The Philippine Azkals Football Team

Finally, the Philippine team is beginning  to penetrate the world of  "football", being known as the most popular games on earth. It was indeed  a good showing in the current Suzuki Cup, especially beating the powerhouse Vietnam. Philippine Football team or the “Azkals” have certainly raised their stock.They've even managed to convert many Filipinos into overnight football fans.

Philippines Squad List:





Goalkeepers

1 ETHERIDGE, Neil

20 CAMCAM, Christopher

22 SACAPAÑO, Eduard

34 PASCUAL, Jose



Defenders

2 GIER, Robert

3 BARBASO, Jerry

4 DEL ROSARIO, Anton

11 BORROMEO, Alexander

12 PAVONE, Gino

15 PALMES, Rey

24 ATIENZA, Michael

25 BERMEJO, Joebel

28 RELUCIO, Kristopher

30 HARTMANN, Matthew



Midfielders

5 CAMINOS, Jose

6 GENER, Roel

7 YOUNGHUSBAND, James

8 OTT, Manuel

10 YOUNGHUSBAND, Philip

14 FERRER, Mark

17 DE JONG, Jason

18 BALLO-ALLO, Joel

19 MARGARSE, Nestorio Jr.

21 JAUGAN, Peter

27 JONSSON, Ray

32 SCHROCK, Stephan



Forwards

9 BARSALES, Yanti

13 CALIGDONG, Emelio

23 ARANETA, Ian

26 BASA, David



Coach: MCMENEM, Simon (England) 

Team Philippines "Azkals" wins vs Myanmar, advances to the semi-finals of AFF Suzuki Cup 2010

The Philippine football team "Azkals" has advanced to the semi-finals of AFF Suzuki Cup 2010, after their game with Myanmar ended up to a draw, 0-0, earlier tonight.



It was held at the Thien Truong Stadium in Vietnam, watched live by a crowd, mostly Vietnamese people who were all rooting for Myanmar.



I was able to watch it on Studio 23, which had a live telecast of the game straight from Vietnam, and I've wanted to kick those Vietnamese people for cheering and chanting for Myanmar. In other words, they wanted Philippines to lose that game.



But of course, it's understandable because it was the Azkals who gave them the biggest shock of their lives last Sunday, when the Azkals defeated Team Vietnam, 2-0.



The draw with Myanmar plus the draw with Singapore and their victory over Vietnam puts Philippines on 2nd spot in the Group B standing, making them qualify for the semi-finals.



On top of Group B is Vietnam, which was able to defeat Singapore during their face-off also held tonight in a separate venue.



Vietnam and Philippines now join the Top 2 from Group A (Indonesia & Malaysia) in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 semi-finals, which begins next week.



Philippines' first semi-final game will be against Indonesia on December 16 at Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, Indonesia.



Their 2nd game with Indonesia will still be held in the same venue because there's no available stadium in the Philippines meeting the requirements set by the ASEAN Football Federation. Read their official press statement about this one:

"The Philippines will not be able to play a leg of their semi-final or subsequent final at a home venue due to no available stadia in the country meeting the requirements for the AFF Suzuki Cup.



The Asean Football Federation took the decision after careful consideration and talks with the relevant parties.



A set of guidelines has to be met before a stadium can stage an AFF Suzuki Cup match and none of the proposed venues in the Philippines reached the required standard stipulated in the Hosting Obligations for the tournament.



The Philippines Football Federation agrees they will be allowed to choose to play one leg of their semi-final at a neutral venue or both legs in the country of their opposition.



The Asean Football Federation would like to congratulate the Philippines for reaching the last four of the AFF Suzuki Cup for the first time and wish them good luck in the semi-finals."