, helping educate both kids and goalkeeper coaches:


"The Saddlers gloveman, who represents the Azkals at international level, has launched his own goalkeeping school in which he helps train aspiring keepers in Manilla.

It is the second year the 26-year-old has flown out to run the course which begins tomorrow. And after working every day with Saddlers goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler, Etheridge admits this year’s course will be different to the one he ran 12 months ago.

“This year we’ll go through some of the drills I’ve done this year at Walsall,” Etheridge said.

“Cuts (Cutler) might have copyrighted a few so I’ll have to steal them off him!

“But those are the kind of things we’ll do. Goalkeeping is extremely complex.

“I’ll work with the students for six days and there’s a lot to get through – we do the kicking side, the crossing side, angles, long distance, the short stuff.

“I’ve started now to bring on coaches, who are at a good level, and I’ve also started to introduce coaches coming in to watch the sessions I do so they could potentially take them back to club level. It’s progressing, and it’ll take it’s time, but it’s so far, so good.”

Read more at www.expressandstar.com/sport/walsall-fc/2016/06/08/eastern-promise-for-walsalls-neil-etheridge/#bCteIRa1I1PkTb3S.99

 

Walsall's keeper Neil Etheridge vows to keep getting better

Walsall goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has vowed to keep improving following his impressive start to the season.

The Philippines international has began the 2016/17 campaign in outstanding form and was named man of the match as the Saddlers secured victory over Bolton on Saturday.

Snapped up from Charlton a year ago, Etheridge arrived at Walsall with more international caps than club appearances to his name. And the 26-year-old, who began his career at Chelsea before moving to Fulham and then the Addicks, believes he has improved a lot since moving to the Banks’s.

“I was very fortunate to be at a Premier League club at a young age,” Etheridge said. “But until you play first-team football in the league, you don’t realise how much you gain from it and how much you can improve.

“It’s not just experience, it’s positioning, your kicking, cross-taking.

“I believe I have improved and I’m determined to keep moving in the right direction.”

Etheridge made a number of impressive saves against the Trotters with one in particular labelled ‘world class’ by Bolton boss Phil Parkinson.

But the glovesman didn’t feel he deserved to be singled out for praise – and instead hailed his team-mates for securing the victory despite Joe Edwards being sent off early on.

“Bolton was a fantastic performance especially as we went down to 10 men so early in the game,” Etheridge said.

“It said a lot about our character and a lot about the work we have been doing on the training ground.

“For me it was great to get a clean sheet but my job is to keep the ball out of the net.

“We all deserved credit, myself, the players the management.

“Now for me, the target is to maintain the levels I have set for the rest of the season and get even better.

“If I play well it will help the team move up the table and that is what we are all working hard for.

“Bolton was a fantastic three points but the games come thick and fast and Peterborough is now our focus because that will be an extremely hard game as well.”

“It’s not just experience, it’s positioning, your kicking, cross-taking.

“I believe I have improved and I’m determined to keep moving in the right direction.”

Etheridge made a number of impressive saves against the Trotters with one in particular labelled ‘world class’ by Bolton boss Phil Parkinson.

But the glovesman didn’t feel he deserved to be singled out for praise – and instead hailed his team-mates for securing the victory despite Joe Edwards being sent off early on.

Read more at www.expressandstar.com/sport/walsall-fc/2016/09/21/walsalls-keeper-neil-etheridge-vows-to-keep-getting-better/#QrmcMuDXeTxdkVu1.99

 

On the topic of diaspora players, my favorite team in the J-League announced the signing of a star high school prospect by the name of Jefferson Tabinas. Born in Japan to a father from Ghana and a mother from the Philippines, he currently holds Filipino nationality but has expressed a desire to acquire Japanese nationality once he reaches legal adulthood (age 20 in Japan).

Jeff is a 182cm/77kg left back. Not saying he will be Alaba, but apparently he's a very highly touted player.

 

Interesting. We do already have a starting Fil Japanese left back on the national team, Daisuke Sato, who is now playing well and starting with top tier Romanian league side Politehnica Iasi, who has already had 26 caps for the Azkals and transferred from UFL side Global FC this summer. He played his youth career with the Urawa Red Diamonds and Sendai Univesity in Japan but was born in the Philippines.

Of course nobody will be able to compare with David Alaba, the Bayern Munich superstar who now plays for Austria and was named in polls as one of the best left backs in the world. Alaba though still follows the Azkals and even waved the Philippine flag along with those of Austria and Ghana when Bayern Munich won the Champion's League a few years ago. He is a big fan of Manny Pacquiao, our boxing superstar and has kept in touch with his roots.

 

Oh yeah I knew about Sato but didn't know he had so many caps or that he was in Romania. Is Takahashi on the radar as well?

 

Yuji Takahashi has been contacted by national team scouts (as early as a year or 2 ago I believe) but has not been willing to commit and obtain Philippine citizenship, maybe because he is afraid of losing his Japanese citizenship, as from what I understand Japan does not recognize dual citizenships.

 

I posted Sato receiving a high mark of 8 in his debut with his top tier team in Romania, CMS Iasi above. He just transferred there this summer from Philippine side Global FC. He has since started a few games with them and has done well. Not bad for a short Asian guy in Europe.

 

Neil Etheridge to Miss the AFF Suzuki Cup

Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has formally announced that he will miss the upcoming 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup which the Philippines will be hosting this November.

Considered as one of the heroes of the historic 2010 Suzuki Cup run, Etheridge is set to miss his third straight Suzuki Cup due to club commitments. Etheridge currently plays for League One side Walsall FC. Unlike the FIFA World Cup qualifiers which fall within the FIFA International dates, the Suzuki Cup is not played during a FIFA-sanctioned break.

“It’s frustrating that the Suzuki Cup doesn’t fall within international dates,” said a disappointed Etheridge in a statement Monday night. “The experiences that I gained from that cup competition when I was younger were second to none, the atmosphere, the intensity and the teams pulling together to gain victory.”

Etheridge’s statement came after the the squad list announcement for the October friendlies against Bahrain and DPR Korea, which are scheduled during FIFA international dates. The Walsall FC goalkeeper was not included in the upcoming friendlies, which are an integral part of the Azkals’ preparation for the Suzuki Cup. Etheridge was last called up in the 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan last September 7 with the goalkeeper earning the plaudits for a solid performance including a penalty save late in the match.

Despite his absence in the Suzuki Cup, Etheridge is optimistic about the Azkals’ chances in the competition. However, the goalkeeper also said that the team should not be complacent especially as the Philippines is grouped with defending champions Thailand, four-time winners Singapore, and Indonesia.

“The team have looked strong and resilient in the past games that I have played in,” continued Etheridge. “I know we still have some injuries but the squad has looked compact and together with a great changing room atmosphere which plays a big part.”

Now, Etheridge looks on to help his club get rolling. Currently, Walsall sit in 18th place in the standings.

“The season started with a great win followed by a few results that didn’t go our way but I could see potential. The team is completely new from last year, very young and some with minimal experience.”

The goalkeeper is also counting on the home crowd to rally behind the team ahead of the Suzuki Cup similar to how the home crowd in Walsall show the importance of home court advantage.

“The supporters in Manila will play another large factor, getting behind the team and cheering them on, acting as the 12th player. Our past home performances have been good so I hope that this can continue into the Suzuki Cup.”

football.com.ph/neil-etheridge-miss-aff-suzuki-cup/

As a result Neil was not invited to the October friendlies which are being used in preparation for the Suzuki Cup. This is unfortunate as Etheridge has been playing at his best for some time now with Walsall.

 

27 September 2016
Men's National Team Line-up for October friendlies
The Men’s National Team are set to face Bahrain and DPR Korea for friendly matches at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila on 07 October and 10 October 2016 respectively. The kick-off time for both matches is set at 03:30PM but may be changed to 08:00PM depending on the progress of floodlights installation at the stadium.

Here is the twenty-four man roster for the above fixtures:

Muller, Roland Richard
Deyto, Patrick Phillip
O’Donnell, Nicholas Michael
Aguinaldo, Amani Manuel
Sato, Daisuke
Woodland, Luke
Villanueva, Dennis
Younghusband, James Joseph
Ingreso, Kevin
Schrock, Stephan Markus
Steuble, Martin Markus
Ott, Manuel
Ott, Mike Rigoberto
Ramsay, Iain
Bahadoran, Misagh
Bugas, Paolo
Younghusband, Philip James
Gadia, Daniel Bernan
Muñoz, Jim Junior
Daniels, Kenshiro Michael
Porteria, Jose Elmer
Arboleda, Fitch Johnson Daviz
Greatwich, Simon Clive
Del Rosario, Dominic Liam

The Philippines, coached by Thomas Dooley, is ranked 125th while Bahrain, under Miroslav Soukup, follows at 126th in the FIFA World Rankings. Philippines won 2-1 over Bahrain last 11 June 2015, but lost in 2-0 in the meeting last 13 October 2016 at the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

DPR Korea, under coach Jørn Andersen, places at 118th in the FIFA World Rankings. Philippines drew DPR Korea 0-0 last 08 October 2015 and won 3-2 in the second meeting last 29 March 2016 at the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Tickets to the friendly matches are now available in TicketWorld outlets or through this link.


pff.org.ph/2016/09/27/mens-national-team-line-up-for-october-friendlies/

Mike Ott will be finally making his debut alongside his brother. Muller will probably be starting at goalkeeper.

 

Sure you did...

None of them dared to challenge it in court?! Is this another one of your responses where you make it look like you actually no more than you do? Don't think there was ever any notion that any potential 'Fil-Am' would try to take the issue to court. But whatever the case I don't really care. Point is the PBA has a cap, end of!

Oh you mean like Ceres and Global with their vast amount of homegrown players??? Oh wait....

Sometimes there are things where it's extremely comical and outrageous at the same you don't know how to properly react. This post of yours is an excellent example!

First of all, the only reason you find the idea of a cap on non-homegrown players idiotic because is you yourself seem to be in the same category! Case in point your post of yours. It's like you're trying to justify that because there is no universal definition of "homegrown" (which is true), you can't implement it. 'kin hell!

The answer to that is simple, you create one!! Who you ask? Obviously the governing body of the damn league which also happens to be the governing body of the game in the entire country! You don't just sit there and act like a mong and tag something as "idiotic" because you don't seem to have answers to simple questions!!

In England, the definition of homegrown without looking it up is something along the lines of any player regardless of nationality is registered to a club for three consecutive seasons between the ages of 16 and 21. My personal definition of homegrown would be based on that but taken further. Based on that definition, OJ Porteria would be homegrown and we all know that would be a load of crap! Porteria is clearly not a product of Philippine football.

Basically I'd take the age range of 16-21 to between 10 and 21 but must be registered for five consecutive years/seasons instead of three and would only apply to players of Filipino descent who are eligible for the national team as per FIFA eligibility rules. For players who aren't eligible for the national team, they'll simply be foreigners and there's already a cap on that (3+1)!

That's a strict yet fair criteria for what is homegrown. It also takes into consideration players who were developed in the Philippines during their early years. But of course, knowing you and even Pelefan, you're just gonna tag it as idiotic as per usual. No surprise there though.

I guess I'll just leave it to the likes of you to be an official judge of whether something is idiotic.

To answer your questions for the hell of it...
Would Ray Jonsson be non-homegrown? He was born in the Philippines.
No. Pretty much in the same boat as Jason Sabio. Didin't really take up the sport until they moved abroad. More importantly, if we use my idea of what is homegrown, he wouldn't pass the criteria.

What about Borromeo? He was born in the US to an Australian father.
Yes. He's lived in the Philippines and been playing/attached to local clubs and schools since he was five.

What about Sandro Reyes? One could argue his football skills really grew and were sharpened outside the Philippines. But wait... he was already good before that. But then again, he must've grown a couple of inches in Barcelona...
As per my criteria, no. Having said that, I don't think any player anywhere would be counted as homegrown to any country if they moved to another country before the age of 10!

What about Bahadoran? He spent formative years in both the Philippines and Iran.
Perhaps arguable but still leaning towards a no. As per my criteria though, it's definitely no! Learned his football (or futsal) in Iran and only moved back to the Philippines as a 17 year old but to take up dentistry.

 

I hear what you are saying but the bolded, how would that help soccer in the PI?

I mean you are basically saying that the quality of the soccer will suffer, and thus the league will suffer, just to try and enforce a homegrown rule that really won't have any positive effect on the Azkals for the immediate future.

I think this would be a good idea a couple of years from now once the national league is established and soccer has solidified its place as a national sport.

If MLS would have instituted something like this I doubt the league would be as popular as it is today.