Here is an article describing how the AFC with the help of this Singaporean former international, has helped conceptualize the PFL and help guide it through its initial stage. Acc. to this article, it will be privatized: http://m.todayonline.com/sports/sasikumar-key-player-new-philippines-pro-football-league “It’s an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) project, and they got me involved as a consultant to help conceptualise the structure and the format of the league, as well as do some market research. “So I guided the PFF through the initial stages, and it will now be taking over the full responsibility of opening and running the league. “But I’ll still be there as a mentor and ensuring the league is headed in the right direction.” The PFL will replace the existing top-tier United Football League (UFL), a semi-professional competition started in 2009 that featured teams based only in the capital, Manila. Scheduled to kick off in April, the PFL will feature at least six teams, with each side representing a city or a region. Interested clubs that comply with the PFF’s Club Licensing Regulations will have until next month to apply to join the league. Importantly, though, the PFL will be privatised, which will allow investors to monetise the assets of the clubs. “The PFL will be privatised and out of the hands of the country’s football association,” explained Sasikumar, who was also involved in the privatisation of the Malaysia Super League (MSL) last year. “It will run as a commercial entity and rely on three main pillars of revenue: Sponsorship, sales of match tickets and hospitality packages, on top of funding from the central pool of the league. They can also go into other revenue streams — such as merchandising and monetising digital content. “The new league will also be spread out throughout the country and put in economic hubs where there’s commercial value, which will likely help to bring in more income. “Essentially, the club owners will take a more proactive approach to ensuring their teams are doing well, on and off the pitch, because ultimately they’ve invested in the clubs.”
My response is just a gut reaction. But the "pros" to this is that the privatization of the league will definitely lead to better marketing, resulting in the exposure needed. Plus, this former Singaporean international appointed by the AFC guiding it along gives me, as a fan, confidence knowing it's being done properly. If you're going to start a brand new league in a country that pretty much knows nothing about football, you need people in the process who come from cultures where the sport is ingrained. The "cons" is seeing non-football people with money taking over the game completely. Yes, it's a business. I understand this. But the football people have to keep them in check. Since 2010, the majority of fans have been females. Even Denis Wolf said right before the 2012 Suzuki Cup campaign that he had never seen anything like this, not even in Europe. I hope the players who deserve to be on the rosters get their chance to showcase their talents and are not upended by rivals whose good looks were the reasons for getting on the pitch.
Acc. the the AFC, a Philippine club(the 2016 UFL Champions Global FC) will make their debut in the 2017 AFC Champion's Cup playoff qualifiers: the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2017/afc-champions-league-2017-slot-allocation-and-draw-date-set Congrats to Global FC for making history. The Philippines will have also have 2 club representatives in the 2nd tier 2017 AFC Cup: http://the-afc.com/afc-cup-2017/afc-cup-2017-slot-allocation-and-draw-date-set
Young Azkals, Harimau Muda gear up for SEA Games with goalless stalemate By Ivan Saldajeno MANILA--In another turn in the story of draws between the Philippines and Malaysia, the under-22 sides fought for another goalless stalemate in their friendly at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Thursday night. Ninety minutes of football did not separate both sides to emulate their senior and club counterparts in recording draws. The host team for the 2017 edition of the biennial meet showed an encore of its 4-1 domination over the 2019 host in Malaysia in their last meeting by going on attack mode in the first half, but the latter held on defensively and even came close to nailing a goal just before halftime as Jarvy Gayoso went on a one-on-one with the keeper only that the goalie saved the ball out. The U22 Azkals then turned the tides in the restart, going aggressive to the goal as the U22 Malaysians began losing steam. The U22 Azkals came very close to a goal in the 62nd minute as Jeremiah Borlongan got a piece of the ball just as a Malaysian defender was letting his netminding teammate grab it and flicked it to a now wide open goal mouth. The defender cleared the ball out just before it went in. Despite the fatigue setting in, Malaysia kept the Azkals in check, leading to the deadlock at the final whistle. Still, Coach Marlon Maro expressed positive feedback for the U22 Azkals. "I am satisfied because I saw a lot of potential.... We have a team that plays aggressive football that can catch up with Malaysia in terms of speed and agility," said Maro, who fielded in a team with a majority of people also eligible for the 2019 SEA Games. On the other hand, Coach Frank Earnhardt lamented the lack of readiness for the said friendly that cost Malaysia a repeat of its dominance the last time out. "Our players were tired from the holidays when they were called up, so we only have few preparations," he rued. http://www.dugout.ph/2016/12/young-azkals-harimau-muda-draw.html
Philippines gets a slot in AFC Champions league in preliminary stage There will be plenty of football excitement as PFF has been granted a slot in the AFC Champions League Preliminary/ Playoff stage. Global FC, the United Football League’s top finisher, will be representing the Philippines in the EAST Slot allocation along with clubs from Korea Republic, Japan, China PR, Australia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Singapore. To qualify for the group stage of the AFC Champions League, Global FC must win each match assigned in the three (3) stages leading to the group stage. The first assignment is scheduled on 24 January 2017 against Tampines Rovers FC from Singapore. The fans will be delighted as the match will be held in the Philippines. If Global FC wins, the next assignment will be an away game against Brisbane Roar who finished 4th in the Australian League. The match is scheduled on 31 January 2017. The play-off stage, which will be another away match, is scheduled on 07 February 2017 against China’s Shanghai Shenhua FC who placed 4th in the Chinese Superleague. Should Global FC fails to reach the group stage of the AFC Champions League, they will be awarded a slot in the AFC Cup 2017 group stage. If Global FC succeeds, Loyola Meralco Sparks FC, who placed third in the United Football League, will be nominated for the AFC Cup 2017 group stage, joining Ceres-Negros FC. http://pff.org.ph/2016/12/09/philippines-gets-a-slot-in-afc-champions-league-preliminary-stage/
2017 AFC Cup draw results for Philippine clubs 2017 ACL draw results for Global in the Preliminary Rounds EAST Group E 1. Kashima Antlers (JPN) 2. Muangthong United (THA) 3. Play-off winner (CHN/AUS/PHI/SIN) 4. Play-off winner (KOR/HKG/VIE) If Global FC makes it to the group stage of the AFC Champions league, Loyola will get a spot in AFC Cup group stage.
PFF Women's League leads the charge for Pinay football An 11-team league and promising youth players augur well for the female game There may only be a few hundred spectators at any match in Rizal Memorial. There is no sound system, so at times the players playfully hum the FIFA anthem when they take the field. No TV coverage and just a handful of media. But the 2016 PFF Women's League is part of a quiet revolution in the women's game in the Philippines. Apart from the 5-team UAAP, it's the only 11-a-side, 90-minute senior women's league in Metro Manila and perhaps even in all of the Philippines. “We have lots of 7-a-side games but the complete performance of a player can only be checked over a long period in a game,” says Let Dimzon, the FEU women's coach. “I hope PFF will keep this league,” she adds. First, a few facts about the competition. It's funded through the Women's Development Program of FIFA. Each team, for a bargain-basement registration fee of P15,000, gets free uniforms, socks, and shoes. There are balls thrown in as well. The matches are all held in Rizal Memorial on Saturdays and Sundays. Since there are 11 teams and it's a double-round robin affair, each side gets 20 matches, with one club getting a bye on a given weekend. The competition will have a break for Christmas then continue into the new year. All 5 UAAP teams, UP, DLSU, FEU, ADMU and UST, are represented. Two UFL teams, Kaya and Green Archers United, have fielded squads as well as The Younghusband Football Academy, (TYFA), Fuego Espanya, Hiraya, and Outkast. These non-UAAP sides are largely composed of school alumni, former national team players, and recreational players with varying degrees of skill and experience. One team, Fuego Espanya, reportedly has 5 players who had never played 11-a-side in their lives before this tournament. The tournament will try to complete its first round before the UAAP early next years since the UAAP doesn't want its athletes plying in other comps while theirs is ongoing. Then after the UAAP, the second round will take place. Yes, it's true. The PFF is certain of holding a women's senior league next year, but not a men's league, since the Philippines Football League is still not a certainty yet. It's remarkable to note how hurriedly this league was organized. I'm told that the shoutout for the manager's meeting was given on one day's notice. And yet 6 non-UAAP teams were able to participate. It speaks well about the untapped pool of female players in the country. The league also gives a second chance for women to continue their football journey after UAAP, which previously was pretty much the highest tier of female football in the country. “It's a motivation for us old timers to get back into shape and try and compete with the kids,” says Patrice Impelido of Hiraya. Impelido is a Filipina-American who learned soccer in Western Michigan University before playing for the Philippines. She is now an assistant coach with youth national teams. At 29 years of age Impelido still has plenty of football left in her as she usually starts for Hiraya at holding mid. Another player who is coming back out of the woodwork is Etang Ladero from Dumaguete. The gifted former national team player who won a UAAP title with FEU is playing for TYFA. Apparently she was allowed to play by Philippine Air Force, where she is enlisted. The PFF has held tournaments for women before but never quite to this scale. Impelido is starting to see the level of play rise. “Before you would see teams kick the ball long and whoever was fastest would win. Now you see more build-up play.” It's likely that UAAP teams will come out on top once the season is over. After all they have the youngest and fittest players who train regularly as units the most often. But the games between them and the other squads are mostly close. Last weekend the top side, DLSU, bristling with weapons like Sarah Castañeda, Kyla Inquig and Irish Navaja, were given a torrid time by Hiraya, only winning 1-0 thanks to a late header by Kyra Dimaandal. Hiraya keeper Gely Tiu, formerly Ateneo's goalie, had a stellar day. Hiraya has only one win in 3 matches while the Lady Archers have mostly mowed down their competition, going 3-for-3 while racking up a +10 goal differential. Outkast is another team on the rise. They have two youth national team players in goalie Yasmin Elauria and Lindsay Whaley, both from the Subic area. Outkast has two wins and a draw. Whaley, just 16, struck in a shocking 2-0 upset of reigning UAAP champs UP. Alisha De Ocampo of Green Archers United is another prospect. The high schooler from DLS-Z starred in a 4-0 rout of Hiraya with a hat trick. GAU features two other former national players, Marielle Benitez and Belay Fernando. Ironically Fernando is an employee of the Loyola Meralco Sparks, but since LMS has no women's team, she plays for GAU. But it isn't just this league that is making things look up for Pinay football. The Metro Manila Futsal League plans to have regular leagues, (not just one-day festivals), at the U14 and U17 age groups next year. The MMFL is run by Fair Play For All Foundation, Dream Big Pilipinas, and Gawad Kalinga. They recently finished holding a Pinay Community futsal league in the Payatas court of Fair Play For All. These futsal events will hopefully complement the efforts of the Rizal Football Association or RIFA, which holds girls 11-a-side play for high schools like Miriam and Assumption. In recent times the Philippines U14 national girls teams have finished second twice in recent international competitions. Two years ago Dimzon led that team to a silver medal with Joyce Semacio of Davao, who won the tournament's golden ball award. In the last two years the Philippines has defeated both Malaysia and Singapore in senior level. This shows that the Philippines arguably has a better shot at international glory, especially outside ASEAN, in the women's than in the men's arena. There is talk that the PFF could have an U16 league. There have also been whispers that National University will create a women's football team as well. Let's hope those rumors do come true. Philippine women's football has the momentum. Let's hope that leads to better things in the future. www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/football/155635-pff-women-leading-charge-pinay-football
16 December 2016 Azkals coach Thomas Dooley is ordered to pay a fine of USD 5.000 1. Mr. Thomas Dennis Dooley is ordered to pay a fine of USD5,000/- for violating Article 6.8 of the AFF Suzuki Cup Tournament Regulations 2016. 2. The fine shall be settle within 30 days from the date that this decision is communicated in accordance with Article 11.3 of the AFC Disciplinary Code. 3. Mr. Thomas Dennis Dooley is is informed that a repeat violation of this provision will be met with more severe punishment. http://www.the-afc.com/uploads/afc/files/list_of_the_afcdc_decisions_15122016.pdf Article 6.8 Any and all form of advertising on other garments or equipment (T-shirts, track suits, jackets, wristbands etc.) or on other material and accessories (kit bags, beverage containers, plastic bottles, etc) belonging to players, goalkeepers, team officials etc. is strictly prohibited inside and outside the stadium during official training sessions and match days and during official Press Conferences I think this has to do with his tendency to wear PUMA gear(not sure if he is personally sponsored by the brand) when the official team gear is sponsored by LGR. Dooley also tends to be very informal wearing shorts and T shirts all the time even during official press conferences. Picture of him with the other coaches in the Suzuki Cup. I think the fine has to do with his apparel. The other coaches in the group are either wearing collared shirts with their official kit providers or with no advertising, while Dooley is using his unofficial PUMA cap and a shirt without collar.
The icing on top of the cake! hah! Or perhaps the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake! lol. Crap management in the build up and during the tournament which led to crashing out at the group stage. Then he gets fined! Classic! Should be sacked really!
RP Ladies achieve best FIFA ranking ever The Philippines has gained some ground in the latest edition of the FIFA women’s rankings. Since the last rankings were published last September, the Philippines moved up three spots to number 69 in the world, just behind Tunisia and in front of Morocco, despite not earning any points in between from playing international matches. It is the highest rank that the Philippine women’s team has achieved to date. Its worst ranking was 128 in 2010, but has been steadily improving since. For the past two years, the Philippines has finished in 80th place by year’s end. The movement also means that the Philippines has improved its regional rankings, going two places up to 14th best in Asia — sandwiched between Hong Kong and Bahrain — and one better in Southeast Asia — now in fourth place behind Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar. The rise in the rankings can be explained as nine countries dropped out of the rankings due to “prolonged inactivity”, according to FIFA. This allowed other countries such as the Philippines to attain best-ever positions. The next edition of rankings will be published in March. tiebreakertimes.com/tbt/philippines-womens-national-football-team-achieve-best-fifa-ranking-ever/74224
That's good I guess. I feared that things had stopped completely and that maybe there would be a delay. Hoping they get at least 6-8 clubs for the inaugural season.
Here are some news from a few days ago(somewhat inaccurate since Ceres management clarified that they are staying in Bacolod). Kaya FC and GAU are also negotiating to join the league and possibly another team will make Davao their home province to make it a total of 8: 29 December 2016 Stallion, JP Voltes jump ship to PH Football League By ADRIAN STEWART CO Thursday, December 29, 2016 MANILA – Iloilo City’s Stallion Gilligan’s Football Club and JP Voltes Football Club have followed their former United Football League (UFL) rivals in moving to the newly-formed Philippines Football League (PFL). Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta confirmed the move of Stallion and JP Voltes, saying the teams are deciding what city they will use as their homecourt. “We are still negotiating for Stallion to use Iloilo as their home province. If they do, JP Voltes can use Biñan. If Stallion uses Biñan, probably they (Voltes) can use Iloilo,” Araneta said. “Actually, we already met with the other teams and what we talked about was to form the corporation already so that they can be part of the decision making,” added the PFF official. Stallion and JP Voltes will thus join reigning UFL titlist Global Football Club-Cebu, Ceres Football Club-Davao and Loyola Meralco Sparks Football Club-Taguig in moving to the new football league, which is set to launch in the first quarter of 2017. The PFL is now the country’s premier professional football league and will serve as the qualifying arena for all international competitions. In its first season, the league is eyeing six teams that will play for eight months. While the UFL hold solely its matches at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, the PFL will go down to the cities and provinces. For its inaugural season, the PFL will only have one division – playing in a home-and-away, double round-robin format with the top four teams advancing to the semis and later to the finals. Each team is required to have minimum of 25 players with a maximum of 30, including three goalkeepers, four foreign players (3+1 player from the Asian Football Confederation), and a minimum of three youth players in the roster./PN http://www.panaynews.net/stallion-jp-voltes-jump-ship-to-ph-football-league/
29 Dec 2016: A Year of Some Achievements and Some Setbacks Icko De Guzman For Philippine Football Federation President Mariano Araneta, 2016 was a year of “some achievements, and some setbacks.” Philippine football took a massive stride forward as the Azkals defeated DPR Korea last March 2016 in a thrilling encounter in the country’s final match in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The win gave the Philippines an outright spot in next year’s AFC Cup 2019 Qualifiers. However, setbacks later in the year left the team wounded as they failed to advanced to the semifinals of the AFF Suzuki Cup for the first time in six years. “It’s a setback,” said Araneta of the Suzuki Cup campaign. “But we could see that it was a tough (tournament) with finalists Indonesia and Thailand in our group.” The PFF president and AFC Executive Committee member also stated that fan attendances during the Philippine’s hosting of the Suzuki Cup was a setback. The Suzuki Cup averaged around 3,500 people at the Philippine Sports Stadium, a far cry from our ASEAN neighbors who have stadiums filled to the rafters. “Even if (the Philippine Sports Stadium) is nice, accessibility (to the Stadium) remained as the fans’ major concern,” recounted Araneta. “Rather than travel to the stadium for two hours, fans would prefer watching the game on TV.” Still, Araneta considered the Suzuki Cup as a success citing Indonesia’s participation in the final. By 2018 the Suzuki Cup will have a different format and will see teams play two home games and two away games. “We will have more games (in the future),” added Araneta. Araneta also hailed the year’s developments at the grassroots level. Recently the PFF received the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots Football (for Developing Countries). The PFF’s grassroots project, named Kasibulan, was relaunched in 2012 and is getting support from PAGCOR, MVP Sports, Smart, and Philam Life Foundation. The fruits of Kasibulan have paid off with the Under-14 Girls’ runner up finish in the AFC Under-14 Girls Regional Championships and the Philippines Under-22’s scoreless draw vs Malaysia Under-22. “The recognition should motivate us to do more. We thank all those who helped us promote grassroots football in the Philippines. The award is meaningful as it shows that we are on the right track in developing the youth. As a developing football nation, we consider the grassroots as the lifeblood and the future of Philippine football,” said Araneta on the PFF website. The next year will prove to be another exciting one according to Araneta. The draw for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 will be held on January 23 and the Philippines has the luck of avoiding stronger opponents. “We’re in the top tier so we won’t face the strong teams,” said Araneta. “We have a chance (of qualifying for the Asian Cup).” Another target of Araneta is to bring games to the provinces. The last time the Azkals played in the province was in May 2014 when the Philippines played Malaysia at the Cebu City Sports Complex in Cebu City. A new stadium is in the works in Cebu, while the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod, Negros Occidental might also be considered if the facilities are improved. “We might move out the games outside of Manila but it will still depend on the board’s decision,” Araneta said. “We hope to have a place where fans can easily go to watch the games. It’s a big factor for the players and it boosts their morale.” Also in the pipeline is the formal launch of the Philippine Football League which is scheduled to kick off in late March or early April 2017. According to Araneta, six teams have already confirmed their participation to the League with a seventh team “still in the works.” JP Voltes FC was the sixth team to apply for the League. “90% of the teams have already confirmed,” said Araneta. Global, Ceres, Kaya, Loyola, and Stallion were the first five teams to have confirmed their participation to the League. The Asian Cup qualifiers, the Philippine Football League, and the grassroots program are all expected to keep Philippine football in full swing in the coming year. Also, the participation of the Philippines in the AFC Champions League, the AFC Cup, and the South East Asian Games this coming year proves that football is on an uphill but still promising track. football.com.ph/2016-year-achievements-setbacks/
9 teams--PFF secretary general Atty. Ed Gastanes reveals at least nine teams have signified their intentions to join the Philippines Football League this coming March. "The nine include the Davao Aguilas FC and a club from Vigan, Ilocos Sur," he says. Gastanes adds the PFF will evaluate all the applicants and will come up with the official list by mid-February. @news5aksyon @phifootballfederation @filipinofootball
For a lot of the provincial teams like Vigan(far north) and Davao(far south), getting a team makes a lot of sense, as the team will be a boost to tourism and help gain recognition for their hometown not only domestically but worldwide. So I am sure the provincial municipalities associated with that team will do all they can to help make the team successful. Besides with no other competition in town from other sports leagues, even with a smaller potential fanbase than Metro Manila, they have a captive audience to build a successful franchise around with. Hopefully they recognize this, so that prospective cities interested in joining the league now and in the future will update their infrastructure in order to attract a team. As for turning a profit, as long as they have a salary cap which they plan to implement and dedicated football owners, I think they can make it work. MLS teams did not turn a profit for more than a decade in its existence, and even had to fold 2 teams at one point, but because of their long term vision and dedicated owners, they were able to see it through and are now finally getting a return on their investment, with the expansion fee for potential franchises now costing $200 million amid a steady growth in attendance nationwide.
The issue with the league will corruption. Will the owners be able to pay the right folks to stay afloat long enough to where they turn a profit.
Actually the UFL teams still haven't turned a profit. Many of the owners who are successful businessmen themselves are in it mostly because they love the sport. Of course maintaining a semi pro league based around Metro Manila is one thing. Adding in the transportation costs that a national full pro league entails is something else altogether, so selling tickets and gaining sponsors is even more important for the teams in this league. However the novelty of the league to fans in the provinces who are not used to seeing major league sports teams come to their town, might just excite enough of the fans to help increase the popularity of the sport. When the Azkals visited Vigan, Cebu and Bacolod for friendlies, you could see the fans pack the stadium, something that you rarely see in Manila, so this might just work. As for corruption, hopefully they see the benefits and prestige of hosting a major league sports team will be more than enough incentive for them to provide support for the club. Besides having a regular tenant for their sports stadium which stands empty most of the time, would presumably increase their tax revenues. BTW, MLS is not immune to the corruption issue. The NY/NJ Metrostars were unable to build their stadium in New Jersey, because the area they were planning to build it in NJ was controlled by the mob and they refused to pay them off, so the owners ended up selling the team to the Red Bulls which built their stadium elsewhere.
I want the league to succeed but you are trivializing the corruption in the PI. You and I both know that it is way more prevalent there than in the US.
Not at all. I know where you are coming from. I just live in a state(Illinois) where both former Governors, a Republican and a Democrat have both been indicted and have served or are serving time for corruption, not to mention alderman and mayors who have also been implicated, so it is hard for me to condemn. As for the scale, it definitely is more prevalent in the Philippines today, but I have read enough about the history of Chicago and NY, to know that in the 19th and early 20th century when the economy of these cities was not much different than a third world country mega city today, abuse of public office was just as prevalent. Having said that, I know how prevalent corruption is over there today and I do not condone it. That is why people over there are willing to look the other way, when the current President tramples over the human rights of individuals, in order to stamp out crime. Most of them are just fed up. I find these reprehensible considering our respect over the rights of the individual to a fair trial, but I understand why his popularity continues to soar despite the abuses.
He is popular for stamping out crime but not corruption. Anyway, I hope the league gains momentum, would hate to see the Azkals end up like the Matao
Yeah. I am sorry to hear about Guam's football situation. Their benefactor it seems is no longer willing to fund the cost of maintaining a viable football program. It is just one tiny island, with a small population and economy, so they were unable to cope with that loss. Fortunately the Philippines is much larger and there are enough successful businessman who are football enthusiasts themselves to keep the league and sport growing, albeit not fast enough to satisfy most of us. MLS itself nearly folded in the middle of its first decade. Fortunately billionaires Anschutz and the Hunts decided to keep it going by buying and funding multiple franchises in order to keep the league alive until that kind of support was no longer necessary and they now own only 1 team each. BTW, coming back to the issue of corruption, I consider lobbying a form of corruption that has been legalized but that is how things get done in Washington. It is hard not to be cynical when those with money can buy influence to promote their agendas in Congress by lobbying public officials.
The upcoming Philippines Football League is getting closer to becoming a reality Bob Guerrero “90%.” That was the text message reply of Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta when asked about the percentage chance that the Philippines Football League will push through this year. In an age of uncertainty for the sport, this is welcome news. Here is a breakdown on where we are at. Teams A total of 9 teams have submitted their applications for club licensing for the league with the PFF. Seven former UFL teams have applied, namely champs Global, (now reportedly renamed Global Queen City), Ceres-Negros, (née Ceres-La Salle), Kaya FC Makati, Loyola Meralco Sparks, Stallion Laguna, Green Archers United Globe, and JP Voltes. Two new entities have also thrown their hat into the ring, a group from Davao including Australian-based Filipino businessman Jeff Cheng, and a team from Ilocos. The Ilocos club's bid is associated with another Aussie, Jarred Kelly. Last year Kelly organized a tour of the Philippines by A-League side Perth Glory. The Glory beat the Azkals in Ilocos Sur 2-0 in an exhibition at the new artificial turf stadium near Vigan, and that venue will presumably be that team's home ground if they are allowed to join the league. Global will play out of Cebu, most likely out of the Abellana field or the pitch of the University of San Carlos. Ceres will stay in Bacolod at Panaad Park and Stadium. Kaya, now Kaya FC-Makati, will call the University of Makati Football Field home. Loyola will represent Taguig and will play out of McKinley Hill Stadium. That facility's claustrophobic turf pitch was supposed to be enlarged late last year but that has not happened yet. It appears Stallion will play out of Biñan Laguna, where an artificial turf field sits, while Green Archers could represent Cavite, although that is not yet a done deal. Carmona, Cavite is set to be the home of PFF's future headquarters and training center and could host GAU. Another possibility for GAU could be the General Trias Sports Park, on Arnaldo Highway south of the Open Canal Road. JP Voltes has yet to declare a community they would represent, (a requirement with this league), but they say they will furnish other requirements soon. Araneta says JPV are checking out the Marikina Sports Complex, although that field is on the small size and would need a lot of work. As of the moment no club has firmly called dibs on Rizal Memorial as a home ground. I sort of think this is alright. That way RMS remains a neutral ground for national team matches, like Wembley in England. “I would like to have all 9 applications approved but realistically we could have fewer clubs,” says Araneta. Having an even number of teams like eight is ideal because it would mean every team plays every weekend without anyone taking a bye. The licensing regulations for the league are outlined here at this link. Logistics and Format Araneta says that a new corporation to operate the league is being formed this week that will be owned by the PFF and the clubs. A marketing group is also onboard, according to Araneta. It appears that the league will kick off in April. That will allow Azkals coach Thomas Dooley to prepare his team for the March 28 AFC Asian Cup qualifier with fewer distractions from club duties. The venue and opponent of that game will be known during the draw on January 23. Araneta also divulged that a friendly match or matches for the national team before March 28 are possible. Last August during the briefing PFF Secretary-General Ed Gastanes said the league will have both a League phase and knockout Cup competition. Gastanes said they would run concurrently. Araneta said this has yet to be decided. He did add that the League will follow the Australian model, with a round-robin phase then a postseason leading up to a championship match or series. If this plan pushes through then it's my fervent hope that the Cup welcomes non-league teams, like university/collegiate sides and squads that were in the UFL previously but won't be in this league. That includes the military teams. If the Cup featured the same clubs as the League then in my opinion there would be no difference in character between the two tournaments. Broadcast Araneta says there is some interest from networks. I am hopeful for livestreams at the very least. A second tier A source close to the Football Alliance, the entity that ran the UFL, says they are considering creating a league or tournament that could serve as a de facto second tier to the PFL. It could potentially be catch basin for other teams that either do not get approved for the national league, or wish not to be a part of it. The FA has met recently to discuss their future. It seems they are in a wait-and-see mode and could start their tournament later on in the year. The source is careful to stress that they do not want to compete with PFL but instead complement them. For sure we need lower tiers to help develop players, coaches, referees, and administrators. Mature footballing countries have pyramid structures for precisely this reason. It is also likely that the UFL youth season will happen in the summer, with or without a senior component. Future Expansion Since Stallion, a team with Iloilo roots, is now apparently going to Laguna, it appears that the inaugural season of the PFL will be without a team from the spiritual heart of Philippine football. But that could soon change. Araneta says that a 5,000-seat football-specific stadium is set to rise in the municipality of Pavia near Centro Verde, on the outskirts of Iloilo City. Businessman Toti Cariño is said to be involved in the project. The project will rise on a 3-hectare plot of land. The PFF president, a native of nearby Barotac Nuevo, claims some Ilonggo business figures are interested in forming a team in Iloilo. Hopefully they could come up with one for 2018. But even if the Pavia facility is not ready, the existing Iloilo Sports Complex ground could also be utilized. But whatever happens down the road, one thing is likely for the immediate future: club football in the Philippines is about to be transformed. www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/football/158115-football-hows-national-league-coming-along It is interesting to see a couple of Australian residents getting involved in the new league including a part owner of A League club Western Sydney Wanderers, Fil Chinese Jeff Cheng. Their ties to Australian football will help forge links between the new league and the A league. Here is an article on Cheng's involvement in Philippine football last year: The remaining two investors in the Wanderers make for less soul-searching contemplation. Chinese-Filipino businessman, Jefferson Cheng, has had a long interest in Asian football, particularly in the Phillipines national team, the “Azkals”. Cheng recently negotiated for the “Teen Azkals” to participate in football tournaments in Australia, winning the “Kanga Cup” in Canberra. Cheng is also part of the management board of Jim Fraser’s “International Goalkeepers Academy” – already a corporate sponsor of the Wanderers. His investment in Filipino football has been observable in this role, bringing over Filipino players into the academy such as the current “Azkal U19” goalkeeper, Enzo Cheng. Roles swapped remarkably in the last month, with Jefferson Cheng being appointed manager of the Phillipines U21 side. His first move was to bring over Jim Fraser as goalkeeper coach. Do not be surprised if the Wanderers take a look at some “Azkals” in the next season, although Wanderers fans would like to think that such an influence over proceedings would be left to coach Popovic, and not the owners. Jim Fraser himself said on the issue, “If Jeff [Cheng] is to buy into the club, it is a good path for Filipinos and it’s also a good situation where I’m sure the coaches like myself would be coming to the Philippines from the clubs, “It is a good thing for Philippine football if that happens.” http://www.fromthestandsal.com/2014/03/19/frying-pan-fire/ The other Australian Kelly, has ties to A league side Perth Glory, which played competitive preseason friendlies last year with a UFL club and the Azkals in Vigan, a prospective host city for the PFL. They played close games in front of packed crowds in the Northern Philippine city, and enjoyed their visit so much that they said they foresee A league clubs returning to the Philippines on a regular basis for preseason friendlies in the future.