Article on the new coach Scott Cooper https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/football/211143-scott-cooper-journey-to-philippine-azkals It sounds like he has a history of helping underdog teams overcome superior odds and competition.
06 September 2018 Azkals held by late Bahrain strike in Cooper's managerial debut By Kevin Estrada MANILA--The Philippines have endured the heat of the Middle East as they let their cherished lead slip through their grasp, forcing them to share the spoils with Bahrain with a 1-1 draw in Riffa, Thursday evening (early Friday morning Manila time). OI his managerial debut, Scott Cooper will have to wait until October to get his first win after seeing their second half lead being canceled out with the final kick of the match. Both sides had their chances squandered by bad ball control in which they came close inside the box in the opening half as they enter the break goalless. Amani Aguinaldo had to be replaced in the 36th minute by Paul Mulders in what could have been a perplexed change as the nagging knee injuries took a toll on the lone pure centre-half in the squad by Scott Cooper. Quickly into the restart, the Azkals got first on the board when Phil Younghusband got his number 51 with a spot kick that was tucked in to his favorite left corner, the third straight instance of his penalties this year. The hosts have tried to get back into the game but had their shots being charged down by the back-line now led by Carli De Murga and Daisuke Sato with Angel Guirado making his return to the fold. But Bahrain knocked in the equalizer right at the seventh and final added minute to split the points in a dramatic fashion. Philippines: Etheridge (GK), Mike Ott (Muñoz 90+2'), Woodland, Manny Ott, Phil YH (C) (Dizon 90'), Sato, Aguinaldo (Mulders 36'), Carli, Schrock, Reichelt (Angel 70'), Amin Nazari (Reed 73') https://www.dugout.ph/2018/09/azkals-held-by-late-bahrain-strike-in.html
Alphonse Areola finally got capped by France, keeping the scoresheet nil-nil against Germany and helping France win against the Netherlands 2-1.
That is right which technically make him still eligible to play for the Philippines. It looks though that France is committing to him now. Both Lloris and Mandanda are getting old and it seems that they are turning to Areola for the next World Cup cycle. Considering that he has played well so far in the past 2 games, especially in the game against Germany where he had to make a couple of excellent saves to keep the nil-nil draw, the job seems to look from my point of view a permanent one, his to lose.
24 September 2018 Azkals step up buildup for AFF, Asian Cups By Olmin Leyba MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Azkals step up on their buildup for the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup and 2019 Asian Cup with more overseas sorties next month, seeing action in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup in Bangladesh and playing Oman during separate training camp in Qatar. Azkals manager Dan Palami said coach Scott Cooper will give players who weren’t part of the pool that earlier trained in Bahrain and played against the Bahrainis last month a chance to prove themselves in the Oct. 1-12 Bangabandhu Cup against host Bangladesh, Asian Cup campaigner Palestine, Laos, Nepal and Tajikistan. The rest of the mainstays will fly to Qatar for training from Oct. 8-15 with a friendly against the Omanis on Oct. 13. “The players who will go to Bangladesh will be the ones whom the coach would want to see play, the new players and the comebacking players who weren’t called up in the first camp (Bahrain). We proceed to Qatar on the 8th to hold a camp there and play against Oman on the 13th. That’s the next phase of our preparations,” Palami said. Newly installed Cooper previously held his first camp with the Azkals in Bahrain, where the team battled the Bahrainis to a 1-1 draw. “It was a very successful, productive training camp in Bahrain. Considering we only had two days training session before the game, we did well and drew with Bahrain, and there’s good reason to be optimistic. Right now, since bago ang coach, we’re still in the process of selecting the final lineup but it looks good because there’ s a bigger pool of talents we’ll be choosing from,” said Palami. Phl handed the coaching reins to Cooper, originally the team’s adviser, following the withdrawal of Terry Butcher. “We only had two training sessions before the (Bahrain) game maganda naman ang result. Players understand what’s supposed to be done,” said Palami, whose wards are out for redemption in the Nov. 8-Dec. 15 Suzuki Cup after missing the semis in 2016 and look forward to making a memorable debut in the Asia’s showpiece tournament slated Jan. 5-Feb. 1, 2019 in the UAE. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2018/09/24/1854207/azkals-step-buildup-aff-asian-cups
2018 Bangabandhu Gold Cup (Bangladesh) Philippines B 3-1 Laos Bedic, Gayoso, Bahadoran Philippines brought their B team to Bangladesh(Oct 1-12) as the A team is scheduled to have a friendly against Oman on Oct. 13. B team nevertheless dominated Laos. The Philippines automatically makes the semifinals from Group B(Bangladesh, Philippines, Laos) Next up host Bangladesh on Oct 5
FT Philippines 'B' 1-0 Bangladesh Philippines finishes on top of Grp B with 2 wins and will face Tajikistan in the semifinals.
It is good to see the locals get some playing time with this B or C team. The PFL and the UFL has helped raised the level of our players to a good international standard. Hopefully they can raise their level even further for the higher ranked teams from Group A. Man of the Match : GK Michael Casas Regular Azkals Coach Scott Cooper is with the A team to prepare for the international against Oman on the 13th, so local coach Anto Gonzales is coaching this team as well for this tournament in Bangladesh.
As expected the Philippines B team lost to the A team of Tajikistan 0-2 in the semifinals of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup.
The Philippine Azkals' preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 and the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 continues this October with a FIFA international friendly match with Oman on Saturday, October 13, 2018 in Doha, Qatar. This will be the first time in 17 years that the Philippines, ranked 114th in the FIFA rankings, will face the 85th-ranked Oman. The two teams last squared off during the 2001 FIFA World Cup Korea-Japan Qualifiers in May 2001, where the Philippines got shut out twice, 0-2 and 0-7. Both teams will also participate in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The Philippines is bunched in Group C while Oman will play in Group F. Forward Javier Patiño, defenders Stephan Palla, goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard, and midfielders Kevin Ingreso, Iain Ramsay, Dennis Villanueva, and James Younghusband will suit up for the squad anew after missing the friendly against Bahrain last month. Defender Martin Steuble is also included in the squad. The Ceres-Negros FC captain was last called up in the friendly match against Malaysia in March 2017. Lineup Goalkeepers: Neil Etheridge – Cardiff City FC (England) Michael Falkesgaard – Bangkok United FC (Thailand) Defenders: Amani Aguinaldo – Ceres-Negros FC Stephan Palla – Buriram United (Thailand) Simone Rota – Davao Aguilas FC Daisuke Sato – ACS Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe (Romania) Martin Steuble – Ceres-Negros FC Midfielders: Paul Mulders – Ceres-Negros FC Kevin Ingreso – Ceres-Negros FC Manuel Ott – Ceres-Negros FC Mike Ott – Ceres-Negros FC Iain Ramsay – FELDA United (Malaysia) Adam Tull – Davao Aguilas FC Dennis Villanueva – Davao Aguilas FC Luke Woodland – Suphanburi FC (Thailand) James Younghusband – Davao Aguilas FC Forwards: Jovin Bedic – Kaya FC Iloilo Curt Dizon – Ceres-Negros FC Javier Patiño – Buriram United (Thailand) Patrick Reichelt – Ceres-Negros FC Phil Younghusband – Davao Aguilas FC Invited players: Alvaro Silva – Defender – Kedah FA (Malaysia) Amin Nazari– Midfielder – IFK Mariehamn (Sweden) John-Patrick Strauss – Midfielder – FC Erzgebirge Aue (Germany) https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-s...oman-fifa-international-friendly-october-2018
FT Philippines 1-1 Oman https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-s...oman-international-a-friendly-october-13-2018 Azkals hold 85th-ranked Oman to a draw A draw marks a big improvement from the Philippines' previous performances against Oman 17 years ago
13 October 2018 Azkals, Oman share spoils in Qatar By Kevin Estrada The Philippines recorded a huge result in the Middle East, forcing Oman to share the spoils in a 1-1 friendly draw Saturday evening in Doha's Thani Bin Jassim Stadium (Sunday morning, Manila time). Scott Cooper's Azkals defied all expectations to get a second result against a side that is in the Top 100 in the FIFA rankings, with their defence the key to get the draw against the reigning Gulf Cup champions. Their resolve was put to the test early into the match, as the Philippines fell behind on a Raed Saleh strike in the 8th minute, pouncing on a botched clearance by Neil Etheridge from an Omani corner. With six minutes before half-time, the Azkals equalized as Manny Ott's free kick was headed inadvertently by Khaled Al Hajiri into his own net, reversing what could have been Javier Patiño seventh international goal. The second half saw the Azkals hold their fort at the defensive end, with substitute goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard recording two huge saves, to record a fantastic result against Pim Verbeek's side. Apart from that, it also saw the debut of John-Patrick Strauss of Erzgebirge Aue, replacing Martin Steuble at the holding midfield role in the 67th minute, as they end the international break with a positive outlook ahead of their AFF Championship campaign next month. Philippines: Etheridge (GK) (Falkersgaard 46'), Palla (Sato 58'), Silva, Woodland, Manny Ott, Dizon (Ramsay 58'), Phil YH (C) (James YH 83), Ingreso (Amin Nazari 43'), Reichelt, Patiño, Steuble (Strauss 67') Oman: Ali Al Habsi (GK) (C), Musallami, Saleh, Al Hajri (Al Ghassari 67'), Al Khaledi (Al Sheyadi 78'), Al Mahaijri, Al Breki, Al Yahmadi, Sulaiman, Al Nahar (Al Mushaifri 86'), Al Saadi (Al Farsi 67') https://www.dugout.ph/2018/10/azkals-oman-share-spoils-in-qatar.html
Strauss made his debut for the Azkals and acquitted himself quite well. Goaltender Michael Falkesgaard who will probably be starting for the Philippines in the Suzuki Cup next month since it will be for the most part outside the FIFA international window preventing first choice Premiership goalie Neil Etheridge from playing for them, made some outstanding saves in the Oman game to keep the score tied at 1-1 in the 2nd half.
13 October 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 Kicks-Off Next Month; Pana-Ad Stadium To Host Group Stage Matches With only a month before the Philippines begin their campaign for regional supremacy, expectations are on a high with 4 quality and exciting matches to be played in a bid to claim the title of ASEAN champions. Sporting a new tournament format, the AFF Suzuki Cup will bring thrilling football to all fans with the Philippines hosting two home matches in the group stages. The Philippine Men’s National Team path will be a tough one however as it will face familiar foes Singapore, Timor Leste, Thailand, and Indonesia in Group B. With the exception of Timor Leste, the Philippines will face the same teams it had faced in 2016 when Manila hosted the group stages. The Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod, Negros Occidental will host the Philippines against Singapore on 13 November and Thailand on 21 November 2018. This will be the first time that the Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium will host the Suzuki Cup final round after hosting the ASEAN Football Championship Qualifiers back in 2006. “The AFF Suzuki Cup makes its return to the Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. “It (the AFF Suzuki Cup) holds a special place to all Philippine football fans. We invite all football stakeholders and more importantly, the fans to support the Men’s National Team in their home matches.” The away match against Timor Leste will be held on 17 November 2018 at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia while the match against Indonesia will be held on 25 November 2018 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia. Currently, the team is preparing for the tournament. The team recently participated in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football Tournament 2018 where the Philippines finished as semifinalists. A FIFA International Friendly Match against Oman is set on 13 October 2018, 6:30 PM local time (11:30 PM Manila time) at the Al Gharafa Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Philippines MNT Matches in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 Date No. Match Kick-Off Venue 13 November 2018 8 Philippines vs Singapore 7:30 PM Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium 17 November 2018 11 Timor Leste vs Philippines 8:00 PM Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium 21 November 2018 15 Philippines vs Thailand 7:30 PM Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium 25 November 2018 20 Indonesia vs Philippines 7:00 PM* Gelora Bung Karno Stadium *(8:00 PM Manila time) Match tickets for the home matches against Singapore and Thailand will be sold via SM Tickets starting Monday 15 October 2018 at 2:00 PM. The purchased tickets must be swapped for the actual match ticket to enter the stadium. Details for ticket swapping will be announced soon. Ticket Prices – AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 Home Matches(Philippines vs Singapore and Philippines vs Thailand) Category Sections Price 1 Grandstand VIP, Grandstand B, Grandstand D, Grandstand E P400.00 2 Grandstand A and Grandstand C P200.00 3 Bleachers North, East, and South (FREE SEATING) P100.00 pff.org.ph/2018/10/13/aff-suzuki-cup-2018-kicks-off-next-month-pana-ad-stadium-to-host-group-stage-matches/
Neil Etheridge made the AFC Quarterly Cover www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/the-journey-neil-etheridge
I presume they will release him, since it is an ASEAN competition, so all the Thai players will be released as well. In fact, the Philippines will be facing Thailand in the group stage.
Some nice comments on the new players that were called up for the Azkals squad in this article: Azkals: Reflections on another international window John-Patrick Strauß and Michael Falkesgaard proved they can help "He is good with the ball, a real composed midfielder, and he tracks back on defense." Those are the words of a longtime Azkals buddy (who chooses to be anonymous) on Strauß, a 22-year-old Filipino-German holding midfielder who got a run-out on Saturday night. Strauß plays for Erzebirge Aue in the German second tier, known as the 2. Bubdesliga. This is a serious league that promotes to the Bundesliga where Bayern Munich play. So we know he has quality. Erzebirge is 13th in the league out of 18 clubs, so it is not exactly cannon fodder there. Amin Nazari, a Fil-Iranian/Swede, also got some playing time. But perhaps the best revelation was goalie Michael Falkesgaard. The Fil-Dane trotted on to the pitch after the halftime break. I am almost certain this was a planned switch and had nothing to do with Neil's half-clearance that led to the goal. Yousuf Butt, the Pakistani national keeper who was raised in Denmark, tells me Falkesgaard mostly sat in his career in Denmark, where he was a reserve for Brondby, a big Danish club where he made just 8 appearances in 5 years. But now, he is starting for Bangkok United in the Thai top tier. In that league, his Filipino passport is valuable. Bangkok get a European-level player to fill their ASEAN player spot. Falkesgaard made at least two big stops in the second half to complete a 45-minute clean sheet. It has been recorded elsewhere that his total was 5 stops. The Fil-Dane has the size, ball skills, and regular club action to make him a good choice for November's Suzuki Cup. He likely has the inside track on the No. 1 jersey next month. (I can't see Neil Etheridge coming over for that since only a few games of the AFF championship are within the FIFA window for November.) https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-s...ne-azkals-reflections-on-international-window Fil Spaniard Silva is one of those players along with Schrock that Dooley refused to call up and is being given a chance by Coach Cooper. He plays a key position at centerback a position where they are kind of thin. Schrock is injured but is a shoo in if healthy for this team. Relatively new players Strauss(current 2nd Bundesliga), Falkesgaard(formerly Danish Superliga), Nazari(formerly Swedish Allsvenkan) and Silva(formerly Spanish 2nd division) all played solid in this game.
Philippines keeper Etheridge reaches Premier League milestone in Cardiff win As the Welsh club notched their first win in their 2018-19 Premier League campaign against Fulham last Saturday evening, October 20, Filipino international goalkeeper Neil Etheridge became the first Southeast Asian representative to notch a win as a starter in the English top flight. www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/philippines-keeper-etheridge-reaches-premier-league-milestone-cardiff-win
I was wondering if there’s going to be any buzz before and during the Asian Cup for Filipinos in the USA, Canada, England, France, Spain, Australia, etc. I live in Houston, Texas and there is a decent Filipino population here. There are Filipino bars and restaurants around the Asian community. Maybe plan on having viewing/watch parties for the Asian Cup games. Also, I just went to California on vacation a few weeks ago and talked to many Filipino people over there about the Philippines national soccer team. Almost all of them I talked to have no idea that there is a national soccer team in the Philippines and they are playing in the Asian Cup tournament. How do we get the word out to the Filipino people in the USA, Canada, and other countries around the world (outside of the Philippines) to let them know there’s a team representing the Philippines in the biggest competition in the Asia continent. Hopefully we can see more Filipino-American bars and restaurants and any other places to have viewing/watch parties for the Asian Cup.
Dude no one cares...especially if you have to get up early in the morning to watch. signed, 1/2 pinoy in Cali
Whenever I talk to Filipinos here about the Philippines national football team, most of them always sound surprised. The only ones I know who care a little are the ones who actually play the game or who hear reports about the team on the Filipino cable channels. The best time to talk about the sport and our team to them is during the World Cup since it is all over the news. It is usually this time when I spark interest from FilAms when I tell them that we have a national football them that is rising up the FIFA rankings.
So the Azkals are to the Filipinos what the Maldives cricket team are to us. Few watch cricket here, apart from a small, passionate community (and by that I mean 50-odd people), but the cricket team is quite decent considering the fact that they have no public appeal and virtually zero funding. Sound familiar? I understand the the Philippines has one of the best social media presence per person in the world. This could be used as an advantage to kick up some hype, similar to what Palestine did during the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup. They managed to take advantage of their vast global diaspora and Palestinians all over the world gathered around big screens to follow their team during the tournament.
Azkals hire former England manager Eriksson Boosting its braintrust in anticipation for two important tournaments in the coming months, the Philippines has hired Swedish coach Sven Goran Eriksson, who managed European powerhouse England in the 2006 World Cup. Azkals manager Dan Palami told the Inquirer that Eriksson, 70, has agreed to terms for an initial six-month engagement with room for an extension, which means the veteran coach will be handling the Azkals in the AFF Suzuki Cup in November and the AFC Asian Cup in January. Irish coach Scott Cooper, who handled the team in the last two matches, will remain with the Azkals, joining forces with Eriksson, whom he worked with during their time at Leicester City from 2010 to 2011. Eriksson, whose vast coaching resume also includes stints in Italy, Portugal, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and most recently, China, is the most high-profile hiring yet for the Azkals. “We will pull out all the stops just to achieve our goals,” said Palami. The Azkals boss said Eriksson’s hiring shows how serious the Azkals are in making history in the next two tournaments. “We’re very excited to have Sven on board,” he said. “With his reputation, experience and knowledge, there’s no question he can help the team reach the next level. There were a lot of countries and clubs interested in Sven’s services but we were able to sell him the idea of leaving a legacy here in the Philippines.” The Swedish coach has already met the team during the recent camp in Doha, Qatar. Palami said he sees no problem with Eriksson and Cooper working together. “This is going to be a great learning experience as he handles the team,” said Palami. https://sports.inquirer.net/325129/...OGN88iJSfn9wau9XmqH97sgrrUd0fXpw2mgnRMbw-xSEo They caught a big name to coach the Azkals along with Scott Cooper.