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Post by rpbenchwarmer on Feb 15, 2011 21:43:58 GMT 8
PFF wants to stage W’Cup qualifier in ManilaBy Francis Santiago February 15, 2011, 12:31am MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines hosting a World Cup qualifier may seem impossible at this time. But don’t tell that to Mariano “Nonong” Araneta. The Philippine Football Federation chief believes the country can do it as long as the 30,000-seater Rizal Memorial football stadium in Manila is primed up for the task. Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia said recently that repairs have started in the 77-year-old stadium, including the installation of new lighting. The renovation started under Garcia’s predecessor, former PSC chair Harry Angping, who forged an alliance with De La Salle University for the project now nearing its completion. “If the renovation is complete, then we can host it,” Araneta said yesterday referring to the 2014 World Cup qualifiers set to begin this summer. “The stadium can host fans as many as 30,000.” Araneta is expecting a huge turn out should the hosting dream comes into fruition. His assessment was based on the overwhelming crowd support in the Philippine Azkals’ 2-0 victory over Mongolia the first leg of their AFC Challenge Cup qualifying match last week in Bacolod City where some 20,000 watched the game live at the Panaad Stadium. If it happens, it will only be the second time in the Philippine football history that the country will host such a prestigious event, forward Yanti Barsales, who has been with the national team since 1991, said yesterday. The last time was in 2001 when the Philippines hosted their “home” game against Laos at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City (formerly ULTRA). The game ended in a 1-1 draw and the Philippines failed to advance into the next stage. Link: www.mb.com.ph/articles/304354/pff-wants-stage-w-cup-qualifier-manila
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Post by Caz on Feb 16, 2011 2:21:23 GMT 8
This new age in Philippine Football (how exciting!) does need the inevitable chance to dawn on Manila. I kinda doubt we'll fill the Rizal Memorial stadium without offering free seating though and the wisdom behind that is likely up for debate.
Anyways, anyone know when the draw will take place? Should be soon, no?
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Post by beho on Feb 16, 2011 11:28:07 GMT 8
;Dyes, i'm really looking forward for this hosting of wc qualifiers, it's been 20 years since the last time(when use in a football match) the rizal football stadium was fully-packed. since i'm from manila & with the recent football renaissance, i won't let this opportunity to slip pass my grip this time, surely, i'll be there cheering & shouting my hearts out for the azkals, panaad was jam-packed last feb. 9 . with all the publitcity, i can't see any reason why we can't do the same here. ;D
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Post by locotes on Feb 16, 2011 17:04:33 GMT 8
WC qualifier does a Hom and Away format also? Whoever team we play against, I hope they have a big population here so there will be mixed of supporters in the stadium,be more fun.
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Post by beho on Feb 16, 2011 20:33:37 GMT 8
WC qualifier does a Hom and Away format also? Whoever team we play against, I hope they have a big population here so there will be mixed of supporters in the stadium,be more fun. ;Dika nga, para me challenge ,it's a nicer feeling when you have somebody (opponent's fans)to cheer against, especially when you outnumber them, right?he..he..he.. ;D nice avatar mods,i like it bro!(maybe i'm just being green-minded)i was just wondering what was the dog doing with the ball?
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Post by al luz812 on Feb 16, 2011 22:20:12 GMT 8
WC qualifier does a Hom and Away format also? Whoever team we play against, I hope they have a big population here so there will be mixed of supporters in the stadium,be more fun. Then lets all hope that we'll draw India, the 5-6 financiers will then have a national congress at rizal stadium. Match day will then be declared as a payment HOLIDAY for pinoy debtors. hahaha
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Post by Ms. Sarah Crews on Feb 17, 2011 0:30:46 GMT 8
may balita na ba kung sinung makakaharap ng Philippines sa first Round? kasi pag kaka alam ko we are seeded last. dahil hindi tayo nag compete the lastime for S.Africa World Cup. first round eh home and away yung format. knockout stage. soif we lost the first round eh bye bye nah... at nakakatakot for sure one of those countries in AFC top 10 ang makakalaban natin considering yung Indonesia, and vietnam eh wala man lang sa top 10 ng asian rankings..
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Post by streetunka on Feb 17, 2011 0:44:31 GMT 8
nde naman ata kaagad top 10 asian countries... those countries are supposed to be already in the group qualifying stages... if im not mistaken lower ranked countries din
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Post by Caz on Feb 17, 2011 4:30:27 GMT 8
The Philippines is currently ranked 28th out of 46 AFC countries. Interestingly (and a bit off topic), being in the "second 14" nations in the AFC should promote us from being an "emerging nation" to a "developing nation". That includes sending a professional club to the AFC Cup instead of the AFC President's Cup and, well, no longer being in the mix for the Challenge Cup. However, all my speculation is based on FIFA rankings (which the AFC dislikes, I believe), and the AFC President makes the designation onto which tier a country belongs to. Wala lang, just wanted to share...
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Post by Filipinas50 on Feb 17, 2011 7:22:24 GMT 8
Let's ALL keep our finger cross that this plan becomes a reality this year, which would be an awesome event for Manila residence...Just hearing the word 'FIFA 2014 World Cup' qualifier here is enough to send tingles on my body!
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Post by cjeagle on Feb 17, 2011 7:32:15 GMT 8
For the first round of WC qualifying based on performance in the last World Cup which we did not participate, we are seeded last in the AFC. All that means really is that we will be put in the lower bracket for the first round for teams seeded 26-46. We will be facing teams seeded 6-25 who are in the upper bracket. The top 5 teams : Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Korea DPR, and Bahrain have all been given byes into the third round.
Our possible opponents for the first round are: 6. Saudi Arabia, 7. Iran, 8. Qatar, 9. Uzbekistan, 10. UAE, 11. Syria, 12. Oman, 13. Jordan, 14. Iraq, 15. China, 16. Singapore, 17. Kuwait, 18. Thailand, 19. Turkmenistan, 20. Lebanon, 21. Yemen, 22. Tajikistan, 23. Hong Kong, 24. Indonesia 25. Kyrgyzstan.
Our best chance to qualify for the 2nd round is to be drawn against opponents in the lower half or lower third of this group which we will be playing in a 2 leg home and away series.
This is of course based on 46 countries participating. One country will get a bye. This above list will change acc. to the no. of countries participating. If Brunei which is under suspension is not included, there will be no bye in this list.
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Post by Ms. Sarah Crews on Feb 17, 2011 8:18:39 GMT 8
sana nga sa FIFA rankings nila i base yung seedings,. kaso hindi,. panu yan, based on the reply above,. it's either Saudi Arabian, Persian, Qatari, Uzbeks, UAE,. ang pinaka malaking possibilities na makalaban?? swerte na tayo kung Syria, Oman, Jordan, Iraq or China? wow. wag naman sana.... kasi kahit sinung bansa from South East Asia eh mejo walang panama sa mga bansang yan....
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Post by cjeagle on Feb 17, 2011 8:24:19 GMT 8
To clarify, the list above are on the upper half of the draw, and therefore possible opponents. I did not list the bottom pot where we will be included since we will not be facing any of these countries in the first round. Even if we based it on FIFA rankings now, we will still be in the bottom half of the draw at this time although quite close to the top, but if we continue to improve it is possible we could have ended up in the upper half of the draw.
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Post by Ms. Sarah Crews on Feb 17, 2011 8:54:17 GMT 8
4 countries lang ang hindi nag compete from asia last world cup qualifying... we're one of those. so we are on the lower four. if that happens isa dun sa top 1o ang makakalaban natin,. once na may mag back out. either of those countries in top 15....
sana nga baguhin ng AFC yung rules ng seeding,. sana i consider din nila yung mga previous achievement ng mga bansa sa friendlies... or else patay na... sigurado ito na yung hinihintay ng mga basketball fan para gumanti sa mga pang aasar na ginawa ng fan ng football sa kanila.
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Post by cjeagle on Feb 17, 2011 9:07:27 GMT 8
Don't lose hope yet. We could conceivably be drawn against the lower third maybe against one of our SEA neighbors where we will be still competitive. The important thing is we continue improving. It would be nice if we can make it to the 3rd round group stage esp. if our draws are favorable in both the 1st and 2nd round, as we will be facing really good opponents which would have given our players valuable experience.
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