Philippines kicked off their 2019 AFC Asian Cup in dominating form

The Philippines national football team has recently been suffering surprising and disappointing defeats and this is especially evident by their results during the 2016 AFF Championship where they lost against Thailand on November 25 of 2016 and sustained successive draws with Singapore and Indonesia in that same month.


After such an underwhelming string of results, the head coach of the Philippines national side Thomas Dooley has managed to bounce back and push his team to a remarkable 4-1 triumph over Nepal in their 1st 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification match which was played on March 28.

This victory puts Philippines at the top of group F with 3 points secured from 1 match which is the same amount of points as Yemen but their goal difference is slightly worse. Continue reading Philippines kicked off their 2019 AFC Asian Cup in dominating form

Danny Rose disclosed an interesting story about Mauricio Pochettino

Danny Rose recently disclosed an interesting story about how Mauricio Pochettino had attempted to make a fool of him during his first year in charge at Tottenham and how he had fallen in his trap and had started sulking.


According to Rose, it was the summer of2014 when Rose was having a great time playing for the Spurs and life had been pretty good to him all around because he had earned a place in the Three Lions squad as well through his club performances.

But, then suddenly one day, he was shocked when Pochettino conveyed to him that Tottenham was thinking about parting ways with him as a pretty profitable bid had come for him.

It was hugely disappointing for Rose because he desperately wanted to stretch his career with Tottenham at that point in time. So, that news just put his mood off.

But, then later on that same day, the boss relieved him by letting him know that it was only a joke that he had played on him and that he was going nowhere from White Hart Lane as the club was not entertaining any bid. Continue reading Danny Rose disclosed an interesting story about Mauricio Pochettino

John Burridge on Philippines Soccer Growth

John Burridge reckons basketball is the real hindrance in the growth of soccer in Philippines


Burridge says the Filipinos bother very little about any sport other than basketball. Everyone is into Basketball and with everyone’s attention on that one sport only, the potential in other sports especially the Footballing potential which the country has got more than any of its neighbouring countries is going a waste as most of it is left undeveloped.

As per Burridge, Soccer does not come even on no. 2 among favourite sports in Philippines and apart from basketball; the next sport that the Filipinos take interest in is boxing

Burridge reveals that the soccer knowledge of the Filipinos is such that hardly anyone of them has any idea about Diego Maradona and when he mentions the name Maradona to them, they ask if he was talking about the singer Madonna or what.
Continue reading John Burridge on Philippines Soccer Growth

Thomas Dooley of Philippines talks about the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup

Thomas Dooley is the head coach of the Philippines national football team and he has recently voiced his thoughts about the upcoming 2016 edition of the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup which is scheduled to kick-off on November 19 and conclude on December 17 of the ongoing year.


The Philippines national football team has consistently struggled on making it past the group stages. From 1996 until 2007, Philippines never managed to make it past the group rounds of the competition but in the following years they have been able to reach the semi-finals but that is the furthest that Philippines has ever reached.

Thailand are the current champions of the AFF Suzuki Cup and are the favorites of defending it as well. The Thailand national side has won this competition on 4 occasions which is the highest amount of times for any team along with Singapore who has also lift the title 4 times.

In the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup, Philippines was pitted in the same group as Thailand and the head coach of the Philippines national side has talked about what it’s like of being placed with the current champions as well as with Singapore and Indonesia.
Continue reading Thomas Dooley of Philippines talks about the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup

Philippines soccer on the rise

Philippines soccer has been improving steadily in recent times both at a club and international level.


This is evidenced by the results that Philippines club get in the continental cup competition as well as the national soccer team.

Two Phillippines soccer club Ceres and Kaya FC are currently doing well in the AFC Cup where they have the possibility to make it to the last 16 of the tournament. When you know that last year they were performing poorly in the same competition, you will clearly understand that there has been some progress that took place.

Similarly, the national team has steadily been improving. They are now ranked 115th in the world which is the highest rank they have achieved in the FIFA ranking. Just 10 years ago they were 191st in the ranking.

The progress in Phillippines soccer did not come magically since it took some work to get there. The foundation was laid on by German coach Michael Weiss, and they have keep improving under their current coach Dooley. Continue reading Philippines soccer on the rise

PHILIPPINE SOCCER TEAM MOVE UP IN FIFA RANKING

The Philippine men national team nicknamed Azkals moved up FIFA ranking from the previous 135th position to the current 116th in the world. In the comparison for Asian countries, Philippine soccer team were placed 16th overall in the Asian Football confederation.

The Iranian national team received a huge profile leap after being ranked 1st in the Asian Football Confederation and 42nd in the full list by FIFA.

The Azkals recently finished third in the group H world cup qualifying campaign. This is believed to be one of the reasons for the huge leap by the Philippine national team. The team also had an historic 3-2 win over tough opponents North Korea but lost the chance to play at the world cup finals. Despite the loss, the team will advance to the third round of the 2019 Asian Football Confederation cup.

Aside Iran in first place in the Asian ranking, Australia are in second place, Korea Republic next in line before Japan, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and United Arab Emirates respectively. China Republic, Jordan and Qatar completed the top ten list in Asia. Continue reading PHILIPPINE SOCCER TEAM MOVE UP IN FIFA RANKING

Fabio Cannavaro has revealed that the process of qualifying for the World Cup

Former Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro has revealed that the process of qualifying for the World Cup will always be difficult and this is especially true in the case of the European teams for the 2018 edition.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus star was recently part of the qualification ceremony for the upcoming tournament. Group stages have been announced for the qualification phases. Cannavaro is one of the experienced players to be able to talk about qualification for this tournament. After all, he has managed to feature in four world cups in his stellar career. There was a crowning moment when he led the team to success in the 2006 edition.

Cannavaro says that he is not worried about other teams failing to make it into the tournament as long as Italy reach the finals. The future of the Italian national team continues to be under doubt. After being knocked out at the two stages in the last World Cup, they were expected to perform well under the regime of Antonio Conte. However, the former Juventus manager is yet to imprint his stamp on the team. Italy have been given a tough group for qualification, as they will be alongside 2010 World champions Spain. Continue reading Fabio Cannavaro has revealed that the process of qualifying for the World Cup

Senators of the United States do not want Russia to host the 2018 World Cup

A few days ago it was confirmed and revealed to the public that 13 U.S senators have asked the international soccer organization FIFA to start considering another country instead of Russia as the host for the upcoming 2018 World Cup.

One of the main reasons of why these senators do not want Russia to host the forthcoming competition is because of the ‘’ ongoing violations of the territorial integrity of Ukraine’’.

There were a number of lawmakers hailing from U.S. which are saying that allowing the 2018 World Cup to take place will inappropriately bolster the prestige of Vladimir Putin when it should be condemned instead of improved.

These lawmakers include: The Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson, the Illinois Democrat Richard Durbin and the Arizona Republican John McCain. All of them have told the former FIFA president Sepp Blatter to start considering using another country as host instead of Russia as it’s simply not the ideal location according to them. Continue reading Senators of the United States do not want Russia to host the 2018 World Cup

Jose Pekerman has admitted that Radamel Falcao is in a very bad shape

Jose Pekerman has admitted that Radamel Falcao is in a very bad shape on the mental fronts, but, he is sure he would be able to sort the striker.

Pekerman has picked Falcao for Colombia’s next couple of friendly matches despite him being out of contention for Manchester United’s senior squad for quite some time.

Falcao’s form has been so poor that he struggled even at the junior level for the Red Devils recently.

Sources say that the Manchester United management would not opt to sign Falcao on a permanent basis as had been suggested at the start of the summer when the 29-year old had made his way to Old Trafford on loan.

According to Pekerman, Falcao’s problem has a lot to do with self belief. He does not seem to have enough of that at the moment, He needs support from people around him and he will get every bit of that in the Colombia changing room.

Talking about Falcao, the Colombia boss said, “Look, it’s quite difficult for the player himself as well. It’s a bit of a mess. But, at this point of time, we need to take care of him. He is a special talent, an asset for the side.” Continue reading Jose Pekerman has admitted that Radamel Falcao is in a very bad shape