 by Daryl Lagos Azkals United After just a win by the Azkals hosting powerhouse Singapore in Cebu last Thursday, Coach Weiss fielded in a starting line-up of younger guns and players who has now graduated from representing the U23 side. Significantly, this move was also displayed in clinching the Philippines first international title in the Peace Cup 2012 which also saw our younger nationals mixing up with familiar standouts. In support of the grass roots effort, a much younger pack of Azkals need to be developed if we want to sustain football in the Philippines that is now breaking on to the world. I would like to introduce 16 year old Dominic Liam Del Rosario, born on 14 November 1996 who is an Irish-Filipino now residing in Australia. I spoke to Dominic's mom, Ms. Chastine on about Dom's development and current activity. Last month, both of them flew to UK and mailed me; " Good day Daryl, Football season just ended in Sydney Australia that's why we are here in UK as he got a call for a trial in Manchester City and Blackpool. However, we are returning back to Sydney next week as he has school commitments. He played at the following clubs in Australia: Australian Football Club Liverpool Olympic Football Club Southwest Wanderers Football Club in which are all under the Southern District of New South Wales He is also a representative player of the World Football Club in Sydney where he was brought to the UK (Manchester area) to play against other teams here. This is where he was noticed by different scouts and have been asked to trial. "  Dominic is left footer who can utilize both feet anyway, he plays Left Winger, Midfielder, Striker positions and has been a constant goal scorer. Below are some of his achievements and honors; - Currently attending World Football Group Academy - Have been offered to be assessed by Blackburn Rovers Football Club Academy England on 10 October 2012 however due to flight schedule this has been extended for a few months - Played for Manchester City Football Club Selective under 16’s against Liverpool Football Club in United Kingdom on 8 October 2012 - Trialled and trained with Manchester City Football Club and Blackpool Football Club in the United Kingdom August 2012 to October 2012 - Captain of World Football Group Academy under 16’s and played against the following clubs in the United Kingdom (Blackpool Football Club, Sheffield United Football Club, Manchester City Football Club and Fleetwood Football Club all in the under 16’s)  Dominic has proven on several occasions he is capable of playing at the highest level in his age group. He is keen to continue his football aspirations and achieve its highest level of play. He aims to play football in the United Kingdom ( EPL - like every boy's dream ) and wants to represent the Philippines Azkals at the National level. 5 Comments  Photo by: Anton Sheker by Daryl Lagos The victory could not have been so much sweeter when the nation of basketball crazy population have waited 99 years to be declared winners of an international footballing event. It was in the Far Eastern Games (ASIAN GAMES) 1913 when the Philippines had last won gold. There was no loss on record for the Azkals in the Philippines Peace Cup 2012. The likes of Macau, Guam and Chinese Taipei were a fair test for team that is preparing for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012. The most prestigious ASEAN Cup ever! It is also the same event back in 2010 that saw the Philippines rise from the ashes.  Photo by:Anton Sheker The championship night was sealed off by goals from Dennis Santos Wolf, Skipper Chieffy Caligdong and OJ Porteria. This is also the 1st win over final's rival Chinese Taipei in 7 Clashes. The Azkals played class in all 3 matches that in turned sealed them to sweep the entire tournament. This also reflected in the awarding ceremony that saw Dennis Wolf, as the Golden Boot Awardee & Most Valuable Player, Mathew Uy was declared the best Mid-Fielder while Jeff Christiaens taking home best defender award. Eduard Sacapano hailed as the best Goalkeeper taking command in the absence of GK Neil Etheridge & Roland Muller. All these players came from the Philippine National Football team. Shining through the night was the trophy for the Champions that was also won by the Philippines. Though a minor tournament, Azkals Coach Weiss was confident that this win will boost the national side's confidence in competing to what he would call as the "Climax" of these entire preparation..The AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 in November. FIFA has also released the World Rankings that now sees the Philippines at 147, 21st in Asia, and 3rd in South East Asia. This has been the nation's highest rank in history...yet. 
by @daryllagos Great Shots by Anton Sheker The Azkals coming off a strengthening process after reaching historical milestones such as the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 3rd place finish are approaching an almost new phase in their preparations for the the region's most prestigious tournament, the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012. The Philippines started off with a draw in Cambodia, 0-0 Score line last Wednesday did not really reflect the story that went with it. We had the upper hand as to controlling the match tempo and creating chances but was just not able to finish with a goal. Quite unlucky too as we could have scored but it's either the post saving it for Cambodia, or us missing it an inch wide and hitting it a little off target. The pitch was horrible and as if it was not meant to be for us...rain made it even more worst. No argument, many people said that we could have done better but this is football. One big revelation however, is the quality shown by Filipino-Belgian Patrick Reichelt who came in as a impact-sub in the later half. Expectations are high but these friendlies are tests for the team to know where and when to put on the needed adjustments. Winning is great, but the journey towards it is even greater. 
Friday, Sept. 7, 2012 saw the Azkals battling regional football powerhouse Singapore. The Philippines twisting history again by defeating The Lions 2 - 0 in what many would describe as a glimpse of our potentials best displayed. Bob Guerrero would account this win for the Philippines as the 1st in the last 40 Years. FIFA would revealed our country defeating Singapore in 1972 with the same score. 
Chieffy Caligdong scored in the 1st goal creating a shot for himself at 8' minute mark, followed by a precise curve shot by Phil Younghusband for the 2nd goal in the 48' minute at the 2nd half. Our defenders being led by Rob Gier, Jason Sabio, Carli De Murga and Jeffrey Christiaens were solid to help fend off Singapore's attack providing much needed defensive cover for our No.1 GK Neil Etherdige at the post. The arrival of Filipino-German Stephan Schrock and playing along side with the team Vs Singapore is one big boost for the Philippines. Schrock was involved in a number of visionary passing that helped scored both goals. An assist to Chieffy and a great ball to set Phil Younghusband made a lot of difference. Stephan would then say that he is just a small piece of the team and that everyone played a great game. 
Everyone has been waiting for the most formidable Azkals squad ever, but the hardship of trying to get our best team is always a work in progress since many of them still play for their European clubs. Having get them to play together for a short period is a leisure for both the country and the management but it is never impossible. The Azkals is now enjoying a little bit more flexibility in trying to field the best squad in every match. The move of Fil-Europeans like Jason De Jong, Dennis Wolf and Patrick Reichelt for instance to our United Football League (UFL) is instrumental to the success of the national team. Younger players are influenced and more Filipinos are taking on the challenge than ever before with the emergence of professional football in the country. A young 9 year old Filipino kid Sandro Reyes has been accepted to Barcelona's Futbol Escola, the development of our grass root programs and the recent partnership of DEPed & PFF. The many more undiscovered young Filipino talents in the country with football genes waiting to be polished...the future looks promising. The Philippines National Football Team is now on its 3rd and final ASEAN 3-Nation tour in Laos. They will play a friendly game with the host country on Monday, Sept. 10, 2012. The Azkals will miss the services of Phil & James Younghusband which is due to a very important family commitment, while Jerry Lucena has been recalled by his club, the final line up for LAOS is listed below from the Official Site. 
Success is wanting to reach a pinnacle with no limits.- @daryllagos
The following national team players have been called up for the friendly against Laos on September 10, 2012. Goalkeepers: Neil Leonard Etheridge, Eduard Sacapano, Ref Delany Cuaresma Defenders: David Mark Basa, Robert James Gier, Jason Abbott Sabio, Carlos Alberto Martinez de Murga, Roel Gener Midfielders: Marwin Angeles, Marvin Angeles, Misagh Bahadoran, Emelio Caligdong, Jeffrey Christiaens, Jason Nicolas Maria De Jong, Nestorio Margarse Jr., Paul Mulders, Jose Elmer Porteria, Andres Crisanto Gonzales, Patrick Reichelt, Stephan Schrock Forwards: Ian Araneta, Denis Wolf  Photo of Team 1 Credits: Nike.com By Daryl Lagos Many are chosen, but only 3 made it to the Global Top 100 from the UK National Finals and top 4 was UK Born Filipino, Curt Dizon. I bought a NIke mercurial shoes about 4 months ago and saw on the tag that came in with the shoes was "Get The Chance - Register" I had no clue that it will truly be something awesome until I heard about Nike's football camp across countries all over the world. In the UK draft of 5000 entries, Curt Dizon made his cut to the top 50 and 28, It must have been crazy just having to think about this young man's experience in the football camp that was not set for training...but rather a competition. Curt is seen in this picture 2nd from the right on a bottom row. This article will give you a personal insight on Curt Dizon written by J. Henson UK-BORN PINOY SEES AZKALS TRY-OUT The Video will tour your around the Nike: Chance - UK National Finals, Curt Dizon making a goal with a curve strike to top it off.  Show your support! Show them All-Out! and Show them in style! Buy a kit and donate 60% of each sale to the AZKALS U23 team that will compete in this year's SEA Games 2012 in Indonesia! Finally! The Azkals United Kit with your favorite AZKAL Players name printed! Azkals United has been successful in trying to come up with a shirt designs that really catch that fire in its football fever and all out support for the AZKALS, and now, the U23 Squad. We hope to gain more support in fulfilling a fundraiser for the AZKALS U23 Squad which is now under tight selection process led by Coach Michael Weiss and the whole U23 Coaching Staff. Check out the immediate AZKALS Game Sched! AZKALS GAMES ABOUT THE FOOTBALL KIT Jersey (Dri-Fit Material) Personalized (Choose your favorite AZKAL Players name on the Jersey! ) Front Details : Logo Print and Numbers up front Sleeve Details : Philippine Flag on Right Sleeve Back Details : Player Last Name Number Kit Design/Colors : WHITE or BLUE Exclusive Design! Plus! the chance to actually be part and help the AZKALS Squad because 60% of Sale will be donated to the team instantly!  PAYMENT & CLAIMING Cost of KIT : PHP. 550.00 Only. Payment Inst : Bank Payments 100% Advance Bank Name : BPI Account name: (Use either any of the names below) Pamela Josefina fabie Sarah alaine justo Bank Account No : 3029 1131 21 Scan the details of the deposit slip including your name/account /amount and Email Deposit Slip as confirmation for paying the full amount, this is very important for us to know if you have already paid for your orders. Claiming : Meet Up is set on a particular Location in QC / Makati For Shipping / Home Delivery Buyers are to shoulder the amount Sizes Length / Width (circumference) (in INCHES) XS 29 36 S 29 38 M 30 40 L 30 42 XL 31 44 2XL 32 46 ( Extra 50 Php. for these Sizes ) 3XL 33 48 ( Extra 50 Php. for these Sizes ) HOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER/S Name Contact No. Claiming Mode : Shipping/Meet-up) Shipping Address (for Shipping Option) Mode of Payment : (100% Advance) Qty Color Size Player Name (ALL AZKALS) EXAMPLE FORMAT Fabian Barthez 0916123456 Shipping 435 Offside St. St. Mary, Quezon City (Must be Exact Delivery Address for Shipping Option) Bank Payment - 100% Advance Qty : 1 Color : White Kit Size : Medium Player Name : Stephan Schrock Qty : 2 Color : Blue Kits Size : Large Player Name : Neil Etheridge / Jerry Lucena Qty : 1 Color : White Kit Size : Small Player Name : Roland Muller Email your orders with Subject : FOOTBALL KIT ORDER admin@azkalsunited.com for Quick Updates: Join Azkals Forever http://ow.ly/4jsi8 Our Facebook http://www.facebook.com/azkalsunited Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/AzkalsUnited Thanks everyone! Admins  | Author
Daryl Lagos Join Azkals Forever http://ow.ly/4jsi8
Our Facebook http://www.facebook.com/azkalsunited Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/AzkalsUnited Past Stories
November 2012 CategoriesAll |
RSS Feed