UFL: Consolidated ADD/DROP list for April 2016 Transfer Window

AGILA MSA FC:- ***ADD***
1) ALCUAZ, Xavier Carlos Alberto
2) BAÑA, Rupert Ed
3) CASTILLO, Christian Michael
4) CLAVANO, Lui
5) COLET, Kendall
6) GAUDIEL, Renko Feliz
7) JONG, han Seon [KOR]
8) KOFFI, Konan Marc Antoine [CIV]
9) LIPARDO, Jose Rafael
10) MATHAY, Alfredo Carlitos
11) MONTEMAYOR, Jin Daniel
12) ORACION, Jose Paolo
13) ORTIZ, Enrique Thaddeus
14) SON, Jeong Hyeon [KOR]
15) WEIDMAR, Martin
16) YOSHIOKA, Mashu
17) BONGALAN, Gonzalo (youth / reserve roster)
18) CO, Ryan Matthew (youth / reserve roster)
19) GAYOSO, Javier Augustine (youth / reserve roster)
20) JAMES, Kenneth John (youth / reserve roster)
21) ORDOÑEZ, Martin (youth / reserve roster)
22) POE, Joseph Gerard (youth / reserve roster)
23) SORIANO, Kenneth Gerard (youth / reserve roster)
24) TANCHUAN, Alain (youth / reserve roster)
25) VALDEZ, Joshua (youth / reserve roster)

AGILA MSA FC:- ***DROP***
1) ALCOREZA, Harold
2) CABAÑIERO, Rolando Jr.
3) CALVO, Valentino
4) CAMINOS, Jose Alfe
5) CLOTTEY, Joseph Attuquaye [GHA]
6) FERNANDEZ, Habagat Viktor Hamin Grace [from Youth / Reserve Roster]
7) FRANCISCO, Norman John Robert
8) FRIAS, John Albert
9) GALICIA, Christian Lowell
10) KONE, Losseni [CIV]
11) LEYBLE, Richard
12) MENGANE, Pampam Justin [CIV]
13) OMGBA, Augustin [CMR]
14) ORCULLO, Gerald
15) RECHE DONHA, Joao Alexandre [BRA]
16) REGALA, Darwin
17) SAFARIAN SIAHMAZGI, Khosro [IRN]

CERES – LA SALLE FC:- ***ADD***
– NONE

CERES – LA SALLE FC:- ***DROP***
1) PANHAY, Jayson (NOT FREE TO SIGN)
2) PASINABO, Arnie Jr. (NOT FREE TO SIGN)

FORZA FC:- ***ADD***
1) BONOAN, Juan Javier
2) DE GUZMAN, Raphael Clifford
3) DIAZ, Van Rey
4) DOLINO, Aldrin
5) EVANGELISTA, Mervin Paul
6) FERRER, Nicolas Jr.
7) JOSEPH, Rigoberto Carlos
8) RAMOS, Javier Francisco Jr.
9) TETANG ZIEPOP, Maxime Valery [CMR]

FORZA FC:- ***DROP***
1) ALCANTARA, Nathan Michael
2) ALEGRE, Frederico Martin
3) AVANCEÑA, Raphael Angelo
4) BAMBA, Sam Lama [CIV]
5) DAPOG, Elijah
6) MANIQUIS, Mikel Romano
7) MONTELIBANO, Jose Luis Ricardo
8) TIU, Briggs

GLOBAL FC:- ***ADD***
1) HARTMANN, Mark Andrew
2) OCTAVIO, Nathan
3) ORTIZ, Juan Carlos [ESP]
4) PETROVIC, Ivan [SRB]
5) PETTYS, Charley
6) ESSWEIN, Andreas Campollo (youth / reserve roster)

GLOBAL FC:- ***DROP***
1) BATEAU, Sean Anthony Gilbert [TRI]
2) BEHGANDOM, Milad [IRN]
3) ELHABIB, Izzeldin Elzaki Ibrahim [SDN]
4) KANAYAMA, John Christopher (Loyola FC)

GREEN ARCHERS UNITED FC:- ***ADD***
1) ARNESTO, Reyl
2) BALANUECO, Jannryl
3) DAGA-ANG, Juarlito
4) GUMBAN, John Resty
5) JURAO, Angelou Val
6) MACAPAL, John
7) SALAHIT, Paul Ariel
8) UZOKA, Chima

GREEN ARCHERS UNITED FC:- ***DROP***
1) ALONSO, Alvaro Miguel [ESP]
2) CAÑEDO, Robert
3) DOLINO, Aldrin
4) EPESSO, Gary Ngaly [CGO] (NOT FREE TO SIGN)
5) MELEKE, Stephane [CIV]
6) TETANG ZIEPOP, Maxime Valery [CMR]
7) UZOKA, Kennedy

JP VOLTES FC:- ***ADD***
1) ABAN, Elijah
2) ANGELES, Alen Franco
3) CAÑEDO, Robert
4) MABANAG, Michael Jerremy
5) MENZI, Michael
6) TAKANO, Daishi [JPN]
7) UESATO, Takumi [JPN]

JP VOLTES FC:- ***DROP***
1) ALI, Mahmoud
2) NAKAZONO, Yuuki [JPN]
3) PELAYO, Meliton
4) SOBREVEGA, Louie Jay
5) WADA, Shimpei [JPN]

KAYA FC:- ***ADD***
1) GIGANTO, Eric Ben
2) MENZI, Audie
3) REED, Adam Michael [ENG]
4) TANTON, David

KAYA FC:- ***DROP***
1) GREATWICH, Christopher Robert (NOT FREE TO SIGN)
2) TANTON, Vito Javier (NOT FREE TO SIGN)

LAOS FC:- ***ADD***
1) ALI, Mahmoud
2) BATEAU, Sean Anthony Gilbert [TRI]

3) ELHABIB, Izzeldin Elzaki Ibarahim [SDN]
4) DIMAANO, Jose Salvador (youth / reserve roster)
5) PIQUE, Juan Miguel Bradley (youth / reserve roster)
6) SHAHROOD, Shahin [IRN] (youth / reserve roster)
7) SILVERIO, Lanz Jason (youth / reserve roster)
8) SILVERIO, Lorenz Justin (youth / reserve roster)
9) TAKZARE, Reza [IRN] (youth / reserve roster)

LAOS FC:- ***DROP***
1) CAMARA, Cheick Ahmed [CIV]
2) DALMAN, Jhonny
3) JUKES, Reginald Roel Jr.

LOYOLA FC:- ***ADD***
1) KANAYAMA, John Christopher
2) MAGASSA, Aboubacar []

LOYOLA FC:- ***DROP***
1) MITTER, Adam Thomas [ENG]

NOMADS FC:- ***ADD***
1) ACHEAPONG, Isaac [GHA]
2) APPIAH, Stephen [GHA]
3) BIÑAS, Kevin Regan
4) CARLOS, Jon Aaron
5) DOMINGO, Patrick Michael
6) EJE, James Michael
7) EPILI, Alfred
8) FOFANA, Lassana [CIV]
9) HWANG, Jong Won [KOR]
10) KIGBU, Alu [NGA]
11) KIM, Chan Woo [KOR]
12) NJI, Madi Taniform [CMR]
13) OKEAGU, Michael Chiemela [NGA]
14) UGWU, Ifeanyi Elias [NGA]
15) ZACAL, Dennis Jr.

NOMADS FC:- ***DROP***
1) AHMAD, Aseel
2) CERDEÑA, Joseph Anthony
3) DAHL, Christian Magnus [DEN]
4) HARTMANN, Darren Maurice
5) JAMAL, Dalir Lord [IRN]
6) JOERGENSEN, Kristian [DEN]
7) JONES, Christopher Ian
8) LAWLESS, Christopher
9) ORTIZ, Enrique Thaddeus
10) PAPILLON, Gael Anthony
11) UJAM, Charles Ekene [NGA]
12) VIVA, Roel

PASARGAD FC:- ***ADD***
1) ALBIÑO, Jerico
2) ALBIÑO, Joevic
3) ARCILLA, Garlet
4) BEDIA, Roy Kent
5) BIDAR, Soheil []
6) COOPER, Romeo Share [LBR]
7) FARIÑAS, Federico Jr.
8) FERMIN, Joseph Ryan
9) HERVA, Jaybone
10) LEONAR, John Paulo
11) LLEVARES, Albert
12) MADIA, Lester
13) MUNGCAL, Mar Oscar
14) NCHAMA, Masa Ango Santiago [EQG]
15) REGIS, Divino
16) SHADIDEH, Masood [IRN]
17) SONG, Woo [KOR]
18) SYLVANUS, Emmanuel Arinzechukwu []
19) YARED, Jose Anton

PASARGAD FC:- ***DROP***
1) BALDOMAR, Ramon
2) CABRERA, Marlon
3) CAMARA, Mohammed [GUI]
4) CORDERO, John Paul
5) CUNA, Thomas
6) CUYOS, Jerome
7) DE CASTRO, John Kevin
8) ENDAYA, Mark Henry
9) GARCIANO, Bryan
10) GATASI, Lawrence
11) GHAZY NOURELDIN, Ahmed Safwat [EGY]
12) JOHNSON, Foday Nah [LBR]
13) KNOWLDEN, Malachi III [LBR]
14) LAPITAN, Rodmel Mari
15) NGOM, Amadou Lamine [SEN]
16) PADUA, Larsen Anatoly
17) PEPITO, Hayeson
18) SALANGUIT, Christian
19) SALISAD, Randy

STALLION FC:- ***ADD***
1) BAE, Dong Min [KOR]
2) BORROMEO, Nicholas Christian
3) CASIL, Arnel
4) GROMMEN, Joshua
5) POLLI, Carlo [SUI]
6) SADIA, Roland Dely [CIV]
7) VILLACIN, Nicholas Christian

STALLION FC:- ***DROP***
1) BIKECK BARING, Franck Brown [CMR]
2) NOETZEL, Johann Thomas [NMI]
3) QORDJA, Ernest [ENG]
4) REED, Adam Michael [ENG]
5) SILITONGA, Reuben Raya
6) WRIGHT, Max William [ENG]

[AFC Cup 2016] Selangor FA: Scouting Report Part 2

Selangor’s most successful club side will be fighting for their AFC Cup lives on Matchday 5 and there’s no better place to do it but at home against Ceres-La Salle. Here is the second part of the scouting report on Malaysia’s Selangor FA.

Who’s in? / Who’s Out?

#2 Defender Robert Cornthwaite (IN)

The defender who was injured for matchday one will be a tough nut to crack with his height and vision at the back. Partnering with Captain Sharom Kalam will complete the central defense who has been getting mixed results as of late.

#11 Hazwan Bakri (IN)

Hazwan was unavailable for a good few months for Selangor but the dangerous winger is back to compliment the killer attack on the wings with counterpart Andik Vermansyah.

#21 Hafiz Kamal (OUT)

Hafiz will be suspended on their next AFC Cup with a red card sustained against Sheikh Jamal in matchday 5. His left-footed brilliance from set piece will be missed but their are plenty of options in central midfield available for Selangor.

Selangor FA Scounting report Part One (https://theperfectpass.wordpress.com/2016/02/22/afc-cup-2016-selangor-fa-scouting-report/)

Expected 11 (4-4-2)

Selangor will field their best squad sans midfielder Hafiz Kamal. Patrick Wleh will reprise his number nine role with Mauro Olivi behind him. Indonesian ace Andik Vermansyah will be on the left complimented by returnee Hazwan on the right but both can interchange anytime.  The wingers will be the main catalysts in the attack like before and the return of Hazwan would only make them more dangerous.

S. Veenod is expected replace Hafiz and partner with Nazmi Faiz in the middle.  The veteran might be chosen ahead of Saiful Ridzuwan who started in their last game in the middle. Cornthwaite will retain his centerback position with Sharom with Raimi and Azrif as the wingbacks.  Cornthwaite’s length will add more danger in the Selangor set piece and would be a good deterrent for aerial attacks.

Strategy

Selangor has always been overloading their wings as their primary attack utilizing their speed in most instances.  Andik and Hazwan is expected to most of the work in the match.  The midfield has always been a pivot, dispossessing the opponent and quickly transitioning to quick counter attacks with their speedy wings.  Nazmi Faiz is the tenacious player who’s very aggressive in the middle and the most important player in this match.

2016 UFL Cup Final Preview: Ceres-La Salle FC vs Global FC

Photo from United Football League Philippines (www.uflph.com)

CER: Manny Ott, Sang Min Kim, Louie Michael Casas
GLO: Serge Kaole, Daisuke Sato, Milan Nikolic

Key Match-ups:
Manny Ott v Matt Hartmann
Sang Min Kim v Omid Nazari
Patrick Reichelt v Daisuke Sato
Adrian Gallardo v Milan Nikolic

Suspensions: None

Manny Ott slayed the midfield of Tampines Rovers leaving his counterparts with no choice but to be extra physical with the Azkals midfielder. Sang Min’s consistent play has earned him the captains badge this season. His presence in the middle makes it difficult for opponents to win battles in the air and his length allows him to make impossible tackles. Casas has been on a tear lately, bringing his team to the final with his timely saves.

Kaole is the man of the hour. His performance in the quarterfinals as a a substitute earned him a start and a goal in the semifinals. Sato has been playing his best after his return from Japan, carrying it over to the Global and the Azkals. Nikolic’s composure and presence in the middle has been the reason for Global having the best defense this UFL Cup.

Ceres had a fine performance in the semifinal except for the except for avoidable defensive errors that cost them goals. They have corrected this in the AFC cup where they only conceded a goal from a pretty wicked deflection. The Bacolod-squad will only be less than four days removed from their AFC Cup tie and their fitness may be in question. They have however pulled off two wins from competitive matches which gives them the momentum in this match-up.

The Leyte FA squad are well rested having ten games off from UFL Cup action and will be favorites if the game extends to more than ninety minutes. Their Jekyll and Hyde offense this cup season must come-alive in order to bag the Cup. Global has never conceded more than one goal in this tournament. A key stat that has kept them afloat when their offense have betrayed them in some games.

Advantage: Global FC

[AFC Cup 2016] Tampines Rovers: Scouting Report Part 2

Ceres-La Salle FC will now host Singaporean powerhouse Tampines Rovers at home for their AFC Cup match on April 12 at the Pana-ad Stadium. The Bacolod squad scored a 1-1 draw with the Singaporean club last March 15 at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Photo from Tampines Rovers Wikipedia Page

Tampines was good as advertised scoring the opener in Singapore, but Ceres came back to salvage a draw to frustrate the home squad.  The Busmen were on point defensively during the match save for the goal allowed in the early part of the second half.  Offensively, they controlled the midfield with Paul Mulders and Manny Ott but the Tampines defense were equal to the Ceres forwards.

[Part 1 of the scouting report can be found here: [AFC Cup 2016] Tampines Rovers: Scouting Report Part 1 ]

The Rovers have recently fashioned a three-game winning streak in the S.League  since the AFC Cup match beating current champions Brunei DPMM 2-1, Garena Young Lions 2-1, and recently fellow AFC Cup Team Balestier Khalsa 1-0.

Starters vs Brunei DPMM: Izwan Mahbud (GK), Ismadi Mukhtar (C), Christopher Van Huizen (Jermaine Pennant 61’), Shahdan Sulaiman, Fazrul Nawaz (Yasir Hanapi 67’), Jordan Webb (Mustafic Fahrudin 74’), Izzdin Shafiq, Afiq Yunos, Shakir Hamzah, Irwan Shah, Billy Mehmet

Early goals in Brunei spelled the difference in this match but DPMM came back firing for an equalizer in the end.  Tampines was on the defensive the remaining part of the match but the Bruneian squad couldn’t find the back of the net. The Rovers were sporting a 4-4-2 formation with Mehmet and Fazrul up top and four at the back, deviating from the favored back three of Coach V.

Starters vs Young Lions: Izwan Mahbud (GK) (Joey Sim 77’), Mustafic Fahrudin, Fabian Kwok, Shakir Hamzah, Irwan Shah, Christopher van Huizen (Fazrul Nawaz 61’), Shahdan Sulaiman, Jermaine Pennant, Jordan Webb (Hafiz Sujad 64’), Izzdin Shafiq, Billy Mehmet

Playing against Singapore’s developmental team might have allowed the Rovers to put less pressure on the pedal but the then number two S.League squad had other ideas scoring two early goals again.  The Young Lions got a penalty back but the action was still on Tampinese favor till the end.  The favored 3-4-3 formation was used in the match.

Starters vs Balestier Khalsa: Joey Sim (GK), Ismadi Mukhtar (C), Afiq Yunos, Shakir Hamzah, Hafiz Sujad, Yasir Hanapi, Shahdan Sulaiman, Jermaine Pennant (Mustafic Fahrudin 83′), Jordan Webb (Izzdin Shafiq 90′), Fazrul Nawaz (Sufian Anuar 62′), Billy Mehmet

Against Balestier, the S.League leaders were attacking from all over with carving out chances with plays coming from the wings and the counter.  Their finishing betrayed them for the most parts but the winning goal was a beauty. A terrific pass from Pennant was met by Webb, looping a header over the keeper towards the far post. Tampines was aggressive, clogging the middle with five midfielders, with two up front and three at the back.

  

 Coach V. Sundramoorthy used a 4 man backline against Ceres in Jalan Besar, but a 3-4-3 may be favorable to him this time because of its flexibility for the mids to defend. The three attackers in Jordan, Mehmet, and Pennant are untouchable but it should be noted that the three are now comfortable in interchanging positions where necessary, spoiling the defensive marking of the opponents.

The middle would be a combination of Hafiz on the left with Shahdan and Yasir holding the middle.  The right midfield would be a question between midlfielder Christopher Van Huizen or right-back Fabian Kwok. Van Huizen hasn’t been fully utilized for a whole match while Fabian was used the whole match in the same 3-4-3 formation.  Fabian may take the nod in this game with Chris as the safety.

The best way to beat this team is to make sure that they would have less of the ball and be wary of their counterattacks coming from their deadly wingers.  Ceres had some semblance of this the last game, but a switch between Jordan and Pennant in the end caused a defensive lapse that led to a goal.

(Videos from the Great Easter-Yeo’s S.League YouTube channel; Starters and Subs info from http://www.sleague.com)

 

2016 UFL Cup Semifinals Preview

Stallion FC vs Global FC

Players to watch:
STA: Jordan Mintah, Balot Doctora, Ref Cuaresma
GLO: Arthur Kouassi, Serge Kaole, Milan Nikolic

Jordan Mintah came to the quarterfinals with a different mindset, a playmaking one.  The Ghanian did have his fair share of shots but his passing proved to be the difference allowing his teammates to score the crucial goals.  Balot Doctora assisted on the opening goal and scored on the second while getting kicked in the face.  The veteran has played well of late but an injury setback might cause his absence in the semis.  Expect greenhorn Jim Flores to take on an expanded load in his absence.  Ref Cuaresma saved his team from extra time in the quarters and he would need to do it again and more against Global.

Arthur Kouassi was the hero for Global, stepping in and scoring when his team needed the most after being a man down because of Omid Nazari’s sending off.  Kouassi will now be tipped to replace Nazari up front in the semis to test the Stallion backline.  Serge Kaole was super sub in the semis, bringing in the right energy to a rather lackluster Global midfield. Milan Nikolic kept the ship afloat with his steady backline presence eliminating most of the threats that came his way.

Stallion is still unbeaten in the tournament and the test against Green Archers was the first of many if they push through and lift the Cup.  Their defense is suspect, allowing two quality goals from Chieffy Caligdong.  Global meanwhile seems to have a split personality, only picking games where they show their best.  Their match against JP Voltes was a sample of that behavior where they struggled at most parts especially at midfield.  Stallion has the the hard-working players in midfield who take advantage and turn this semifinal to their favor.  However, Global has the advantage in this matchup after having a more consistent backline which did not concede even with the disadvantage.

Advantage: Global FC

 

Ceres-La Salle FC vs Kaya FC

Players to watch:
CER: Adrian Gallardo, Manny Ott, Jeffrey Christaens
KAY: Robert Lopez-Mendy, Joven Bedic, Louis Clark

Robert Lopez-Mendy was a man on a mission in the quarterfinals.  Having missed out on AFC Cup action to documentation issues, the Senegalese player had some unlucky misses upfront but his persistence bore fruit in the end with the winning goal. Joven Bedic has been in fine form this year, playing well in the AFC Cup matches and in the domestic tournament.  The homegrown attacker created plenty of chances and also had some of his own against Loyola.  Louis Clark, who is still recovering from a leg injury, soldiered-on and brought his attacking flair in the second half that almost got him on the score-sheet.  His presence alone stretched the Loyola defense allowing Lopez-Mendy space to score the winner.

Adrian Gallardo played a full game against Forza last Sunday, a necessary move after not playing for a whole two weeks.  The Spanish striker had his moments, scoring a goal, but mainly deferred to his teammates the whole game.  Manny Ott was not present in the quarterfinals, but his performance against North Korea is something to gravely considered as he dominated in the middle of the pitch.  Jeffrey Christaens is in inspired form as of late after the birth of his newborn son.  He was all over the place against Forza, scoring the opener and delivering the next two, and is expected to ride the momentum in the remaining games.

Kaya had the gritty display any football fan would ask from his or her team.  The LBC-backed squad was very unlucky on the offense but was fortunate enough to be extremely lucky on the defense.  Ceres didn’t need the same amount of luck as it breezed through their opponents.

Both teams have had a spectacular first-round form in Asian competition and the UFL Cup Semifinal will decide on who is the better Philippine representative for the AFC Cup.  Ceres is well rested and eager to get back at their tormentors in 2015 while Kaya pushed to their team the limit to get a place in the semifinal.  Ceres will have the slight advantage in this matchup having rested most of its players who are injured or were called for national duty.

Advantage: Ceres-La Salle FC

All Photos are courtesy of the United Football League (www.uflph.com)

Kaya FC decries fake agents, players

In a statement made today on Social Media, Kaya FC publicly denounced fake agents who invite players for supposed trials to the Filipino club and a person who claims to be a former player who’s a victim of roberry.

It has been reported that fake player agents have forged invitation letters using the Kaya Logo and signatures of Kaya FC current and past coaches.  These notarized letters find their way to Africa, in particularly Ghana, to lure players to the Philippines with a promise of trials that will not happen.  Kaya FC reiterated that only direct communication with management and the coaches are valid and avoid these fake agents

Also included in the announcement is a warning for a person who solicits money from fans in the Rizal Memorial claiming that he was a UFL player who got robbed in a match.  Kaya FC requests that the public be aware of such false claims from these people.

PFF launches new national league: The F.League

After years of careful studying and planning, the Philippine Football Federation has officially announced the creation of a new football league for the Philippines, The F.League.

“After almost three years of preparation, we’re actually here”, said PFF President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta. “The F.League is a representation of all of us in the national football community and we are very happy to have started this endeavor to strengthen the regional competition and eventually make this country a great footballing nation,” he added.

The F.League, which is a shortcut for Filipinas League, is set to start on February 2017 with 12 clubs from all over the country. Majority of the clubs are from the United Football League coupled with new teams such as FC Biñan and Cebu City FC.

The league name was decided upon by the PFF National League Task Force which is similar to Japan’s J.League and Singapore’s S.League. “The choice of ‘F’ over ‘P’ was academic as to differentiate the new league from the old P-League,” said Araneta. The PFF President was referring to the now defunct P-League which was established in the early 90’s after Philippines’ success in SEA Games football.

The use of “Filipinas” as the league name went through the approval of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) before it was allowed to be used in the league’s incorporation. The government body, who pushed for the use of “Filipinas” over “Pilipinas”, was delighted over the proposed name. “Masaya kami na napili ang Filipinas na pangalan ng isang ligang pampalakasan sa ating bansa,” said KWF Commissioner Teddy Bhoy Locsin.

UFL Clubs had to follow the naming standards set by the PFF prompting many of the clubs to rename their clubs with their home locations. Ceres-Negros FC, Stallion-Iloilo FC, Kaya-Makati FC, QC-Meralco Sparks, Global-Tacloban FC, and Taft Avenue FC.
“We actually like the change of the name to Ceres-Negros as we are representing the whole Negros Island in our games,” said Ceres and Azkals player Juani Guirado.

“It’s quite nice that we’ll be able to represent Quezon City in the F.League which will allow us to bring the games closer to Metro Manila’s biggest city. I’m delighted to be part of this league and playing for this city just means a lot to me and Phillip,” said Sparks Captain James Younghusband.

The most intriguing name change is Taft Avenue FC, formerly Green Archers United FC. With the closure of Manila Jeepney FC, the club wanted to represent both the cities of Manila and Pasay with management choosing to name it after the road traversing both cities. “I think hindi pa to nagagawa sa history ng football kaya masaya kami na magrepresent ng dalawang cities dito sa Metro Manila,” said Taft Avenue Captain and Azkals Legend Chieffy Caligdong

Newcomers in FC Biñan and Cebu City FC are no pushovers given that these new clubs have formed partnerships with European giants FC Barcelona and Manchester City FC. Biñan, who will be known as FCB, has partnered with FCB Escuela to provide training for the youth and will serve as the scouting arm of the current world club champions. The Laguna-based team will be getting player loans from the Catalan capital to strengthen the new side.

Cebu City meanwhile has a bigger partnership as it is partially owned by Manchester City FC who also has ventures in New York City FC of the MLS and Melbourne City of the A-League. “I’m very happy that my favorite EPL club will be represented here in the Philippines. I might even consider a move to Cebu,” said Philippine Football pundit Bob Guerrero. Manchester City has a forty percent stake in the Cebu club, a limitation set by Philippine law.

The inclusion of the Manchester outfit in Philippine Football is already causing quite a stir as they have already sent big-money bids to Ceres players and Cebu natives Louis Michael Casas and Arnie ‘Dodz’ Pasinabo. Cebu City is also set to bring in Filipino-Australians from their Melbourne counterparts to make it a force to reckon with in the F.League.

The league, however, has to resolve the issue with its infrastructure as only a few cities have the capability to host games according to AFC Club licensing requirements. Only Bacolod, Cebu, Binan, Manila, and Makati are the cities with qualified stadia to fulfil this requirement. This has forced some of the clubs to temporarily share home stadiums such as the Rizal Memorial and UMak.

“The stadium sharing is temporary as it will take time for the clubs to have their own. Right now, we just have to start somewhere in order for our league to grow,” said Araneta. Teams such as Kaya Makati and QC Meralco will share UMak while Global-Tacloban and Taft Avenue United will share the Rizal Memorial.

With the creation of the F.League the UFL will be the regional league for the Greater Metro Manila area while new regional leagues will be created for Northern Luzon, South Luzon, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Western Mindanao, and Eastern Mindanao.

The winners of these leagues will feature in a year end tournament to decide who will be promoted to the top flight the following year. The bottom team from the F.League will be automatically relegated to the regional league while the second-to-the last team will feature in a relegation playoff.

Since it’s past April 1st. Happy April Fools Folks! Don’t worry, the national league will come. So be ready.

2016 UFL Cup Quarterfinals Preview

Stallion FC vs Green Archers FC

Players to watch:
STA: Jordan Mintah, Fitch Arboleda, Balot Doctora
GAU: Chieffy Caligdong, Gary Epesso, Lee Joo Young

Jordan Mintah is still a reliable goal scoring machine and together with new attacking options in Josh Beloya and Ashley Flores, Stallion will be a different animal to match up with in the quarterfinals. Chieffy Caligdong is leading the way for the Archers as the team’s spark plug, ably supported by influential players such as Garry Epesso and Lee Joo Young. Lee has been playing a more central role, far from his usual wing role while Epesso is the new target man filling in for the spot vacated by Rober Lopez-Mendy.

Stallion has breezed through the competition, topping Group A with an unblemished record of five wins and zero losses. The Gilligans-backed squad had their toughest challenge in the first week against Kaya, scoring a slim 1-0 victory. After which, they completed the eliminations with big wins against lesser squads.

The Archers meanwhile had a difficult elimination round having to face Ceres, Global, and Loyola in the group of death. The Green and White squad would often perform very well in the first hour but would fade in the end allowing their tormentors to snatch the wins from them. This was evident in the games against the higher seeded teams.

Both squads have been the standard bearers for homegrown player development the past two years allowing local talents to shine in the UFL. Stallion has the edge with a more youthful core while the Archers considered the veteran squad. If the Archers can keep up for a full ninety, they can steal this game and move on to the next round. With a long break from tough competition, Stallion FC just needs the correct fitness and focus to progress to the semifinals.

Advantage: Stallion FC

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Loyola FC vs Kaya FC

Players to watch:
LMS: Alvaro Castiella, Jason de Jong, James Younghusband
KAY: Robert Lopez-Mendy, Aly Borromeo, OJ Porteria

Castiella is a phenomenal signing for the Sparks scoring plenty of goals in the group stages.  De Jong is his usual tenacious self providing the coverage and physicality in the midfield.  James Younghusband has been a true captain in the eliminations after filling in on key positions for his team.  Lopez-Mendy has been on a tear in the UFL Cup group stages but his team has learned to play better without him in the UFL Cup.  Aly Borromeo has been silently working his way to goals even as a centerback while Porteria has been on point this season with his shooting and passing.

Loyola came into the Cup knowing full well that the extent of their pre-season injuries would force them to field an untested side. This however was a blessing in disguise as it allowed unknown gems like Kou Belgira to flourish while the team slowly recovered from injuries. The Meralco-backed squad still relied heavily on experienced players like De Jong, Castiella, and James to get the desired results.

Kaya was also a team-in-transition similar to Loyola. The LBC-backed squad started a youth movement with their acquisitions and the weaker Group A allowed these players to familiarize themselves more with their teammates. This was evident in their AFC Cup performances where Kaya has grown overnight and now have six points to show in the first three games.

Loyola has the chance to snatch a win if they get most of their injured players in full fitness including Phil Younghusband who has logged zero game minutes this year.  Kaya though has the clear advantage in this matchup after scoring wins against Asian squads even without Lopez-Mendy and Louis Clark who’s still recovering from an injury.

Advantage: Kaya FC

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JP Voltes FC vs Global FC

Players to watch:
JPV: Masaki Yanagawa, Yu Hoshide, Takashi Odawara
GLO: Omid Nazari, Matthew Hartmann, Daisuke Sato

Yanagawa has been dominating for JP Voltes this season.  After a move from Global with Yu Hoshide, he has been controlling the back while scoring goals for his squad.  Hoshide has been pulling the strings in the group stages as both midfielder and playing coach. Odawara is clearly the team’s best offensive player partnering well with Hoshide to score convincing wins for the Japan-Philippines team.

Newcomer Omid Nazari has shown quality over the group stages and was dangerous together with Matt Hartmann on the attack.  Sato has returned from his Japan trial along with renewed quality and fitness.  His return has made an impact after his team started out slow in this competition.

JP Voltes has won games convincingly against other teams but has clearly struggled against the top clubs in Kaya and Stallion.  Global has been on a tear after beating Ceres convincingly in their final group match.  The renewed hunger from Global makes them hard to beat especially in the money stages.

Advantage: Global FC

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Ceres-La Salle FC vs Forza FC

Players to watch:
CER: Adrian Gallardo, Stephan Shrock, Martin Steuble
FOR: Arvin Gaspe, Kyul Park, Rhon Reyes

2015 UFL League topscorer, Adrian Gallardo has been on a spree lately scoring big goals in the AFC Cup.  Shrock has been as good as advertised while Steuble has on point this season for the Bacolod-based club.  Local Boys Gaspe and Reyes have shown that they are threats while Park has been the consistent bright spot for the Alabang club.

Forza has been lucky to reach the quarterfinals as both of their wins came from opponents’ mistakes such as the own-goal win against Agila MSA and the default of Laos FC.  Ceres will have the luxury to rest their players for the long grind ahead as the knockout stages will only last for eight days.

Advantage: Ceres-La Salle FC

All Photos are courtesy of the United Football League (www.uflph.com)

His footballing legacy will live forever. Farewell Johann Cruyff.

Gràcies Johan https://t.co/uzbqifhg2K

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 25, 2016

“PNoy” seen in AFC Cup match

Talk about dopplegangers. LOL 
Just kidding Mr. President.