Today - Malaysia 0-0 Philippines

Friendly Malaysia vs Philippines today 1. June at Stadium Shah Alam Stadium in Selangor.

Start 8.45 pm

Tv : Studio23 , Philippines

Livestream : Post in comments

Livescore : www.futbol24.com

News, updates , predictions , line-ups. Post in comments !

Starting 11 vs Malaysia via @cedelfpt:
Muller, De Murga, Sabio, Gier, J. Guirado, A. Guirado, Ott, Schrock, Caligdong, Mulders, Wolf


Azkals subs: Ian Araneta, Marwin Angeles, Lexton Moy, Roxy Dorlas, Jeff Christiaens, Jason de Jong, OJ Clarino, Sacapano, Patrick Reichelt, Misagh Bahadoran


Yellow card : Schr�ck and Angel


0-0 HT
Ott Yellow card
Angeles in , Chieffy out
80 min Misagh in , Angel out
84 min Araneta in , Mulders out
92 min Christiaens in , Juani Guirdao out
0-0 FT

Skipper�s call

NATIONAL skipper Safiq Rahim wants to only taste victory when Malaysia play three friendly matches in the next two weeks.
Malaysia will play the Philippines tomorrow before taking on Singapore on June 8 and 12.
After playing a rather insignificant friendly against lowly-ranked Sri Lanka, these matches will be tougher for K. Rajagobal�s boys as the world ranking of the
Philippines is higher than Malaysia, and Singapore have naturalised players. The Philippines are ranked No 148 and Malaysia 153.
�Although they are ranked above us, the difference in quality isn�t that great. In fact, we are quite closely-matched in most areas and it would be interesting games to play,� said Safiq.
�We need to get things right against both teams after suffering some disappointments in the past.�
Safiq & Co could only manage a 1-1 draw when they played the Philippines in Manila on Feb 28, whereas being shown the exit at the World Cup qualifiers by Singapore still stings the Malaysian team.
The match against Philippines will not be any easier than the first time around as they have beefed up their squad with four Germany-based players.
�Who they have called up is not for us to be concerned about. We have to deal with these matters. Different countries have different ideologies in terms of naturalising foreign players and neither is it wrong to do so,� added the 24-year-old.
Just like Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines are expected to take the friendlies seriously as they prepare for the Asean Cup later this year.
Malaysia are defending champions and having tested around 60 players since the start of the year, a core of players have already been identified.
Rajagobal has named a 26-member squad, which includes Pelita Jaya striker Safee Sali, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Safiq Rahim, K. Gurusamy and Khairul Fahmi Che Mat for the friendlies.

Malay Mail

Little Azkals falter on Second day

After an impressive showing on the opening day, the Philippine Under-14 football team, also known as the Little Azkals, dropped two of its three matches on the second day of the Asian Football Confederation Under-14 Festival of Football 2012 Southeast Asia Region Thursday at the Stadium Likas in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
The Philippines lost to Singapore, 0-1, and Indonesia, 0-3, before eking out a 1-0 win over Timor Leste to end its campaign in format 1.
The festival is divided into two formats, with format 1 matches lasting for 30 minutes without intervals, and format 2 matches played out for 60 minutes with a halftime break.
On Wednesday, the Little Azkals came out with guns blazing, edging Cambodia, 2-0, and Australia, 3-0, before settling for a scoreless draw against Myanmar.
The U-14 team will take a one-day break before plunging back to action on June 2 against Vietnam to kick off its format 2 campaign. They will face Thailand and Myanmar on June 3 to cap off the festival.
No champion will be declared among the 12 countries participating in the event, formed by the AFC to develop young football players and coaches in the Southeast Asia region.

Interaksyon

Two Notre Dame transfers-- May 31st, 2012

Matty V. says UMass is ready to add two transfers from Notre Dame and one from Michigan.

We've already talked about Wolverine transfer Michael Cox.

New to the transfer list is Hafis Williams a 6-1 295 pd SR nose tackle. Williams Notre Dame bio here. He played in 19 games for the Irish and had 13 career tackles.

This article features Williams.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty image

Listed as a "probable" transfer is Deion Walker, a 6-3 206 pd WR from Christchurch, VA. His Irish bio here. Appeared in 5 games for Notre Dame with one catch for 15 yards.

This article features Walker.

South Bend Tribune has a story of Walker and Williams' transfer to UMass.

Matt Cashore image

Welcome to both. UMass has had some highly successful transfers in the past. UMass fans wish them a great senior season with the Minutemen.

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AFC U14 - Today`s results

MAY 31
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First match

SINGAPORE - PHILIPPINES 1-0

Second match

INDONESIA - PHILIPPINES 3-0


Third match

TIMOR LESTE - PHILIPPINES 0-1


 May 30
First match
CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES 0-2
(Scores: Shanden Vergara - Jovan Marfiga)

Second match
PHILIPPINES - AUSTRALIA 3-0
(scores: Jed Diamante - Troy Limbo - Javi Romero Salas)

third match
MYANMAR - PHILIPPINES 0-0

Pinoy squad survives relegation in UK league

LONDON � Superior goal difference paid off in the end after the United Kingdom�s first amateur Filipino football team, the Philippine Football Club (PFC), narrowly survived relegation from Division One of the West Hertfordshire League.




The British Pinoys recently ended their 2011-2012 campaign in 10th place � just one spot above the drop zone.



After 22 matches, they picked up 20 points, recording five wins, five draws and 12 losses.



Glenn Sports shared an identical record, but finished below PFC in 11th place because of a 15-goal deficit. As a result, they were relegated to Division Two.



PFC�s players were relieved to avoid dropping out of the 12-team league.



�I think it�s a great achievement considering our circumstances. We�re a good enough team and shouldn�t have been in that position in the first place,� said full back Cliff Gay-ya.



�It was important for us to stay in this tier of the league for team morale,� he added.



In their fourth from final game of the season, PFC defeated Glenn Sports 2-0, courtesy of late goals from forwards Jason Arroyo and Raymond Tordecilla.



That victory released some pressure, but club secretary Jesse Arroyo admitted he was still concerned.



�Being in the relegation places in the last couple of matches was worrying. The team was not used to being in such a position. With this lack of familiarity, I would say we were quite naive,� commented Arroyo.



�We have learnt many lessons. We will use this as fuel for the following season,� he added.



Their poor showing this season has been attributed to a number of factors, including injuries, lack of team depth, not enough training and the changing of coaching personnel.



Most of PFC�s players also made a mid-season trip to the Philippines to play four friendlies in Bacolod. They feel the experience was valuable, but recognize that it may have compromised their league position.

More :
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/05/30/12/pinoy-squad-survives-relegation-uk-league

DBC makes PNG futsal semis

(This is a report submitted by a reader---ML)



The Don Bosco United FC led Team Cebu City team earned a semifinal slot in the futsal competition of the on-going Philippine National Games held at Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. The Bosconians won 2 out of their 3 matches to gain access to the knockout stage against gold medal favorites Philippine National Futsal Team of NCR on Friday. 


DBUFC-TCC won it's first game against Zamboangita FC from Zamboangita, Negros Oriental 13-1 with goals coming from Jan Joseph Genson (3), Noel Villagonzalo (2), Warlo Sabella (2), Avelson Arizabal (2), Mark Atillo (2) and Jonathan Caballero (2).



DBUFC-TCC bowed to Foundation University-Dumaguete City 4-5 after a DBUFC late goal that could have tied the game was disallowed. Genson, Caballero, Villa and Sabella each scored a goal in that defeat.


The team won it's last elimination game against Azukals FC-Dumaguete City 9-5, this time behind the goals of Genson (4), Villa (2), Sabella (2) and Caballero (1).


Futsal is the indoor version of football. It is faster and could be played on a basketball court. Many football aficionados view futsal as a way of introducing the sport to the city barangays all over the country, most of which have covered basketball or multi-purpose courts.


Other players of the team are goalkeeper Julito Estomago Jr. and defender Mark Plando. Due to budget constraints, the club sent just 8 players rather than the full complement of 12 for the 5-a-side competition. Leading them as player-coach is Sabella, who has recently received a call-up to a UFL team.

Recruiting 2013--Vontarius West

Rivals.com reports UMass has offered to Vontarius West, a 5-11 170 pd CB from from Bartow, FL.

West's Rivals page is here.

 

West holds offers from Ball State, Florida International, Houston, Iowa State, Memphis, South Florida, Western Kentucky and Western Michigan. 

Wednesday--May 30th, 2012

The MAC Blog "Hustle Belt" has a post on the best four seasons in UMass football history.

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Victor Cruz's NFL jersey is # 18 in overall sales ranking.

Giants 101 says the injury to Hakeem Nicks may cause the Giants to move Victor Cruz to the outside.

Bleacher Report looks at the best 20 value players and finds Victor as #18.

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ESPN Boston says James Ihedigbo's shoulder injury is still holding up his re-signing with the Patriots (near end of article).

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Brandon London is apparently still with the Montreal Alouettes. Wasn't there a press release he had signed a NFL free agent contract?

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FOOTBALL: Philippines threat

NATIONAL coach K. Rajagobal has rated the Philippines as one of the favourites to win the AFF Cup ahead of their international friendly at the Shah Alam Stadium on Friday.
The Philippines, ranked third in the Fifa rankings among Southeast Asian nations at 148th, were surprise semi-finalists at the 2010 edition, which Malaysia won for the first time.
"The Philippines have several foreign-based players plying their trade in Germany, the Netherlands, Iceland, Denmark, England and the United States," said Rajagobal yesterday.
"I believe they will be stronger than their 2010 squad in the AFF Cup. They are a different team with better players."
The Philippines showed their mettle in the AFC Challenge Cup in March by reaching the semi-finals and eventually finishing third.
The team, under German coach Hans Michael Weiss, have between 15 and 18 foreign-based players in their squad, and have become a force in the sport following their decision to allow foreigners with Filipino ancestry to represent them in competitions.
Among those expected to play in Friday's friendly are German-based players Stephan Schrock, Manny Ott, Denis Wolf and Roland Muller; Rob Gier (England), Ray Jonsson (Iceland), Paul Mulders (the Netherlands) and Juan Guirado (Spain).
Weiss is expected to name a near-full strength squad for Friday's match where he wants his team to record an impressive result to maintain their Fifa ranking.
Malaysia, however, are hoping to do better following their 1-1 draw with the Philippines in Manila three month ago.
Rajagobal was criticised then for not fielding his strongest side but this time round, the coach has called up his best available players as he wants nothing less than a victory on Friday.
"It will not be an easy match. We need to play well to beat them as a good result will boost our confidence for the AFF Cup," Rajagobal added.
Malaysia will also play Singapore in two friendly matches on June 8 and 12 before taking on Arsenal and Manchester City in exhibition matches in July ahead of the AFF Cup.
They have so far played 'A' international matches against Sri Lanka, which they won 6-0, apart from the Philippines earlier this year.
In a warm-up match on Monday, the national team defeated Super League side Felda United 2-1 at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya.
Negri Sembilan's Shahurain Abu Samah and Kedah's Amar Rohidan scored for the national team.
Rajagobal, however, was not too worried of his players' performance as it was only a test match.

New Straits Times

Little Azkals confident of title chances in AFC U14

By Mars Alison
Cebu Daily News


THE Philippine Under-14 football team better known as the Little Azkals arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia last Monday to vie in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under 14 Festival of Football 2012 Southeast Asia Region.

The matches will start today and end on June 4 and will be held at the Likas Stadium, which is a 10-minute walk from where the participants are billeted at the Likas Square Condotel.

The Little Azkals are composed of Cebu�s Lawrence �Soysoy� Colina, Major Dean Ebarle, Kintaro Miyagi, Moiselle Angelo Alforque and Vincent Erik Lovitos; Manila�s Marco Alessandro Casambre, Harrel Rainier Dayan, Josh Albert Miller, Ray Vincent Sanciangco and John William Abraham; Cagayan de Oro�s Jeremiah Borlongan and Dimitri Lionel Limbo; Davao�s Darius Joseph Diamante and Javier Romero-Salas; Dumaguete�s Christian Floren Lapas and Jose Anton Yared, Dipolog�s Sebastian Rafael Patangan; San Carlos City�s Mason Trent Vergara and Shanden Vergara; Bukidnon�s Chester Gio Pabualan; Masbate�s Jovan Marfiga and Italy�s Lorenzo Genco.

Diamante is retained as the team captain while Miller is his assistant.

Except for Pabualan and Marfiga, this is the same lineup that went to Palermo, Italy for a training camp hosted by A.S.D. Sport Village Tommaso Natale Scuola Calcio Giacomo Tedesco where they won eight of  12 friendly games.

Pabualan and Marfiga replaced Jose Romulo Cadiz and Jhenry Hamdan. Cadiz did not make the cut for Malaysia while Hamdan opted not to join the team anymore for personal reasons.

READY AND PREPARED

Head coach Oliver �Bingbing� Colina, who went ahead to Malaysia for a coaches� seminar along with the team�s physiotherapist Keziah Shan, said that he hopes the team will have a good performance in the tournament because this is what they have been training rigidly for the whole summer.

Diamante said he believes the team is well prepared. �If there�s anything lacking, it will be perhaps self-discipline,� said Diamante.

Aside from the Philippines, also seeing action are Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Timor Leste and host Malaysia along with newcomers Brunei and Australia bringing the number to 12 teams.

Last year, the team won against Cambodia twice and Laos once while it drew Indonesia, Laos, and Singapore and lost to Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.

This year, Diamante picked Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam as favorites.

Aside from Colina and Shan, the team is accompanied by manager Richard Montayre and assistant coaches Eliezer Fabroada and Eleazar Toledo and goalkeeping coach Noel Marcaida.

Meet Shane Rafter, Temple's Mr. Relevant

Shane Rafter's recruiting video.

If the last guy taken in the final round of the NFL draft is known as Mr. Irrelevant, you can call Shane Rafter Temple's Mr. Relevant.
Raftner earned that distinction by becoming the first player who verbaled to Temple for the class of 2013.
Raftner, a 6-5, 284-pound offensive lineman from Moorestown, N.J. is listed as "only" a two-star recruit in the Rivals.com database.
Now if there is ever a more "irrelevant" stat in sports, it is the star system as assigned by recruiting websites such as Rivals.com and Scout.com, particularly when it comes to offensive linemen.
It comes down to who do you trust, one of the greatest offensive line coaches in college football history, Steve Addazio, or a well-meaning Rivals.com employee sitting behind a computer who does not understand basic OL skills like leverage.
I'm going with Addazio on this first recruit.
One of the things I like about Addazio is that he does not give out one of the precious 25 scholarships like candy. I've only questioned one of his schollies and that's because it was given to an honorable mention Central League running back whose dad probably could have afforded the Temple tuition.
Al Golden once gave a quarterback scholarship based solely on the performance in a seven-on-seven passing drill at the Al Golden Football Camp. Probably not his best idea. Ironically enough, two of the first QB recruits Golden made AD (after Adam DiMichele) never had the kind of career this year's Mr. Irrelevant, Northern Illinois' Chandler Harnish, had. Now it looks like the third time was a charm for Golden, because that begat New Mexico Bowl MVP Chris Coyer. The difference between Coyer and the other two guys was that Coyer was a high achiever as a prep star and the others were not.
Addazio and line coach Justin Frye, also a product of the powerhouse Florida Gators' program, carefully evaluated Rafter before offering.
That's good enough for me.

Azkals, Manny let's make PH believe again

(This is the draft of my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu on May 31)

After that riveting, and often times comical show that had the country divided along political colors, it�s time, as them honorables said, �to unite as one country.�

And what better way after the if-you�re-not-yellow-then-you're-anti-Coronanovela, than to cheer for the good ol� red-blue-and-yellow when our country�s best face others?

There�s the series of Azkals friendlies in the next few days, one on Independence Day, then, of course, there�s Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley on June 10 and Donnie Nietes vs.  Felipe Salguero on Saturday.

First, of course, is the friendly against Malaysia on Friday, and unlike the last time the two sides met, I think the home team will be taking the Azkals a little bit more seriously.

Though we dominated a listless Malaysia squad at home last Feb. 29, I don�t think that will be a gauge when the Azkals visit a defending Suzuki Cup champion for the first time since taking on Vietnam in 2010 as Malaysia has changed the lineup drastically, calling up 10 of the 11 starters who won the Cup against Indonesia.

So, how do you think our boys will fare? Coming from the AFC Challenge Cup win against Palestine, I�m hopeful. But I�m hoping, too, that after all the divisiveness that hit the country, they�d let all Filipinos�sports fans or not�be united, even for just 90 minutes.

Hide nothing, show everything on the field. I think we all deserve that.

Let�s bring back that we-believe-attitude because it�s a much-needed shot in the arm for Juan who�s tired of all the politicking.

Manny, too, needs this one. Especially after that fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, where, despite early pronouncement from his Team, it has been exposed that he was too distracted and that his marriage was on the rocks, the bible-toting pugilist needs to make a statement against Bradley.

Let�s hope Donnie, too, wins his on Saturday because nothing epitomizes a Pinoy fighter more than this humble ex-janitor-turned-world-champion who has kept his feet on the ground.

Do you remember Manny�s win against Marco Antonio Barrera--the legendary version, not that bloated barely there fighter�in 2003? Well, it came a few months after a mutiny, and during a senate probe, too. That was something, wasn�t it? Ditto with the Azkals, months after the bus incident gave.

Wouldn�t any of you want that again? In a time when folks grimace at the front pages, to have something to cheer about in the sports pages? 

It�s time to believe again.

AFC U14 - Festival of Football

AFC U14 Festival of Football in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

730 am opening ceremony @ likas stadium

First Format:

May 30,2012
1st game cambodia vs philippines 10:30am L2
2nd game philippine vs australia 2pm L2
3rd game myanmar vs philippines 4:15 pm L1

May 31,2012
4th game philippines vs singapore 930am L1
5th game indonesia vs philippines 2pm L1
6th game timor leste vs philippines 330pm L1

Second Format:

June 2,2012
7th game vietnam vs Philippines 8am L2

June 3,2012
8th game philippines vs thailand 930am L1
9th game philippines vs myanmar 330pm L1

Federation seeks to honor Filipino football great

By Nestor Burgos Jr.
Inquirer Visayas

ILOILO CITY, Philippines�The Philippine Football Federation is seeking to honor a world football legend with Ilonggo roots by naming a section of the Museo Iloilo after him.

In separate letters to Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor and Museo Iloilo president Victoria Segovia, PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. asked the province and the museum management to host an exhibit featuring Paulino Alcantara and to name a section of the museum in his honor.

Araneta said the exhibit and possible naming of a section of the museum in Alcantara�s name are part of efforts to bring members of the Spanish club Futbol Club Barcelona (Barcelona Football Club) to Iloilo to hold a football camp in the province.

Iloilo is known for its passion for football. Barotac Nuevo town has been dubbed as the country�s football capital for devotion to the sport and for producing many of the country�s top football players.

FC Barcelona is one of the world�s most famous and biggest football clubs with several of its players among those who played in the Spanish national team that won the 2010 World Cup.

Araneta said there was also a possibility that FC Barcelona would establish a football academy in the province similar to those that produced some of the world�s top football players.

Alcantara, born to a Spanish military officer and an Ilongga mother on Oct. 7, 1896, is a football legend especially in Spain.

While he is largely unknown to Filipinos and even Ilonggos, he is revered in the world football community with tributes and memorial sites devoted to him on the Internet.

As a striker of FC Barcelona where he played from 1912 to 1927, Alcantara is best known for scoring 357 goals in as many games played, or an average of one goal per game. He helped the club win five Spanish championships and 10 Catalan League championships, according to club�s Web site.

According to various accounts, Alcantara went to Spain when he was 14 years old, a year before he debuted with FC Barcelona. He returned to the Philippines in 1916, or when he was 20 years old, and played for two years with the Bohemians, a Filipino football club.

He returned to Spain and resumed playing with his club in 1918 when he rose to become a legend.

He retired from football in 1927 to dedicate his time to medicine but he briefly coached the Spanish national team in 1951, which was unbeaten in the three matches that he steered the team.

Alcantara died in Barcelona on Feb. 13, 1964, at the age of 67, according to the FC Barcelona Web site.

The international football federation Fifa currently ranks the Philippines 148th out of 205 member-countries in men�s football.

But during Alcantara�s peak the Philippines became an Asian football powerhouse with the country bagging the gold in the 1913 Far Eastern Games, the forerunner of the Asian Games.

A life-sized statue of Alcantara was unveiled at the PFF office at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig during the football centennial commemoration in 2007.

Globe Telecom backs Green Archers FC

MANILA, Philippines - Globe Telecom reaffirmed its support to Philippine football as it signed a three-year sponsorship pact with the Green Archers Football Club, which is currently seeing action in the United Football League�s first division.
The team was put up in 1998 when multi-titled De La Salle Santiago Zobel School and De La Salle University football coach Hans Smit brought together a group of La Salle alumni to form the Alabang Grins.
The Grins qualified as sixth out of 15 teams in the then UFL in 2009. The following year, the team was opened to other football players and non-La Sallians from all over the country before it changed its name to the Green Archers United Football Club to reflect the diversity of the squad.
While keeping a highly competitive squad, the GAUFC has also been helping in the development of the sport through clinics, training programs and participation in football tournaments for its members. The UFC is an annual event composed of a Cup and League tournament with two divisions featuring 22 teams.
�Globe is relentless in supporting sports teams, especially those coming from the grassroots. We believe that the Green Archers United Football Club has huge potential in steering the country towards excellence in the field of sports and athletics, particularly in football, with their passion, talent and determination,� said Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu.

Philstar

Azkals squad list for Malaysia friendly

"Official" squad list for Malaysia friendly on 1. June .

Eduard Sacapano
Roland M�ller
Paul Mulders
Rob Gier
Jason Sabio
Juan Luis Guirado
Roxy Dorlas
Carli de Murga
Stephan Schr�ck
Manny Ott
Chieffy Caligdong
Angel Guirado
Misagh Bahadoran
Patrick Reichelt
Marwin Angeles
Lexton Moy
Jason de Jong
Ian Araneta
Denis Wolf
Jeffrey Christiaens
OJ Clarino


Azkals Football Team

Indonesia's Late Payers

Following on from yesterday's players union meeting in Jakarta, the following clubs are either late in paying salaries or have faced difficulties in paying wages or bonuses on time.

Indonesia Premier League (Official league recognised by FIFA)

• Bontang
• Persija
• Persema
• Persiba Bantul
• Persibo
• Persiraja
• PSM

That is, he says reaching for a calculator, seven clubs out of a 12 club league. And remember these are the guys who promised to guarantee all salaries, who said late payment is a thing of the past.

Indonesia Super League

• PSMS
• PSPS
• Persidafon
• Persiwa
• Persiram
• Deltras
• Arema
• Persela
• Pelita Jaya
• Persija
• Sriwijaya

Again, using my amazing mathematic skills that works out at 11 clubs in the 18 club league. And you know what? Four of them are closely identified with the group that runs the league! Says it all doesn't it? How the hell is the league going to sanction clubs that, in effect, they own?

Don't expect a sympathetic hearing from clubs in either of the leagues. They just don't give a toss.

Oh, and this list doesn't include clubs in the respective Divisi Utamas.

You know what? If the players did hang up their boots the clubs wouldn't give a toss. They would just find some raw kids to browbeat and overpower.

Thanks to FIFA for allowing this wound to fester...

Tuesday--May 29th, 2012

Nice story about Travis Tripucka trying to make the Rams by STLtoday.com.

"I could have gone to Notre Dame, but I'm really glad I stuck with U- Mass because I did things at UMass that I never would have been able to do at Notre Dame," Tripucka said. "It was a great experience for me."

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CBS Sports has a blog entry on the 10 toughest schedules in FBS. It mentions UMass, but the Minutemen are not included in the list, although our OOC schedule should have given us honorable mention.

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Niland #64/ Jeff Gamza image

Former UMass OL Greg Niland is playing for the Pittsburgh Power. Niland's Power bio here.

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The MAC Blog "Hustle Belt" ranks the MAC teams by the number of Phil Steele preseason All-Conference players. We're ahead of Akron.

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Athlon Sports' UMass page.

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Phil Steele has a blog post on % of offensive yards returning. With UMass losing most of its receiver corps and Jonathan Hernandez, the Minutemen rank #100 nationally.

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94,000 Reasons

Two massive games in Indonesia on Sunday. Sriwijaya defeated Persipura 1-0 thanks to a penalty by Keith Kayamba Gumbs. The crowd for this top of the table clash? 44,000!

The win sees Sriwijaya stretch their lead to a lot.

In the earlier game a late equaliser by Maman Abdurahman left Persija fans disappointed in front of 50,000. The game ended 2-2 and after the match three fans died.

The reaction to those deaths has been interesting. Remember the reaction to Fabrice Muamba when he collapsed on the field in the FA CUP and all those stories that went world wide including Indonesia? Well, let's just say the reaction to three deaths at a football match has not drawn a similar reaction.

Funny, innit? Someone thousands of miles away can stir so many emotions thanks to a football saturated English media yet a similar occurance in their own backyard evokes little beyond a role of the eyes and a ;not again'.

Ashes To Ashes

Indonesian football stands on a precipice as the game in the world's largest archipelago lurches from one disaster to another as effortlessly as David Cameron switches position based upon an unfavourable poll.

Heartily pissed off with the perma mess that surrounds football, the interminably late salaries and the contempt shown by many clubs, the players, under the guise of the footballer's union, APPI, are edging closer to a strike that could further paralyse a game that is already on a life support machine with the nurses on lunch break.

The 15th June sees a meeting where it is thought that FIFA could actually, finally, do something about the mess that they, through their own apathy and self interest, have exasperated over the years. Had they taken action when the last head of the FA was in jail, a definite breach of their regulations, then perhaps we would no be where we are now.

But for unfathomable reasons, they sat and did nothing. A decision they have never explained and yet one more they must be held accountable for.

Now the players are doing something. They are threatening industrial action, a strike, refusing to put their shin pads down their socks, if clubs don't make some effort to start paying the money they are owned by next Thursday.

This is a massive step. For too long, clubs have relied on players being professional, fulfilling their contractual obligations, while they have cavalierly done what the hell they wanted. To the club owners, often politicians or businessmen used to a playing field where their money and power inures them from outside pressures, this will be an affront.

These people have grown used to getting things their way and their way usually has sweet fanny adams to do with football. The ideas of competition and transparency are as alien to them as going to a pub and drinking water all night is to me.

To have their chattels turn on them won't be pleasant.

As ever there are two angles to the threat of strike action.

First, and the cynical western view point, is that it is too little, too late. The seasons end in June and July. Surely the threat of action by players could have been taken earlier? Certainly the conditions are not new. Why not turn the heat on a month ago or two months ago?

If anything, the timing is perfect for the clubs. They can point to the FIFA meeting and the uncertainty that creates as a reason to continue doing nothing. They can stall, play for time, perhaps toss out a few bills as a token gesture but that's about it.

Season's nearly over, the contract's are nearly finished, who cares, among them, if players aren't paid?

But that needs to be set against the cultural backdrop. In this part of the world people rarely go against the boss man. Indonesian footballers know that whoever runs the game, be it the new PSSI or the old PSSI, they cannot put their noses out of joint too much; football is their livelihood and it may not be going too far to suggest that some of the players may well be risking that livelihood by taking any action or indeed speaking out period.

Yes, the players union is acting out of self interest. But they aren't getting paid! They are being treated with contempt. What is the purpose of the union if not to protect its members? Players who don't get paid are unhappy people and that is going to affect their performance on the field. Bills to be paid, mortgages, all that dull old stuff. And don't forget, people here aren't earning Carlos Tevez like salaries.

The players' threat may succeed in focusing minds. Everyone says they want a solution. Everyone says they want one federation and one league. But, as is so often the case, what everyone says and what everyone does are two different things.

PH Azkals ready for friendlies

THE Philippine Azkals national football team, which concluded a series of tuneup games in Bacolod, will have a deeper bench when it plays series of friendly matches this week.

Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss said this as the nationals go into more intense preparations for their coming stint in the Asean Football Federation-Suzuki Cup later this year.

�We have a bigger pool, where we can swap players and give others a chance,� said Weiss.

The Azkals are set to have friendly matches against Malaysia on June 1 in Kuala Lumpur and against Indonesia on June 5 in Manila, before taking on Guam on June 12 at the Panaad pitch.

They will miss Fil-British goalie Neil Etheridge and the Younghusband brothers Phil and James in their game against Malaysia due to club commitments.

In their absence, Weiss will again be fielding in Fil-German goalie Roland Muller, plus La Salle varsity standout Patrick Deyto at the pitch. Fil-German Stephan Schrock and Denis Wolf will also see action.

With them around, Weiss shrugged off any manpower difficulties.

�We have a good team anyway. We will make the best of the situation and field in a good team,� said Weiss.

Manila Standard Today

Solido cops U17 title in Butuan

Monday, May 28, 2012

THE Solido FC girl booters of Davao City lived up to their billing by copping the U17 title of the 2nd Balangay Football Festival at the Butuan City Sports Complex in Barangay Libertad over the weekend.

The Julio Orcasitas-coached Solido shutout the Malaybalay FC, 2-0, in the finals behind the goals of Janna Barcemo and Nina Arrieta in third and 17th minutes, respectively.

Solido also blanked the Manolo Fortich FC, 2-0, in the semis.

The champion squad came home with P5,000 and a trophy while Malaybalay FC settled with P3,500.

Barcemo was hailed most valuable player while Arrieta received the best defender award. Teammate Mary Joy Chavez was named best goalkeeper as Nina Yanto took the best striker title.

Completing the cast were Anika Ong, Sanaa Jikiri, Mary Joy Indac and Inah Rosales.

The Buboy Arrieta-managed Solido, however, bowed to Cagayan de Oro City's (CDO) JRFC via penalty shootout, 7-8, in women's open titular showdown.

Arrieta, in text messages to Sun.Star Davao, said her daughter Nina scored a goal at 16' to force a 1-1 deadlock en-route to the penalty shootout.

"Malas talaga. Naka-score pa ang CDO sa corner ng goalkeeper namin (It was unfortunate. CDO scored at our goalkeeper's corner)," Arrieta said.

JRFC took home the top purse and a trophy while Solido salvaged P3,500 and a trophy.

Joy Rivera of Solido was best defender.

The bootfest, hosted by the Butuan-Agusan Norte Football Association (Banfa) under president and Butuan City Vice Mayor Law Fortun, was part of the silver anniversary celebration of the Balangay Festival. (Ruji Peter S. Abat)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on May 29, 2012.

Recruiting 2013---T.J. Armstrong

Image credit unknown

ESPN reports UMass has offered to T. J. Armstrong, a 6-2 222 pd DE from Clarion-Limestone HS in Strattanville, PA

Armstrong's ESPN page here.

NCSASports.com profile here.

Armstrong's Rivals page here.

He was the district's defensive player-of-the-year.

Besides UMass, Armstrong has offers from Buffalo and Temple. Drawing interest from a number of Eastern schools.

Memorial Day--2012

The UMass football program will has its annual Golf Classic in June.

The Football Golf Classic is June 22 at Wachusett Country Club in West Boylston. The event starts at 10:30 a.m. and will conclude with a dinner and awards ceremony, along with a preview of the 2012 season from head coach Charley Molnar.

 
 Official UMass announcement here.

UMass Football Golf Classic application form here (.pdf download).
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The Union Leader discusses the state of the CAA from UNH's perspective. At the end of the article it says there have been no discussions with UMass about continuing the UMass-New Hampshire rivalry as an FBS-FCS game.

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The Patriots have done their annual player numbers update. James Ihedigbo did not have his number reassigned, so that's probably good news for him.

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PFF U23 - NOFA 9-1 Leyte

PFF U23 Visayas qualifiers today :


NOFA (Bacolod) vs Leyte  at North Football Field


1-0 Bedia
2-0 Cornel
3-0 Beloya
3-0 HT
4-0 ?
5-0 Beloya
6-0 Amanquiton
7-0 Beloya
8-0 Amanquiton
9-0 Fernandez
9-1
9-1 FT


Thanks to : https://twitter.com/#!/Rai2_Montero

Azkals bow to Global in shootout

The national men�s football team, Azkals, bowed to Global FC, 7-6, in a shootout last night during their last tune-up match at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
With both teams tied at 2-all after regulation, the match was decided in a shootout. Earlier, the national Under22 football team prevailed over Ceres FC, 2-0.
The series of tune-up games played by the Azkals in Bacolod City will be followed by another set of friendly matches against Malaysia on June 1 in Kuala Lumpur, against Indonesia on June 5 in Manila, and against Guam on June 12 at the Panaad pitch.
Azkals coach Michael Weiss said these friendlies strengthen the team and are part of their preparation for the AFC Suzuki Cup this year.
Against the Ceres FC on Saturday, the Azkals won, 1-0, on a goal of Chieffy Caligdong in the 55th minute.
Weiss cited the Ceres squad for playing a good game and although he was not very glad with the way the Azkals play ed, he was contented with their performance.
Against the Under 22 team in San Carlos City, Weiss said the match was beneficial for both the Azkals and the younger players from the national pool.
It was the right approach and a good training for the U22 team in time for the 2012 SEA Games in Myanmar. In their match Saturday against the Global FC, the U22 team yielded, 4-0.*NAB


Visayan Daily Star 

Azkals squad for Malaysia and Indonesia friendlies ?

Probable Azkals squad for friendlies against Malaysia and Indonesia (unofficial) ?

Sacapano
Caligdong
Sabio
Gier
Bahadoran
Angel Guirado
De Jong
Ott
Wolf
Dorlas
De Murga
Reichelt
Andres Gonzales
Marwin Angeles
Ian Araneta
Cuaresma
Margarse
Moy
Paul Mulders
Juani Guirado
Schr�ck
M�ller
Ray Jonsson


Only available for Indonesia friendly :

Etheridge
James Younghusband
Phil Younghusband
Cagara
Lucena



I expect the squad list to be released very soon .


Comments ?

Hiroshi defends title

By Iste S. Leopoldo

Monday, May 28, 2012
HE GOT suspended by the Queen City United (QCU) but yesterday, Former RP player John Michael Flores got his revenge as he powered Hiroshi FC to winning the championship title of the 12th CAFC Inter-Club Football Cup over Queen City, 1-0, at the University of San Carlos Talamban Football Field.
�Everyone of us in the team, had one goal in mind and that was to win the back-to-back title. That was why I was so eager to score a goal. When I got the opportunity, I didn�t hesitate and made that long shot,� said Flores, who made the winning goal 44 minutes into the first half.

Hiroshi took home the P100,000 championship prize.
The 31-year-old Flores has been suspended by QCU for playing for Hiroshi Football Club
in the CAFC tournament. Flores played for QCU for the UFL Cup and QCU prohibited its players from joining the CAFC other than the QCU.
Flores decided to play for Hiroshi because it is his mother squad and he said he has no regrets. He believes that he was just doing the right thing.
�I am a pioneering member of Hiroshi and daghan naming pinagsamahan as a team that�s why I cannot trade the team for anything else and I took the risk (of being suspended). However, I will try to appeal their decision,� said Flores who was also
named as the Most Valuable Player.
Teammate Henderson Jay Campo was awarded as the best goal keeper; Peter Martin Dionela secured the best mid fielder, while Queen City United�s Rodney Gandionco took the top scorer, and his teammate Yancy Menchaves got the best defender award.
In the Boys 17, Cebu team dethroned Abellana National School-Pomeroy, 4-0, with Cebu team�s Christian Agot earning the MVP and top scorer special awards. Teammates Keith Ryan Arranguez took the best midfielder and Carlo Abella, the best defender awards.
ANS-Pomeroy�s Kevin Delantes got the best goalkeeper award.
Ateneo de Cebu beat Canduman, 4-0, in the Boys 14 with Ateneo�s Jose Mari Kwan earning the MVP award. Teammates Joshua Ouano took the top scorer award; Gab Villacin was named best goal keeper; and Berthray Musni was the best midfielder. Paul David Carizon of Canduman FC got the best defender award.
In the Boys 12-Under, Dinamo South FC defeated Ateneo, 3-0 for the title with Dinamo South FC�s Joshua Shield securing the MVP special award.
Teammate Paolo Montesclaros was the top scorer, Hans Parel was best defender, while the best midfielder award went to John Veloso of Ateneo. Jessie Semblante was best goal keeper.
Ateneo de Cebu defeated Canduman in the Players 10, 1-0, with Ateneo�s Ethan Dellero earning the MVP award.
QCU-A won the 40 and above title after crushing Erco FC-PTT in a 5-4 penalty shootout.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on May 28, 2012.

Fair Play: How FAs can help spread the news

THERE are so many things happening in football these days, but not enough gets space in traditional media, due to space constraints and some other factors.


But some areas have it worse, they don�t have any community paper that can help promote the game or their activities like the Leyte Football Association.


�So start a blog,� I told Ted Palami, the brother of Dan.



�But we don�t have any writers,� he said.


And that is one problem.  There are too many football blogs out there, but not enough writers.  I think most of the blogs and footie sites just copy-paste the stories that appear in traditional media (some with permission) and that sorts of defeat the purpose of a blog.


I told Ted that writing football stories is actually easy, once you get to know the basics.  It�s the things you have to do before you write a story�gathering data, taking notes, interviewing people and all those things�that�s hard.


From what I hear, the Leyte FA is doing lots of things and their hosting of the Suzuki Cup Under 23 Visayas eliminations was top class as they applied all the things learned Dan learned when it comes to holding tournaments.  They had a welcome dinner, manager�s meeting a day before the game, and they rolled out the red carpet for the visiting teams and officials.


But we didn�t hear any of that, did we?   That�s why, if an FA like Leyte doesn�t have a local media that supports it, why not take over that role?


A blog ran by an FA, especially if it carries match updates of its own team in regional competitions, is assured of a captured audience of 20�18 players and the coaching staff. Once they see their names in a post, these players are sure to post a link in their various social networking pages. And that�s for just one team.


If the blog carries updates of that FA�s tournaments, then you can add the members of each team to the audience.  Then, factor in the family members, friends, girlfriends (or boyfriends) and No. 2s, once you regularly update the blog, your audience will begin to grow.


It also has an advantage over traditional media. Because it�s operated by the FA, readers can easily communicate with the officers, bridging the communication divide and that would be a huge boost.


Eventually, your blog will now play the role of traditional media in your place and this will be helpful for FAs like Leyte, Dumaguete, South Cotabato and the rest not served by a community paper.


So, blog away!




PALAMI FAMILY.  By the way, I met Ted during the wedding of his brother Cian and Marifel last week and now I know why Dan is rarely pissed and no it�s not because his patience got tested by his 15 siblings, they are just really one big and happy family and loving family.


Ted also said before the Vietnam game, Dan all asked them to pray, and they went to church but when they got to Na Nings to watch the game, The One up there must have been watching as they were seated next to a group of priests who were out relaxing after a convention.


They asked them to help pray, too.


So, how did Dan start his involvement in football?


Ted said that every time he goes home to Tacloban, he sponsors a football tournament just because he wants to see football matches and play in one when he goes home.


The rest, as the clich� goes, is history and Dan no longer just sponsors local footie matches but a national team!

Limpag: How FAs can help spread football news

By Mike T. Limpag

Fair Play

Monday, May 28, 2012
THERE are so many things happening in football these days, but not enough gets space in traditional media, due to space constraints and some other factors.
But some areas have it worse; they don�t have any community paper that can help promote the game or their activities like the Leyte Football Association.

�So start a blog,� I told Ted Palami, the brother of Dan.
�But we don�t have any writers,� he said.
And that is one problem. There are too many football blogs out there, but not enough writers. I think most of the blogs and footie sites just copy-paste the stories that appear in traditional media (some with permission) and that sorts of defeat the purpose of a blog.
I told Ted that writing football stories is actually easy, once you get to know the basics. It�s the things you have to do before you write a story�gathering data, taking notes, interviewing people and all those things�that�s hard.
From what I hear, the Leyte FA is doing lots of things and their hosting of the Suzuki Cup Under 23 Visayas eliminations was top class as they applied all the things learned Dan learned when it comes to holding tournaments. They had a welcome dinner and managers� meeting a day before the game, and they rolled out the red carpet for the visiting teams and officials.
But we didn�t hear any of that, did we? That�s why, if an FA like Leyte doesn�t have a local media that supports it, why not take over that role?
A blog run by an FA, especially if it carries match updates of its own team in regional competitions, is assured of a captive audience of 20�18 players and the coaching staff. Once they see their names in a post, these players are sure to post a link in their various social networking pages. And that�s for just one team.
If the blog carries updates of that FA�s tournaments, then you can add the members of each team to the audience. Then, factor in the family members, friends, girlfriends (or boyfriends) and No. 2s, once you regularly update the blog, your audience will begin to grow.
It also has an advantage over traditional media. Because it�s operated by the FA, readers can easily communicate with the officers, bridging the communication divide and that would be a huge boost.
Eventually, your blog will now play the role of traditional media in your place and this will be helpful for FAs like Leyte, Dumaguete, South Cotabato and the rest not served by a community paper.
So, blog away!
PALAMI FAMILY. By the way, I met Ted during the wedding of his brother Cian and Marifel last week and now I know why Dan is rarely pissed and no it�s not because his patience got tested by his 15 siblings, they are just really one big and happy and loving family.
Ted also said before the Vietnam game, Dan all asked them to pray, and they went to church but when they got to Na Nings to watch the game, The One up there must have been watching as they were seated next to a group of priests who were out relaxing after a convention.
They asked them to help pray, too.
So, how did Dan start his involvement in football?
Ted said that every time he goes home to Tacloban, he sponsors a football tournament just because he wants to see football matches and play in one when he goes home.
The rest, as the clich� goes, is history, and Dan no longer just sponsors local footie matches but a national team!
(www.cebufootball.blogspot.com)

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on May 28, 2012.

Hot Pachanga routs Manila All-Japan IX

By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

NEWCOMER Pachanga breached the century mark in total goals for the season after a 7-0 demolition of Manila All-Japan Saturday night in the second division of the United Football League at the University of Makati field.

Midfielder Oussenynou Diop fired a hat-trick, while former national team striker Freddie Gonzalez contributed two as Pachanga extended its lead against Diliman FC at the top to five points with four matches remaining.

The 34-year-old Gonzalez, the star of the national team in the early 2000s who recently earned an invitation to return to the Azkals after showing fine form in the UFL, took his tally to 29 goals for the season.

Clinically finishing off fluid attacking moves, striker Joven Bedic and Robert Canedo also scored for Pachanga, which has collected 52 out of a possible 54 points in its 18 matches.

Only in its first season in the UFL, Pachanga, a team also owned by Gonzalez, has racked up an astonishing total of 106 goals on its way to winning 17 matches and drawing one. Pachanga has only conceded seven goals.

�We�re scoring goals and hopefully it leads us to our target of winning the second division and get promotion to the first division next season,� said Pachanga coach Norman Fegidero, whose side reached the UFL Cup quarterfinals early this year.

In another second division clash, last-placed Lions Meltique Beef banged in two second half goals to salvage a 2-2 draw against Union Internacionale Manila.

City booters advance in Suzuki Cup

By Roderick Osis

Sunday, May 27, 2012
AFTER scoring a draw against National Capital Region (NCR) in their home game, Baguio City Football Association (BCFA) scored a huge victory to enter the second phase of the PFF Suzuki Under 23 National Cup at the Makati pitch recently.
With a 1-0 victory against the home team, Baguio City secured the top spot in the Northern Luzon division, joining Laguna and Masbate for the next phase of the tournament supported by Suzuki in cooperation with the Philippine Football Federation.
H
The Baguio booters could have topped the northern Luzon standing but nonetheless settled for a scoreless draw in an almost-bench clearing game the last time out at the BSU pitch.
Posting a 3-1 victory, BCFA has avenged its sorry loss the last time out against Tarlac in the home-and-away tournament format with a 2-3 loss against the central Luzon booters.
Although Baguio and NCR have one loss each and a similar goal difference of seven, the Summer Capital booters had 12 goals in the entire tournament as compared to NCR's eight.
The PFF Suzuki U23 National Cup is dubbed as the local adaptation of the AFF Suzuki Cup, the most celebrated football competition organized by the Asean Football Federation for football-competing national teams in the Southeast Asian region.
The PFF earlier said with the football hype in the country, the tournament aims to search for a stronger Philippine team with the cup serving young aspirants to be the best of what they can be.
In fact, the PFF and Suzuki recently signed a memorandum of agreement for the staging of the national tournament.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on May 28, 2012.

The Paradox Of Indonesian Football

If you're watching the Sriwijaya v Persipura game there are some wonderful insights, if you know what to look for, as to why the game is in such a mess and why it shouldn't be.

Fans waving banners supporting the TV channel that is broadcasting the game live. On the one hand, the channel is so insecure, despite being owned by the family that just about runs the ISL, they need to have fans 'tell' them how wonderful they are!

Check the home team's bench and see the politicians taking up all the space, forcing the coach to the margins.

See how full the stadium is for the game and wonder how much 'official' merchandise they are wearing.

Add that little lot together and you can understand why the game here ain't gonna change any time soon.

Sunday--May 27th, 2012

Phil Steele has a chart on his blog listing the number of returning lettermen vs letterman lost. UMass comes in a #44 nationally with 42 lettermen returning, 17 lost, 71,19% 59 total. The Minutemen come in on the lower range of total letterman because of the lower number of scholarships in FCS. As Phil Steele notes there is also a wide variation in how schools award letters.

Rankings for teams on UMass' 2012 schedule are:

• #10 Central Michigan
• #19 Ohio
• #27 Buffalo
• #28 Miami of Ohio
• #36 Bowling Green
• #39 Northern Illinois
• #58 Indiana
• #67 Michigan
• #69 Vanderbilt
• #94 Akron
• #102 Western Michigan
• #110 UConn

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Football Scoop has a story and a link to a USA report on athletic director's salaries. They missed John McCutcheon. Vanderbilt who is on our OOC schedule this year, had the highest paid AD ----- David Williams at $2.56 million.

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Jim O'Conner/ US Presswire image

Rant Sports says with Hakeem Nicks injured, Victor Cruz is now the #1 receiver for the Giants.

ESPN New York says Cruz is adjusting to his new status with the Giants-----as a veteran.

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The Seattle Times has a nice human interest story about former NFL and MAC QB Jon Kitna's new gig as a high school math teacher.

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Sunday : U22 NT 2-0 Ceres FC

Today at 4 pm in Panaad, Bacolod


Third place match :


U22 NT vs Ceres Fc
Ceres: baguioro,arriola,beloya,bedia,jr,m gonzales(trimaxi),cordova Omura Masa(@KayaFC) Bolo, Princ, GKMikeCasas
U22: Fernandez,Tongson,Malalo-an,Valmayor,Marasigan,Marvin Angeles,Theuer, Christiaens, Pascual


1-0 U22 NT Jeffrey Christiaens
2-0 U22 NT Jeremy James Theuer
Ceres Fc missed a penalty (Beloya)
2-0 HT
Red card Tongson (U22 NT)


2-0 FT