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Post by dingodile5 on Aug 11, 2012 9:11:11 GMT 8
Spotlight on Manila-based Azkals in twin US matchesBy Cedelf P. Tupas Philippine Daily Inquirer 1:35 am | Saturday, August 11th, 2012 LOS ANGELES—The spotlight will be on the Philippine-based members of the national side when the Azkals sees action in a couple of friendly matches in Chicago and Indianapolis on Aug. 11 and 18. With some of the Europe-based players unavailable due to club commitments, the Azkals will be sticking to the core based in Manila as they crank up their buildup for the Suzuki Cup late this year. “It’s a fresh lineup and we have a good mix,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss, who steered the Azkals to a historic third place finish in the AFC Challenge Cup early this year. “There are veterans and young players who will be with us even in Manila after the camp. And having that training time will be crucial to the preparations (for Suzuki Cup).” Phil and James Younghusband have begged off from the camp because of prior commitments, but stalwarts like Chieffy Caligdong and Aly Borromeo as well as Suzuki Cup hero Chris Greatwich are still around to power the Azkals campaign. In the absence of the likes of Paul Mulders, Stephan Schrock, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara, local-based players like Anto Gonzales, Marvin and Marwin Angeles and Ian Araneta could have more playing time in the matches against the Chicago Inferno on Aug. 11 at the Joe Bean Stadium and the US Virgin Islands on Aug. 18. Veterans Nestorio Margarse and Roel Gener are also part of the side in the Chicago camp. Azkals manager Dan Palami said the veteran players’ presence provide stability and leadership in the preparations. “The veterans know their roles in the team and they are as important as any player in the team,” said Palami. Palami is hopeful that the Azkals’ fitness and cohesion, which have both been a concern for Weiss, will be addressed in the Chicago camp. Weiss could work behind the attacking quartet of Caligdong, Denis Wolf, Misagh Bahadoran and Patrick Reichelt in the Chicago camp. “It’s a perfect opportunity for them to prove their worth,” said Weiss of Bahadoran and Reichelt, who are among the second-stringers in the Azkals’ lineup when the Europe-based players are available. sports.inquirer.net/57611/spotlight-on-manila-based-azkals-in-twin-us-matches
For your thoughts about PHI vs USVI game, post it here usapangfootball.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1410
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Post by Wiking on Aug 11, 2012 11:43:52 GMT 8
Afternoon day off in downtown Chicago. Dan Palami and a "classmate" gave the entire team shopping money. *In other "news" when I asked if he's playing against the Inferno, Aly Borromeo said that he was. Demit Omphroy w/ Ace Bright Paolo P's injured leg! Hopefully it isn't too bad.
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Post by Wiking on Aug 11, 2012 14:26:30 GMT 8
First time I heard about this: "...and that the Inferno were also conducting try-outs for Filipino-Americans for a team they are assembling to compete in the local league in the Philippines."Effing awesome if this comes to fruition!! *btw, a former Azkal is in the Inferno team now. Read article below! www.examiner.com/article/a-former-azkal-gets-another-shot-at-his-football-dream*I spoke to the article writer via twitter and he said it isn't "official" yet, but is planned for next year. The writer is in Chicago now to cover the Azkal games, his name is Dennis "dsource" Guillermo.
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Post by cypher210 on Aug 11, 2012 14:32:43 GMT 8
hmm chicago inferno reserves maybe? or a sister club? sounds pretty cool
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Post by stellarboy on Aug 11, 2012 17:26:13 GMT 8
First time I heard about this: "...and that the Inferno were also conducting try-outs for Filipino-Americans for a team they are assembling to compete in the local league in the Philippines."Effing awesome if this comes to fruition!! *btw, a former Azkal is in the Inferno team now. Read article below! www.examiner.com/article/a-former-azkal-gets-another-shot-at-his-football-dream*I spoke to the article writer via twitter and he said it isn't "official" yet, but is planned for next year. The writer is in Chicago now to cover the Azkal games, his name is Dennis "dsource" Guillermo.Niiiiiiiiiccceee. ;D I'll look forward to this development. A US club team setting foot in Philippine soil, in the UFL? Never in a million years! I'm glad John Belen took this time to return to the sport he loves most and the country he looks back to.
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Post by Wiking on Aug 11, 2012 22:00:33 GMT 8
Today(in Chicago) is the big day! Make sure ya join the chat and/or watch the game on Studio 23 at 8am Sunday morning in the Philippines. Not a FIFA match but exciting new/younger Azkal players trying to establish themselves. Go Azkals!! I finally found a pic w/ all the players together(pic from Ace Bright)
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Post by cjeagle on Aug 11, 2012 23:19:34 GMT 8
It is interesting that d source dennis guillermo is covering soccer now. he is mostly a boxing reporter.
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Post by jonny on Aug 12, 2012 1:53:44 GMT 8
I dont think this friendly will be soldout ? The capacity is 2-3000, and I could buy 50 tickets now without any problems from the Chicago Inferno website
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Post by dan17808 on Aug 12, 2012 3:09:51 GMT 8
It is interesting that d source dennis guillermo is covering soccer now. he is mostly a boxing reporter. and MMA too cjeagle... in particular Arianny C. seriously me too, he even posts in PhilBoxing forums. sorry for the OT. Good Luck Azkals!
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Post by Wiking on Aug 13, 2012 18:58:03 GMT 8
ROB GIER ARRIVES FOR CHICAGO CAMPCHICAGO – Fil-British defender Rob Gier arrived from London Sunday night to link up with the Philippine side needing options on the backline five days before it faces U.S. Virgin Islands in an international friendly in Indianapolis. The Azkals are short on defenders with midfielders Jason de Jong and Jeff Christiaens moved to play in a makeshift backline in a 1-3 loss to a beefed-up Chicago Inferno team Saturday night at Joe Bean Stadium in Wheaton. The 31-year-old Gier is one of the most experienced players in the side, having been with the Azkals in the historic run to the 2010 Suzuki Cup semifinals as well as the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup. Gier’s presence is expected to shore up the Azkals defense which conceded three goals in 32 minutes – a deficit that proved too difficult to overcome even after a solid showing in the second half. “I’m here to do my usual job, maybe be a steadying ship at the back and communicate with the players,” said Gier. “We want to make sure we keep improving and ensure that things are right come November.” Gier was referring to the 2012 Suzuki Cup where the Azkals have been marked as among the darkhorses after their steady improvement since their semifinal finish a couple of years ago. The veteran defender couldn’t come earlier to the camp in the Windy City as he still played for Ascot United in an English FA Cup qualifying round game. Gier took the loss to the Inferno in stride, saying what matters is the Azkals are getting the preparation they need for more important matches ahead. “I know everyone wants us to win every game, but it’s a very experimental side plus the team has been on a break,” said Gier. “It may take a while for everything to jell back together to get us playing. I wouldn’t read too much into the loss. Hopefully we’ll perform a lot better, but if it doesn’t go as planned, its not the end of the world because its still part of the preparation.” The Inferno actually fielded a stronger lineup than the one that currently plays in the Premier Development League with some players flying in from different parts of the United States and Brazil to beef up the side that tested the Azkals. Azkals coach Michael Weiss handed senior team debuts to Matthew Uy, who looked steady at central midfield pairing up with Chris Greatwich, and Demetrius Omphroy, who came on as a halftime substitute and was involved in the only goal scored by Carli de Murga. A standout from California who has played for the youth teams of Panama and the United States, Omphroy looked lively on the right flank. Patrick Reichelt, OJ Porteria and Marvin Angeles also came in as substitutes with Reichelt making an impact, assisting on De Murga’s goal in the 71st minute. phfootballscribe.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/rob-gier-arrives-for-chicago-camp/
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Post by stellarboy on Aug 13, 2012 20:59:28 GMT 8
Some interesting videos you might like to watch:
This kid enjoying the chant "Go Azkals!":
Another vlogger piece from Bobby Mayor at the training field in Oak Brook:
Interview on Flip Radio with Anto Gonzales, Misagh Bahadoran and Jason de Jong.
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Post by dingodile5 on Aug 13, 2012 23:58:39 GMT 8
@neil38etheridge Looks like I won't be joining the national team in America this internationals break .. #sadtimes
He wants to play for PH but he can't since EPL will start on Saturday. It's ok even you won't come in US hehe On September games you can
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Post by dingodile5 on Aug 15, 2012 7:53:25 GMT 8
Rookie Azkals bare fangsBy Cedelf P. Tupas Philippine Daily Inquirer 2:20 am | Wednesday, August 15th, 2012 CHICAGO—Newcomers Demetrius Omphroy and Matthew Uy are making a good account of themselves as they stake their claim for regular spots in the Philippine football team intensifying its buildup here for the Suzuki Cup late this year. Omphroy and Uy, who came on as halftime substitutes in the 1-3 loss to the Chicago Inferno last Saturday, have impressed Azkals coach Michael Weiss and manager Dan Palami only a week into training with the national side. “They were able to rise to the challenge in the second half (against the Inferno),” said Weiss. Palami said Omphroy, who was drafted by Major League Soccer side Toronto two years ago, “provides a certain quality and maturity in the squad.” The 22-year-old Omphroy played for Panama only at youth level, making him still eligible for the Philippines senior side. The manager said the 22-year-old Uy, who played college soccer at Fairfield University, has been standing out with his good vision and distribution from midfield. Another prospect, Josh Boone, will be a strong candidate for the senior side in the future, Palami added. “This camp has also allowed us to evaluate new players and they seem to be promising additions to the squad,” said Palami. “People should understand that camps have certain objectives that we want to accomplish and one of them is experimenting on players and trying out new formations and this is what we do during test matches,” said Palami. The Azkals have been undergoing twice-a-day sessions since they arrived Aug. 4 to improve fitness and cohesion. Meanwhile, Rob Gier arrived here Sunday night to give the Azkals a boost it badly needs defensively a few days before its duel with US Virgin Islands in Indianapolis. The Azkals, who continue to miss skipper Aly Borromeo because of injury, are short on defenders in this training camp with midfielders Jason de Jong and Jeff Christiaens moved to play in a makeshift backline against the Inferno. The 31-year-old Gier is one of the most experienced players in the side, having been with the Azkals in the historic run to the 2010 Suzuki Cup semifinals as well as the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup. Gier’s presence is expected to shore up the Azkals’ defense which conceded three goals in 32 minutes, a deficit that proved too difficult to overcome even after a solid showing in the second half. “I’m here to do my usual job, maybe be a steadying ship at the back and communicate with the players,” said Gier. “We want to make sure we keep improving and ensure that things are right come November.” Gier was referring to the 2012 Suzuki Cup where the Azkals have been marked as among the darkhorses. sports.inquirer.net/58359/rookie-azkals-bare-fangs
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Post by Wiking on Aug 15, 2012 9:59:13 GMT 8
Maybe we can play that "Inferno" club again? They were suppose to be better than the USVI club anyway, right?
*from some twitter comment from one or two players, it seems they found out after we did!
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Post by Wiking on Aug 19, 2012 15:59:28 GMT 8
Training camp is over...
Sorry EDITED: They are leaving Chicago, to Philippines or Indy or NY I do not know.
I saw Ace Bright asking Matt Uy to scout for hotels in the NY area though.
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