MANILA, Philippines � Balls, the sports channel that brought the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League to the Philippines, kicks off 2011 by airing the United Football League (UFL): It�s Our Game starting Saturday at 6 p.m. with a replay on Jan. 4 at 5:30 p.m. on Studio 23.
The 30-minute weekly program will feature players and teams competing in the UFL as well as a Match of the Week along with updated results and other league highlights.
Manila Bulletin
Friday, 31 December 2010
Recruiting 2011--Breshad Perriman
According to ESPN College Football, UMass is recruiting Breshad Perriman, a 6-1 180 pd WR out of Lithonia, GA. He's the son of former NFL player Brett Perriman.His ESPN page is here.
According to this article UCF is in the lead for his services.
Youtube highlight film here.
Also drawing interest from UConn, Florida International and Marshall.
Thursday, 30 December 2010
Germans Offer Assitance, German coach for Azkals
THE Deutscher Futball-Bund (DFB), the governing body of German football, has sounded off its intention to help the national men�s football team, prompting Azkals team manager Dan Stephen Palami to fly over in January for a two-day exploratory talks.
Besides talking with DFB officials, Palami will also meet up with Fil-Germans Manuel Ott, Mark Drinkuth and Stephan Schrock to possibly suit them up for the Azkals� Asian Football Federation Challenge Cup that kicks off on February 9 in Bacolod City in a home-and-away series with Mongolia.
The word is that the DFB has also offered to the national team the services of head coach Hans Michael Weiss, the current U-17 coach of Rwanda, as well as the technical director of the Rwanda Football Association.
Weiss, a 45-year-old native of Dannenfels, has also worked with the Chinese Football Association and the Kyoto Purple Sanga of the Japan Football League, among many others.
Weiss has also served an internship with Spanish giants Real Madrid, English football club Arsenal, Argentina�s River Plate and the Bundesliga�s FC Kaiserslautern.
The leadership controversy at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), meanwhile, remained fever pitch even in the holidays with two Fifa legal eagles coming over for a quick one-day inquiry on what has transpired in the federation.
Fabienne Moser-Frei, Fifa head of corporate counsel, and My Dung Nguyen, Asian Football Confederation legal director, flew in on Thursday and met with PFF officials led by interim president Mariano Araneta.
But the two officials refused to comment about their investigation.
�We�re here to hear all sides,� said Moser-Frei in her only statement to the BusinessMirror. �Then we�ll make a report.�
Their mission was to conduct an overnight fact-finding mission on the issue that has led to a testy exchange of facsimile letters between Fifa president Joseph Blatter and AFC head Mohammad Bin-Hammam.
According to PFF secretary-general Ramon Manuel, the two lawyers were only informed the day before about their quick mission on the day of their departure.
As soon as the legal counsels arrived, they went to the PFF House of Football in Barangay Oranbo, Pasig City, to conduct interviews with available PFF board members. They verified documents and watched the video of the seventh PFF Ordinary Congress on November 27, 2010, where Jose Mari Martinez was removed and replaced as president.
Business Mirror
Besides talking with DFB officials, Palami will also meet up with Fil-Germans Manuel Ott, Mark Drinkuth and Stephan Schrock to possibly suit them up for the Azkals� Asian Football Federation Challenge Cup that kicks off on February 9 in Bacolod City in a home-and-away series with Mongolia.
The word is that the DFB has also offered to the national team the services of head coach Hans Michael Weiss, the current U-17 coach of Rwanda, as well as the technical director of the Rwanda Football Association.
Weiss, a 45-year-old native of Dannenfels, has also worked with the Chinese Football Association and the Kyoto Purple Sanga of the Japan Football League, among many others.
Weiss has also served an internship with Spanish giants Real Madrid, English football club Arsenal, Argentina�s River Plate and the Bundesliga�s FC Kaiserslautern.
The leadership controversy at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), meanwhile, remained fever pitch even in the holidays with two Fifa legal eagles coming over for a quick one-day inquiry on what has transpired in the federation.
Fabienne Moser-Frei, Fifa head of corporate counsel, and My Dung Nguyen, Asian Football Confederation legal director, flew in on Thursday and met with PFF officials led by interim president Mariano Araneta.
But the two officials refused to comment about their investigation.
�We�re here to hear all sides,� said Moser-Frei in her only statement to the BusinessMirror. �Then we�ll make a report.�
Their mission was to conduct an overnight fact-finding mission on the issue that has led to a testy exchange of facsimile letters between Fifa president Joseph Blatter and AFC head Mohammad Bin-Hammam.
According to PFF secretary-general Ramon Manuel, the two lawyers were only informed the day before about their quick mission on the day of their departure.
As soon as the legal counsels arrived, they went to the PFF House of Football in Barangay Oranbo, Pasig City, to conduct interviews with available PFF board members. They verified documents and watched the video of the seventh PFF Ordinary Congress on November 27, 2010, where Jose Mari Martinez was removed and replaced as president.
Business Mirror
Caslib explains how to fortify Azkals
by Joaquin Henson
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Football Federation (PFF) technical director and former national coach Aris Caslib plans to build up the Azkals through a comprehensive selection process where at least five players are nominated for each position with the goal of winning the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup in 2012.
�If we have to check our under-23 team down to the under-19, we have to do it with clear reason and direction,� said Caslib in explaining how to strengthen the Azkals. �The attitude in the selection process must be inclusive and well-planned.�
Caslib, who was the national coach before Desmond Bulpin and Simon McMenemy, said the process must involve recruiting standouts from local and overseas leagues.
�When we started opening our door to Filipino players based outside the country, we informed them that they had to come over for inspection,� said Caslib. �Chris Greatwich and Chad Gould did it in 2004 by staying for a month before competition. Phil and James Younghusband were inspected early in 2005 before the Southeast Asian Games which we hosted. This formula must be reaffirmed and be a policy for overseas players who would like to join the national team. The reason for this is to get quality players for the national team. The possible exceptions are those with top flight clubs in Europe.�
The recruitment and evaluation process has elevated several Fil-foreigners to the national squad. At the recent AFF Suzuki Cup, the Azkals were reinforced by overseas recruits Neil Etheridge of Fulham, Rob Gier of Ascot United, Ray Jonsson of Grindavik, Jason de Jong of Veendam, Greatwich of the Morris County Colonials and the Younghusband brothers. Other Fil-foreigners in the national pool are Mark Drinkuth of Agon Dusseldorf, Gino Pavone of the Bay Area Ambassadors, Manuel Ott of Ingolstadt II and Gould.
Etheridge, the country�s No. 1 goalkeeper, is the third youngest of the Fil-foreigners at 20. Gier is 30, Jonsson 31, James Younghusband 24, De Jong 20, Greatwich 27, Phil Younghusband 23, Greatwich 27, Drinkuth 19, Pavone 22, Ott 18 and Gould 28. The age limit for the SEA Games is 23, making only Etheridge, De Jong, Drinkuth, Pavone and Ott eligible. Phil Younghusband will be 24 when the next SEA Games begin in Indonesia in November.
Caslib said on the domestic front, priority must be given to players who have risen from the national youth program and are actively playing before elevation to the Azkals pool.
�Experience provides maturity, mental toughness, quality decision-making and stability,� he said. �However, late bloomers must be considered provided there is good reason for the player to be included. It is imperative that each national player plays at least 40 to 50 matches before international competition. Previously, national players got to play at least 30 to 36 matches in the Ang Liga.�
Caslib said there must be cooperation among club coaches to release their players to the national team at the start of training for an international tournament.
�It is imperative to release players if they are invited to play for the national team,� continued Caslib. �Some coaches don�t release players for reasons of safety of their own program in their respective colleges, universities and clubs. But we have to take a positive risk in order to raise football standards in their team and in our country. All coaches in the country must develop the habit of going for education courses. Also, we must provide coaches with a venue where potential players are selected and not only consider their own players in their respective clubs but the best players available.�
Caslib said no doubt, a competitive local league and the opportunity to play overseas in friendlies are vital in strengthening the Azkals.
�This year, we played against Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong,� he noted. �We also played against clubs in Taiwan and Thailand. International exposure is important to stabilize our match experience. Playing against stronger opponents must be scheduled properly to reach our objective in 2012.�
Caslib said retaining McMenemy, team manager Dan Palami and the core of the Azkals is a priority.
�We hope Mr. Palami stays and manages the Azkals,� continued Caslib. �He showed great respect with the technical side under McMenemy�s leadership. He allowed the coach to make decisions in the preparation, selection of players and approach to the competition. We must keep the team but strengthen it. The Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup in March is coming and we play Mongolia. We will host the first match and we must prepare our stadium and support our team. We should allow our players to play their strong side and protect them in training by not exposing them to all the problems we encountered this year.�
Caslib said support for the Azkals must be widespread to move the team forward. �We should encourage partnership with companies that believe in football,� he said. �Local government units must be involved in grassroots development in order to continuously produce youth players for the national team.�
philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Football Federation (PFF) technical director and former national coach Aris Caslib plans to build up the Azkals through a comprehensive selection process where at least five players are nominated for each position with the goal of winning the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup in 2012.
�If we have to check our under-23 team down to the under-19, we have to do it with clear reason and direction,� said Caslib in explaining how to strengthen the Azkals. �The attitude in the selection process must be inclusive and well-planned.�
Caslib, who was the national coach before Desmond Bulpin and Simon McMenemy, said the process must involve recruiting standouts from local and overseas leagues.
�When we started opening our door to Filipino players based outside the country, we informed them that they had to come over for inspection,� said Caslib. �Chris Greatwich and Chad Gould did it in 2004 by staying for a month before competition. Phil and James Younghusband were inspected early in 2005 before the Southeast Asian Games which we hosted. This formula must be reaffirmed and be a policy for overseas players who would like to join the national team. The reason for this is to get quality players for the national team. The possible exceptions are those with top flight clubs in Europe.�
The recruitment and evaluation process has elevated several Fil-foreigners to the national squad. At the recent AFF Suzuki Cup, the Azkals were reinforced by overseas recruits Neil Etheridge of Fulham, Rob Gier of Ascot United, Ray Jonsson of Grindavik, Jason de Jong of Veendam, Greatwich of the Morris County Colonials and the Younghusband brothers. Other Fil-foreigners in the national pool are Mark Drinkuth of Agon Dusseldorf, Gino Pavone of the Bay Area Ambassadors, Manuel Ott of Ingolstadt II and Gould.
Etheridge, the country�s No. 1 goalkeeper, is the third youngest of the Fil-foreigners at 20. Gier is 30, Jonsson 31, James Younghusband 24, De Jong 20, Greatwich 27, Phil Younghusband 23, Greatwich 27, Drinkuth 19, Pavone 22, Ott 18 and Gould 28. The age limit for the SEA Games is 23, making only Etheridge, De Jong, Drinkuth, Pavone and Ott eligible. Phil Younghusband will be 24 when the next SEA Games begin in Indonesia in November.
Caslib said on the domestic front, priority must be given to players who have risen from the national youth program and are actively playing before elevation to the Azkals pool.
�Experience provides maturity, mental toughness, quality decision-making and stability,� he said. �However, late bloomers must be considered provided there is good reason for the player to be included. It is imperative that each national player plays at least 40 to 50 matches before international competition. Previously, national players got to play at least 30 to 36 matches in the Ang Liga.�
Caslib said there must be cooperation among club coaches to release their players to the national team at the start of training for an international tournament.
�It is imperative to release players if they are invited to play for the national team,� continued Caslib. �Some coaches don�t release players for reasons of safety of their own program in their respective colleges, universities and clubs. But we have to take a positive risk in order to raise football standards in their team and in our country. All coaches in the country must develop the habit of going for education courses. Also, we must provide coaches with a venue where potential players are selected and not only consider their own players in their respective clubs but the best players available.�
Caslib said no doubt, a competitive local league and the opportunity to play overseas in friendlies are vital in strengthening the Azkals.
�This year, we played against Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong,� he noted. �We also played against clubs in Taiwan and Thailand. International exposure is important to stabilize our match experience. Playing against stronger opponents must be scheduled properly to reach our objective in 2012.�
Caslib said retaining McMenemy, team manager Dan Palami and the core of the Azkals is a priority.
�We hope Mr. Palami stays and manages the Azkals,� continued Caslib. �He showed great respect with the technical side under McMenemy�s leadership. He allowed the coach to make decisions in the preparation, selection of players and approach to the competition. We must keep the team but strengthen it. The Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup in March is coming and we play Mongolia. We will host the first match and we must prepare our stadium and support our team. We should allow our players to play their strong side and protect them in training by not exposing them to all the problems we encountered this year.�
Caslib said support for the Azkals must be widespread to move the team forward. �We should encourage partnership with companies that believe in football,� he said. �Local government units must be involved in grassroots development in order to continuously produce youth players for the national team.�
philstar.com
UFL promises bigger tournaments next year
by Cedelf P. Tupas
MANILA�The United Football League is hoping to ride on the success of the national team in the AFF Suzuki Cup, promising improved League and Cup tournaments next year.
Majority of the members of the Azkals are plying their trade in the UFL and organizers hope that the sudden rise of popularity of the sport will also translate to more support in the league.
�This is the only regular league in the country now and we hope more fans will come and watch after the Azkals� run,� said UFL�s Javier Montecon, who is also a marketing executive of courier firm LBC, the chief backer of the league.
Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo plays for Global-Smartmatic, together with national players David Basa, Kim Relucio and Jerry Barbaso.
Strikers Ian Araneta and Yanti Barsales and midfielders Chieffy Caligdong, Mark Ferrer, Peter Jaugan and defenders Joebel Bermejo and Reymark Palmes are members of Air Force Rider, which captured the league crown last season.
The UFL-LBC Cup resumes Jan. 9 with quarterfinal matches set at the Alabang Country Club.
inquirer.net
MANILA�The United Football League is hoping to ride on the success of the national team in the AFF Suzuki Cup, promising improved League and Cup tournaments next year.
Majority of the members of the Azkals are plying their trade in the UFL and organizers hope that the sudden rise of popularity of the sport will also translate to more support in the league.
�This is the only regular league in the country now and we hope more fans will come and watch after the Azkals� run,� said UFL�s Javier Montecon, who is also a marketing executive of courier firm LBC, the chief backer of the league.
Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo plays for Global-Smartmatic, together with national players David Basa, Kim Relucio and Jerry Barbaso.
Strikers Ian Araneta and Yanti Barsales and midfielders Chieffy Caligdong, Mark Ferrer, Peter Jaugan and defenders Joebel Bermejo and Reymark Palmes are members of Air Force Rider, which captured the league crown last season.
The UFL-LBC Cup resumes Jan. 9 with quarterfinal matches set at the Alabang Country Club.
inquirer.net
Azkals seek German shepherding
by Cedelf P. Tupas
MANILA�The national football team is seeking the guidance of the German Football Association (DFB) in an effort to strengthen the squad, which faces a busy year ahead.
Team manager Dan Palami is flying to Frankfurt on Jan. 3 to meet with German football officials and discuss areas of cooperation between the national team and the DFB.
�We will have exploratory talks on how the DFB can help our team,� Palami said.
Palami said he will try to look into the DFB database and search for quality players that have Filipino lineage.
The Azkals had two Filipino-German players who were part of the squad in the AFF Suzuki Cup, where they reached the semifinals for the first time.
Munich-based Manny Ott started in all three games in the AFF Suzuki Cup Qualifying Tournament in Laos, while Mark Drinkuth was part of the squad in the group stage in Vietnam. Both players did not join the team for the semifinals with Ott tied up because of academic commitments.
Palami said part of his initial itinerary was to meet with Filipino-German pros-pect Stephan Schrock to help him process his papers, but he ditched the plan because of the recent weather disturbance in Europe that could make it difficult for them to travel.
The best option for Schrock is to send his documents to Manila for his passport to be processed in time for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying match against Mongolia on Feb. 9 in Bacolod City, Palami said.
The 24-year-old Schrock, who plays right fullback for Geuther Furth, has been regarded as an important player for next year�s campaign.
�He is one of the players we see that can really make an impact for the team because of his experience,� said Palami.
Schrock is set to join Greuther Furth in a training camp in Turkey next month, before joining the national team for the Challenge Cup.
If the Azkals hurdle Mongolia, they will join a group composed of Palestine, Myanmar and host Bangladesh that will play in Chittagong from March 20 to 31.
The Azkals are also seeing action in the qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup.
inquirer.net
MANILA�The national football team is seeking the guidance of the German Football Association (DFB) in an effort to strengthen the squad, which faces a busy year ahead.
Team manager Dan Palami is flying to Frankfurt on Jan. 3 to meet with German football officials and discuss areas of cooperation between the national team and the DFB.
�We will have exploratory talks on how the DFB can help our team,� Palami said.
Palami said he will try to look into the DFB database and search for quality players that have Filipino lineage.
The Azkals had two Filipino-German players who were part of the squad in the AFF Suzuki Cup, where they reached the semifinals for the first time.
Munich-based Manny Ott started in all three games in the AFF Suzuki Cup Qualifying Tournament in Laos, while Mark Drinkuth was part of the squad in the group stage in Vietnam. Both players did not join the team for the semifinals with Ott tied up because of academic commitments.
Palami said part of his initial itinerary was to meet with Filipino-German pros-pect Stephan Schrock to help him process his papers, but he ditched the plan because of the recent weather disturbance in Europe that could make it difficult for them to travel.
The best option for Schrock is to send his documents to Manila for his passport to be processed in time for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying match against Mongolia on Feb. 9 in Bacolod City, Palami said.
The 24-year-old Schrock, who plays right fullback for Geuther Furth, has been regarded as an important player for next year�s campaign.
�He is one of the players we see that can really make an impact for the team because of his experience,� said Palami.
Schrock is set to join Greuther Furth in a training camp in Turkey next month, before joining the national team for the Challenge Cup.
If the Azkals hurdle Mongolia, they will join a group composed of Palestine, Myanmar and host Bangladesh that will play in Chittagong from March 20 to 31.
The Azkals are also seeing action in the qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup.
inquirer.net
Thursday---Dec 30th, 2010
Matty Vautour has a story about the changing views about head injuries and UMass' response to it.
Matt also has an article about how the FBS bowls are against playoffs for reasons that are not exactly altruistic.
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UMass adds two strength and conditioning coaches.
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Josh Buchanan has the finalists for his Player-of-the-year on both offense and defense. Tyler Holmes is one of them.
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Another UMass legend passed away Tuesday night as Jazz artist Billy Taylor died Tuesday night in New York City. I've been to several of his concerts at UMass and have two or three of his CD's.
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TSN breaks down Eastern Washington prior to the National Championship game.
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Maryland continues to search for a coach. No word on Don Brown yet.
Matt Twine, a LB UMass had offered to, expects to keep his verbal to the Terps.
Speaking of Baltimore, the Blog is real glad it wasn't Matt Lawrence: Sam Koch win the Ravens cornhole championship.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt also has an article about how the FBS bowls are against playoffs for reasons that are not exactly altruistic.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UMass adds two strength and conditioning coaches.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josh Buchanan has the finalists for his Player-of-the-year on both offense and defense. Tyler Holmes is one of them.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another UMass legend passed away Tuesday night as Jazz artist Billy Taylor died Tuesday night in New York City. I've been to several of his concerts at UMass and have two or three of his CD's.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TSN breaks down Eastern Washington prior to the National Championship game.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maryland continues to search for a coach. No word on Don Brown yet.
Matt Twine, a LB UMass had offered to, expects to keep his verbal to the Terps.
Speaking of Baltimore, the Blog is real glad it wasn't Matt Lawrence: Sam Koch win the Ravens cornhole championship.
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Recruiting 2011--Matt Ehasz II
I've blogged before about UMass being interested in Matt Ehasz, a 5-11 160 pd K from Kingsland, GA.
Some updated stats from Ehasz's 2010 season:
* 2010: Special Teams POY - Southeast Georgia (In The Game Sports Magazine)
* 2010: 1st Team Region 3 5A PK
* 2010: 2nd Team AP All State PK
* 2010: Coastal Georgia All Area 1st Team PK
Field Goals: 11/13 Long 42 yards ( Game Winner: 23 yard FG vs. Miami Central w/2.6 seconds in 4th quarter )
- kicked 54 yard field goal in live scrimmage
Extra Points: 64/64 School Record
Some updated stats from Ehasz's 2010 season:
* 2010: Special Teams POY - Southeast Georgia (In The Game Sports Magazine)
* 2010: 1st Team Region 3 5A PK
* 2010: 2nd Team AP All State PK
* 2010: Coastal Georgia All Area 1st Team PK
Field Goals: 11/13 Long 42 yards ( Game Winner: 23 yard FG vs. Miami Central w/2.6 seconds in 4th quarter )
- kicked 54 yard field goal in live scrimmage
Extra Points: 64/64 School Record
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
Will PFF mess clear up?
By Joaquin Henson
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman Monico Puentevella said yesterday he will not vote in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) elections in Qatar on Jan. 6 because the right is reserved for Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta Jr.
Puentevella and PFF secretary-general Chito Manuel will attend the AFC Congress with Araneta as members of the official Philippine delegation.
AFC president Mohamed Bin Hamman earlier questioned Puentevella�s designation as the country�s only delegate to the Congress. Hamman�s presumption is that since Puentevella is the only delegate, he will vote for the PFF in the elections.
Puentevella clarified that in the PFF registration form submitted to the AFC, it was clearly marked that Araneta would cast the Philippine vote.
�My role is merely to legitimize the position and election of Araneta just in case questions are raised in Qatar,� said Puentevella. �It�s the same role I played in the SBP case. The POC Board, in particular president Peping (Cojuangco), mandated me to look into both cases. It was the same job.�
Puentevella attended the Nov. 27 PFF National Congress where Araneta was elected to serve as president until Nov. 26, 2011, or the unexpired term of Jose Mari Martinez. �I witnessed the proceedings,� said Puentevella. �I saw 26 voters go against Martinez in his face. The motion to remove Martinez was in order. I really don�t understand why Martinez is insisting on staying as president.�
Puentevella said Hammam�s intervention to rescue Martinez is something he also can�t understand.
�Hammam is running unopposed so as far as the AFC presidency is concerned, the election is over,� said Puentevella. �I don�t know why he�s singling out the Philippines. We�re just a small country trying to develop football. Maybe, it�s because he is assured of Martinez� vote with regard to the other positions.
For instance, I was informed that Hammam is supporting a South Korean for vice president against a candidate from Jordan. Hammam and I are good friends. No matter what happens, I will always be his friend and I respect him for what he is. His secretary Jenny recently tried to contact me but Hamman never got through.�
More : Philstar.com
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman Monico Puentevella said yesterday he will not vote in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) elections in Qatar on Jan. 6 because the right is reserved for Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta Jr.
Puentevella and PFF secretary-general Chito Manuel will attend the AFC Congress with Araneta as members of the official Philippine delegation.
AFC president Mohamed Bin Hamman earlier questioned Puentevella�s designation as the country�s only delegate to the Congress. Hamman�s presumption is that since Puentevella is the only delegate, he will vote for the PFF in the elections.
Puentevella clarified that in the PFF registration form submitted to the AFC, it was clearly marked that Araneta would cast the Philippine vote.
�My role is merely to legitimize the position and election of Araneta just in case questions are raised in Qatar,� said Puentevella. �It�s the same role I played in the SBP case. The POC Board, in particular president Peping (Cojuangco), mandated me to look into both cases. It was the same job.�
Puentevella attended the Nov. 27 PFF National Congress where Araneta was elected to serve as president until Nov. 26, 2011, or the unexpired term of Jose Mari Martinez. �I witnessed the proceedings,� said Puentevella. �I saw 26 voters go against Martinez in his face. The motion to remove Martinez was in order. I really don�t understand why Martinez is insisting on staying as president.�
Puentevella said Hammam�s intervention to rescue Martinez is something he also can�t understand.
�Hammam is running unopposed so as far as the AFC presidency is concerned, the election is over,� said Puentevella. �I don�t know why he�s singling out the Philippines. We�re just a small country trying to develop football. Maybe, it�s because he is assured of Martinez� vote with regard to the other positions.
For instance, I was informed that Hammam is supporting a South Korean for vice president against a candidate from Jordan. Hammam and I are good friends. No matter what happens, I will always be his friend and I respect him for what he is. His secretary Jenny recently tried to contact me but Hamman never got through.�
More : Philstar.com
UFL - Green Archers United
Green Archers United will be open for tryouts starting January 5 (Wednesday) around 7-9 PM at the Cuenca Field in Alabang.
Green Archers will be playing in United Football League
source : sugud.com
Green Archers will be playing in United Football League
source : sugud.com
Malaysia win AFF Suzuki Cup
Malaysia lost 1-2 away to Indonesia but won AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 with 4-2 aggregate.
Waiting for Addazio
Wayne Hardin was 32 when he took the Navy head coaching gig and appeared on What's My Line here.
Steve Addazio's head coaching record:The two best head coaches I've ever known are Wayne Hardin and Mike Pettine, in that order.
1988 6-4
1989 10-1, State Runner up
1990 5-4-1
1991 7-3-1
1992 11-0, State Champions
1993 11-0, State Champions
1994 11-0, State Champions
There is no close second group, although I've known Bruce Arians, Dick Vermeil and Al Golden as well on varying levels.
I won't call him Mike Pettine Sr. and I won't call the current New York Jets' defensive coordinator Mike Pettine Jr. because there was a Mike Pettine who wasn't as famous in football before those two, a father and a grandfather of the football ones.
Pettine was the head coach at Central Bucks West who went 326 wins, 42 defeats and four ties. Yes, that's 326-42-4 with three state titles, all in a row, and two more mythical state titles before that. Oh yeah. In that total, were 13 unbeaten seasons.
Pettine could do more with (largely) 5-foot-10, 150-pound white kids than should be humanly possible.
I was excited when Wayne Hardin got the Temple job many, many years ago because I knew he came with a head coaching pedigree. Hardin, before coming to Temple, had Navy ranked No. 2 in the country and playing Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
Hardin, before coming to Temple, coached two Heisman Trophy winners: Roger Staubach and Joe Bellino.
Hardin, before coming to Temple, won a professional football league championship as a head coach.
Imagine Urban Meyer or Nick Saban leaving Florida or Alabama and taking the Temple job now?
That's what it was like to Temple fans back in the day when Hardin took the Temple job.
If you say that can't happen today, I agree. But it was just as remarkable back then to us, believe me.
In the middle of Pettine's great run, many of his wins I covered, I mentioned to Mike that I always thought he would have been the perfect guy to succeed Bruce Arians at Temple.
He laughed.
"I had a chance to meet some of coach Hardin's guys today," Addazio said. "I know you are proud of your coach. I can see it in your faces. I appreciate some of you guys."
"Mike, I think Gerry Faust ruined it for all of us high school coaches."
Pettine had a point.
Faust went from a legend at Cincinnati Moeller to head coach at Notre Dame and he never panned out.
No high school coach, no matter how great, ever made the same jump again.
Yet I always believed that if you can HEAD coach, you can HEAD coach ... if ...IF you are the right person.
Bobby Wallace, who proved he could head coach elsewhere, was never that right person for here.
I always thought Temple should hire a guy who was a proven HEAD coach somewhere else, especially if the talent was already in place.
The talent is in place.
Steve Addazio is in another place, Florida, coaching the Gators in the Outback Bowl this Saturday, yet a week ago Addazio mentioned the Hardin connection.
"I had a chance to meet some of coach Hardin's guys today," Addazio said. "I know you are proud of your coach. I can see it in your faces. I appreciate some of you guys."
(It was funny the way he said that, though I don't think he meant anything negative by it. Some of you guys. I wonder who he didn't appreciate?)
I'm warming to Steve Addazio being cut out of the same mold as Pettine and Hardin because of an email I got this week from Cheshire, Conn.
Mark Ecke, who runs the site Cheshirefootball.com, which covers the Cheshire football team sent me Addazio's year-by-year breakdown at the only job where he ever was a HEAD coach.
"He's the best, you're going to love him," Ecke concluded.
Ecke was as close to Addazio as I was to Hardin and Pettine.
For my money, Steve could not get any better endorsement.
If Addazio is half as good as Hardin and Pettine, he will do a great job at Temple.
The Outback Bowl can't be over soon enough.
Recruiting 2011---Jeremiaha Gates
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| A star-Banner image |
Scout.com page here.
This article mentions him.
Gates ran for 188 yards and 5 TD's in the Florida class 2B state championship.
He ran for 1,091 yards and 26 TD's in his senior season.
Besides UMass, gates holds offers from Ohio and Eastern Michigan. Drawing interest from Duke, Florida Atlantic, Marshall and Pitt.
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Azkals hold free football training in Tacloban
MANILA, Philippines � The Philippine national football team, also called the "Azkals," offered free football training to youngsters in Tacloban City � the place where the Filipino booters trained for the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup early December.
During their football clinic, the young football players of Tacloban were very much enthusiastic. Other young fans enjoyed watching their football heroes from the sidelines.
"This is our way of saying thank you sa Tacloban because they have been instrumental to the preparation of the Azkals," said Dan Palami, the Azkals' team manager.
Siblings Phil and James Younghusband, who were not present during the morning session, arrived later in the day to join the team-sponsored training .
The Younghusbands themselves have launched their own football clinic in Manila for young people interested in the sport.
"The Younghusband Football Academy [is] where we go to public schools and we teach the PE [Physical Education] teachers to teach the kids," Phil said.
"For free, we got to teach some kids," James added.
They said that this is their way to promote football in the Philippines.
Meantime, the Azkals are gearing up for a World Cup 2011 qualifier and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup on February to be held in Bacolod City. � Report by Jenette Ruedas, ABS-CBN News Tacloban
ABS-CBN News
FIFA, AFC to look into mess
By Abac Cordero
MANILA, Philippines - The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the world�s governing body in the sport, the Federation Internationale de Football Association or FIFA, are bringing in legal officers to Manila to look deeper into the mess within the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).
Once they arrive, the AFC and FIFA officers will first sit down with Jose Mari Martinez, the deposed PFF president, before hearing Mariano �Nonong� Araneta, who took over Martinez as the head of Philippine football.
Martinez recently came under fire due to allegations that he had mishandled the PFF funds under his tenure, leading the heads of 26 of the 33 football associations nationwide to vote for his ouster.
The FIFA recently gave its blessings on Araneta as the rightful PFF head, saying that Martinez� ouster was done accordingly.
The FIFA also said it will soon perform a complete audit of the PFF funds, probably in a bid to uncover any irregularity if there is such.
Martinez, according to source, yesterday filed a TRO (temporary restraining order) that would stop Araneta from performing the duties as PFF president.
It was also reported that Martinez is considering filing a case before the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) in Switzerland.
Going to the CAS will be a very costly move, but Martinez apparently has the backing of the Mohamed Bin Hammam, the rich and powerful AFC president from Qatar.
The TRO was filed before the Pasig Regional Trial Court by Martinez� lawyer yesterday, and should be raffled off this week.
Araneta is in Jakarta attending the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Council meeting.
Araneta said he�s unaware of Martinez� move.
�He filed a TRO? A TRO for what? I�m not aware of that,� he said in a phone call from Jakarta.
Araneta said he would make communications with the AFF and FIFA as soon as possible to inquire about their plan to send legal officers to Manila.
philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines - The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the world�s governing body in the sport, the Federation Internationale de Football Association or FIFA, are bringing in legal officers to Manila to look deeper into the mess within the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).
Once they arrive, the AFC and FIFA officers will first sit down with Jose Mari Martinez, the deposed PFF president, before hearing Mariano �Nonong� Araneta, who took over Martinez as the head of Philippine football.
Martinez recently came under fire due to allegations that he had mishandled the PFF funds under his tenure, leading the heads of 26 of the 33 football associations nationwide to vote for his ouster.
The FIFA recently gave its blessings on Araneta as the rightful PFF head, saying that Martinez� ouster was done accordingly.
The FIFA also said it will soon perform a complete audit of the PFF funds, probably in a bid to uncover any irregularity if there is such.
Martinez, according to source, yesterday filed a TRO (temporary restraining order) that would stop Araneta from performing the duties as PFF president.
It was also reported that Martinez is considering filing a case before the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) in Switzerland.
Going to the CAS will be a very costly move, but Martinez apparently has the backing of the Mohamed Bin Hammam, the rich and powerful AFC president from Qatar.
The TRO was filed before the Pasig Regional Trial Court by Martinez� lawyer yesterday, and should be raffled off this week.
Araneta is in Jakarta attending the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Council meeting.
Araneta said he�s unaware of Martinez� move.
�He filed a TRO? A TRO for what? I�m not aware of that,� he said in a phone call from Jakarta.
Araneta said he would make communications with the AFF and FIFA as soon as possible to inquire about their plan to send legal officers to Manila.
philstar.com
Recruiting 2011--Joe Della Vecchia
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| Image by www.hogfootball.com |
Story here.
Della Vecchia holds the CT state TD records (85) as well as the career passing yards total of 7,693.
Drawing interest from Holy Cross, Sacred Heart, Marist, Bentley and Rhode Island.
Tuesday---Dec 28th, 2010
The Springfield Republican counts down the top 10 local stories of 2010. Number ten on the list is the tragic death of UMass Band director George Parks.
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Ron Chimelis points out the fact that FBS football does not protect a school from financial losses as per the story I linked to yesterday.
UConn's lost on the Fiesta Bowl does not tell the whole story. The Huskies will get some of the loss back in increased season ticket sales as well as more support in the state legislature.
Ticket problems are endemic to all bowl teams lately. Even Michigan has not sold all its allotment. This is more a change in technology than anything else. Fans can now buy tickets from sites like StubHub and get a significantly better deal than through the schools. Athletic departments are losing the monopoly on ticket sales. In my view, that means the current bowl parameters may have to be revised. Maybe lower ticket prices, lower guarantees will help. Or less bowls.
Semi-related article: How the Holiday bowl lost its luster.
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The Sports Network beaks down the Hens before the National Championship game.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keepers College Football Ratings (on title page) has Delaware by 6.92 over the Eastern Washington Eagles.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron Chimelis points out the fact that FBS football does not protect a school from financial losses as per the story I linked to yesterday.
UConn's lost on the Fiesta Bowl does not tell the whole story. The Huskies will get some of the loss back in increased season ticket sales as well as more support in the state legislature.
Ticket problems are endemic to all bowl teams lately. Even Michigan has not sold all its allotment. This is more a change in technology than anything else. Fans can now buy tickets from sites like StubHub and get a significantly better deal than through the schools. Athletic departments are losing the monopoly on ticket sales. In my view, that means the current bowl parameters may have to be revised. Maybe lower ticket prices, lower guarantees will help. Or less bowls.
Semi-related article: How the Holiday bowl lost its luster.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Sports Network beaks down the Hens before the National Championship game.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keepers College Football Ratings (on title page) has Delaware by 6.92 over the Eastern Washington Eagles.
Monday, 27 December 2010
Fifa sets audit of PFF subsidy
Cedelf P. Tupas
The International Football Federation (Fifa) will conduct an audit on its $250,000 subsidy to the Philippine Football Federation, which underwent a leadership change recently.
The audit will be conducted by KPMG Fides Peat from Zurich, Switzerland, Fifa assistant general secretary Marcus Kattner told PFF general secretary Ramon Manuel in a letter.
Fifa releases $250,000 (about P11 million) annually to developing football nations under its Financial Assistance Program. But 2010 being a World Cup year, the PFF received an extra $125,000 (P5.5 million) with another $125,000 to be disbursed soon.
Kattner did not say whether the audit was prompted by allegations of fund misuse, illegal disbursements and the failure to return of funds by former PFF president Jose Mari Martinez.
PFF president Mariano �Nonong� Araneta said it marked the first time Fifa had initiated an audit on the federation.
�I believe the audit is random and we were just chosen this year,� said Araneta, who got an overwhelming vote to replace Martinez during the PFF Congress, an election that was validated by Fifa.
The PFF usually sends its annual audit report conducted by a local firm to Fifa.
Upon the request of its Board of Governors, the PFF had actually conducted an audit from September 2009 to June 2010 that revealed that P3.4 million of funds were unaccounted for.
The PFF also receives subsidy from the Asian Football Confederation and Asean Football Federation. The country�s national team, however, issued a statement that it hadn�t received a single centavo from the PFF for its participation in the AFF Suzuki Cup.
The national team, fondly called Azkals, made history by reaching the meet�s semifinals for the firts time, triggering a rare upsurge of football interest in the country.
Martinez, who has remained defiant despite Fifa�s decision to recognize Araneta, had earlier denied misappropriating funds during his term.
But his removal was actually an offshoot of his failure to return of the P2.8 million from PFF coffers and suspected illegal disbursements and allegedly falsifying documents that allowed businessman Henry Tsai to be one of the signatories of the PFF account.
Martinez said his only mistake was trusting Tsai, whom he had broken ties with because of Tsai�s failure to deliver commitments to the federation.
Meanwhile, Araneta said he will attend the AFF Council Meeting in Jakarta today in his first official function as PFF president.
Araneta will focus on mapping out a realistic football program for the country.
�We have a great opportunity to uplift football in the country,� said Araneta.
Inquirer.net
The International Football Federation (Fifa) will conduct an audit on its $250,000 subsidy to the Philippine Football Federation, which underwent a leadership change recently.
The audit will be conducted by KPMG Fides Peat from Zurich, Switzerland, Fifa assistant general secretary Marcus Kattner told PFF general secretary Ramon Manuel in a letter.
Fifa releases $250,000 (about P11 million) annually to developing football nations under its Financial Assistance Program. But 2010 being a World Cup year, the PFF received an extra $125,000 (P5.5 million) with another $125,000 to be disbursed soon.
Kattner did not say whether the audit was prompted by allegations of fund misuse, illegal disbursements and the failure to return of funds by former PFF president Jose Mari Martinez.
PFF president Mariano �Nonong� Araneta said it marked the first time Fifa had initiated an audit on the federation.
�I believe the audit is random and we were just chosen this year,� said Araneta, who got an overwhelming vote to replace Martinez during the PFF Congress, an election that was validated by Fifa.
The PFF usually sends its annual audit report conducted by a local firm to Fifa.
Upon the request of its Board of Governors, the PFF had actually conducted an audit from September 2009 to June 2010 that revealed that P3.4 million of funds were unaccounted for.
The PFF also receives subsidy from the Asian Football Confederation and Asean Football Federation. The country�s national team, however, issued a statement that it hadn�t received a single centavo from the PFF for its participation in the AFF Suzuki Cup.
The national team, fondly called Azkals, made history by reaching the meet�s semifinals for the firts time, triggering a rare upsurge of football interest in the country.
Martinez, who has remained defiant despite Fifa�s decision to recognize Araneta, had earlier denied misappropriating funds during his term.
But his removal was actually an offshoot of his failure to return of the P2.8 million from PFF coffers and suspected illegal disbursements and allegedly falsifying documents that allowed businessman Henry Tsai to be one of the signatories of the PFF account.
Martinez said his only mistake was trusting Tsai, whom he had broken ties with because of Tsai�s failure to deliver commitments to the federation.
Meanwhile, Araneta said he will attend the AFF Council Meeting in Jakarta today in his first official function as PFF president.
Araneta will focus on mapping out a realistic football program for the country.
�We have a great opportunity to uplift football in the country,� said Araneta.
Inquirer.net
Recruiting 2011--Steve Cronan
 |
| John Carden image |
Story here.
Cronan was a finalist for New Hampshire's Mr. Football.
This YouTube segment features him.
Also drawing interest from FCS schools UNH, Maine, Holy Cross, Colgate, Fordham and Marist.
Monday--Dec 27th, 2010
Good morning from snowy Jaffrey. I might as well work on the blog for a while, because it's still snowing...
Conference shifts may leave UNH out in the cold.
Speaking of UNH, UMass had been recruiting Mike DeTroia. He committed to New Hampshire.
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UConn, as well as a number of other schools are having problems selling their bowl tickets.
This problem could be solved with a FBS playoff.
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Conference shifts may leave UNH out in the cold.
Speaking of UNH, UMass had been recruiting Mike DeTroia. He committed to New Hampshire.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UConn, as well as a number of other schools are having problems selling their bowl tickets.
This problem could be solved with a FBS playoff.
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Recruiting 2011--Dan Foesel II
 |
| A NorthJersey.com/Mike Karas image |
More information in my previous blog post.
Sunday, 26 December 2010
4th Asian Beach Games in 2013 awarded to Philippines
THE Philippines was awarded the hosting rights of the 4th Asian Beach Games in 2013 and Cebu is eyed as one of the possible venues of the games.
Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) head Edward Hayco said they are open to taking the lead should Cebu be considered as the main hub of the multi-sporting meet.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Olympic Council of Asia will be making their rounds to inspect the possible venues next month. The other provinces that are being eyed are Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. Also aggressive in their intention to host are Camarines Sur, Bataan, Zambales and Siargao.
Sun Star Cebu
Comment : Beach soccer (football) are one of the sports in Asian Beach Games
Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) head Edward Hayco said they are open to taking the lead should Cebu be considered as the main hub of the multi-sporting meet.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Olympic Council of Asia will be making their rounds to inspect the possible venues next month. The other provinces that are being eyed are Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. Also aggressive in their intention to host are Camarines Sur, Bataan, Zambales and Siargao.
Sun Star Cebu
Comment : Beach soccer (football) are one of the sports in Asian Beach Games
Recruiting 2011--Robert Johnson
 |
| Johnson #10, Sean Elliot/The Day image |
Article here.
Johnson was First Team All-ECC.
He was also All-State.
Caught eight TD passes in 2010. Honor Roll student.
Also being recruited by UConn, Villanova and CCSU.
Azkals in Tacloban City, Leyte
The Azkals will be in Tacloban City, Leyte on the 27th and 28 of December .
They will be at The Paskorayhak Tournament , Bethel International School.
Source : Leyte FA
They will be at The Paskorayhak Tournament , Bethel International School.
Source : Leyte FA
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Merry Christmas --2010
Mrs Blog and I would like to wish all the blog community a very "Merry Christmas" and a happy holidays.
I hope this year brings you health, happiness and peace.
Friday, 24 December 2010
Happy Holidays to the Addazio Family
Steve Addazio's first Temple recruit, RB Cedric "The Entertainer" Walker.
Dear Steve,
Happy Holidays to you and your family and welcome to the Temple Football Family on behalf of Temple Football Forever.
I started this blog when I looked around the parking lot in the rain and saw five people, myself included, tailgating before a 2005 loss to Miami of Ohio.
I knew then we only had one place to go and that was up.
I had a dream that we would hire a coach who would take us out of the darkness into the sunshine and we did make that hire.
Now, looking around, there are thousands of people tailgating before every Temple game. Not enough, mind you, but thousands and it's slowly growing.
Over the years, this blog has gotten favorable reviews first on Deadspin.com and in the New York Times (whose college football editor is a Temple grad).
In 2006, it won the Bloggers' choice award as Best New College Football Blog.
The next year, it won for Best Non-BCS blog.
 |
| Temple's tailgates regularly draw in the thousands now. |
While it was nice to be recognized, I didn't get into this for the awards.
I got into it because I had a passion for writing and for Temple football.
You sold me as the next Temple coach on Thursday because I sense you have the same passion for coaching and, now at least, for Temple football.
I liked that very much.
So you had me at wow, not hello (and no I don't go that way).
I wanted to write about the thing I loved the most so this, for the most part, has been a fun venture.
I hope the years ahead are even more fun for you.
Full disclosure, though, I wasn't for your hiring at first.
You can read my reasons in the posts below.
That's not important now.
What is important is that you hit the ground running and I know you will.
You are inheriting a team that needs no overhaul, just tweaking.
You have a running back with Heisman Trophy talent in Bernard Pierce. Getting him and keeping him healthy should be a top priority in the off-season. Recruiting a stud backup of Pierce-level talent should be another priority.
With Pierce, the Owls were able to beat UConn by two touchdowns in 2010 and a good 2009 Navy team.
Offensively, this is a team that should establish the run and throw off play-action effectively and I think you will do that. If you hire a smart offensive coordinator, like current Miami Dolphins' tight ends' coach George DeLeone, I know he will come to the same conclusion, too. DeLeone knows Temple and can help show you the ropes here, since he's a former colleague of yours and was Al Golden's first and best offensive coordinator. Plus, he's highly thought of here. I think he can be had for OC money and job security with the Dolphins can't be too good these days anyway.
You have a quarterback who I think will remind you (at least a little) of Tim Tebow in Chris Coyer and another quarterback, Mike Gerardi, who was co-first-team all-state in New Jersey with a guy named Simms.
Defensively, your first priority is to lock up 6-5, 305 tackle Muhammad "Big Mo" Wilkinson for his senior season. Tell him there's going to be an NFL lockout (there is, by the way). Tell him that no NFL draft projection has him higher than the third round (and none do). Tell him with one good year he will move up into guaranteed money and a No. 1 pick (which he will).
Get a good, attacking defensive coordinator in here who loves to blitz and put the quarterback on his backside because there are a lot of slow, white quarterbacks in the MAC. There are a lot of turnovers to be eaten by the defense as a result. I don't know who you have in mind, but I recommend former Temple DC Nick Rapone, who still lives in the area and was named FCS coordinator of the year at Delaware this season. His daughter currently is a student at Temple.
Rapone loves to bring pressure to make quarterbacks uncomfortable and Philadelphia loves a blitzing team.
Sell those recruits, just like you sold Miami's Cedric Walker today (congratulations, by the way).
Wrap your arms so hard around Philadelphia media and Temple alumni that their ribs break.
Sell them on Temple football like you sold Bill Bradshaw on yourself.
Understand that a lot of us will approach you skeptically until about 10 p.m. on September 3.
That's when Temple will be finished playing hated rival Villanova.
Temple returns 14 starters from an 8-4 FBS team. Villanova returns five from a six-loss FCS team.
A beatdown is mandatory. In fact, it should be on page two of the job description.
I'd say a 35-14 minimum, although I'd like a 55-3 number.
See what you can do for me.
If we can get that kind of margin, we're off and running to a special 2011 both in terms of team and fan momentum.
Meanwhile, good luck and, most of all, have fun.
Happy Holidays,
Mike Gibson
Temple Football Forever
Ex-PFF prexy strikes back at FIFA for favoring his ouster
MANILA, Philippines � Former Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Jose Mari Martinez struck back at the F�d�ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) for favoring his ouster from his post.
In a letter addressed to FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, Martinez said the world�s football governing body has came out with a one sided decision regarding the dispute embroiling the PFF leadership.
�I absolutely cannot accept your one sided, unfair and unjust decision which reeks of impartiality. Your decision was/is based on loose and questionable evidence,� the embattled PFF official said in his letter.
FIFA, , also known as the International Federation of Association Football, earlier acknowledged the removal of Martinez from PFF presidency, citing that the move was made according to PFF statutes.
Last November, the PFF Congress voted to remove and replace Martinez "due to unauthorized disbursement of PFF funds, falsification of public documents, and failure to return missing funds before a set deadline."
The resolution to have Martinez removed was voted by 26 of the 33 total PFF congress members.
However, Martinez claimed that most of those members who voted against him should have not been given the chance to elect a new PFF president.
"Those who voted are not members of good standing as all their documents (SEC registration) are either incomplete, non existent plus whose status are in arrears,� he said.
He added that his impeachment was not included in the agenda of the PFF's 7th Ordinary Congress on Nov. 27, 2010 when he was removed from his post.
In issuing such ruling, Martinez said FIFA has effectively violated its own directive last Dec. 3, calling for status quo and convening of a special PFF congress after 90 days.
Martinez said he will file a case with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn FIFA's decision.
Martinez also challenged FIFA to send a representative to Manila to conduct an impartial investigation on the leadership squabble.
The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), meanwhile, sided with Martinez regarding the issue.
In a letter sent to Valcke, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed bin Hammam said he will join Martinez in challenging FIFA's decision at the CAS.
"The action taken by FIFA is a clear indication of your intention to interfere with the AFC coming elections. The same way you did in our Congress in 2009 and I will not tolerate such interference," said Hammam.
ABS CBN News
Check also Cebu football
In a letter addressed to FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, Martinez said the world�s football governing body has came out with a one sided decision regarding the dispute embroiling the PFF leadership.
�I absolutely cannot accept your one sided, unfair and unjust decision which reeks of impartiality. Your decision was/is based on loose and questionable evidence,� the embattled PFF official said in his letter.
FIFA, , also known as the International Federation of Association Football, earlier acknowledged the removal of Martinez from PFF presidency, citing that the move was made according to PFF statutes.
Last November, the PFF Congress voted to remove and replace Martinez "due to unauthorized disbursement of PFF funds, falsification of public documents, and failure to return missing funds before a set deadline."
The resolution to have Martinez removed was voted by 26 of the 33 total PFF congress members.
However, Martinez claimed that most of those members who voted against him should have not been given the chance to elect a new PFF president.
"Those who voted are not members of good standing as all their documents (SEC registration) are either incomplete, non existent plus whose status are in arrears,� he said.
He added that his impeachment was not included in the agenda of the PFF's 7th Ordinary Congress on Nov. 27, 2010 when he was removed from his post.
In issuing such ruling, Martinez said FIFA has effectively violated its own directive last Dec. 3, calling for status quo and convening of a special PFF congress after 90 days.
Martinez said he will file a case with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn FIFA's decision.
Martinez also challenged FIFA to send a representative to Manila to conduct an impartial investigation on the leadership squabble.
The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), meanwhile, sided with Martinez regarding the issue.
In a letter sent to Valcke, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed bin Hammam said he will join Martinez in challenging FIFA's decision at the CAS.
"The action taken by FIFA is a clear indication of your intention to interfere with the AFC coming elections. The same way you did in our Congress in 2009 and I will not tolerate such interference," said Hammam.
ABS CBN News
Check also Cebu football
Recruiting 2011- Matthew Vincent
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| Miami Herald image |
His ESPN page here.
Miami Herald spotlight here.
YouTube highlights here.
This article features him.
Threw for over 40 TDs in the last two years.
Also being recruited by Miami of Ohio, Northern Illinois, Florida International and UCF.
Thursday, 23 December 2010
RICK FIGUEIREDO - THOUGHTS FROM A BRASILIAN COACH
This is Rick Figueiredo. My name has been mentioned in connection several times with replacing Simon McMenemy. A few things should be cleared at this point.Back in August, before Desmond Bulpin even became coach I contacted Mari Martinez about becoming the Philippines Head Coach. I had two reasons forwanting to become involved in this endeavour. The first is that through fortunate circumstances, I have been part of a number of highly successful coaching staffs including going to the World Cup in 1998 with Jamaica, and I thought that this experience would be a positive influence on the Philippine team and program. The second point is that from 1962 through 1969 I lived inthe Philippines and went to school there at Ateneo and also at the American School. So it seemed like a positive thing for all of us. The fact that the country ranked very low in this sport also intrigued me. Itwas an opportunity to put the country on the map. Pure and simple. There vere no alterior motives. Unfortunately, in August the PFF and I were unable to come to a financial compensation package that worked for both sides. I have expenses in the USA that I needed to cover and could not afford for my family and myself to put myself in a financially disadvantages position. We continued to work onthis and in October I came to the Philippines to present myself in person, for a possible future position. My strengths are honesty and integrity and I am an exceptional motivator, and I believe that these characteristics and my longterm vision proved to be significant to those I met. Understand that at no time was it my intention to replace Simon and that I fully support his retention ashead coach of the team and have throughout the Suzuki Cup. He has done a magnificient job with the team along with Dan Palami and should be rewarded with an extension. I also believe that Mari Martinez has made his ownc ontribution to this process and regardless of the ending to his story, we needto give him some credit. This is not to say that I am not still interested inthe position. I am, however, far more interested in being Technical Director ofthe entire Philippine National Program. My time perhaps will come. My vision back in August of 2010 was to take the Philippines to the World Cup. This was my vision in 1997 with Jamaica and while working with Brasil during the 1994 World Cup I came to understand the blueprint necessary to do it again for the Philippines. But for now I return to my own futebol endeavours. I have manyvery good causes which I dedicate my time to, including training young childrenas I believe they are the ones who will change the future for the better. I feel for Mari Martinez because I have met him and liked him and will not deny this because he has fallen, but I have no desire to get involved in his political situations because I am a futebol coach and not a politician or a businessman.I wish him well as a person. If he has done wrong I believe we should forgive him. I have spoken to him briefly about this. I advised Mari during the crisis that he should accept those who oppose him and bring them into the decision circle so that an amicable solution could be found. After all, we all work notfor ourselves alone. We all work for the the greater cause of growth and improvement of the Philippines. It is our mission to bring joy and hope to themillions of Filipino people. There is no more gratifying reward as I learned from the Jamaicans after we qualified for the World Cup. I would walk the streets and celebrate with the fans. Moments that have defined my purpose inlife. It is not all so complicated. Perhaps one day I will be honered and invited to come back to a country that I love, to offer my services and experience. For now it is clear that we must put these dreams and visions onthe shelf. Simon McMenemy is your coach and should remain your coach until hisrun is over. That is the fair thing to do. The right thing to do! I wish all well and thank you for this brief moment to express my thoughts to your readers. RICK FIGUEIREDO - brasil@rickfigueiredo.com
Changes up in Azkal cast
By Abac Cordero
MANILA, Philippines � There may be changes coming up in the composition of the Philippine football team that�s coming off a Cinderella run in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup.
�There will be changes but the core of the team will remain,� said team manager Dan Palami following the Azkals� aborted run to reach the finals of the tournament.
Palami said even coach British Simon McMenemy will be evaluated, as well as the players, including the seven Fil-foreigners and the bunch of locals.
�I think the core of the team will be there. We just need to add a few options, more especially in offense. It should allow Phil (Younghusband) and rest of the guys to attack more,� he said.
The Azkals made the country proud, and their opposition take a more serious look at them following an impressive showing that included draws against Singapore and Myanmar and a big 2-0 win over Vietnam.
Against the mighty Indonesians, the Azkals dropped identical 1-0 defeats when there were chances of winning or at least salvaging a draw.
�We still need to improve. It�s not just the coach but all of the players will be evaluated. And from there we will know what steps to take,� said Palami.
But it doesn�t mean that he�s disappointed with the outcome. Certainly not.
�It was a good run for the Philippines. We weren�t expected to reach this level. And now that we know what we can achieve, the next tournament will be more exciting for us. A lot of players will be coming in as well. We can make some changes to make sure we have more options
�We can look forward to a better team in the coming years,� he said, adding that this early, the Azkals are getting invitations to play in other countries, including one in Vietnam.
A couple of players, including star goalie Neil Etheridge, team captain Aly Borromeo and youthful Jason De Jong, are being offered playing contracts in Indonesia.
Franco Lorenzo, one of the team officials, said the offers actually came on the eve of the match, but they kept the players within safe distance because they weren�t really sure what it was all about.
�It was on the eve of the biggest match of our lives and we don�t know what kind of offers were to be made,� said the official.
McMenemy is also facing offers to coach other teams, like Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia, but said he�d rather stay with the Azkals.
Whatever, Palami said he�s looking forward to a busy year for the Azkals.
�Now everybody knows we can play decent football,� he said.
philstar
MANILA, Philippines � There may be changes coming up in the composition of the Philippine football team that�s coming off a Cinderella run in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup.
�There will be changes but the core of the team will remain,� said team manager Dan Palami following the Azkals� aborted run to reach the finals of the tournament.
Palami said even coach British Simon McMenemy will be evaluated, as well as the players, including the seven Fil-foreigners and the bunch of locals.
�I think the core of the team will be there. We just need to add a few options, more especially in offense. It should allow Phil (Younghusband) and rest of the guys to attack more,� he said.
The Azkals made the country proud, and their opposition take a more serious look at them following an impressive showing that included draws against Singapore and Myanmar and a big 2-0 win over Vietnam.
Against the mighty Indonesians, the Azkals dropped identical 1-0 defeats when there were chances of winning or at least salvaging a draw.
�We still need to improve. It�s not just the coach but all of the players will be evaluated. And from there we will know what steps to take,� said Palami.
But it doesn�t mean that he�s disappointed with the outcome. Certainly not.
�It was a good run for the Philippines. We weren�t expected to reach this level. And now that we know what we can achieve, the next tournament will be more exciting for us. A lot of players will be coming in as well. We can make some changes to make sure we have more options
�We can look forward to a better team in the coming years,� he said, adding that this early, the Azkals are getting invitations to play in other countries, including one in Vietnam.
A couple of players, including star goalie Neil Etheridge, team captain Aly Borromeo and youthful Jason De Jong, are being offered playing contracts in Indonesia.
Franco Lorenzo, one of the team officials, said the offers actually came on the eve of the match, but they kept the players within safe distance because they weren�t really sure what it was all about.
�It was on the eve of the biggest match of our lives and we don�t know what kind of offers were to be made,� said the official.
McMenemy is also facing offers to coach other teams, like Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia, but said he�d rather stay with the Azkals.
Whatever, Palami said he�s looking forward to a busy year for the Azkals.
�Now everybody knows we can play decent football,� he said.
philstar
Phl feat in SI top 10 football stories
by Joey Villar
MANILA, Philippines � The Philippines� astounding upset victory over dethroned champion Vietnam in the Asean Football Federation�s Suzuki Cup generated interest not just in the Asean and Asian regions but also the rest of the world.
Sports Illustrated, the highly popular US-based sports magazine and website, included the Filipino booters� stirring 2-0 triumph over the heavily-favored Vietnamese in the group stages of the Suzuki Cup in its Top 10 soccer stories for the year about to end.
Written by Georgina Turner, the story described the Azkals� win right on the Vietnamese turf as �the biggest upset in the history of the Suzuki Cup considering that RP is ranked a far 151st in the world by FIFA and that the Filipinos had never scored a goal against the Vietnamese in the last two decades.�
�The Asean Football Federation�s biennial Suzuki Cup might not be too high up on your list of priorities, but this year�s tournament produced arguably the biggest upset in its history: Defending champion and federation powerhouse Vietnam lost 2-0 to the Philippines, ranked 151st in the world and without so much as a point off Vietnam in nearly 20 years,� she wrote.
Turner also mentioned the unsportsmanlike gesture of Vietnam�s Portuguese coach Henrique Calisto towards RP�s British mentor Simon McMenemy at the end of the masterful triumph.
Vice President Jejomar Binay�s name was also mentioned in the story for reportedly promising to come up with an honest-to-goodness national battle plan in the Nationals� future campaigns, including a crack at a chance to play in the 2014 World Cup.
�Accusing the Azkals of parking the bus, Vietnamese coach Henrique Calisto refused to shake his opposite number�s hand after that match,� said Turner.
�Simon McMenemy was upset by the gesture but wouldn�t be drawn into a slanging match after the result that prompted the country�s vice president, Jejomar Binay, to promise a national training program,� she added.
Philstar
MANILA, Philippines � The Philippines� astounding upset victory over dethroned champion Vietnam in the Asean Football Federation�s Suzuki Cup generated interest not just in the Asean and Asian regions but also the rest of the world.
Sports Illustrated, the highly popular US-based sports magazine and website, included the Filipino booters� stirring 2-0 triumph over the heavily-favored Vietnamese in the group stages of the Suzuki Cup in its Top 10 soccer stories for the year about to end.
Written by Georgina Turner, the story described the Azkals� win right on the Vietnamese turf as �the biggest upset in the history of the Suzuki Cup considering that RP is ranked a far 151st in the world by FIFA and that the Filipinos had never scored a goal against the Vietnamese in the last two decades.�
�The Asean Football Federation�s biennial Suzuki Cup might not be too high up on your list of priorities, but this year�s tournament produced arguably the biggest upset in its history: Defending champion and federation powerhouse Vietnam lost 2-0 to the Philippines, ranked 151st in the world and without so much as a point off Vietnam in nearly 20 years,� she wrote.
Turner also mentioned the unsportsmanlike gesture of Vietnam�s Portuguese coach Henrique Calisto towards RP�s British mentor Simon McMenemy at the end of the masterful triumph.
Vice President Jejomar Binay�s name was also mentioned in the story for reportedly promising to come up with an honest-to-goodness national battle plan in the Nationals� future campaigns, including a crack at a chance to play in the 2014 World Cup.
�Accusing the Azkals of parking the bus, Vietnamese coach Henrique Calisto refused to shake his opposite number�s hand after that match,� said Turner.
�Simon McMenemy was upset by the gesture but wouldn�t be drawn into a slanging match after the result that prompted the country�s vice president, Jejomar Binay, to promise a national training program,� she added.
Philstar
Game 2 of Philippine Azkals vs Indonesians rated well on TV�report
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines�The second football game of the Suzuki Cup semifinals between the Philippines and Indonesia, which went almost head to head with the San Miguel Beer-Air 21 quarterfinal game over RPN 9 on December 19 rated significantly higher.
However, the game of crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra versus Alaska on February 17 topped the ratings with a higher average of 5.7 percent in Mega Manila, 5.9 in Metro Manila, and 5.5 percent in the suburbs.
Although comparatively low ratings in Mindanao brought down the national average, the Ginebra-Alaska game still topped the football match with a 4.7 average.
The football match was telecast �live� on Studio 23 while the PBA games were aired on Solar TV-RPN 9.
The Philippines-Indonesia 2 rated 3.7 percent nationally while the pro league�s San Miguel-Air 21 game rated 2.7.
In the breakdown of the ratings, the football match rated 3.8 percent as against 3.3 for basketball in Mega Manila. In Metro Manila, football outrated basketball 4.2 against 3.7.
In the suburbs, the Philippines-Indonesia game rated 3.1 as against 2.9 for the San Miguel�Air 21 showdown. In Northern Luzon, the gap was much wider with football garnering a 3.5 rating and basketball 1.3 percent.
In the Visayas region, which is regarded as a hotbed of football, Game 2 of the Philippines-Indonesia semifinals rated double that of the SMB-Air 21 game, 5.4 to 2.7 percent.
In Mindanao, football also was way ahead, rating 5.3 percent to 2.8 for the PBA game.
The first game ratings of the PBA quarterfinals between Talk N� Text and Rain or Shine was considerably lower than the ratings for football with a national rating of 1.5 percent compared with football�s 3.7.
The resurgence of public interest in football was anchored on the success of the national team given the monicker Azkals after they held three-time Suzuki Cup champion Singapore to a 1-1 draw and stunned defending champion Vietnam, 2-0.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines�The second football game of the Suzuki Cup semifinals between the Philippines and Indonesia, which went almost head to head with the San Miguel Beer-Air 21 quarterfinal game over RPN 9 on December 19 rated significantly higher.
However, the game of crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra versus Alaska on February 17 topped the ratings with a higher average of 5.7 percent in Mega Manila, 5.9 in Metro Manila, and 5.5 percent in the suburbs.
Although comparatively low ratings in Mindanao brought down the national average, the Ginebra-Alaska game still topped the football match with a 4.7 average.
The football match was telecast �live� on Studio 23 while the PBA games were aired on Solar TV-RPN 9.
The Philippines-Indonesia 2 rated 3.7 percent nationally while the pro league�s San Miguel-Air 21 game rated 2.7.
In the breakdown of the ratings, the football match rated 3.8 percent as against 3.3 for basketball in Mega Manila. In Metro Manila, football outrated basketball 4.2 against 3.7.
In the suburbs, the Philippines-Indonesia game rated 3.1 as against 2.9 for the San Miguel�Air 21 showdown. In Northern Luzon, the gap was much wider with football garnering a 3.5 rating and basketball 1.3 percent.
In the Visayas region, which is regarded as a hotbed of football, Game 2 of the Philippines-Indonesia semifinals rated double that of the SMB-Air 21 game, 5.4 to 2.7 percent.
In Mindanao, football also was way ahead, rating 5.3 percent to 2.8 for the PBA game.
The first game ratings of the PBA quarterfinals between Talk N� Text and Rain or Shine was considerably lower than the ratings for football with a national rating of 1.5 percent compared with football�s 3.7.
The resurgence of public interest in football was anchored on the success of the national team given the monicker Azkals after they held three-time Suzuki Cup champion Singapore to a 1-1 draw and stunned defending champion Vietnam, 2-0.
New PFF prexy to prioritize Azkals training
NOW that he is finally recognized by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) as the new president of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), Mariano �Nonong� Araneta Jr. said he is prioritizing the training of the Philippine Azkals so the team could join more international tournaments.
After reaching a historic semifinals of the AFF (Asian Football Federation) Suzuki Cup, the Azkals will next see action in Mongolia on Feb. 9 and 16 with more tournaments lined up for the Pinoys including the World Cup qualifiers and the Southeast Asian Games.
However, unlike his predecessor Jose Mari Martinez, Araneta will also focus on the grassroots development including the holding of national tournaments next year for the U19 men�s and U16 women�s.
�Aside from prioritizing the Azkals, we are also planning to hold a national tournament for the U19 men�s and U16 women�s either in April or May. Qualifying will be held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and we might also be holding a selection then form the national team,� Araneta said.
Araneta also plans to adopt a grassroots development being worked in Iloilo wherein the Iloilo Football Association of which he is also president teams up with the Department of Education (DepEd) in promoting football in the public schools.
�The plan is to incorporate football in physical education (PE) classes, have them play five times a week for an hour while the FA provides the technical know-how,� Araneta explained.
He added that once the Iloilo FA signs a memorandum of agreement with DepEd then he would bring the program to other areas in the country.
As for the funding, Araneta said that he will be tapping the private sectors to help.
Another project that Araneta plans to continue is the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Vision Asia project which was started in Cebu City early this year.
�We are going to send documents to AFC and show them that we have actually started the project so that they could continue sending us the funds. They already sent money to the PFF but we do not know what happened to it,� Araneta said, adding that he will continue to recover the funds allegedly squandered by Martinez.
�We are consulting with the lawyer on what cases to file against Martinez to recover the P2.8 million. We suspect that there are still more unaccounted funds; the P2.8M was only the investments made by Martinez without the approval of the PFF board,� Araneta said.
Araneta was voted to replace Martinez last Nov. 27 during the PFF National Congress after the Board of Governors in a series of meetings adopted a motion to remove Martinez from office when he failed to explain and show documents on what happened to the P2.8M.
However, early this month, Araneta was surprised when Fifa sent a letter stating that they are still recognizing Martinez as the PFF president because they are not sure if Martinez�s ouster was in accordance with the PFF statutes and by-laws.
Fifa, however, went back on its word and in a three-page letter, FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said �the FIFA, backed by the opinion of FIFA vice president Geoff Thompson, validated the election of Araneta, who replaced Mari Martinez.�
Araneta said Martinez could still appeal his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) but that as far as Fifa is concerned the matter is already closed. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON
Cebu Daily News
After reaching a historic semifinals of the AFF (Asian Football Federation) Suzuki Cup, the Azkals will next see action in Mongolia on Feb. 9 and 16 with more tournaments lined up for the Pinoys including the World Cup qualifiers and the Southeast Asian Games.
However, unlike his predecessor Jose Mari Martinez, Araneta will also focus on the grassroots development including the holding of national tournaments next year for the U19 men�s and U16 women�s.
�Aside from prioritizing the Azkals, we are also planning to hold a national tournament for the U19 men�s and U16 women�s either in April or May. Qualifying will be held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and we might also be holding a selection then form the national team,� Araneta said.
Araneta also plans to adopt a grassroots development being worked in Iloilo wherein the Iloilo Football Association of which he is also president teams up with the Department of Education (DepEd) in promoting football in the public schools.
�The plan is to incorporate football in physical education (PE) classes, have them play five times a week for an hour while the FA provides the technical know-how,� Araneta explained.
He added that once the Iloilo FA signs a memorandum of agreement with DepEd then he would bring the program to other areas in the country.
As for the funding, Araneta said that he will be tapping the private sectors to help.
Another project that Araneta plans to continue is the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Vision Asia project which was started in Cebu City early this year.
�We are going to send documents to AFC and show them that we have actually started the project so that they could continue sending us the funds. They already sent money to the PFF but we do not know what happened to it,� Araneta said, adding that he will continue to recover the funds allegedly squandered by Martinez.
�We are consulting with the lawyer on what cases to file against Martinez to recover the P2.8 million. We suspect that there are still more unaccounted funds; the P2.8M was only the investments made by Martinez without the approval of the PFF board,� Araneta said.
Araneta was voted to replace Martinez last Nov. 27 during the PFF National Congress after the Board of Governors in a series of meetings adopted a motion to remove Martinez from office when he failed to explain and show documents on what happened to the P2.8M.
However, early this month, Araneta was surprised when Fifa sent a letter stating that they are still recognizing Martinez as the PFF president because they are not sure if Martinez�s ouster was in accordance with the PFF statutes and by-laws.
Fifa, however, went back on its word and in a three-page letter, FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said �the FIFA, backed by the opinion of FIFA vice president Geoff Thompson, validated the election of Araneta, who replaced Mari Martinez.�
Araneta said Martinez could still appeal his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) but that as far as Fifa is concerned the matter is already closed. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON
Cebu Daily News
Addazio's loyalty his most endearing trait
 |
| I think Steve Addazio will be more loyal to our kids than Al Golden. |
It had nothing to do with Temple and everything to do with Steve Addazio the person.
He mentioned Florida.
In a 40-minute press conference when he was introduced as the new head coach at the University of Miami, Al Golden did not mention Temple once.
That snub by Golden really gored my goat.
Heck, if I was Golden I might have said:
"I want to thank Bernard Pierce,who gave me my two biggest wins, against UConn and Navy, and I want to thank Adam DiMichele, without whom I would not have won nine games in my second and third seasons. Most of all, I want to thank my Temple kids."
The first part of that would have been true and the second part of that would have been nice. That he said neither gave you a glimpse into Al Golden the man.
There is no doubt in my mind that if the Owls would have been fortunate enough to play in the New Orleans Bowl, Golden would have already flown the coup and taken half the staff with him before the bowl game and left the Owls with Matt Rhule and two grad assistants coaching against Troy
I always thought Al Golden looked after Al Golden first and Temple a distant second.
There is no doubt in my mind that if the Owls would have been fortunate enough to play in the New Orleans Bowl, Golden would have already flown the coup and taken half the staff with him before the bowl game and left the Owls with Matt Rhule and two grad assistants coaching against Troy.
No doubt whatsoever.
I like Steve Addazio The Man better.
Can Steve coach?
We won't find out until the Villanova game nine months from now.
Temple returns 14 starters from a team that beat a BCS league chanpion and won eight games. Villanova loses 16 starters from an FCS team that lost six games.
If Temple doesn't hammer the living shit (excuse my French) out of Villanova, Addazio can't coach worth a damn. If Temple wins, 35-14, he's a good coach.
If Temple wins, 55-3, he's a great coach.
I'm hoping for greatness.
He already earned my respect as a man on Thursday with some casual offhand remarks he made about his Florida kids.
Addazio mentioned Florida a few times which was, to me, a good thing and bodes well for his future loyalty to Temple.
That tugged me at the heartstrings.
He mentioned the opportunity Urban Meyer gave him to run the program and thanked him for it.
Most of all, he mentioned the special bond he had with his players that dicates he coach them one more time in the Outback Bowl.
"I'm getting ready for a bowl game," Addazio said. "I've got a bunch of players anxious to get started and I owe that to them and to the University of Florida to be there with them."
Could you imagine Al Golden saying the same thing about his Temple players and coaching them in a bowl game after he got the job at Miami?
I didn't think you could.
Recruiting 2011--Mike DeTroia
 |
| Bill Gross/pressofatlanticcity.com image |
His Rivals page is here.
ESPN profile here.
YouTube highlight video here.
This article features him.
DeTroia holds offers from Fordham, Bucknell, Lafayette, Maine, Monmouth, UNH and Penn.
He may hold out for an offer from Boston College.
Thursday--Dec 23rd 2101
Tyler Holmes has been named to two more First Team All-American squads.
The Sports Network's team here.
Phil Steele's FCS All-American team here. Note that Holmes was Steele's Defensive Player-of-the-Year.
Matty V has a story here.
The CAA had 13 Sports Network All-Americans.
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Temple was a failure in the Big East, but the move to the MAC has renewed Temple football. The Owls went 8-4 this year, but lost their coach to Miami.
This article says Temple made a mistake hiring Steve Addazio as HC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Sports Network's team here.
Phil Steele's FCS All-American team here. Note that Holmes was Steele's Defensive Player-of-the-Year.
Matty V has a story here.
The CAA had 13 Sports Network All-Americans.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temple was a failure in the Big East, but the move to the MAC has renewed Temple football. The Owls went 8-4 this year, but lost their coach to Miami.
This article says Temple made a mistake hiring Steve Addazio as HC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UFL - Quarterfinals draw
Global Smartmatic, one of the teams that underwent a roster upgrade during the off-season, has been drawn with newcomer Stallions in the quarterfinals of the UFL-LBC Cup.
The Global-Stallions duel emerged as the marquee showdown of the last eight after the draw attended by coaches, owners and managers held Wednesday night at the Makati Sports Club.
The draw also resulted in a duel between last year�s league champion Air Force and Group C No. 2 Navy, Army against Nomads and unbeaten Union versus ManilaSudanese Club.
The quarterfinals will begin Jan. 9.
MSC was the last team to reach the quarterfinals after beating a short-handed Air Force side, 3-2, last Dec. 19.
The Airmen had little to play for having advanced as the top seed in the group after two straight victories over Pasargad and Laos.
Air Force also missed almost half of its roster, including strikers Ian Araneta and Yanti Barsales and winger Chieffy Caligdong who were playing for the national team in theAFF Suzuki Cup semifinals.
MSC was a long shot to reach the quarterfinals with just a point to show in their first two matches. But they made the most of their chances against Air Force and nipped Pasargad on goal difference to reach the knockout stage.
The Stallions boast of former national players from Iloilo, including the fleet-footed Jovanie Simpron, who has tormented teams with his pace.
It will be interesting how Global, with its beefed-up side, handles a Stallion squad teeming with talent and experience.
Philippine team skipper Aly Borromeo will lead Global, along with Misagh Bahadoran, Badrelin El-Habbib and Izzeldin El-Habbib, who emerged as the league�s top scorer last season.
Army will be in for a tough battle against Nomads, who, like MSC, made the quarterfinals after winning their last game.
In Roel Gener and Nestorio Margarse, the Armymen have a wealth of experience at midfield.
But Nomads have shown a knack for scoring when needed especially in crucial matches.
Air Force has been widely tipped to repeat its league success this season, despite the roster revamp undergone by Global and Union.
With half of its roster training with the national team, the Airmen have players who are in shape and with loads of international experience. Striker Ian Araneta, for example, started all five games for the country in the Suzuki Cup.
Navy has been considered the weakest among the teams from the Armed Forces, but could cause Air Force problems with its attack line led by Reydric Viliran.
Navy finished sixth in the league last season in a campaign highlighted by a two-game sweep of rival Army.
With an infusion of fresh talent that has combined well with some of the finest African recruits playing in the league, Union had become the latest force in the league.
Its come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Global have boosted their stock considerably. But Union proved that victory was no fluke by sweeping all of their Group D assignments.
UFL Website
-------------------------------------------------------
The LBC UFL Cup Quarter- Final Draw has been made:
Sunday 9-Jan 1300 Army vs. Nomads Alabang Country Club (ACC)-A
1300 Air Force vs. Navy ACC - B
1500 Stallions vs. Global ACC - A
1500 Union vs. Manila Sudanese ACC
The Global-Stallions duel emerged as the marquee showdown of the last eight after the draw attended by coaches, owners and managers held Wednesday night at the Makati Sports Club.
The draw also resulted in a duel between last year�s league champion Air Force and Group C No. 2 Navy, Army against Nomads and unbeaten Union versus ManilaSudanese Club.
The quarterfinals will begin Jan. 9.
MSC was the last team to reach the quarterfinals after beating a short-handed Air Force side, 3-2, last Dec. 19.
The Airmen had little to play for having advanced as the top seed in the group after two straight victories over Pasargad and Laos.
Air Force also missed almost half of its roster, including strikers Ian Araneta and Yanti Barsales and winger Chieffy Caligdong who were playing for the national team in theAFF Suzuki Cup semifinals.
MSC was a long shot to reach the quarterfinals with just a point to show in their first two matches. But they made the most of their chances against Air Force and nipped Pasargad on goal difference to reach the knockout stage.
The Stallions boast of former national players from Iloilo, including the fleet-footed Jovanie Simpron, who has tormented teams with his pace.
It will be interesting how Global, with its beefed-up side, handles a Stallion squad teeming with talent and experience.
Philippine team skipper Aly Borromeo will lead Global, along with Misagh Bahadoran, Badrelin El-Habbib and Izzeldin El-Habbib, who emerged as the league�s top scorer last season.
Army will be in for a tough battle against Nomads, who, like MSC, made the quarterfinals after winning their last game.
In Roel Gener and Nestorio Margarse, the Armymen have a wealth of experience at midfield.
But Nomads have shown a knack for scoring when needed especially in crucial matches.
Air Force has been widely tipped to repeat its league success this season, despite the roster revamp undergone by Global and Union.
With half of its roster training with the national team, the Airmen have players who are in shape and with loads of international experience. Striker Ian Araneta, for example, started all five games for the country in the Suzuki Cup.
Navy has been considered the weakest among the teams from the Armed Forces, but could cause Air Force problems with its attack line led by Reydric Viliran.
Navy finished sixth in the league last season in a campaign highlighted by a two-game sweep of rival Army.
With an infusion of fresh talent that has combined well with some of the finest African recruits playing in the league, Union had become the latest force in the league.
Its come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Global have boosted their stock considerably. But Union proved that victory was no fluke by sweeping all of their Group D assignments.
UFL Website
-------------------------------------------------------
The LBC UFL Cup Quarter- Final Draw has been made:
Sunday 9-Jan 1300 Army vs. Nomads Alabang Country Club (ACC)-A
1300 Air Force vs. Navy ACC - B
1500 Stallions vs. Global ACC - A
1500 Union vs. Manila Sudanese ACC
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
The Steve Addazio Era (or Error)
If Steve Addazio puts a 55-3 (or even 35-14) beatdown on Villanova, he becomes my new favorite head coach in a hurry.
This has never been a site that says everything we do is just peachy and let's get behind the coach because he's our guy, like a lot of college football blogs.
I've told it like it was since Day One five years ago.
Or at least the way I saw it was.
Five years ago, I thought Al Golden's hiring was a good thing for the program and I wrote about it here.
I never said Al was perfect, but I did predict he would turn things around at Temple.
I trusted him with my team.
That was a bold prediction at the time when many people said this was an impossible job, but I went ahead and did it because everything I had read and heard about Al Golden until that point was positive. I have read a lot of about Steve Addazio in the last three days and I would say about 99 percent of it has been negative and this piece by a great writer named Dave Jones is just a small sample.
That doesn't mean Al Golden was immune from criticism in this forum along the way.
I've criticized Al Golden a few times (the Navy fumble comes to mind).
I've criticized Al Golden's grasp of quarterback recruiting.
Overall, though, I maintained that Al was the right guy to lead the only team I really go crazy over.
As much as I'd like to say the same thing about Steve Addazio, I can't because it comes with all of the red flags associated with bad Temple football hirings in the past.
With the talent in place to win now, this was a time Temple should have hired a head coach and not take a chance with an assistant coach. The best predictor of future success is past success and there is really no way to predict how Addazio will do as a head coach because his record as such is 0-0.
That would not have been the case if Temple went after a proven winning head coach, like former USF head coach Jim Leavitt (to use just one example) who was 94-37 in his prior job.
I don't have children, so Temple football is like a child to me.
Coaches come and go, players come and go, players' parents come and go, but Temple football and me and fans like me are always here _ and I'll always love it because it's my kid.
If you see your kid playing on the train tracks and there's a locomotive coming, you don't say, "Geez, I hope everything turns out OK for my kid."
You yell for the kid to get off the tracks if you can't get there and carry him/her off yourself.
I'm in yelling mode today.
Well, there's a locomotive coming.
Coaches come and go, players come and go, players' parents come and go, but Temple football and me and fans like me are always here
It might not be the Jerry Berndt Express or the Ron Dickerson Express or the Bobby Wallace Express, but it looks like it's got the same kind bad brakes (or breaks) ahead.Quite frankly, I'm stunned and appalled with this hiring.
I will go on record right here and now as saying I hope Steve Addazio takes Temple to the MAC championship in 2011 and wins it.
When you have 14 starters returning from a team that won eight games, have an improved quarterback situation ahead and a guy with Heisman Trophy talent (if not durability) running the ball, then that's really the only standard he should be judged on right now.
Fall short of that and he's an abject failure.
I hope I have to write a post eating crow after a bowl win in 12 months.
I don't think I will, though.
I will also go on record right here and now and say this hiring is a step backward.
I've researched everything I could about Steve Addazio over the last few hours and I did not find one (1) positive news or feature story about Steve Addazio, although I found 22 negative ones.
That's telling.
The fans who know Steve Addazio and are more familiar with his play-calling than I am are pretty anti-Steve.
That's alarming.
I will go on record right here and now as saying I hope Steve Addazio takes Temple to the MAC championship in 2011 and wins it
There's a great blog that covers the Ball State football program called Over the Pylon. A few weeks ago, the name Addazio was connected with the Ball State job.This post thanks God that he didn't get it.
When Ball State fans are happy the coach you hired didn't get their job, that tells you all you need to know.
Five years ago I was excited to write about Al Golden.
Forgive me if I'm a little underwhelmed writing about Steve Addazio now.
If he starts bringing Gator recruits with him up north, like Al Golden stole an Owl recruit last week, I might change my mind.
It will take something that dramatic in the short term to get my attention.
He's married to my kid right now and, as Robert DeNiro says to Ben Stiller in Little Fockers:
I'm watching you.
Football finally outrates PBA
by Ronnie Nathanielsz
We were pleasantly surprised and pleased at the television ratings of the first match in the Suzuki Cup semifinals between the Philippines and Indonesia staged in the 80,000-seat Bung Karno Stadium, which was built in 1960 and is the 9th biggest football stadium in the world.
ABS-CBN�s top honcho Gabby Lopez had earlier instructed vice president for sports Peter Musngi to somehow get the Philippine games for telecast on Studio 23 after realizing the potential of the sport and the newfound public interest in it.
The interest was stirred, no doubt, by the quality with which we played the game and the roster of good-looking young men who donned the country�s jersey in the tournament.
If the results of the telecast of Game 1 is any criteria, then Lopez certainly made the right decision. But that would clearly never be enough. It cannot be a one-shot deal.
ABS-CBN, or any other TV network for that matter, needs to follow through on what has been an initial breakthrough.
The sport needs a well thought-out and sustained program to build on the gains achieved in the Suzuki Cup, while at the same time shunning the internal struggles and debilitating politics of Philippine sport.
Indeed, a powerful TV network�s involvement and its persuasive influence in football is likely to help remove politics from the sport and allow it to grow because it is indeed in the service of the Filipino.
* * *
The ratings should also open the eyes of the members of the PBA board to the harsh reality that the pro cage league is not the attractive proposition it used to be�although teams like Ginebra, B-Meg Derby Ace (Purefoods to many) and San Miguel Beer continue to draw fans to the venue.
Overall, however, the PBA board must realize that they don�t have a product that networks and advertisers will chase, like they used to at a time when Vintage Enterprises� Carlos �Bobong� Velez lifted the PBA telecast to unequalled heights over a long period of time behind a total dedication to producing a top-class coverage.
The board also needs to appreciate the TV medium as it is today and not be swayed by unsubstantiated if not unintelligent claims that a UHF Channel like Studio 23 cannot match the reach or the audiences of a free TV channel like RPN 9.
That misconception, and a little additional money in terms of a franchise fee, saw the PBA board�which had first indicated it would go with ABS-CBN�turn around and award the coverage rights to Solar Sports.
* * *
The ratings of the football match last Thursday were, according to Musngi, �amazing.�
Imagine. The RP-Indonesia match on Studio 23 outrated the PBA games the previous day.
The PBA first game rated 1.0 percent and Game 2, 1.7 percent in Mindanao while football rated 1.8 percent.
In the Visayas, the PBA rated 1.4 percent and 1.7 percent while the football match rated 4.4 percent.
In Mega Manila the PBA rated 1.4 percent and 2.6 percent while football rated 3.0 percent.
Finally, in the suburbs the PBA rated 1.6 percent and 3.5 percent in the triple-overtime game between Meralco and Rain or Shine while football basically on the main game timeslot rated 4.0 percent.
Figures tell the story.
It may not be the whole picture but it certainly indicates that football has an exciting future. And if PBA basketball is to revive the glory days, the board itself and the teams must imbibe the dynamism of league commissioner Chito Salud, whose grasp of the nuances and commitment to excellence will surely help pave the way for a turnaround.
Time is of the essence.
inquirer.net
We were pleasantly surprised and pleased at the television ratings of the first match in the Suzuki Cup semifinals between the Philippines and Indonesia staged in the 80,000-seat Bung Karno Stadium, which was built in 1960 and is the 9th biggest football stadium in the world.
ABS-CBN�s top honcho Gabby Lopez had earlier instructed vice president for sports Peter Musngi to somehow get the Philippine games for telecast on Studio 23 after realizing the potential of the sport and the newfound public interest in it.
The interest was stirred, no doubt, by the quality with which we played the game and the roster of good-looking young men who donned the country�s jersey in the tournament.
If the results of the telecast of Game 1 is any criteria, then Lopez certainly made the right decision. But that would clearly never be enough. It cannot be a one-shot deal.
ABS-CBN, or any other TV network for that matter, needs to follow through on what has been an initial breakthrough.
The sport needs a well thought-out and sustained program to build on the gains achieved in the Suzuki Cup, while at the same time shunning the internal struggles and debilitating politics of Philippine sport.
Indeed, a powerful TV network�s involvement and its persuasive influence in football is likely to help remove politics from the sport and allow it to grow because it is indeed in the service of the Filipino.
* * *
The ratings should also open the eyes of the members of the PBA board to the harsh reality that the pro cage league is not the attractive proposition it used to be�although teams like Ginebra, B-Meg Derby Ace (Purefoods to many) and San Miguel Beer continue to draw fans to the venue.
Overall, however, the PBA board must realize that they don�t have a product that networks and advertisers will chase, like they used to at a time when Vintage Enterprises� Carlos �Bobong� Velez lifted the PBA telecast to unequalled heights over a long period of time behind a total dedication to producing a top-class coverage.
The board also needs to appreciate the TV medium as it is today and not be swayed by unsubstantiated if not unintelligent claims that a UHF Channel like Studio 23 cannot match the reach or the audiences of a free TV channel like RPN 9.
That misconception, and a little additional money in terms of a franchise fee, saw the PBA board�which had first indicated it would go with ABS-CBN�turn around and award the coverage rights to Solar Sports.
* * *
The ratings of the football match last Thursday were, according to Musngi, �amazing.�
Imagine. The RP-Indonesia match on Studio 23 outrated the PBA games the previous day.
The PBA first game rated 1.0 percent and Game 2, 1.7 percent in Mindanao while football rated 1.8 percent.
In the Visayas, the PBA rated 1.4 percent and 1.7 percent while the football match rated 4.4 percent.
In Mega Manila the PBA rated 1.4 percent and 2.6 percent while football rated 3.0 percent.
Finally, in the suburbs the PBA rated 1.6 percent and 3.5 percent in the triple-overtime game between Meralco and Rain or Shine while football basically on the main game timeslot rated 4.0 percent.
Figures tell the story.
It may not be the whole picture but it certainly indicates that football has an exciting future. And if PBA basketball is to revive the glory days, the board itself and the teams must imbibe the dynamism of league commissioner Chito Salud, whose grasp of the nuances and commitment to excellence will surely help pave the way for a turnaround.
Time is of the essence.
inquirer.net
PFF bats for SEA Games comeback
By Joaquin Henson
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta Jr. said yesterday the national team is definitely playing in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia, on Nov. 11-25 but the lineup will be radically different from the cast that went to the semifinals of the recent Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup.
The age limit for men�s football in the SEA Games has been 23 since 2001 with the Philippines participating in only one of the last five stagings. The last time the Philippines played football in the SEA Games was in 2005 when the national team failed to qualify for the semifinals, losing twice (Thailand, 1-0, Malaysia, 4-2) and winning once (Cambodia, 4-2) in the preliminaries at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City. The closest the Philippines came to claiming a football medal in the biennial event was in 1991 when the nationals lost a 2-0 decision to Singapore in the playoff for bronze.
In the recent Suzuki Cup, only six players will be under 23 when the next SEA Games begin � goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, 20, fullback David Basa, 21, midfielder Mark Ferrer, 21, midfielder Jason de Jong, 20, midfielder Mark Drinkuth, 19 and goalkeeper Christopher Camcam, 16. That means the Younghusband brothers, Chris Greatwich, Aly Borromeo, Ian Araneta, Ray Jonsson and Anton del Rosario will not be eligible.
�Of course, we have to play in the SEA Games,� said Araneta, voted unanimously to serve deposed PFF president Jose Mari Martinez� last year in his term during the National Congress last Nov. 27. �I�ve asked our team manager Dan Palami to inquire if we might be able to enlist a few exceptions for the SEA Games. Meanwhile, we will prepare for the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Challenge Cup. We will host the first of two games against Mongolia on Feb. 9. If Mongolia agrees, we will host both games in the Philippines.�
Araneta referred to the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers where the Philippines will battle Mongolia in a home-and-away series similar to the Suzuki Cup semifinal and final formats. The first match will likely be held at the Panaad Stadium. If the Philippines overcomes Mongolia, it will move on to face Myanmar on March 21, Palestine on March 23 and Bangladesh on March 25 in the Challenge Cup stepladder to determine teams to play in the prestigious AFC Asia Cup. The AFC Challenge Cup will not impose age limits on players.
Araneta said the coming year will also start the zonal World Cup qualifiers.
Former national coach Juan Cutillas said to ride the momentum of the Azkals� semifinal finish in the Suzuki Cup, the team must recruit bigger, stronger and younger local players.
�We have to abandon the policy of using Armed Forces players just because they are available,� he said. �It was embarrassing to see (some of) our local players (between) 34 and 37 standing no more than 5-4. It is a must to select a squad of the best preferable young players in the country and train them on a full-time basis, provide them with all they need, such as accommodations
, education and allowances, arrange for training abroad for periods of time. That will be the basis of a strong national team.�
Cutillas said the team has to beef up its midfield line. �We have to get better staff in the middle field,� he pointed out. �To improve our game, we need to put up a really strong local competition. A lot of credit goes to the whole Philippine delegation.�
Araneta also noted the crucial role of the midfielders. �The midfielders have to give more support to our two strikers consistently,� he said. �We have shown that if we commit more players in offense, we can create chances to score goals.�
Negros Occidental Football Association president Charlie Cojuangco said the semifinals showed that the Azkals need to work on match fitness. Cojuangco also stressed the importance of establishing a world-class facility and hoped the Suzuki Cup fever won�t die down to leave football unnoticed in media again.
AFF vice president and former PFF president Johnny Romualdez said the key to improve lies in building a deep bench. �We need a young team with a good future,� he said. �I don�t favor more than seven Fil-foreigners. Our grassroots program since 1998 should now begin to provide more locals. We should also continue to recruit top Fil-foreigners.�
PFF technical director and former national coach Aris Caslib said it is critical that Palami and national coach Simon McMenemy stay on the job.
�We pray that Palami stays to manage the national team until 2012,� said Caslib. �The best thing about Palami�s management style is he fully understands the support a national team needs. He showed great respect with the technical side under McMenemy�s leadership. He allowed the coach to make decisions in the preparation, selection of players and approach to the competition.�
As for McMenemy, Caslib said the PFF should try to convince the Briton to continue coaching the Azkals at least until 2012 for the next Suzuki Cup.
�We also need to strengthen the coaching staff by providing a goalkeeper coach,� added Caslib. �Although Neil is attached with Fulham FC, he still needs somebody whom he can talk with at the same time, train other goalkeepers of the national team. We need a scouting coach to check opponents and provide inputs during a game. A conditioning coach should also be considered. We typically enjoy a height advantage in the Suzuki Cup but strength and speed are worth developing. The coaching staff must be encouraged to continuously go for higher studies or licensing in order to enhance their approach to training and matches, managing players, scouting talent and studying opponents.�
Philstar
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta Jr. said yesterday the national team is definitely playing in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia, on Nov. 11-25 but the lineup will be radically different from the cast that went to the semifinals of the recent Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup.
The age limit for men�s football in the SEA Games has been 23 since 2001 with the Philippines participating in only one of the last five stagings. The last time the Philippines played football in the SEA Games was in 2005 when the national team failed to qualify for the semifinals, losing twice (Thailand, 1-0, Malaysia, 4-2) and winning once (Cambodia, 4-2) in the preliminaries at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City. The closest the Philippines came to claiming a football medal in the biennial event was in 1991 when the nationals lost a 2-0 decision to Singapore in the playoff for bronze.
In the recent Suzuki Cup, only six players will be under 23 when the next SEA Games begin � goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, 20, fullback David Basa, 21, midfielder Mark Ferrer, 21, midfielder Jason de Jong, 20, midfielder Mark Drinkuth, 19 and goalkeeper Christopher Camcam, 16. That means the Younghusband brothers, Chris Greatwich, Aly Borromeo, Ian Araneta, Ray Jonsson and Anton del Rosario will not be eligible.
�Of course, we have to play in the SEA Games,� said Araneta, voted unanimously to serve deposed PFF president Jose Mari Martinez� last year in his term during the National Congress last Nov. 27. �I�ve asked our team manager Dan Palami to inquire if we might be able to enlist a few exceptions for the SEA Games. Meanwhile, we will prepare for the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Challenge Cup. We will host the first of two games against Mongolia on Feb. 9. If Mongolia agrees, we will host both games in the Philippines.�
Araneta referred to the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers where the Philippines will battle Mongolia in a home-and-away series similar to the Suzuki Cup semifinal and final formats. The first match will likely be held at the Panaad Stadium. If the Philippines overcomes Mongolia, it will move on to face Myanmar on March 21, Palestine on March 23 and Bangladesh on March 25 in the Challenge Cup stepladder to determine teams to play in the prestigious AFC Asia Cup. The AFC Challenge Cup will not impose age limits on players.
Araneta said the coming year will also start the zonal World Cup qualifiers.
Former national coach Juan Cutillas said to ride the momentum of the Azkals� semifinal finish in the Suzuki Cup, the team must recruit bigger, stronger and younger local players.
�We have to abandon the policy of using Armed Forces players just because they are available,� he said. �It was embarrassing to see (some of) our local players (between) 34 and 37 standing no more than 5-4. It is a must to select a squad of the best preferable young players in the country and train them on a full-time basis, provide them with all they need, such as accommodations
, education and allowances, arrange for training abroad for periods of time. That will be the basis of a strong national team.�
Cutillas said the team has to beef up its midfield line. �We have to get better staff in the middle field,� he pointed out. �To improve our game, we need to put up a really strong local competition. A lot of credit goes to the whole Philippine delegation.�
Araneta also noted the crucial role of the midfielders. �The midfielders have to give more support to our two strikers consistently,� he said. �We have shown that if we commit more players in offense, we can create chances to score goals.�
Negros Occidental Football Association president Charlie Cojuangco said the semifinals showed that the Azkals need to work on match fitness. Cojuangco also stressed the importance of establishing a world-class facility and hoped the Suzuki Cup fever won�t die down to leave football unnoticed in media again.
AFF vice president and former PFF president Johnny Romualdez said the key to improve lies in building a deep bench. �We need a young team with a good future,� he said. �I don�t favor more than seven Fil-foreigners. Our grassroots program since 1998 should now begin to provide more locals. We should also continue to recruit top Fil-foreigners.�
PFF technical director and former national coach Aris Caslib said it is critical that Palami and national coach Simon McMenemy stay on the job.
�We pray that Palami stays to manage the national team until 2012,� said Caslib. �The best thing about Palami�s management style is he fully understands the support a national team needs. He showed great respect with the technical side under McMenemy�s leadership. He allowed the coach to make decisions in the preparation, selection of players and approach to the competition.�
As for McMenemy, Caslib said the PFF should try to convince the Briton to continue coaching the Azkals at least until 2012 for the next Suzuki Cup.
�We also need to strengthen the coaching staff by providing a goalkeeper coach,� added Caslib. �Although Neil is attached with Fulham FC, he still needs somebody whom he can talk with at the same time, train other goalkeepers of the national team. We need a scouting coach to check opponents and provide inputs during a game. A conditioning coach should also be considered. We typically enjoy a height advantage in the Suzuki Cup but strength and speed are worth developing. The coaching staff must be encouraged to continuously go for higher studies or licensing in order to enhance their approach to training and matches, managing players, scouting talent and studying opponents.�
Philstar
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