Azkals vs Indonesia June 5 Game

Watch the Azkals vs Indonesia Merah Putih (“The Red and White”) Friendly Match live on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium at 7:00pm.

Tickets will be available beginning on Friday, May 4, 2012 at all Ticketworld branches.  Ticket are priced at Php 2500, 1000, 750, 300, and 150.

The Azkals vs Indonesia Friendly Game will be telecast live by Studio 23.

Azkals vs Palestine: AFC Challenge Cup Battle for 3rd

Azkals aim for 3rd in AFC Challenge Cup as they face Palestine this Monday, March 19, 2012.

Returning in action for the Azkals are Guirado and James Younghusband, as well as Jason Sabio, who is returning from injury.

Watch Azkals vs Palestine: AFC Challenge Cup Battle for 3rd Live Telecast on Studio 23. Stay tuned for live updates and game results.

Azkals vs Turkmenistan AFC Challenge Cup Semifinals Game Result

The Philippine Azkals' run in the AFC Challenge Cup came to an abrupt end after they lost, 1-2, at the hands of Turkmenistan in their semifinal encounter in Nepal on Friday.

The Azkals conceded 2 goals in the second half after claiming a 1-0 advantage in the first half.

Phil Younghusband scored the lone goal for the Philippines.

After a shaky start by both squads, the Azkals drew first blood in the 25th minute when Younghusband connected on a header that pushed the Azkals ahead, 1-0.

However, the Turkmenistan Green Men clawed back and dominated possession.

Turkmenistan Player of the Year Arslanmyrat Amanov scored the equalizer in the 80th minute, when his low volley sneaked past Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

Gahrymanberdi Chonkayev scored the winning goal for Turkmenistan in the 85th.

Making matters worse for the Azkals was Etheridge's ejection from the game in the 92nd minute.

Etheridge, who made spectacular saves in the game, was caught kicking the foot of a Turkmen player.

He received a red card, which means he won't be around when the Filipinos play for third place on Monday against the loser of the North Korea-Palestine match.

The Turkmens had 15 shots at the goal with 11 of them on target.

Meanwhile, the Azkals had 13 shots, with 8 on target.

The Filipinos' defense was also busier with 11 saves compared to Turkmenistan’s 8.

The Azkals missed the services of James Younghusband and Angel Guirado, who each incurred their second yellow card in the Tajikistan game.

Jason Sabio, whose throw-ins created chances for the Azkals in their earlier games, was also forced to sit out the Turkmenistan match due to a knee injury.

It was a heartbreaking loss for the Azkals, who toppled two former champions on their way to the semifinals.

They beat 2008 champion India and 2006 titlist Tajikistan prior to their match against the Green Men.

The Philippines has never won a title in international football competition.

The last time the Philippines reached the finals was in 1925 in the Far Eastern Games wherein the country finished in second place.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) lodges formal complaint with GMA-7 against Arnold Clavio and co-hosts

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has lodged a formal complaint with GMA-7 against Arnold Clavio and others in relation to the hot topic right now, the statement made against the Philippine Azkals.

The complaint was in a form of a letter addressed to GMA Network President and COO Gilbuerto R. Duavit, Jr.

The full text of the letter is posted below:

14 March 2012
GMA NETWORK, INC.
GMA Network Center
EDSA corner Timog Avenue
Quezon City
Attention: Mr. GILBERTO R. DUAVIT, JR.
President & COO

Re: RACIST, LIBELOUS & DISCRIMINATORY STATEMENTS OF GMA-7 TV HOST
ARNOLD CLAVIO IN YOUR NEWS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS TV PROGRAM
“UNANG HIRIT” ON 13 MARCH 2012

Gentlemen:

The PHILIPPINE FOOTBALL FEDERATION (PFF) would like to lodge a formal complaint with your organization for the racist, discriminatory, libelous and malicious statements of your Program Host, ARNOLD CLAVIO and his other co-hosts, during the nationwide broadcast of your News & Public Affairs Program “Unang Hirit” last 13 March 2012.

After reading a news report on the Philippines vs. India match (March 11, 2012), the Philippines vs. Tajikistan match scheduled on March 13, 2012, and a news report on how the members of the Philippine National Football Team (Men’s) focus on their scheduled games despite the sexual harassment complaint filed by CRISTINA RAMOS against Philippine team players LEXTON MOY and ANGEL GUIRADO, the following statements, among others, were uttered by your host ARNOLD CLAVIO, thus:

Host Rhea Santos – “Kailangan masampulan eh…”

Host Arnold Clavio – “Kaya talagang ano na. Aral na sa inyo yan, ang yayabang nyo akala nyo. Porke’t dinadagsa kayo ng mga fans, ang gugugwapo nyo eh.”

“Parang God’s gift to women”

“Alam mo lahat.. lahat nang… nakuwento nga ni Cristina at nang dalawa nyang kasama. Lahat ginawa para ipaalam na may babaeng papasok sa locker, ilang katok nga sila eh. Eh malapit na yung match eh. Kailangan ma-check na yung dalawang koponan. Eh nauna yung Philippine team bago yung Malaysian… na team.

“Ngayon nag-sorry para sa isa daw nilang kasamahan. Saan ka nakakita ng Azkal na may suso? Wala naman akong…. anong cup B? Maybe a cup B sa isang kasama?

“Palusot na lang…”

“Sana nag-sorry, sorry na lang talaga, di ba? Parang…”

“Hindi ko kayo ka-kultura. Kasi wala dito (pointing to his chest)…. at wala dito (pointing to his head)…”

“Hindi naman kayo Pilipino. Nagpapanggap lang kayong kayumanggi. Hindi kayo dito lumaki”…

“Mahirap yun….. Insensitive.”

“Para maging aral.”

“Congratulations. Kasi hiwalay naman ito sa ginagawa nilang pakikipaglaban. So, good luck din sa inyong susunod na laban para mapunta kayo sa Final 4 ha. Na bihira pong marating nang Pilipinas sa matagal na panahon.”

“Alam naman nila yung mga sexcapades nila sa isa’t isa eh, di ba? Sino ba nag-penicillin.. Alam naman nila yun.”

“Akala siguro lahat sila gusto silang matikman siguro… makasama…Diyos ko.”

Your TV Host ARNOLD CLAVIO’s declarations that the members of the Philippine Men’s National Football Team “are not Filipinos” and “are only pretending to be Filipinos” are not only libelous and defamatory to the good name and reputation of the PFF and the Filipino players comprising the Men’s National Team now playing with their hearts for “flag and country” at the AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu, Nepal. They are also verbal statements of a racist nature and constitute malicious, contemptuous, discriminatory and denigratory remarks concerning race and origin that offend the dignity of the Filipino players and Filipinos who are similarly situated.

ARNOLD CLAVIO has made those scathing and offensive remarks with reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of his statements. In association football, only citizens of the country can be a member of the Representative “A” Team of the country, i.e., its National Team. In making his scurrilous statements, CLAVIO made it appear that PFF has selected persons who are not Filipino citizens to be members of and play for the Philippine National Team. This subjects all Philippine National Teams (not only the Men’s National Team) to doubts by international organizations, spectators and opposing national teams as to the Filipino citizenship, and therefore eligibility, of the Philippine team players. It also puts the name and reputation of the Philippines and the PFF in disrepute. CLAVIO obviously does not know (and neither he nor your program staff did not care to check) that only Filipinos can play in the Philippine National Football Team. Indeed, weeks prior to any international tournament a country has to submit to the organizer a list of its National Team players with proof of their citizenship or nationality (e.g. passports).

The members of the Philippine National Team now playing in Nepal at the AFC Challenge Cup are Filipinos just like your Unang Hirit hosts Arnold Clavio, Rhea Santos, Connie Sison and Lyn Ching-Pascual. Some of the current members of the Philippine Men’s Football Team have either a Filipina mother or a Filipino father, thus qualifying them to be natural-born Filipino citizens. One can notice the obvious discomfort of even CLAVIO’s co-host Lyn Ching-Pascual when he confidently uttered the words “Hindi naman kayo Pilipino. Nagpapanggap lang kayong kayumanggi….”

ARNOLD CLAVIO also discriminates against the Philippine national team players who, for one reason or another, grew up or partly grew up outside the Philippines when he uttered the words “Hindi kayo dito lumaki”. This constitutes disparaging and demeaning remarks against Filipino children of Filipinos who are compelled by circumstances to work and live abroad with their children. His bias against Filipinos who grew up abroad is utterly shocking and is not expected to be blurted out by a TV host of your respected and reputable organization. Many Filipinos, including our own President Benigno S. Aquino, partly grew up abroad by force of circumstances. Are they less Filipino than those who grew up entirely in the Philippines?

ARNOLD CLAVIO is also guilty of sexist remarks and sex-related innuendo leveled against the Philippine National Team players when he uttered the words “Alam naman nila yung mga sexcapades nila sa isa’t isa eh, di ba? Sino ba nag-penicillin… Alam naman nila yun.”…..“ Akala siguro lahat sila gusto silang matikman siguro… makasama…Diyos ko.” Added to that statement was host Rhea Santos’ statement that “[y]ung mga babae…kasi porke guwapo… sikat… minsan halos itapon na nila yung mga sarili doon sa mga lalaki” that operate to demean and disparage Filipino women, in general, and the Filipino women supporters of the Philippine Men’s National Team. It must be noted that your Unang Hirit program caters to all age groups.

After uttering the above-stated libelous, racist and discriminatory remarks, and after obviously reading an idiot board or reminder from somebody (not covered by the camera), ARNOLD CLAVIO, congratulated the team and wished them luck during their next game so they could qualify for the semifinals of the Challenge Cup, a situation which CLAVIO himself admitted is seldom attained ‘”by the Philippines”. Nonetheless, the unquantifiable damage and injury to the PFF and the Philippine Men’s National Football Team has already been inflicted by the scurrilous and discriminatory words emanating from your TV host ARNOLD CLAVIO.

As you are aware, the matter of sexual harassment complaint by Cristina Ramos against Philippine players Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado is now pending before the PFF Disciplinary Committee which has primary jurisdiction over the complaint. While your organization may report news concerning the matter, we and the public expect that no racist, discriminatory, sexist, or disparaging remarks that offend the dignity of persons or organizations or maliciously defame persons or organizations are made by your hosts and reporters.

We thus lodge this complaint and protest with GMA NETWORK, INC. and demand that, (i) your organization impose, after requisite proceedings, the appropriate sanction on your TV host ARNOLD CLAVIO; (ii) your organization and/or ARNOLD CLAVIO rectify, among others, his discriminatory, racist and libelous assertions that members of the Philippine Men’s National Football Team are not Filipinos and are only pretending to be Filipinos; and, (iii) your organization and/or ARNOLD CLAVIO issue a written apology to the PFF and the Philippine Men’s National Football Team which should also be forthwith read and given prominence in your News & Public Affairs TV program, “Unang Hirit”.

We are thankful that in one way or another, your organization has helped in the promotion of football in the Philippines. We all know that encouraging the Filipino youth to engage in sports in general or play football in particular contributes to nation-building. We however strongly protest the previously cited statements of your Unang Hirit Hosts ARNOLD CLAVIO and RHEA SANTOS.
Very truly yours,
MARIANO V. ARANETA., JR.
President
EDWIN B. GASTANES
PFF Legal Counsel

Arnold Clavio criticized for his alleged racist remark against the Azkals

GMA News anchor Arnold Clavio has recently become a subject of criticisms after his ‘racist’ remarks on the Philippine national football team Azkals. He remarked in a segment in Unang Hirit, a GMA morning program where he serves as a reporter, that the Azkals members, Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado, deserved it right referring to the recent sexual harassment case filed by match commissioner Cristina Ramos.

In his comment, he said “Sana nag sorry, sorry na lang talaga ‘di ba.. na ‘di ko kayo ka-kultura.. kasi wala dito’t wala dito (pointing to the chest and head), ‘di naman kayo Pilipino e, nagpapanggap lang kayong kayumanggi, hindi kayo dito lumaki. Mahirap ‘yun. Insensitive”

Netizens react to this issue, stating that it is mere crab mentality. Others say that the comments were racist, foul and harsh remarks, which is not of a responsible journalist.

The irony of it was he said insensitive and yet he didn’t consider the feelings of the other members of the Azkals when he said “di naman kayo Pilipino e, nagpapanggap lang kayong kayumanggi.”

After this issue, GMA-7 broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio has issued an official statement after drawing flak for his alleged racist statement about the Philippine Azkals.

The statement reads:

Mga igan, nakakalungkot na may negatibong reaksyon ang naging pahayag ko tungkol sa Philippine Azkals kaugnay ng sexual harassment complaint ni Ms. Cristy Ramos. Wala po akong ganoong intensyon. Ang isyu po rito ay sexual harassment at kung may nagamit man po akong mga salita na hindi angkop, nagpapakumbaba po ako at humihingi ng pang-unawa. Dun naman po sa mga kasama kong nanindigan laban sa sexual harassment, maraming salamat po. Seryoso pong isyu ito na dapat bantayan.

-Arnold Clavio

Azkals vs Turkmenistan AFC Challenge Cup Semifinals Game

After the successful conquest of inaugural AFC Champions Tajikistan the Philippine Azkals will now move on to the next round, the semi-finals of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup against Turkmenistan, the top team in Group A.

Turkmenistan ranked higher compared to Palestine with the goal difference advantage although both teams game ended in a scoreless draw. Turmenistan had 7 points while Palestine had 7 points as well but Turmenistan defeated Nepal with 3-0 score while Palestine won over Nepal with 2-0 advantage.

The Philippine Azkals on the other hand advanced to the semi-finals by virtue of a total of 6 points earned in Group B by defeating both former AFC Champions India and Tajikistan for one of the biggest upset in the AFC Challenge Cup history.

The game between the Philippines and Turkmenistan will be held this coming Friday, March 16, 2012 at around 14:30 (Nepal Time) 04:45 (Phil. Time).

The Philippine Azkas and Turkmenistan have met before during the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers wherein the Philippines was held scoreless with the final score at 5-0. The game was held at the Male National Stadium last April 18, 2009 at 4:00 PM.

The Azkals vs Turkmenistan AFC Challenge Cup Semifinals Game will be telecast live by Studio 23.

Watch Azkals vs Turkmenistan AFC Challenge Cup Semifinals Game Live on Studio 23.

Azkals vs Tajikistan AFC Challenge Cup Result

The Philippine Azkals made history by advancing into the semifinals of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup with a 2-1 upset of former titlist Tajikistan at the Halchowk Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Phil Younghusband and Angel Guirado scored the crucial goals for the Philippine side on the 53rd and the 80th minutes of the game.

Despite the Persian Lions dominating possession in the first half, the Azkals displayed tenacity and consistency in attacking the Tajiks’ goal.

Younghusband, who scored two goals against India, had scoring attempts on the 2nd and 8th minutes.

Angel Guirado also struck a header in the 28th, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.

The Tajiks, however, pulled off a stunner in first half injury time when an Alexey Negmatov header went through the Azkals' goal line.

The Filipinos appealed before the referees, but game officials ruled in favor of the Persian Lions and gave them a 1-0 advantage over the Azkals.

Minutes into the second half, the nationals fired back at their Central Asian counterparts.

Younghusband equalized the game for the Philippines by scoring a goal off a pass from Guirado.

This leveled the scores to 1-1 on the 53rd minute.

After failing to convert a goal in the 78th minute, Guirado pushed the Philippine side to a 2-1 lead against the Tajiks with a header on the 80th minute.

The Persian Lions tried hard to equalize the game, but they came short in front of the Azkals’ defense.

The Philippine squad joined North Korea, Turkmenistan and Palestine in the semifinals.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Azkals vs India AFC Challenge Cup Result

Phil Younghusband scored two goals in the Philippine Azkals' breakthrough 2-0 win over the Indian Blue Tigers in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.

The Filipino-British striker fired the goals in the 10th and 73rd minutes of the game.

Azkals AFC Challenge Cup 2012 Schedule

The Philippine Azkals are among the 8 finalist teams in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup, which will take place in Nepal from March 3 to 18, 2012.

 Also competing in the 4th edition of the Challenge Cup are Palestine, India, Turkmenistan, Maldives, Tajikistan, host country Nepal and defending champion North Korea.

The Azkals qualified in the tournament’s final line-up by beating Mongolia in the playoffs with an aggregate score of 3-2.

The Filipino football squad also beat Nepal, 4-0, in a friendly game at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Here is the schedule of Philippine Azkals in the AFC Challenge Cup 2012.

March 9: 2012 AFC Challenge Cup North Korea vs Philippines Kathmandu Nepal
March 11: 2012 AFC Challenge Cup India vs Philippines Kathmandu Nepal
March 13: 2012 AFC Challenge Cup Tajikistan vs Philippines Kathmandu Nepal

2012 AFC Challege Cup Azkals Games

The 2012 AFC Challenge Cup will be held in Nepal from March 8–19 2012. The tournament will determine who will qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup slated in Australia on January 4-26, 2015.

Our national football team, the Azkals will begin their Challenge Cup campaign on March 9 against defending champions DPR Korea.

Below are the schedule of games for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup:

Group A:

March 8, 2012, 15:00:
- Nepal vs Palestine at Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu
- Turkmenistan vs Maldives at Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu

March 10, 2012, 15:00:
- Palestine vs Turkmenistan at Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu
- Maldives vs Nepal at Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu

March 12, 2012, 15:00:
- Nepal vs Turkmenistan at Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu
- Maldives vs Palestine at Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu

Group B:

March 9, 2012, 15:00:
- North Korea vs Philippines at Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu
- India vs Tajikistan at Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu

March 11, 2012, 15:00:
- Philippines vs India at Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu
- Tajikistan vs North Korea at Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu

March 13, 2012, 15:00:
- North Korea vs India at Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu
- Tajikistan vs Philippines at Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu

Check out for the 2012 AFC Challege Cup Azkals Games and Results .

Watch all of the Azkals Game to be Telecast Live on Studio 23.

Watch Azkals vs South Korea Game Live Telecast Studio 23 this January 21 2012

The Philippine Azkals is schedule to go up against a visiting professional football team Incheon, South Korea to be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium this coming January 21, 2012 as part of the Sendong Charity Game.

The game between the South Koreans and the Philippines will bolsters its preparation for the upcoming AFC Challenge Cup Finals slated on March 9-13 in Nepal.

The upcoming game between the Philippine Azkals and the visiting South Koreans were made through the effort of Dragon Promotions led by Charlie Williams in partnership with ABS-CBN. It will be aired on Studio 23 through ABS-CBN Sports.

Stay tuned for the live updates, scores, results and highlight of this game, It will be posted online. You can watch the Live Telecast of Azkals vs South Korea on Studio 23.

Watch Azkals vs South Korea on January 21 2012

After Azkals and the Internacional de Madrid Club de Fútbol (CF) Friendly Game last January 7 2012.

Azkals will face South Korean’s finest in football – the South Korea’s Incheon Citizen Football Club on January 21, 2012 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. This match will also for the benefit of the Typhoon Sendong victims.

Watch Azkals vs South Korea on January 21 2012.

Azkals vs Madrid CF Sendong Charity Game Result

Spanish Tercera division club CF Internacional de Madrid, showing more cohesion and better game shape, thumped the Azkals-Alyansa, 3-1, in yesterday’s “Dili Kamo Nag-iisa” charity match at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The Spaniards buried the Pinoys with two goals in the first 45 minutes then added a third a minute aftere the break to dispose of the Filipinos before an estimated 8,000 spectators who watched live in support of the fund-raiser for victims of typhoon “Sendong” in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

“I feel the game is very fun, very open,” CFIM coach Javier Garcia Marquez said in Spanish after the match. “Most important of all, I think, is everybody enjoyed the game; we enjoyed it, hope you enjoyed it. And I believe, whatever was the objective, we did enough to raise funds.”

CFIM, through club chairman Stephen Newman, handed over a check amounting to 10,000 Euros to Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross as their contribution to relief efforts for “Sendong” victims.

Newman also brought in three collectible items on behalf of Real Madrid - a Real Madrid No. 7 white jersey signed by Cristiano Ronaldo, a Los Blancos jersey signed by all the players and a Spanish national team jersey signed by Iker Casillas - organizers will auction off.

Before kickoff, Paolo Pascual and Angel Guirado delivered a spiel in Cebuano and Spanish, respectively, illustrating the united front of the football community in such a worthy cause. A one-minute silence was later made for the typhoon victims followed by the singing of “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

On game time, it was virtually a CFIM show.

Striker Rufino “Rufo” Familiar Sanchez beat Phl goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano on the penalty kick at the 15th minute as CFIM drew first blood, a goal that even local fans cheered on.

The Spaniards found the back of the net for a second time 17 minutes later, courtesy of Daniel Fernandez who extricated from defender Carli de Murga to send the ball past Sacapano.

CFIM made it 3-0 a minute into the second half after a defensive effort by Fernandez led to a goal by sub Ignacio Buenache Feijoo.

Azkals Alyansa averted a shutout via a header by James Younghusband, who made good on Chieffy Caligdong’s cross from the left flank, putting the hosts on the scoreboard.

“I’m glad to get the goal but I’m more happy to be part of this endeavor; we all got together and helped raised money for the victims,” said Younghusband, one of 12 national team mainstays in the Azkals-Alyansa side.

‘’Fitness level is very low, we need to work on that for the AFC Challenge Cup,” he added.

The local team may have lost but in the end, the beneficiaries of the charity match ended up the winners.

Source: philstar.com