Bundesliga - Schröck to join Hoffenheim

1899 Hoffenheim have announced their first new signing ahead of next season. Stephan Schröck, who currently plays for Bundesliga 2 leaders SpVgg Greuther Fürth, will move to Sinsheim on a free transfer this summer after the defender put pen-to-paper on a contract lasting until 30th June 2015 with the Kraichgau outfit.

"I'm very much looking forward to the challenge at 1899, who have made a name for themselves on their way to becoming an established side in the Bundesliga," stated Schröck of his move. "I can take the next step in my career here." 

Hoffenheim's head coach Markus Babbel had this to say about his first summer signing: "Stephan Schröck was a prime transfer target of mine. He has all the qualities that a modern day defender needs to have. In signing him we have gained the necessary substance and will have more alternatives in our defensive department for the future."

Philippine international on the books

The son of a Philippine mother and German father, Schröck played for DJK Schweinfurt during his early years before moving to SpVgg Greuther Fürth in 2001 as a teenager. In 2004/05 he made the leap into the first team and also represented Germany at both the U-18 and U-20 level. 

However last year Schröck announced his intention to play for the Philippines and promptly went on to make his international debut on 29th June 2011 against Sri Lanka. A month later he scored his first goal during a World Cup qualifier versus Kuwait which ended in a 2-1 loss for the Philippines.

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Younghusbands join Loyola FC-Meralco

source: By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA—Unattached the past few years, brothers Phil and James Younghusband will finally get to play regular club football, this time in the Philippines.

The two popular members of the national team, who spent time with English Premier League club Chelsea when they were teenagers, are set to sign three-year deals with Loyola FC-Meralco in the United Football League, which starts with a UFL Cup competition in October.

“The Younghusbands see joining the UFL as a win-win situation,” a reliable source close to the Fil-British brothers said.

“Joining Loyola will allow them to play club football and also give them an opportunity to help uplift the level of football in the league.”

Phil is the national team’s current top scorer with 15 goals since debuting for the Azkals in 2006, while James has tallied four so far.

The brothers’ entry comes as another boost for the UFL, which has struck a five-year, P150-million television deal with TV5 to have its matches aired live.

The brothers are the latest members of the Azkals joining the Manila-based premier league.

Striker Angel Guirado has also linked up with Global FC, joining teammate Misagh Bahadoran, while Nate Burkey and Jason Sabio have signed with Kaya FC, where skipper Aly Borromeo and Anton del Rosario are regulars.

Defending league champion Air Force has Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta in its fold, while Army boasts of Ed Sacapano, Roel Gener and Nestorio Margarse.

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Teknika reaches PFF Smart football final

source: By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA—Teknika secured a hard-earned 2-nil victory over Pachanga Wednesday night to claim the last finals spot in the PFF Smart Club Championships at the University of Makati pitch.

Azkals striker Misagh Bahadoran and Sudanese forward Izzeldin El-Habbib scored in each half as the Teknika booters prevailed in a battle of NCR squads and reached the final opposite Smart San Beda.

Representing Rizal FA, Smart San Beda earlier clinched a slot in the home-and-away finals with a 2-1 nipping of Stallions of Iloilo.

Both games in the “home-and-away” finals will be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium with the first leg set on Saturday and the second match on Monday. The draw to determine the home team on Saturday was set late yesterday.

Teknika missed influential midfielder Robert Canedo and defender Valentine Kama due to suspension. But the team managed by Dan Palami had more than enough firepower to compensate for the duo’s absence.

Bahadoran, who played in both legs of the World Cup Qualifying clash against Kuwait, struck from 30 yards to open the scoring in the 13th minute, before El-Habbib put the outcome beyond doubt four minutes from time, beating Pachanga keeper Patrick Deyto on a one-on-one.

Teknika goalkeeper Kenneth Dolloso also stood out, foiling striker OJ Clarino late in the game when Pachanga tried to chase the game.

Pachanga’s Cameroonian defender Yves Ashine was sent off late in the game for hitting Bahadoran in the head late in injury time.

“We really worked on our defense the previous three days and this was crucial to our win,” said Teknikacoach Franklin Muescan.

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San Beda reaches PFF Smart National Championships final

source: By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA—Smart San Beda overcame Stallions of Iloilo, 2-1, Monday night to reach the finals of the PFF Smart National Championships at the University of Makati pitch.

Vaughn Melendres and Elizear Fabroada scored a goal each in the first half that proved enough for San Beda to hold off Stallions and advance to the two-game finals starting Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

San Beda, representing Rizal FA, will meet with Teknika who shut out Pachanga FC, 2-0, in the semis Wednesday.

Melendres opened the scoring in the 16th minute, finishing from close range after getting a through ball from Phil Younghusband, before Fabroada doubled the lead 20 minutes later with another well-placed strike.

Stallions cut the deficit in the 62nd minute, thanks to Ruben Doctora’s strike from just outside the box, but San Beda hung tough to foil the Ilonggos, who, despite their impressive passing plays, couldn’t seem to find the final pass to completely break down their rivals.

Victory, though, came with a price as standouts James and Phil Younghusband were booked during the game, forcing them out in the first leg of the finals. The second leg is set Monday night.

“We were lucky to win this match,” said San Beda coach Aris Caslib. “The rest of my boys would just have to step up in the first leg without the Younghusbands.”

Phil was given a yellow card in the first half for absent-mindedly bringing a water bottle at the middle of the pitch while James was cautioned in the final minute of injury time for excessive complaining.

With Anto Gonzales pulling strings at midfield, San Beda controlled the early exchanges and looked dangerous on the counterattack.

Gonzales, a former national team player who is now coach of UAAP champion University of the Philippines, was a workhorse, stymieing Stallions’ midfield play while also carving up several scoring own chances.

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Azkals manager mulls lawsuit over 'rape' rumor

source: by Jojo Malig, abs-cbnNEWS.com



MANILA, Philippines - The manager of the Philippine Azkals is considering suing the sources of a rumor claiming that 4 members of the national football team raped a woman.

Dan Palami said he is now consulting lawyers for their next move.

"I've asked the lawyers to check if we'll have sufficient basis for action," he said.

Palami reiterated his stand on the issue.

"All these accusations are baseless," he said.

He added that he has talked to the players accused of involvement in the issue.

"They have a different version to tell. So I said, let's stop this," he added.

Palami said the rumor's source was German Paul Weiler.


He said Weiler "purports to be a PFF (Philippine Football Federation) consultant, and (who has) since then been denied and disclaimed by the PFF. "


"We have to rely on the credibility of the source and I know that the source is not credible," he added.


"(Weiler) has been applying as a consultant dito sa Azkals and I've turned him down repeateadly," Palami said.

A check by abs-cbnNEWS.com on Weiler's background showed that he has been hounded by allegations of fraud and wrongdoing through the years.

Football blogs and website forums dating back to 2006 accused Weiler of making up stories with regard to his official positions in sports organizations.

Weiler has dismissed the allegations against him, calling them "degrading."

Palami, meanwhile, said facts must be established before he decides on his next step.

"I don't want to proceed based on alleged action. Until now, everything is alleged," he said.

Michelle Madrigal seeks support for Azkals


Meanwhile, actress and model Michelle Madrigal has denied insinuations in gossip blogs that she was the girl allegedly raped by the Azkals members.

"Don't believe everything you read online or on the papers," she said in her Twitter account. "It's all rumors and accusations."


"Think first, sa tingin niyo ba kung nangyari talaga yun will be active on Twitter? The boys don't need this right now. Let's pray that they win the game versus Kuwait," Madrigal said, referring to the Philippines' FIFA World Cup second round qualification tie against Kuwait later this month.

Madrigal issued the statement, even as a glamor model whose name was also dragged into the scandal cried foul on Thursday.

The model said she was removed from the roster of a men's magazine show allegedly because of the rape rumor.
She has also secured the services of a lawyer to study her legal options.

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Scrappy Azkals to rebound

source: By Olmin Leyba (The Philippine Star)

Manila, Philippines - A scene after the Azkals-Brave Reds match, Chieffy Caligdong dropping to the ground, speaks volumes about the souped-up Philippine men’s football team’s disappointment with its 1-1 draw with Sri Lanka Wednesday night.

“Decent result, scrappy game,” skipper Aly Borromeo posted on Twitter hours after the first leg of their first round encounter in the 2014 Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Colombo, where they were held to the standoff and worse, lost star striker Phil Younghusband to a hamstring injury.

Like true pros, though, the Azkals will lick their wounds and move on, especially with the second leg to be played in front of some 13,000 supporters at the refurbished Rizal pitch.

“Bawi na lang kami sa Manila...sana di kayo magsawa sa suporta (We’ll bounce back in Manila. Hope you won’t get tired supporting us),” Caligdong twitted.

But the problem is the Azkals may have to make a go at it possibly without the Fil-British Younghusband, who injured his right hamstring anew. It was the same injury that sidelined him in the Azkals’ campaign in the AFC Challenge Cup group stages last March.

“He (Younghusband) will be checked by the doctors and will undergo tests tomorrow (today). We’ll have to wait for what the doctors will recommend,” said Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta.
The PFF boss added it is possible they would not force the issue on Younghusband. “It won’t do us good if we risk it. We need him more if we qualify to the next round against Kuwait,” Araneta said.

Having assembled the best possible team and toughened up by a two-week training in Germany, expectations on the Azkals were high going into their away match.

“We would have wanted a two-goal cushion. But we can’t always get what we want,” team manager Dan Palami said.

Engaged in a rugged battle by the Brave Reds while having to deal with the hard conditions of pitch at Sugathadasa Stadium, the Azkals surrendered the first goal - a Chathura Guranarathna free kick (43rd) from 30 yards that slipped past a gap on the Phl wall and beyond Neil Etheridge’s reach.

It took a crucial header (50th) from Fil-Am Nate Burkey, subbing for the injured Phil Younghusband, who followed up a saved header from James Younghusband off a Caligdong free kick to make it even.

“We could have finished the match in the first half. But we didn’t do it and we got punished. The goal (of Sri Lanka) was unlucky, it was deflected. We continued to play and press for a goal in the second half.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t finish them off,” said coach Michael Weiss.
“We were lucky at the end. It’s a good result for us. We wanted to win but things don’t turn out as planned,” he added.
The German mentor noted that the surface affected their game.

“The conditions on the pitch were difficult. I don’t want to make it an excuse but it was difficult to have a passing game on that pitch. We had to play long balls. It’s not my favorite style of play but we were able to create chances with it,” he said.

But with Rizal’s better pitch and crowd support, the Azkals look to show more bite on Sunday’s 3:30 p.m. second leg.

“It’s going to be different crowd, a different pitch and as long as we learned from this draw, we will be okay. I’m confident that the guys will be able to play the way they should considering the crowd and the pitch,” said Palami.

With a one-goal away cushion, Phl can afford to have a scoreless draw and still advance to the second round against Kuwait. But they want to finish it strong and make history for Phl football.

“We will go for the win and not just the draw,” Palami said.

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Iloilo booters hold Azkals to 1-1 draw in exhibition match

source: LBG, GMA News
 
The Philippine national football team "Azkals" was pinned to a 1-1 draw in an intense exhibition match against a local team in Iloilo Tuesday, a report from a local online site said Wednesday.

Also, the Iloilo-based The Daily Guardian said local residents cheered on their home team during the game in Barotac Nuevo town.

“We don’t mind our hunger for as long as we can watch football," the stage announcer said halfway through the friendly game of the famed national football team against Central Philippine University (CPU), the report said.

Many in the crowd who hailed from Barotac Nuevo cheered on their own town mates in the match against the "Azkals."

Interestingly, Iloilo residents form part of the "Azkals" team, including star striker Ian Araneta, co-captain Emilio Caligdong, Mark Ferrer, Roel Gener, Nestorio Margase, Joebel Bermejo, Yanti Barsales, and Ricardo Becite III.

During Tuesday's match, the open field in front of the San Antonio De Padua Church was packed with 7,000 fans, many of whom supported the "practice" game of the Azkals, who are preparing for the country’s first World Cup qualifying match since 1993.

The crowd cheered on even after CPU's Jovanni Sempron scored a goal at the 19th minute. Becite, on the other hand, scored an equalizer in the second half.

Still, Caligdong said that as Ilonggo players, they are always putting their best foot forward as they are representing the essence of what it means to be products of the country’s football capital.

Caligdong and the rest of the Ilonggo Azkals played on the very same field as children before they had gotten the opportunity to represent the nation in several international games, including last year's Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup.

Now, they are hoping to bring more pride to their hometown as the "Azkals" will face Sri Lanka in a two-leg qualifying match for the World Cup on June 29 and July 3. — LBG, GMA News

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Azkals to play exhibition match against Iloilo squad

source: JVP, GMA News

The Azkals are in Iloilo to play an exhibition match against the Central Philippine University (CPU) squad in Barotac Nuevo, considered as the county’s football capital.

The tune-up match, according to Iloilo-based news site The Daily Guardian, is part of the Azkals’ training for their two-leg Asian qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup.

The Azkals will face Sri Lanka in a two-game, home-and-away series on June 29 and July 3, with the winner taking on Kuwait in the next round.

It will be the Azkals' second time to play in Iloilo after their 2008 qualifying match in the 2008 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup.

"This is a big honor and it only shows that we are capable of competing internationally," said Azkals co-captain Chieffy Caligdong, who is among the eight members of the team that hail from Iloilo.

Aside from Caligdong, the other members of the team who are from Iloilo are star striker Ian Araneta, Joebel Bermejo, Yanti Barsales, Nestorio Margase, Mark Ferrer, Roel Gener, and Richard Becite III.

Iloilo-based players have long been in the roster of the Philippine national football team with a majority of players coming from the town of Barotac Nuevo.

The Azkals rose to fame after entering the semifinals of last year's ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup. The Azkals also qualified in the main draw of the 2012 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup.

The Azkals will also play against an All-Star team from the LBC-United Football League (UFL) on June 5 as a fundraising event for the National squad.

The football friendly was organized by UFL organizer Football Alliance and Azkals team manager Dan Palami. – JVP, GMA News

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Giggs's privacy and MPs' freedom from interference

source: bbc.co.uk

There is more than one parliamentary privilege. As John Hemming's controversial revelation yesterday demonstrates, MPs enjoy a right to freedom of speech beyond that of mere mortals, unconstrained by the laws of defamation. 

But the "ancient and undoubted rights and privileges of the Commons" as proclaimed by the Speaker at the beginning of each new Parliament also include a 'right of freedom from interference'. Our politicians effectively demand a private life. 

The secretive world of the Palace of Westminster in which Members of Parliament retain the right to punish "strangers" for contempt of their rules, contains all the contradictions and tensions that judges must weigh up when considering applications for an injunction: where does the right to speak freely stop and the right to privacy begin?

At about tea-time yesterday afternoon there was an interesting shift in the debate, from argument about the reputation of the court injunction to the reputation of parliamentary privilege. Mr Hemming's intervention, designed to demonstrate the futility of a judge's privacy order, served to focus attention away from the Royal Courts of Justice and upon the Palace of Westminster.

Abuse of rights A sizeable number of the Liberal Democrat's parliamentary colleagues expressed considerable unease at an MP using the special powers and privileges of the Houses of Parliament deliberately to defy an order of the High Court of England and Wales.

There has always been a concern that members might abuse their exceptional rights: freed from concerns about defamation laws, an MP could make damaging allegations without, perhaps, ensuring those claims have a strong foundation.

Mr Hemming, for example, made his revelatory remarks without having attended the proceedings at which the injunction he breached was issued. He may feel confident that he is aware of all the arguments that led the judges to grant Ryan Giggs anonymity and concluded in his own mind that they were wrong. Some lawyers, however, would ask whether the backbencher fully understood the implications of his actions.

Judges have become aware that it is the "secret" nature of hearings at which injunctions are discussed and issued that undermine public confidence. The press, which has a particular interest of its own don't forget, paints a picture of the rich and famous using their cash to gag the papers from revealing their sins. The judiciary, however, argues that the legal arguments upon which such matters are based are more complex and nuanced. That is why they have agreed to allow journalists in to watch the process.
Intimate secrets
 
Judges also want to stress that injunctions are not the exclusive preserve of wealthy bankers and footballers who have problems with the notion of marital fidelity.

Yesterday's ruling from Mr Justice Tugendhat made the point: "In this case the claimant is a footballer, and the injunctions granted in this court are sometimes trotted as being disproportionately of benefit to footballers and other sportsmen. But...there is no stereotype which can be used to categorise claimants in privacy actions, and many of them are women." The judge then quotes a privacy case in which all of the claimants "were women or children, some rich, and some not rich."

While there may be public and certainly tabloid anxiety at the court's view that citizens "have a reasonable expectation of privacy in relation to sexual relationships; sexual conduct being 'an essentially private manifestation of the human personality'", there is also a question as to whether all of us, rich or poor, famous or otherwise, can also enjoy the privilege afforded to Members of Parliament: the right of freedom from interference.

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Negros booters win Suzuki Cup

source: By FRANCIS SANTIAGO

 BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  – Spurred by an enthusiastic home crowd and a favorable off-pitch win, the Negros Occidental, powered by a hat-trick from Gino Palomo, dominated Iloilo booters, 9-0, in the second leg of the home-and-away title series to win the 1st Philippine Football Federation-Suzuki Under-23 National Cup Sunday at the Panaad Stadium.


Aside from Palomo, also shining for the Negrenses was Joshua Beloya who stuck a brace to emerge as the tournament’s best striker with 14 goals.


In all, Negros bagged the crown on a 12-1 aggregate counting its 3-1 win in the first leg, a result that sparked a huge controversy.


The PFF competitions committee reverted the 3-1 result to a 1-1 draw Saturday afternoon following a protest by Iloilo that stemmed from the holding of extra time after regulation ended in a tie in the first leg.

But after a series of meetings later that day by both teams, the PFF and Suzuki officials, the PFF eventually restored the 3-1 result as Iloilo withdrew its protest upon the prodding of PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr who is also the former chief of the Iloilo FA.


Ecstatic over the good news, Negros took control early on the wet and goldslippery pitch, closing the first half with a 4-nil edge before shredding Iloilo, which proved an easy target minus goalie Wilson Munoz.

Munoz, who was replaced by midfielder Chester Braga, served a one-game suspension after being booked in the opener in Iloilo for deliberate handball.


“The score (9-0) will speak for itself,” Negros coach Norman Fegidero Jr said when asked if there were still doubts about their contentious first leg win.


“The team’s morale was high following the reversal of decision. That really motivated the players to really win the game,” added Fegidero, whose squad, feared for its attacking prowess, went undefeated and drew only once in nine games, while finishing with league-best 43 goals.

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Younghusbands to miss Azkals match in Iloilo

source: BY BONG PEDRALVEZ

BACOLOD CITY. – James and Phil Younghusband will not be around when the Azkals play in an exhibition match Tuesday in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, hometown of football chief Mariano Araneta Jr., and the start of the nationals’ team bonding in Cebu the succeeding day.

But the absence of the two Filipino-British siblings, both team mainstays, has the approval of national team manager Dan Palami and coach Michael Weiss, according to Cathy Rivilla, the executive director of The Younghuband Football Academy.

The Younghusbands were invited by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission to conduct a football clinic last Saturday at the West Negros University football grounds as a side event of the POC-PSC Philippine National Games 2011.

"We had a long meeting last night with Dan and coach Weiss last week to discuss the commitment of the Younghusbands to the national team and their outside commitments," Rivilla, who also acts as an adviser to the brothers, said. "The meeting went well and they understood the boys’ situation."

Rivilla said she and the two siblings, who no longer have a father, were able to explain to Palami and Weiss why the brothers were involved with other activities such as commercial endorsements and the academy.

"As elder brothers to a younger sister, they are looking after her and their future. Phil and James are also now building a house," Rivilla said.

She said the Younghusbands failed to join the opening day of the national team’s training last week because they both saws action in the Luzon eliminations of the Smart Club Championships the previous week.

The Younghusbans will miss the exhibition match in Barotac Nuevo because of activities involving them that were scheduled far ahead of the game, Rivilla said, adding this would also affect their stint in in Cebu.

She, however, said both Younghusbands have not overlooked their national team responsibilities.

"Phil and James know their key roles on the national team and remain committed to fulfilling their obligations to the squad," Rivilla said.

"Contrary to the perception of some, they are heavily bonded to the Azkals. You can go ask (co-captain) Aly Borromeo how bonded they are."

She said the Younghusbands will eventually go to Cebu for the team bonding "because that’s when the heavy training resumes."

When the Azkals return to Manila to resume their build-up and preparations "you can expect the Younghusbands to devote more of their time to the national team," she stressed.

The Filipino booters, who are expected to be trimmed down to the regular 23-man roster, are scheduled to leave on June 12 for Duren, Germany for the final stage of their tune-up for their Asian World Cup qualifying opening leg against Sri Lanka on June 29 in Colombo.

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Tickets to Azkals vs. Sri Lanka match on sale next month

Tickets for the World Cup Qualifiers (WCQ) home match between the Philippine Azkals and Sri Lanka at the Rizal Stadium will be on sale starting June 3, one month before the scheduled match.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) released the ticket prices that ranges from P3,000 to P200.

Unlike in Panaad Stadium where the public watched the AFC Challenge Cup Philippines-Mongolia match for free, the PFF will collect payment for the Azkals match against Sri Lanka to defray the cost of the renovation of the Rizal Stadium.

“The prices reflect the fact that the PFF will be footing the bill for refurbishing the stadium,” Ladrido said in an inquirer.net report.

According to Bonnie Ladridol, PFF treasurer and a member of the organizing committee, some 8,000 tickets located at the bleachers behind the two goals will be sold at P200 each. About 5,000 prime seats at the main grandstand will cost P3,000 and P2,000 each while 4,950 tickets for the seats near the non-covered bleachers area will be sold at P300 each. Tickets will be available through Ticketworld.

At least P6-million is needed by PFF for the repair of the grandstand, the turf, construction of dressing and media rooms. PFF said they will foot the bill for the renovation of the 76-year old stadium.

Daily trainings

Now on their second week of training, the Azkals conduct daily two-hour practice sessions in the morning and afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and the Alabang Country Club. Coach Hans Michael Weiss said the team aims to develop their speed, movement, strength and stamina in preparation for their game on June 29 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The national team is set to proceed to Tacloban on May 21 to 22 for the closing program of the Football Summer Camp program while on May 24, the team will play a friendly tune-up match against the Centralians, the team of the Central Philippine University International School in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo. The Azkals will be in Iloilo on May 23 to 25 for a 3-day training while on on May 25 until May 30, the team will be in Cebu for team building at the Plantation Bay.

Joining the Azkals’ training are Fil-foreigner players who aspire to join the national team – Misagh Bahadoran, Chad Gould, Nate Burkey, Leigh Gunn, James Rochilitz, OJ Porterio and Neil Ignacio.

Side tracked by other committments

Azkals co-skipper Chieffy Caligdong admitted that the players’ individual commitments make it hard for them to focus on training.

Coach Weiss, meanwhile, said he will “put the Azkals on a tighter leash and make them 100 percent focused on training for the World Cup Asian Qualifier match with Sri Lanka.” He said, “we need to get the players in, we need to get better organized. We need especially the help of the clubs because there are too many matches now, so the players are distracted and exhausted because there’s no time for relaxment (relaxation),” Philstar.com posted.

Fil-British goal keeper Neil Etheridge and Simon Greatwhich will join team later this month.
On June 12, the Azkals will fly to Duren, Germany for a two-week training camp where they will play against Division 2 and 3 Bundesliga teams as part of their preparation.

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Azkals happy with Rizal football field makeover

source: abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Philippine Azkals are pleased with the renovation of the Rizal Memorial Football field where their home game against Sri Lanka in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers will take place.


“I’ve been playing here since I was 10 years old… this is the first time I’ve ever played in these kind of conditions… this is so good,” Azkals team captain Aly Borromeo said.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) worked on the rehabilitation of the 77-year-old stadium for the Philippines vs Sri Lanka home game on July 3.

The PFF had the holes in the old pitch filled to prevent the players from being injured. Even the grass on the field has been trimmed.

Borromeo said that he and his team are eager to play in front of their countrymen now that the stadium has been repaired.

“We think about it everyday… we're so excited,” he said.

Before the home game, the Azkals will be playing Sri Lanka in Colombo on June 29.

Filipino-British striker Phil Younghusband is also exited to rejoin his team after rehabbing his injury.
He joined the Azkals’ practice at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.

Younghusband hadn't been with the team since March 15 after suffering a torn hamstring.
“[I’m] so happy… I’ll be getting stronger,” said Younghusband.

The PFF is now mapping out the seating plan in the football stadium in preparation for the home game.
The stadium, which can accommodate up to 30,000 people, has played host to several international football games. – With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

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Azkals tipped to beat Sri Lanka side

source: BY BONG PEDRALVEZ

MALAYSIAN national coach Krishnasamy Rajagobal expects the Philippines, based on its current record and world rankings, to hurdle Sri Lanka in the opening round of their Asian World Cup qualifiers kicking off in Colombo on June 29.

"Looking at it on paper, the Philippines should beat Sri Lanka," said Rajagobal, the featured guest speaker in the 1st Philippine Football Conference organized by the PFF technical committee headed by former national coach Aris Caslib.

The two-day affair was held at the San Beda College in Mendiola, Manila over the weekend.

After their successful stint in the Asian Group stages last March in Myanmar, where they placed second to enter the main draw for 2012, the Azkals are presently ranked No. 154 in the FIFA ratings, 19 rungs higher than the Sri Lankans, who are ranked 173.

But the 54-year-old Selangor native, who is credited for Malaysia’s recent successes in the 2009 Laos Southeast Asian Games and last year’s Suzuki Cup, cautioned the Filipino booters from being overconfident because "first and foremost, you have to show respect to all teams."

"Remember that Sri Lanka beat India in the South Asian Football Federation tournament and was runner-up in the Asian Challenge Cup in 2006," added Rajagobal, who is also set to prepare his own charges for their World Cup qualifier against Chinese-Taipeh kicking off on the same date in Taipeh.

He said he is Malaysia would advance to the next stage at the expense of the Taiwanese, setting up a second-round showdown with traditional rival Singapore.

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Rival school teams may be future of PHL football

source: by MAV C. GONZALES

“Free up space before you attack the goal!" shouted Paref Southridge football Coach Ryan Lorenzo while watching his team play.

Spectators screamed for the two teams, while antsy parents fancied themselves coaches too while sitting in foldable chairs on the sidelines.

On the pitch, 22 guys play football in the Sunday morning heat like national pride is at stake.

Call them Azkal puppies. These boys aged 6-7 are among the best for their age.

It’s actually just a friendly match between rival football grade school powerhouses Ateneo and Paref Southridge School, each fielding a team of incoming grade two pupils. Despite playing in their home pitch, the younger Ateneo booters fell to Southridge, 5-1.

Rivals

Ateneo and Southridge are like Ateneo and La Salle when it comes to kiddie football. Superb football programs can help explain why these two schools always happen to go up against each other in football championships.

“Ever since I started coaching – and I started coaching almost nine years ago – we always meet Ateneo in the championships of different football tournaments," explains Coach Ryan.

“Siguro it’s because Ateneo and Southridge have very good football programs, compared to other schools that are not yet as organized."

Back in 2009, Southridge beat Ateneo in the RIFA Cup Championships. But the Blue Booters were able to get back at their rivals in their 2010 finals meeting.

“Best day ever," gushed eight-year-old Andy Roxas, Ateneo’s main striker, kids about their revenge.

Start them young

“Yung mga daddy pa nila [2003 players] ang tinuturuan ko dati," laughs Ateneo Coach Lyndon Zamora who’s been with the team for 16 years now.

He’s pretty much seen the birth and development (literally and figuratively) of these kids, and he attests that it’s always best to start a child young in sports.

Asked if he doesn’t get headaches from rowdy children in football clinics, he just smiles and says, “Behaved naman sila. Masaya at tsaka masarap turuan ang mga bata basta sumunod lang sila."

Most of the players in Ateneo and Southridge were born in 2003, long before the Azkals sparked a surge of popularity in the sport in the Philippines. That probably explains why there are only a handful of exceptional kiddie footballers in the country.

One of these is Amos Magsumbol, midfielder and second striker of the Ateneo squad.

Amos started playing when he was only three years old.

“Actually, I wanted him to try basketball. But nung nasa court na sila, he started kicking yung bola ng basketball," recalls his dad Tonio.

He eventually joined the Ateneo Football Club summer program where he scored all 11 goals in their 11-1 win over the other participants. Upon entering Ateneo prep school, he was immediately invited to join the football team. Now, he’s one of the best defenders in his age bracket nationwide.

Future Azkals

While these kids still have a long way to go, it's not far-fetched that some may end up playing for the national team. In fact, both Ateneo and Southridge have represented the country in various international competitions.

Next weekend, the Southridge boys will fly to Singapore to compete in the Anza Tournament where they will be facing teams from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Brazilian and Arsenal football clubs will also see action in the tourney.

“We’re playing higher divisions in this competition so we’re not expecting to win this year. But next year, given the experience we’ll get, we’re going to be contenders in that cup. Pati yung field memorized na ng mga bata by that time," says Coach Ryan.

The star of Southridge is its team captain and striker Sandro Roxas.

“Sandro’s in a league of his own," says Coach Ryan.

And that’s not just love for your own. Sandro is the back-to-back MVP of the Alaska Cup. Back in 2009, he scored 23 goals in just one tournament.

Since he’s a forward, he idolizes Phil Younghusband of the Azkals and aspires to be a scorer for the national team too. The self-confident Fil-Chinese-Spanish mestizo says he also wants to grace billboards like his role model.

Still kids

Beyond their fierce encounters on the football field, these boys (or more appropriately little men – that’s what their tans and fit little bodies tell me) are basically good friends.

And they don’t forget to be kids despite their varsity duties. Take Andy for example. If he’s not scoring 15 goals in one game, he spends his time playing soccer on his Play Station or collecting Match Attax trading cards.

And the reward after their tune-up game? Pizza. -- OMG/HS, GMA News

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Ajax, Manchester United celebrate league titles

source: London— Reuters

Manchester United won a record 19th English league title with one match to spare as Manchester City lifted the FA Cup, while Ajax Amsterdam secured a 30th Dutch title on the final day of the season. In other European league where the titles had already been decided, the focus switched to relegation issues with Sampdoria condemned to Italy’s second tier while Real Zaragoza are on the brink in Spain, where Valencia secured a Champions League spot.

Double hopefuls Lille won the French Cup and Racing Lens went down in Ligue 1.

ENGLAND
 
Manchester United got the point they needed to secure the Premier League title, drawing 1-1 at Blackburn Rovers to win a record 19th English league title thanks to a Wayne Rooney equaliser from the penalty spot.

The Champions League finalists were forced to share the limelight with their neighbours Manchester City, who beat Stoke City 1-0 in the FA Cup final to win their first trophy for 35 years.
Last year’s champions Chelsea are likely to grab the runners-up spot as they can only be caught on points and have a far better goal difference than Manchester City, who can overtake third-placed Arsenal if they beat Stoke on Tuesday.

West Ham United were relegated after squandering a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic. Two teams out of Wigan, Blackpool, Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers will be relegated next Sunday.

SPAIN
After Barcelona wrapped up their third consecutive title in midweek, Valencia made sure of third place and automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League when they drew 0-0 with neighbours Levante and nearest rivals Villarreal lost 3-1 at home to Real Madrid.

Real’s second and third goals were scored by former world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo, his 37th and 38th in the league this season and 50th and 51st in all competitions.

His league tally equals the record jointly held by former Real striker Hugo Sanchez (1989/90) and former Athletic Bilbao forward Telmo Zarraonandia, known as Zarra (1950/51), and he has one more match next weekend in which to set a new best.

Valencia have 68 points from 37 matches, six ahead of Villarreal, who are assured of fourth and go into the qualifying round for Europe’s elite club competition.

Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid made sure of places in the Europa League as eighth-placed Espanyol lost 1-0 at third-bottom Real Zaragoza to fall out of contention.

ITALY
Sampdoria, fourth last term, were relegated after a 2-1 home defeat by Palermo and will join Brescia and Bari in Serie B next season.

Udinese remained on course for the fourth Champions League qualifying berth with a 2-0 victory at Chievo. Lazio are two points behind heading into the final weekend of the season following their 4-2 success over Genoa.

AS Roma are out of the race for fourth after a last-gasp 2-1 loss at Catania while seventh-placed Juventus suffered more woe in a 1-0 defeat by Parma.

AC Milan celebrated the scudetto they wrapped up last weekend with a 4-1 win over Cagliari.


FRANCE
Ligue 1 leaders Lille lifted the French Cup after a bizarre late Ludovic Obraniak free kick sealed a 1-0 win over last year’s winners Paris St Germain and set up the prospect of a surprise double.

Second-placed Olympique Marseille could only draw 2-2 at FC Lorient so Lille can effectively seal the title if they win their game in hand at home to Sochaux on Wednesday.

Racing Lens were relegated but their 1-1 draw with Monaco dragged the principality team back into the bottom three.

GERMANY
Champions Borussia Dortmund celebrated their title-winning season with a 3-1 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt which sent their opponents into the second division on the last day of the season.
Bayer Leverkusen held on to second place with a 1-0 win at Freiburg to book their automatic Champions League qualification, leaving Bayern Munich in third with a spot in the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Five-times Bundesliga champions Borussia Moenchengladbach will face VfL Bochum, who finished third in the second division, in a relegation playoff later this month.

NETHERLANDS
Ajax Amsterdam won their first league title since 2004 when they beat Twente Enschede 3-1 to leapfrog their championship rivals and settle an exciting battle on the final day of the season.

Ajax, who were a point behind 2010 champions Twente going into the match, secured victory thanks to two goals from Siem de Jong to capture the Dutch title for the 30th time.

PORTUGAL
Champions Porto became the first team in 33 years to complete a Portuguese Premier League season undefeated by winning 2-0 at Maritimo with goals by winger Silvestre Varela and Brazilian striker Walter.

Porto had clinched their 25th title last month and completed the season with 84 points after 27 wins and three draws.

Last season’s champions Benfica drew 3-3 at home to Uniao Leiria to finish second on 63 points and will play in the third qualifying round of the Champions League next season, with Porto going straight into the group stage.

Sporting beat Braga 1-0 away to overtake the northern side and claim third place, with both clubs entering the Europa League qualifying stage next season.

SCOTLAND
Rangers won their third successive Scottish Premier League title after a 5-1 victory at Kilmarnock ensured they finished a point ahead of bitter Glasgow rivals Celtic.

The win featured a Kyle Lafferty hat-trick and ensured manager Walter Smith headed into retirement on a high. He will be replaced in the Ibrox hotseat by his assistant Ally McCoist.

GREECE
AEK Athens are leading the chase for Greece’s second Champions League spot after strolling to a 3-0 win over PAOK Salonika to move two points clear at the top of the playoff table.

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