Azkals, Malaysia battle to scoreless draw

SHAH ALAM (http://phfootballscribe.wordpress.com)

The Philippines held its own against Malaysia, coming away with a scoreless draw against the reigning Suzuki Cup champions at the Shah Alam Stadium here Friday night. Playing the first of three friendly matches in a space of 12 days, the Azkals weren’t able to make the most out of their chances, particularly in the second half, before surviving a strong finish by the Malaysians. It marked the second straight draw for both teams, after they also played to a 1-1 stalemate in Malaysia last February. The Azkals needed a fine performance from goalkeeper Roland Muller to keep a clean sheet in their first match since the 4-3 win over Palestine in the AFC Challenge Cup. Stephan Schrock returned to the Azkals’ lineup after an 11 month layoff, and he was involved in most of the Azkals’ chances in a dour opening half. Schrock had a volley going over the bar after fine work from Angel Guirado on the right flank. Earlier, Denis Wolf had a gilt-edge chance gone begging when he sent his shot just narrowly wide after he was released on the left by Juani Guirado. The Malaysians were particularly wasteful with Safiq Rahim, blowing three clear-cut chances in the second half. The Azkals return to Manila Saturday. They face Indonesia in another friendly on June 5 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Football Azkals manager Palami says Ramos sexual harassment case a ‘misunderstanding’

www.interaksyon.com

"It was just a “misunderstanding.”

This was how Philippine national men’s football team manager Dan Palami described the incident involving former Philippine Olympic Committee president Cristy Ramos and Azkals members Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado.

Ramos filed a complaint to the Asian Football Confederation alleging that she was sexually harassed by Moy and Guirado last Wednesday, prior to the Azkals’ friendly against Malaysia, for which she served as match commissioner.

“As I called the players individually so that we could check their accreditation cards and kits, Philippine player LEXTON MOY (no. 25) stood by my right side and said in a loud voice ‘Must be a B cup,’ to which the players laughed loudly,” said Ramos in her letter to the AFC. “As I was the only female in the room, he was apparently referring to my bra size.”

“Additionally when I checked Philippine player ANGEL GUIRADO (no. 12) he stood in front of me purposely just wearing his briefs and made no attempts to wear shorts or cover his underwear. Again, the players loudly laughed while I was checking this player.”

In an interview with News5, Palami said that team management is taking seriously Ramos’ allegations, but added that it is trying to be fair to all parties.

Palami also said that it was the first time that the Azkals were assigned a female match commissioner, and that the Azkals were not able to adjust immediately to her presence in the locker room.

But Ramos belied Palami’s assertion, saying that it was her third assignment as match commissioner for the Azkals.

Because of Ramos’ complaint, Palami had to delay his flight to Kathmandu, Nepal, where the Azkals are slated to compete in the AFC Challenge Cup. Members of the squad already left the country on Friday.

Younghusbands’ manager blasts Ramos

Cathy Rivilla, the manager of Azkals members James and Phil Younghusband, blasted Ramos for involving one of her wards in the issue.

In Ramos’ letter, she took issue with the fact that James Younghusband, the team’s captain, did not make “any attempts to discipline the players and tell them to behave properly.”

Rivilla called Ramos’ complaint “grandstanding,” and said that Younghusband should have been left out of the letter.

Ramos, however, said that she was merely describing the sequence of events, and brushed off the accusation.

Cristy Ramos files Sexual Harassment Complaint against Moy and Guirado

http://www.interaksyon.com/

Former Philippine Olympic Committee president Cristy Ramos has filed a complaint with the Asian Football Confederation against Philippine national men’s football players Angel Guirado and Lexton Moy over an incident in the Azkals’ friendly versus Malaysia last Wednesday.

Ramos, a FIFA official who served as commissioner for the friendly, said that the incident happened when she conducted a team check in the Azkals’ locker room prior to the match.

“As I called the players individually so that we could check their accreditation cards and kits, Philippine player LEXTON MOY (no. 25) stood by my right side and said in a loud voice ‘Must be a B cup,’ to which the players laughed loudly,” said Ramos in her letter to the AFC. “As I was the only female in the room, he was apparently referring to my bra size.”

“Additionally when I checked Philippine player ANGEL GUIRADO (no. 12) he stood in front of me purposely just wearing his briefs and made no attempts to wear shorts or cover his underwear. Again, the players loudly laughed while I was checking this player.”

Ramos said that she had already met with Azkals team manager Dan Palami on Friday, prior to the team’s departure to Kathmandu, Nepal, where it is slated to compete in the AFC Challenge Cup.

“Dan Palami was very apologetic,” said Ramos. “And I was given an assurance by Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta that they will conduct their own investigation and will act on this matter right away.”

Ramos added that the incident was her first untoward incident in her career as a FIFA official.

“I have been match commissioner 200 times and this was the only time I’ve experienced such. Masakit sa akin dahil sa Philippine team pa nangyari,” she said.




Ramos complaint to the AFC follows in full:


ATTN: AFC DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE (Mr LIM KIA TONG, Chairman)

RE: SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINT AGAINST PHILIPPINE MEN’S TEAM PLAYERS LEXTON MOY AND ANGEL GUIRADO (PHILIPPINES VS MALAYSIA, 29 FEB 2012, MANILA, PHILIPPINES)

Dear Mr Lim:

This to file a formal complaint against Messrs LEXTON MOY (no. 25) and ANGEL GUIRADO (no. 12) of the Philippine men’s national football team, for SEXUAL HARASSMENT during the team check for the friendly match between the Philippines and Malaysia (both “A” teams) on 29 February 2012, 1900H, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, Manila, Philippines.

During the Team Managers’ Meeting on 28 February 2012 at the Discovery Suites in Pasig City, Philippines, I mentioned to the representatives of both the Philippine team and the Malaysian team that I would be serving as the Match Commissioner for their match. As stated in the AFC’s regulations and Official Countdown, the Match Commissioner together with the Fourth Official check the teams before the match to verify their identification (accreditation) cards and ensure that their kits are in proper order. However, being a woman Match Commissioner doing a men’s match, I had to explain that I would give the teams sufficient warning and preparation time before I would come inside their changing rooms to do the team check together with the Fourth Official, Mr Wilfredo Bermejo.

Whenever I serve as the Match Commissioner, I always follow a standard procedure for the team check regardless of the type of match. At the time of the check I initially knock loudly at the door of the changing room as a sign of courtesy and warning to the team, and then let the Fourth Official first enter the changing room to check if the players are ready before I finally enter the room. Before doing the check itself, I properly introduce myself as the Match Commissioner and also introduce the Fourth Official. I also explain the procedure of how the check will be done. I always tell the players that I will be checking their accreditation cards first then their jerseys, and that the Fourth Official will thereafter check the rest of their kits and other items, e.g., jewellery, hair accessories, fingernails etc. I also tell them the sequence of the check, i.e., I check the starting 11 players first then proceed with the substitutes.

At the appointed time (1745H) on match day, I came to the changing room of the Philippine team for the team check. I was accompanied by Fourth Official Wilfredo Bermejo and my liaison officer, Mr Joseph Gensaya. I initially knocked loudly at the door to signal my arrival. A team official opened the door and said that the team would be ready in five (5) minutes. We then waited for five minutes presuming that the team was getting ready for the team check. When we entered the changing room of the Philippine team, I properly introduced ourselves and explained the procedure for the check. In spite of the introduction the players remained rowdy and noisy, apparently not taking the team check seriously and almost ignoring our presence. As I called the players individually so that we could check their accreditation cards and kits, Philippine player LEXTON MOY (no. 25) stood by my right side and said in a loud voice “Must be a B cup,” to which the players laughed loudly. As I was the only female in the room, he was apparently referring to my bra size. He could not have been talking about men’s athletic cups, as their sizes are specified as extra-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large vis-a-vis cup sizes of women’s brassieres, which are specified in letters. Additionally when I checked Philippine player ANGEL GUIRADO (no. 12) he stood in front of me purposely just wearing his briefs and made no attempts to wear shorts or cover his underwear. Again, the players loudly laughed while I was checking this player.

While all this was happening, none of the Philippine team officials present nor the team captain, JAMES JOSEPH YOUNGHUSBAND (no. 7), made any attempts to discipline the players and tell them to behave properly. In fact they were also laughing and seemed to be enjoying the revelry at my expense. Philippine Team Manager DAN STEPHEN PALAMI and Philippine Head Coach HANS MICHAEL WEISS were both not present in the changing room at the time of the team check.

Having been a Match Commissioner for girls’, women’s, boys’ and men’s matches since 2003 at both AFC and FIFA levels, I have not experienced this crude and totally shameful behaviour from a national team anywhere before this incident. I truly regret and feel very ashamed that this disrespect comes from the national team of my country, the Philippines. This kind of sexist and demeaning behaviour has no place in football, and should therefore be sanctioned.

Sincerely,

Cristina RAMOS
Past Member, Organising Committee for the FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women’s World Cups (2004-2011)
Past Member, AFC Women’s Committee (2003-2010)
Past President, Philippine Olympic Committee (1996-1999)

Predicted Starting 11 of Philippine Azkals against LA Galaxy

Coach Weiss will use the 4-4-2 formation. So here's my predicted lineup

Goal Keeper

01.1 Eduard Sacapano / Paolo Pascual

Note: Roland Muller and Neil Etheridge is not available

Defenders

02. Ray Jonsonn

03. Rob Gier

04. Anton del Rosario

05. Replacer for Aly Borromeo(injured): Jason Sabio / Carli de Murga

Midfielders

06. Chieffy Caligdong - Team Captain

07. Jason de Jong

08. Chris Greatwich / Manny Ott

09. James Younghusband

Forwards

10. Phil Younghusband

11. Ian Araneta / Angel Guirado

MALAYSIA RETAIN PRESTIGIOUS FOOTBALL GOLD MEDAL (SEA Games 2011), TWO FANS DIE

www. aseanfootball.org - Malaysian skipper Baddrol Bakhtiar and goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat prevailed in the penalty shootout 4-3 to ensure Malaysia retained the prestigious SEA Games gold medal in a thrilling final in front of a capacity 80,000 fans at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium here tonight.

Indonesia took the early lead through defender Gunawan Dwi Cahyo but Malaysia equalised through Mohd Asraruddin Omar in the 36th minute. The score remained unchanged after extratime. In the shootout, Khairul Fahmi saved the fifth kick while Baddrol drilled it down the centre to hand Malaysia the gold.

For Malaysia, today’s hard-fought victory has proven that they are the rising force of the game in the region. After winning the SEA Games gold two years ago in Laos, the Malaysians went on to wrest the AFF Suzuki Cup title last year.

While Malaysia were celebrating, it was heartbreak for Indonesia today as the result was a repeat of the 1997 SEA Games football where they had to settle for the silver after losing to Thailand in the shootout. That was also the last time Indonesia had qualified for the football final.

There was also extremely sad news tonight as two Indonesian fans died and many more were injured in a crush inside the stadium. According to the organisers, at the time of posting this story, the numbers of injured could be more.

In tonight’s final, Indonesia had the perfect start when defender Gunawan nodded his team ahead just five minutes into the game. Patrich had taken a shot which slammed into a defender and went out. From the ensuing corner kick by Oktovianus, a rising shot that dipped at the far post, an unmarked Gunawan easily headed the ball straight in.

Malaysia, which were without the services of Syahrul Azawari, Mohamad Fandi Othman and Izzaq Faris Ramlan, had a fine chance to level the score in the 12th minute but Mohd Asraruddin Omar’s solid header off a cross from Baddrol flew directly into the arms of Kurnia Meiga. Malaysia had two missed chances from Thamil Arasu and Mohd Irfan Fazail in 17th and 19 minutes.

Asraruddin’s header, again off a cross from Baddrol, missed the mark again in the 27th minute. But in the 36th minute, the Baddrol-Asraruddin connection finally hit the jackpot. Baddrol raced in on the right but was blocked by a defender, he however managed to pick up the rebound, slip past a defender and sent in a cross into the six-yard box. As the ball was low, Asraruddin went down on his knees to head in the cross, which squeezed past two defenders and goalkeeper.

Indonesia, with Patrich and Titus in front, shot back into attack but were unable to breach the tight Malaysian defence.

The action was intense after the break with both sides chasing the game. The Indoensian strikeforce did not relent but they were constantly cut off by the hardworking Malaysian defernders. The Malaysian attack, with only Thamil Arasu upfront, had their chances but failed to get through due to poor finishing.

In the 59th minute, Patrich burst through but Khairul Fahmi was quick to close in on him and block the attempt. Patrich had the fans screaming in the 65th minute after making his way in from the right only to see his shot hit the side-netting.

Indonesia made two changes Ferdinand Sinaga for Andik and Hendro Siswanto for Mahardiga Lasut in the 66th and 71st minutes. That fired up the attack somewhat as the players on the pitch were clearly tiring. It was the same with the Malaysian players who also showed signs of slowing down.

With six minutes to go, Baddrol, off a freekick, unleashed a stinger but it was saved by Kurnia who did well to push it out. In the last minute, Oktovianus’ coner kick found Gunawan but he was unable to keep his shot down and add to his tally.

The first half of extratime saw Patrich being replaced by Ramdani Lestaluhu while Malaysia took out goal-scorer Asraruddin for Mohamad Fandi Othman. Titus had the best strike in the 103rd minute but Khairul Fahmi saved the Malaysian goal.

In the final half of extratime, Titus also had the best chance but his header went just over the crossbar. In the very last moments of the game, the fans were on their feet when Ferdinand went down in the box. Referee Togo Minoru instead booked Ferdinand for diving.

Watch Philippine Azkals vs. Hongkong LIVESTREAM

Just click the tab AzkalsLive Stream (Phil vs. Hongkong)

Meet the 'Azkals' of Barcelona, Real Madrid

A screenshot of football.cebunetwork.com showing a photo of Real Madrid goalkeeper Eduardo Teus López-Navarro and the Philippine flag at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Photo by AFC women's committee member Cristina Ramos

MANILA, Philippines - Before the exploits of former Chelsea youth players Phil and James Younghusband and Neil Etheridge for the Philippine Azkals made headlines, Filipinos were already making their mark for top European football teams, particularly with Spanish giants and archrivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The Philippines, which was under Spanish colonial rule for more than 300 years, had football as a major sport. When the Americans came, basketball became dominant and replaced Filipinos' interest in the beautiful game.

Barca's all-time top goalscorer

Many Filipino football aficionados are aware of Paulino Alcantara, who is arguably the country's best player of the sport in history.

Alcantara, who was born in Iloilo in 1896, played for Catalan side Barcelona FC from 1912 to 1927.

He remains as the highest goal scorer in the club's history with 357 goals in 357 games.

Alcantara also made his Barca debut at the age of 15, and is the youngest player to play or score for the club.

"His ability to hit the most powerful of shots crossed frontiers on the 30th April 1922 when, in a game between Spain and France, he hit a shot so hard that it ripped right through the net. For many years after, children from Barcelona would recall that moment and would wish to do the same as the man from the Philippines," Barcelona's official website says.

Alcantara, who won 15 titles for the Blaugrana, also saw action for the Philippines in the 1917 Far Eastern Games, helping the Nationals bring home a silver medal.

The Philippines defeated Japan 15–2 in the Games, the country's biggest win in international football.

Alcantara also won 2 titles for the Bohemian Sporting Club in the Philippines Championship in 1917 and 1918.

At age 31, Alcantara retired in 1927 to become a doctor. He also later served in Barcelona's board of directors from 1931 to 1934.

Real Madrid shotstopper

While "El Romperedes" (The Net Breaker) was terrorizing Barcelona's opponents, another Filipino was manning the goal for archrivals Real Madrid.

Eduardo Teus López-Navarro, or simply Teus, was goalkeeper for Los Merengues from 1913 to 1918.

He won 7 titles with Real Madrid, including a Copa del Rey (King's Cup).

A photo on Real Madrid's website shows Teus and the Copa del Rey winners.

Teus, who was born in Manila in 1896, also served as head coach of La Furia Roja -- the Spanish national team -- from 1941 to 1942.

Alcantara and Teus faced each other twice in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey.

The striker won the first clash, 2-1, in favor of Barcelona. The goalkeeper emerged victorious in the second encounter, 4-2, in favor of Real Madrid, according to Filipinofooties.

Teus won a total of 6 Campeonatos Regionales Partidos and a Copa del Rey with Real Madrid.

The most emotionally moving photo of Teus that can be found on the Internet has to be the Filipino-Spaniard and the Philippine national flag during an exhibit at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu.

The photograph, submitted by Asian Football Confederation women's committee member Cristina Ramos to Cebu Football, shows a photo of Teus and the flag alongside French legendary midfielder Zinedine Zidane and other foreign players who have suited up for Los Blancos.

Other Pinoys in the Spanish top flight

Aside from Alcantara and Teus, other Filipinos also saw action for Barcelona, Real Madrid, and several teams in the Spanish football league.

Barça had 3 Pinoy players: Alcantara, Manuel Amechazurra, and Juan Garchitorena, while Real Madrid had Teus and Kaimo, said lawyer and football enthusiast Jorenz Tañada.

Other Filipinos who played in the La Liga include Samar-born Julio Uriarte García, a defender for Zaragoza from 1939 to 1943; Negros Occidental-born Gregorio Amestoy Querejeta, who was a midfielder for Zaragoza, Atletico Madrid, and Gimnastic de Tarragona from 1939 to 1948, Manileño Marcelino Galatians, who saw action for Real Sociedad San Sebastian and Atletico Madrid; and Camarines Sur native Ignacio Larrauri, who was a striker for Athletic de Bilbao from 1941 to 1942, according to Filipinofooties.

2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) section of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification sees teams competing for berths in the final tournament in Brazil. As in recent tournaments the AFC will have four direct qualifiers for the finals tournament in addition to a further possible place via the inter-confederation play-offs against CONMEBOL's fifth-placed team, which was chosen through a random draw, rather than being decided by FIFA beforehand as in previous tournaments (e.g., 2010 against a team from OFC, 2006 against a team from CONCACAF).

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Kuwait vs Phil Azklas: Live Stream for tonight's game.

Pls wait until 11:00 PM of this day...

WATCH HERE:

The First Real Madrid C.F. Logo

The first crest had a simple design consisting of a decorative interlacing of the three initials of the club, "MCF" for Madrid Club de Fútbol.