: Newly-minted Philippine Football Federation President John Gutierrez announced that Philippine Men's National Football Team Manager Dan Palami "expressed his intention to step down" at a press conference this afternoon. Seated beside Gutierrez, Palami detailed the reason for the decision: "I want to give (Gutierrez) the elbow room and free hand to do what he thinks is necessary for Philippine Football to move forward." Palami oversaw the Azkals' rise to fame in the 2010's. At the helm during the "Miracle of Hanoi", he turned a perennial minnow into a regional contender, consistently giving our ASEAN neighbors a challenge every time they meet Team Philippines on the pitch. It was also under his watch that the Azkals made four consecutive second-round appearances at the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
New era as PFF retires Azkals moniker, brings in Belgian coach for men’s team The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) ushered in a new era for the men’s national team with a new coach, and soon, a new name. The squad nicknamed the Azkals will be called that no more under the tutelage of Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet, whom the PFF introduced on Monday, February 26. Saintfiet, who boasts 26 years’ worth of managing experience, succeeded Hans Michael Weiss, who was recently brought back to call the shots for the men’s crew before his second removal from the post. “I was in need of a new task, an ambitious task…. I was needed and [I was] in need of a project,” Saintfiet told reporters. Helped Gambia to qualify in AFCON for the 1st time ever (2021) Reached Quarter-finals in AFCON (2021) One of the Top 5 best coaches of the year in Africa, voted by CAF (2022 & 2023) 2nd Runner-up coach of the year in Belgium (2022) New GM for the men's team Freddy Gonzalez seems to be making the right moves so far. Saintfiet was a much sought after coach apparently. Former Men's Head Coach Weiss is now being designated as the national men's youth coach.
The hiring of Tom Saintfiet is incredibly ambitious for this federation. His recent resume is impressive. The Gambia is not close to even being a top national team in CAF yet he was able to get great results with them. We need a manager who is capable of setting a system that doesn't depend on simply having the most talented players on the field and I think there is great potential with him leading the national team. Hopefully the era of short contracts and minimal tenures with the PFF is over and Saintfiet is signed to a long term contract so he can establish his system and culture.
He says he has had interest in Philippine football for the past 11 years and he is looking at this as more than a job.
Philippine Men’s National Football Team coach Tom Saintfiet calls up 34 players for camp called up: Kevin Ingreso, Justin Baas, Audie Menzi, Jesus Milleza, Daisuke Sato, Arnel Amita, Chima Uzoka, Troy Limbo, Dov Carino, Fitch Arboleda, Florencio Badelic Jr., Martini Rey, Hayeson Pepito, Marc Jessar Tobias, Marco Casambre, Marwin Angeles, Miguel Mendoza, Pete Forrosuelo, Selwyn Mamon, Yrick Gallantes, Francis Tacardon, Jaime Rosquillo, Jeremiah Borlongan, Jeremi Darapan, Karl Absalon, Leo Maquiling, Mar Diano, Ramil Bation, Marco Joseph Alipoon, Dylan de Bruycker, and Kurt Talaroc.
They are missing some quality players on offence in Holtmann, Obermair and Rasmussen but it is still a good roster under their new coach Saintfiet. They finally called up both Tabinas (based in Japan) and Baldisimo (Fil Canadian) brothers. Matthew is currently with Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes while Michael suits up for York United of the Canadian Premier League. Matthew used to play for the Canadian U17,U20, U21 and U23 teams. He was invited in past camps but couldn't come due to injuries so this next few games will be his first opportunity to play officially for the Philippines. It is too bad they will be missing their top forwards though especially since WC qualifying group leading Iraq will be a tough hurdle for the Philippines to overcome.
Coach Saintfiet apparently met with Paderborn star Obermair and convinced him to commit to the Philippines but it seems his paperwork won't be ready in time for the March matches.
You switched the Baldisimos' current clubs. https://northerntribune.ca/philippine-national-team-baldisimo-brothers/
No worries! I'm rooting for the Baldisimos to get capped for the home-and-away vs Iraq, especially Michael. I have a Whitecaps jersey with his name on it. No Marañón because of injury?
Rasmussen made the Dubai training camp as a late arrival. I hope he can play even though he wasn't listed in the initial official roster.
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) launches its Talent Identification Program, a dynamic talent identification initiative that is designed to discover overseas-based players with Filipino parents and/or grandparents to represent the Philippine Men’s and Youth National Football Teams. The program provides a unique opportunity for skilled and passionate football players based overseas to represent the country on the international stage. The guidelines for eligible and prospect players are as follows: 1. Eligibility and Invitation: a. All overseas-based players with Filipino parents and/or grandparents or otherwise eligible to play for the Philippine men’s or youth national teams under the provisions of the 2022 FIFA Statutes are eligible to participate in the Program. Schedule will be announced soon. b. Interested candidates are encouraged to register their interest and submit the necessary documentation as required by PFF. 2. Personal Expenses: a. Candidates are required to cover their initial transportation and accommodation expenses for the duration of the Program. b. It is recommended that candidates keep valid receipts for all expenses incurred. 3. Reimbursement and Support: a. Should a candidate be accepted into the national team, PFF will reimburse the costs of transportation and accommodation incurred during the try-out period. Valid receipts must be presented to qualify for reimbursement. b. PFF is committed to supporting our athletes. As such, additional expenses related to the processing of naturalization documents or passports, if needed, will be free of charge to the player(s) accepted to the national team. Processing fees will be shouldered by PFF. 4. Application Process: a. Interested applicants are required to fill out the application form provided by the PFF and submit it (see email address below). b. Detailed information regarding the try-out dates, locations, and other logistics will be communicated directly to the applicants upon successful registration. 5. Selection Criteria: a. The selection of candidates for the national team(s) will be based on skill, performance, and fitness levels observed during the Program, as well as adherence to team values and ethics. b. The decision of the coaching staff will be final and binding. 6. Conduct and Expectations: a. All participants are expected to display the highest level of sportsmanship, professionalism, and respect for fellow candidates, coaching staff, and officials throughout the try-out process. b. The PFF promotes a culture of excellence, discipline, and team spirit. As representatives of the Philippines, selected players are expected to uphold these values both on and off the field. Interested applicants may fill up the application form which is available in both DOCX and PDF formats. For further inquiries and submission of applications please contact the PFF Secretariat at secretariat@pff.org.ph. PFF issues Guidelines on Talent Identification Program for Philippine National Men’s Teams - The Philippine Football Federation
EXPECT new faces to bolster the Philippine men’s football team in the next Fifa window in July. PMNT head coach Tom Saintfiet said several Fil-foreign players will most likely be coming in for the final two matches of the joint Fifa World Cup 2026/AFC Asian Cup 2027 second round qualifiers. Among the names Saintfiet mentioned were Raphael Obermair, Anthony Markanich, Joseph Baccay, Zico Bailey, Dylan Demuynck, Johannes Selven, Bjorn Martin Christensen, and Adrian Ugelvik. “Ninety percent are, in theory, in and the passports are ready for the June matches,” said Saintfiet. Playing in the German Bundesliga for Paderborn 07, Obermair has been on the radar of the national team for some time now. He was called up by the team formerly called as Azkals as early as two years ago, but has not played. Markanich and Bailey, on the other hand, are based in the US playing for Major League Soccer side St. Louis City and USL Championship club New Mexico United, respectively. Baacay, Ugelvik, and Christensen play in Norway, while Demuynck and Selven, are based in Belgium and Sweden, respectively. Saintfiet said the team is also reaching out to former players Gerrit Holtmann, Patrick Strauss, and Michael Kempter. Saintfiet, however, said Holtmann, who also plays in the Bundesliga and has already played for the Azkals during the 2022 Fifa qualifiers, has not responded to querries on a possible Philippine call-up, while Kempter has an injury. PMNT, however, still has a slim chance of advancing to the third round of the Fifa qualifiers with Indonesia at second place with seven points. PMNT will play Vietnam and Indonesia on the road in the June window. If it fails to advance to the Fifa qualifiers, the Philippines will still play in the third round of the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. PMNT to be bolstered by more European, US-based players (spin.ph) That is assuming they can all get their Philippine passports in time. One of the teams they are facing Indonesia have also reinforced their team with a lot of Fil Dutch players helping them win 1-0 and 3-0 over Vietnam in the last window moving from last place in the group to 2nd place with 7 points. Only 2 teams from the group will qualify to the next round of the Fifa qualifiers so the Philippines have no choice but to win their last 2 games and get a better goal differential over Indonesia to have a chance of qualifying. With a current GD of -8 that is going to be a tall order.
Before the next qualifiers, the 50-year-old Saintfiet said he plans to hold a national team training camp in May, possibly in Dubai, and organize friendly matches if feasible. “We will analyze the performance in training and in both matches of the players [against Iraq] who are now in camp,” said Saintfiet. “And then we will make the right decision which ones will be on board for the future – it’s connected to the performance, but also to the age because we’re building a team for the future.” ‘Still in the war’: PH men’s football eyes more ‘options’ in next qualifiers (rappler.com)
The Philippine national team will adds 8 new players of Filipino descent for the mission to defeat Vietnam and Indonesia in the remaining two matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Philippine national team coach, Tom Saintfiet, confirmed that these eight players have almost all obtained Filipino passports and are ready to play against Vietnam and Indonesia in the final two matches of Group F in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification in the Asian zone. “Ninety percent, theoretically, are already there and passports are ready for the matches in June,” said Tom Saintfiet, as quoted from Spin. The eight new Filipino descent players prepared to face Vietnam and Indonesia are: Raphael Obermair (SC Paderborn 07) Josef Brian Baccay (Odds BK) Bjørn Martin Kristensen (Aalesunds FK) Dylan Demuynck (SV Zulte Waregem) Johannes Selvén (Vestri Ísafjördur) Anthony Markanich (St. Louis CITY SC) Zico Bailey (New Mexico United) Adrian Ugelvik (Levanger FK) Unfortunately no news yet on Bundesliga regular Holtmann and Charleston Battery forward Nick Markanich(Anthony's twin brother) who has scored more goals this year (albeit at a level below MLS in the USL) in North America than any other soccer player. I like the fact that Coach Saintfiet is much more aggressive and successful at recruiting this prospective national team players than previous national team coaches.
Unfortunately not all the players listed above made the team for various reasons with some not receiving their passports yet or declining the invitation. Only Bailey, Ugelvik, and Demuynck will be making their possible debut. Official roster for the June WC qualifiers
The new look young Philippine men's national football team played attacking football while on the road trying to make up for negative GD against Indonesia but came up short against the home team Vietnam.