Correct. He hasn't signed for a club team this season so he was never called up for the national team. He got married over the summer and I guess his priorities have changed.
I think he might still work with the Azkals maybe as technical director or vice president of operations job. I believe him and his brother owns or runs a academy/school to help further develop young future Azkals players.
Tough result for the Azkals today. They should’ve had a draw at least. Currently, they’re in a 3 way tie for 2nd place with China and Maldives. Their last 3 games are next year on March and June, 2 home games against Guam and Maldives and a road game in China (which might decide who advances to the next qualifying stage of the World Cup or the Asian Cup).
19 November 2019 Improved 2nd half display not enough as Azkals bow to Syria anew By: Cedelf P. Tupas DUBAI — An improved second-half performance by the Philippines was not enough as the Azkals bowed to Group A leader Syria, 0-1, Tuesday night in their joint Fifa World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifying match at Maktoum bin Rashid Stadium here. Ward Alsamh struck in the 23rd minute as the Syrians survived a late Azkals barrage for their fifth win as many matches in the group. The win gave the Syrians an eight-point gap over China and the Philippines. The Azkals missed golden opportunities in the second half with Angel Guirado sending a first-time shot off target in the 54th minute off a fine ball from Curt Dizon. Substitute Mark Hartmann also sent an effort straight Ibrahim Alma in the 73rd minute after some nice interplay between Mike Ott and Iain Ramsay on the left. The Azkals will be left ruing a missed chance to trim the lead of the Syrians in the group. Syria overwhelmed the Philippines, 5-2, in Bacolod last September but the Azkals showed more defensive solidity this time, keeping their shape when the hosts were in possession. But a momentary lapse in concentration led to the only goal of the match as a quickly taken free kick found Osama Omari’s run on the right. Osama’s low cross rolled past Alvaro Silva and Justin Baas before finding Alsamh who struck an unstoppable effort to the roof of the net. The Azkals have a long break with their next match against Guam scheduled March 26 at home. Read more: https://sports.inquirer.net/374084/...h-azkals-lose-vs-syria-breaking#ixzz65kjxJQyF
Maldives only has 6 points from 5 games good for 4th place in the standings, while the Philippines has 7 points from 5 games so they are tied in points with China with the latter having only played 4 games with a superior goal difference. The only way I can see the Philippines potentially qualifying for the next stage of WC qualifying is if China loses to Syria again at home, and the Philippines winning all their remaining games including their tie against China away in Beijing. The 0-1 result wasn't too bad. Syria also beat China by one goal at home a few days ago resulting in the resignation of China's coach Marcello Lippi, who in his farewell address described the Philippines as a strong team as well.
With WC qualifying not resuming until March, the focus for men's Philippine football now turns to the U22 team at the SEA games in a few weeks. Apparently Stephan Schrock will be one of 2 overage senior men's team players that will be allowed to play for the team(as per SEA game's rules). At least 5 players from the current men's roster will also be playing on the U22 team to the SEA games. 18 November 2019 Schrock embraces leader’s role for young Azkals By: Cedelf P. Tupas DUBAI—Team Philippines captain Stephan Schrock didn’t need to hear the conversation among his younger teammates to understand how important his role will be when he reinforces the Under-22 team in the Southeast Asian Games football tournament next week. A few meters where Schrock was having breakfast, Yrick Gallantes was speaking to Under-22 teammates Justin Baas and Edison Suerti on the team’s need for a leader as the Young Azkals set out to land the country’s first medal in the biennial event that starts on Monday at Rizal Memorial Stadium. “I’m very confident I can lead them,” said the 34-year-old Schrock, one of the two overaged players picked by the coaching staff to power the Young Azkals in their biggest challenge yet. “I will try to guide the younger players as much as I can.” Gallantes said Schrock’s inclusion would be a game-changer for the Young Azkals, who take on Cambodia in their first match in Group A on Monday. Two days later, the team will face Myanmar, before tangling with Malaysia, before taking on Timor Leste as its final assignment in the group stage on Dec. 4 at Biñan Football Stadium. “We have some experience as a team in the PFL Cup, but Schrock has the personality and quality that will really help us in tough matches,” said Gallantes. “We need his voice on the pitch.” Five players in the SEA Games lineup are part of the current senior team that will play Syria on Tuesday night at Al Maktoum Bin Rashid Stadium here in the Fifa World Cup and AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers. Defender Marco Casambre, 20, is also part of the senior side and Under-22 team that will be coached by Serbian Goran Milojevic. The SEAG-bound pool had close to 50 players, before the lineup was slowly trimmed to close to 25 members in the Copa Paulino Alcantara Cup, where the Young Azkals won one match over Green Archers, drew against Mendiola and lost to eventual champion Ceres-Negros. We are a team of young players with talent,” said Suerti. “Thanks to our coaches, we are also able to put some structure into the way we play, game management and on the tactical side.” sports.inquirer.net/373957/schrock-embraces-leaders-role-for-young-azkals-breaking?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1574110061
Young Azkals take shape for SEA Games as squad finalized ByJohn Maverick Rabelas With the SEA Games about to start on Monday, the 20-man squad that will carry the flag on the football pitch has already been finalized. Bannering the squad alongside young standouts Chima Uzoka, Anthony Pinthus and Yrik Gallantes are Ceres center-half Amani Aguinaldo, fresh off his season-long loan spell at Malaysian Super League club PKNP and Azkals captain Stephan Schrock, citing U-22 assistant manager Ernest Nierras. THE SQUAD Goalkeepers: Anthony Pinthus, Michael Asong, AJ Arcilla(reserve) Defenders: Amani Aguinaldo(over-23), Justin Baas, Edison Suerti, Mar Diano, Jordan Jarvis, Marco Casambre Midfielders: Stephan Schrock(over-23), Christian Rontini, Yrik Gallantes, Pocholo Bugas, Jerome Marzan, Dylan de Bruycker, Dennis Chung, Griffin McDaniel, Troy Limbo Forwards: Chima Uzoka, Jarvey Gayoso, Mariano Suba Jr. WHEN’S NEXT The Philippine SEA Games football campaign starts on Monday the 25th against Cambodia at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, with an 8pm kickoff. Other games on the day see Malaysia and Myanmar play the early kickoff at 4pm and Vietnam playing Brunei at 8pm in Biñan. http://huddleph.com/2019/11/21/young-azkals-take-shape-for-sea-games-as-23-man-squad-finalized/
Azkals team for SEA Games revealed By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno, Philippine News Agency on November 22, 2019 MANILA — A good mix of the team that played as a guest club in the Copa Paulino Alcantara and mainstays in the seniors team make up the final lineup of the Philippine men’s football team that will compete in the 30th Southeast Asian Games from Nov. 25-Dec. 10. Anthony Pinthus, who skippered for the Azkals in the ‘Copa’, rising star Jarvey Gayoso, and revelations Yrick Gallantes, Pocholo Bugas, and Chima Uzoka will headline the under-22 core of the Nationals for the SEA Games as confirmed by Assistant Coach Ernie Nierras on Thursday. Joining them are Michael Asong, Edison Suerti, Vince Diano, Jordan Jarvis, Marco Casambre, Finn McDaniel, Troy Limbo, Jerome Marzan, and JR Suba from the U22 Azkals team that played in the Philippines Football League’s cup tournament. Justin Baas, who like Suerti played for the Azkals’ first team during the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, was also called up for the final U22 squad. Also added to the squad were Dylan De Bruycker, who played for Ceres Negros in the Copa instead of the U22 Azkals, Christian Rontini, and Dennis Chung. All the participating teams are allowed to bring in two players older than 22 years old to their lineup, paving the way for the U22 Azkals to recruit Stephan Schrock and Amani Aguinaldo of Ceres Negros as their overaged reinforcements. Schrock, who is the captain of the senior Azkals, is expected to wear the skipper’s armband for the U22 Azkals. To make room for Baas, De Bruycker, Rontini, Chung, Schrock, and Aguinaldo, AJ Arcilla, Poi Saldivar, Ivan Ouano, JB Borlongan, Jovan Marfiga, Dean Ebarle, and Fritz Brigoli, who were all part of the U22 Azkals’ Copa team, were placed in the reserves’ list. www.canadianinquirer.net/2019/11/22/azkals-team-for-sea-games-revealed/?fbclid=IwAR1Rp2T5pKWwtmDht7FKkUuVJLk4-STJcwd5df3ywKPF9e-w8wVynLWPohQ
Does anyone know why the Philippines were the only country not to enter a team for the U19 AFC Championships? Even NMI entered a team and they're still not FIFA members.
I think they are concentrating on the current SEA Games U22 football tournament which they are hosting and the WC/AC qualifiers.
The Philippine Under-22 Men’s Football National Team find themselves in yet another must-win matchup, this time against Timor Leste in their final 2019 Southeast Asian Games Men’s Football group stage fixture, Wednesday afternoon at the Biñan Stadium in Biñan, Laguna. Kick-off time is at 4:00 PM. After a draw and a loss in their first two matches in Group A action, the U-22 Azkals were able to put themselves in a position to contend for a spot in the semifinals after scoring a pivotal victory against Malaysia last November 29th. The 1-0 win courtesy of a Stephan Schrock corner helped the Azkals climb up to four points in three matches, at level with fellow Group A contenders Cambodia and Malaysia, who are also set to face off Wednesday at 4:00 PM at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila. To strengthen their case for a spot in the Final Four, the Pinoy side will need to win and win big, against an already-eliminated Timor Leste side that has yet to earn a point in the SEA Games tournament. The U-22 Azkals’ path to a semis berth won’t be as simple as just getting a win over Timor Leste however, as they will need some things that are out of their hands to go their way. The best case scenario for the U-22 Azkals will be if they beat Timor Leste, and Cambodia and Malaysia battle to a draw. This outcome will have the Azkals finishing with 7 points and in second place in Group A to earn a spot in the semis. Cambodia and Malaysia would finish with 5 points each. Should either Cambodia or Malaysia win, the Philippines will need to win by a wide margin to make up for the goal difference and qualify for the semis. As it stands, Cambodia is ahead in goal difference with a +4, while Malaysia is right behind with a +3. The Philippines sits at an even 0. sports.abs-cbn.com/seagames/news/2019/12/04/sea-games-2019-azkals-meet-timor-leste-must-win-match-63989
FT Philippines 6-1 Timor Leste Schrock 4' Aguinaldo 44' Diano 55' De Bruycker 79' Aguinaldo 87' Aguinaldo 90 + 1' Philippines wins the game but doesn't make the semis as even though they are tied on points, they are behind in goal differential to Cambodia.
That didn't turn out very well! They could've still fielded a team for the U19 competition, seeing as every other federation in the SEA Games was able to send teams to both events. My guess is they had insufficient funds for the tournament, which makes me wonder if there is a level of corruption within the federation. The full national team has definitely made big strides, but the underage squads seem to be stuck in the lower-tier of AFC teams. This points to the game not really growing within the country, and the success of the national team directly resulting from overseas players that are being introduced into the team at senior level. I'm looking at this as an outsider, but even the crowds seem underwhelming. The official report for the China-Philippines WCQ had 3000 spectators in a stadium that holds 10000. If they can't sell out against China, I don't know who they would be able to sell out against. And even the game against Tajikistan that clinched an AFC Asian Cup seemed to have large empty sections.
Football is definitely not that popular in the Philippines. Everybody knows basketball is it's number one sport and every other sport is a distant second over there. Nevertheless it is growing both in terms of popularity and player participation albeit at a low level compared to other nations where football is the number one sport. 3000 spectators is pretty good by Philippine standards although there have been a few instances when they nearly filled up that stadium you mentioned. More than a decade ago when Philippine football hit rock bottom, getting a couple of hundred fans to watch the national football team play would be considered the average attendance so a stadium filled by thousands of spectators is definitely an improvement. The standard of football in the Philippines is also improving although from an admittedly lower standard. It is just not showing in the results of the national youth teams since the PFF has this habit of only putting together and preparing their youth teams(which are mostly amateur players from their colleges with the addition of a few pros from their new pro league) for only a few weeks when fielding them in international competitions against other countries youth teams(filled with pros from their academies) that have been preparing for months. I think the youth teams can be a lot more competitive if they actually prepared them properly instead of being fed to the wolves as they are. Nevertheless until the Philippines finally have a professional multi division developmental system with academies like other nations do, they will always be behind their neighbors in these kind of tournaments, but at least by preparing them properly the national youth teams can be a lot more competitive.
Report: West Ham make £7 million bid for Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge https://www.footballinsider247.com/west-ham-submit-goalkeeper-etheridge-bid/
Ceres-Negros gains spot in second round of AFC Champions League qualifiers Ceres-Negros secured a place in the second round of the AFC Champions League preliminaries after defeating Myanmar’s Shan United 3-2 Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Senegalese striker Robert Lopez Mendy and Spaniard Bienvenido Maranon gave the Busmen a 2-0 lead in the first half before OJ Porteria scored an insurance goal late to hold off the Myanmar domestic league champions. The Philippines Football League and Copa Paulino Alcantara winners will face Thailand’s Port FC next week in Bangkok with the winner advancing to the playoff round opposite Japan’s Tokyo FC. It was Ceres’ sixth win in as many matches against Shan United in all continental competitions. Lopez Mendy put the Busmen in front five minutes after the opening whistle, scoring off a cross by Pika Minegishi into the middle of the box. Maranon, who scored 40 goals in all competitions last year, doubled the lead before halftime with help from a Porteria cross in the 41st for Ceres. Shan United pulled one back in the 73rd as Zin Min Tun struck a diving header, but Porteria responded six minutes later by finishing Mike Ott’s deflected attempt for a 3-1 Ceres lead. Djedje Maximin Djawa made things a bit interesting for Shan United with a goal three minutes before stoppage time but Ceres was able to hold on for the victory. sports.mb.com.ph/2020/01/15/ceres-negros-gains-spot-in-second-round-of-afc-champions-league-qualifiers/
Neil Etheridge's transfer situation now looks a little clearer, amid links with West Ham United in this window. After days of speculation, the Hammers have now completed a move for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Darren Randolph, which could now spell the end of any potential interest in the keeper. www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/cardiff-live-transfers-randolph-etheridge-17556397
Ceres Negros FC upsets Port FC of Thailand in Bangkok to move one victory away from claiming a historic AFC Champions League spot. With the win, the Busmen goes to the third and final match of the preliminary stage against FC Tokyo next week with a chance to become the first Philippine club to secure a place in the group stage of the AFC Champions League. Stephan Schrock scored the lone goal.
Vidakovic proud of resilient Ceres Negros Bangkok: Ceres Negros head coach Risto Vidakovic hailed his players’ professionalism as the club from the Philippines booked their place in the Playoff round of the 2020 AFC Champions League with victory over Thailand’s Port FC on Tuesday. Stephan Schrock claimed the only goal of the game when the midfielder’s ball into the penalty area six minutes into the second half was punched over his own line by Port FC goalkeeper Worawut Srisupa and Ceres will now take on Japan’s FC Tokyo for a place in the group phase of this year’s competition. “I think it’s very important for the boys to believe in what we do,” said Vidakovic. “They proved today that they are really professionals, especially tactically. “It’s very difficult to follow the plan when you’re legs are not responding. It’s very hard sometimes, but we’re conscious that we’re just in our second week of training and it’s too early for us. “I think we moved very well, we covered each other and we helped each other on the pitch and now we have to follow this up.” Ceres were outplayed for significant periods of the match by the home side, but with Port FC unable to make the most of their chances – especially as they chased an equaliser in the final 30 minutes of the game – the Filipinos booked their place in the next phase of the competition. The club is returning to the playoffs two years after previously reaching the same round, where they were eliminated by Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian and Vidakovic knows his side face another major challenge against a club that finished as runners-up in last year’s J.League. “It’s going to be another hard game, even harder than this one,” he said. “It’s an experience for the team. “We are always fighting to win, we are tactically working on that but we also have to be realistic and sometimes it’s very hard, especially for the ASEAN countries. “It’s not easy to qualify because you play one game outside against very strong opponents whose budget is maybe seven times higher but for us it’s an experience and we’re going there to compete.” Schrock was delighted with his team’s performance and warned Ceres should not be written off ahead of next week’s game at Tokyo Stadium. “We are very happy and very proud of what we’ve done today,” he said. "It’s not only the goal, it's the way we helped each other. “The legs were gone after 60 or 70 minutes for most of us, but we can be proud of that. We are always capable of producing an upset. We worked for this and we believed in this and congratulations to our team." www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/vidakovic-proud-of-resilient-ceres-negros Looks like Schrock might not be available for Ceres in the next game though because of the accumulation of yellow cards.
FC Tokyo 2-0 Ceres Negros FC All the ASEAN teams lost to teams from East Asia in the AFC Champion's League but Ceres had the most respectable loss with the lowest goal differential. On to the AFC Cup for Ceres Negros FC
Ceres-Negros opens AFC Cup campaign with 4-0 win over Svay Rieng Ceres Negros opened their AFC Cup campaign with a 4-0 win over Cambodian champions Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC last February 11 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. Takashi Odawara, Josh Grommen, and Bienvenido Maranon all found the back of the net after assists from OJ Porteria, Stephan Schrock, and Manny Ott. The busmen came out firing early in the match after Odawara picked out the bottom corner of the Svay Rieng goal in the 12th minute. Minutes later, Schrock sent a cross towards the far post where Grommen did enough to put the ball past the goal line. The Cambodian champions had a good chance to get a goal back after Jean Marie Mbarga was clipped by Grommen near the edge of the box in the 22nd. Brazilian Thiago Dos Santos stepped up for the penalty but Roland Muller came up with a fine save. The Ceres shot stopper guessed right and tapped the ball wide to keep the clean sheet. Both teams battled in the remaining minutes but the busmen came out with the better chances. Robert Lopez Mendy’s one-two combination with Schrock was blocked while the defense while twin chances from Ott and Porteria near the end were blocked by the visitor. The half ended with the home squad carrying a two goal cushion. The Negros squad again pushed the tempo at the start of the half and scored another team goal after a good passing sequence after a broken play from Ott and Maranon saw the Spaniard unleash an inch perfect strike to the bottom corner to make it 3-0. Maranon completed his brace after a set-up from Porteria allowed him to poke the ball past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Aim Sovanarrath and score the team’s fourth goal. Sean Kane almost made it five in the 88th minute but his header off a corner bounced off the post. Moments later Porteria tried an overhead kick but his attempt went wide. Chhin Chhoeun had a chance to score in injury time but the shot went wide. The referee blew the final whistle as the Philippine champions took all three points in matchday one. The 4-1 win by Bali United over Than Quang Ninh meant that the Busmen would take leadership of Group G. They will face Than Quang Ninh next on February 25. ceresfootball.com/ceres-negros-opens-afc-cup-campaign-4-0-win-svay-rieng/
Kaya FC–Iloilo Down Myanmar Champions for Dream Start in AFC Cup 2020 AFC Cup 2020 | Group H Shan United 0 – 2 Kaya FC–Iloilo Thuwunna Stadium 12 February 2020; Yangon, Myanmar — Kaya FC–Iloilo banked on an inspired second half to take all three points against Myanmar Champions, Shan United, on Wednesday afternoon at the Thuwunna Stadium. Goals from captain Jovin Bedic, and substitute Eric Giganto did the damage as the match finished 2-0 in favor of the Philippine club. “The first half we struggled a little bit, but we turned things around in the second half,” said Kaya head coach Oliver Colina. “We got what we came for. It doesn’t matter if it’s two-nil, one-nil, or whatever. We got the three points, and that was our objective coming here.” Although Iloilo almost scored in just the third minute of play, the bright start wasn’t sustained in the opening half. Shan United took advantage and took control of the tempo, and in the 26th they almost broke through. Free on a rare one-on-one Mike Casas needed to pull off a fine save to keep the scores level heading into the break. After canceling one another out in a cagey opening period, things began to open up as the second half wore on. With the introductions of Eric Giganto and Arnel Amita, Kaya started to find a bit more pace in their attack. With just over 15 minutes remaining, Amita was brought down inside the box, earning a vital penalty, which captain Jovin Bedic casually tucked away. 12 minutes later, Arnel was involved again as the Philippine side doubled their advantage. Amita picked off the ball near the halfway line, dashed into the box, and managed to poke the ball into the path of Giganto who first-timed the ball into the corner of the net. “The penalty changed the game. We scored that goal and the momentum changed. Shan United remained composed, but with all due respect, we’re a strong team also. We just played our game, got our chance and we took it,” said Colina. “The feeling is great, especially to score here in Myanmar. They’re a good team. We saw them play before in the Philippines. Credit to my teammates, they worked so hard over the 90 minutes. Me, I was just in the right place at the right time and I scored. Actually I’m not looking for the Man of the Match. My whole team did well. I give the credit to them,” said Eric Giganto after the game. The 2-0 victory places Kaya FC–Iloilo momentarily atop of Group H, an ideal position ahead of their home match against Tampines Rovers on February 26, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. www.kayafc.com/match/11026-shan-united-v-kaya-fc%E2%80%93iloilo/
Filipino soccer I will say is improving more so with each passing year. I mean judging from qualifying so far in AFC, Philippines right now are tied for 2nd place in their qualifying group right now with China. China leads on goal difference but if Philippines can win their remaining games at home once COVID clears up and qualifying can start again, then Philippines in the next round of qualifying they would get to the final round of qualifying in Asia. Which means facing heavyweights like South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Australia, etc. Philippines do I think they can get to Qatar realistically? It is a possibility but 2026 I would say is more of a chance because it is 48 teams and 8 teams get to come out of Asia possibly 9 teams because of the inter continental playoff in 2026
If Philippines develops more in terms of pouring even more money into the sport of football in their country and into their facilities as well as into their league, then Philippines could even be further on the rise in world football