Azkals receive best-ever rating in FIFA rankings

Source: ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals surged in the latest FIFA men’s list for the country’s highest-ever ranking in world football.

From 150, the Philippines jumped three places higher to 147 following their success in the recent Philippine Football Peace Cup.

The Azkals defeated Guam, Macau and Chinese Taipei in the just-concluded tournament to win their first international title in 99 years.

Younghusbands back with the Azkals

Source: ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals have called up Phil and James Younghusband to participate in their 10-day training camp in the Middle East, which starts October 7.

This, after the Younghusband brothers were controversially left out of the Azkals roster for the recently concluded Philippine Football Peace Cup.

In a statement, Azkals team manager Dan Palami said the management decided to include the Younghusbands "after careful consideration."

Archers, Kaya battle to 1-1 draw

Source: Cedelf P Tupas; Philippine Daily Inquirer
Skipper Tating Pasilan struck four minutes from time as Green Archers United held fancied Kaya to a 1-1 draw Tuesday night in the United Football League Cup at  Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Nate Burkey gave Kaya the lead with a fifth minute-strike, but missed a host of chances that could have put the game away for his side in an enthralling Group B clash. 

Pasilan equalized through an indirect free kick from 10 yards out after referee Rey Ritaga caught Kaya goalkeeper Saba Garmaroudi collecting a back pass from Nico Bolzico.

Younghusbands back in Azkals lineup for Middle East Camp

Source: Mark Giongco; Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines – After missing the recently concluded Philippine Football Peace Cup, Phil and James Younghusband are back with the men’s National Football team for its coming Middle East Camp.

The Fil-British brothers, whom the Philippine Football Federation didn’t include in the lineup the last time out citing “economic and non-economic” reasons, will join the Azkals as they face Bahrain and Kuwait in a pair of international friendlies set on October 7-11. 

Expected to lead the Azkals along with the Younghusbands are PH squad fixture Chieffy Caligdong, Peace Cup Golden Boot awardee and MVP Denis Wolf and Angel and Juan Guirado.

Phil, James shrug off 'prima donna' tag

Source: ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines -- For football players Phil and James Younghusband, being reportedly referred to as "prima donnas" by Philippine Azkals coach Michael Weiss is still a matter for clarification.

"Coach Weiss -- English is not his native language... so it's difficult. Sometimes things are misheard or sometimes misunderstood," Phil said during a press conference for an endorsement launch on Tuesday, when asked for his reaction to Weiss' reported reference to them shortly after the Azkals' championship win in the recently  Philippine Football Peace Cup.

Last Saturday, during the Philippine football team's post-match press conference, Weiss was quoted as saying that the current Azkals line-up is "without prima donnas... people who think they already have achieved something in football."

Younghusbands await 'Azkals' callup'

Source: ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines -- After being omitted from the Azkals' lineup in the recently held Philippine Football Peace Cup, football players Phil and James Younghusband said they now only wait for a "call-up" to play again for the Philippine national team.

"That's up to the management. We're always available, we're waiting for that call-up. We're looking forward, if we're getting a call-up to play with the team again," said James, Azkals midfielder, during a press conference for an endorsement launch held Tuesday.

"We've been following the team all week, and we just like to wish Coach [Hans Michael] Weiss a big congratulations. I think they did a great job in the Peace Cup," James added.

Chances of having intact Azkals likely, says PFF chief

Source: Celest R Flores; Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines men’s football squad’s first international title in nearly a century was a product of enough preparation.

That was the assessment of PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta of the Azkals’ success in the recent Philippine Football Peace Cup held here last week.

“It just shows that our preparations really helped. That was the team who went to the United States to train,” said Araneta Tuesday in the weekly PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate in Manila. 

Global begins UFL bid in style

Source: Cedelf P Tupas; Philippine Daily Inquirer
Reigning league champion Global launched its campaign in style, thumping Pasargad, 3-1, last night at the start of the United Football League Cup competition at Rizal Memorial field.

First half goals from Sudanese forward Izo El-Habbib and Carli de Murga and an early second-half strike by Misagh Bahadoran ensured a flying start for the strengthened Global side in Group A.

Pasargad’s Iranian forward Masood Shedidih scored on a sensational strike in the second half to avert the shutout at 3-1. But De Murga moved up to midfield and Global regained control.

Suzuki Cup 'completely different' from Peace Cup: Weiss

Source: ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Azkals head coach Hans Michael Weiss reminded Filipino football fans that the AFF Suzuki Cup is a completely different tournament from the recently concluded Philippine Football Peace Cup.

The Azkals ended a 99-year drought without an international football title when they ran through Macau, Chinese-Taipei and Guam to win the Peace Cup last week.

But in a report on the official Suzuki Cup website, Weiss stressed that the biennial tournament in November will be a whole different animal.

The Azkals make history in an eventful Peace Cup finale

Source: Bob Guerrero; The Passionate Fan

My postgame thoughts on the Azkals' Peace Cup-clinching win over Chinese Taipei.

This was a feel-good moment the Azkals desperately needed. The Philippines was hugely favored to lift this trophy, but the title means more because of the timing. The loss at Laos, the dropping of the team's two most popular players, and the general waning of interest for the team had hung like a cloud over the squad. All that vanished in the wake of a solid 3-1 win over Chinese Taipei. The atmosphere at pitch-side afterwards was jubilant and somewhat reminiscent of the win over Sri Lanka last year. Once again the team is enveloped in good vibes. It needs plenty of that with the Suzuki Cup looming.

Philippine Azkals steamroll Macau

Source: Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) – The Philippine Azkals rode on Dennis Wolf’s hat trick and steamrolled Macau, 5-0, in the 4-nation Philippine Football Peace Cup at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Filipino-German ended his 7-month scoring drought with 3 goals against the hapless Macau team.

Wolf, who hasn’t scored since their game against Malaysia last February, broke free from Macau’s defenders to knock in the first goal in the 21st minute.

Azkals boot for 2nd win versus Macau

Source: Inquirer.net

 
Growing in confidence and looking more comfortable with its free-flowing style, the Philippines seeks a second victory in the Paulino Alcantara Peace Cup against Macau tonight at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Although they left several clear-cut chances begging, the Azkals played some attractive, dynamic football for long stretches in the 1-0 victory over Guam Monday night.