الاتحاد الفلبيني لكرة القدمMember Associations

Hermans, a multi-title winning coach in Europe and Asia, will hold the position of Technical Consultant for Futsal for the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).

The 67-year-old represented Netherlands 50 times and led Islamic Republic of Iran to the AFC Futsal Championship title in 2001.

He led Thailand to four AFF Futsal Championship titles from 2012-15 and a SEA Games gold medal in 2013, Hermans is no stranger to leading a Southeast Asian nation having also coached Malaysia in 1996.

Together with brother Phil, the Younghusband siblings were at the forefront as football in the Philippines improved with the Southeast Asian nation sealing a first ever berth at the AFC Asian Cup Finals, making their bow in UAE 2019.

The rise started with Philippines making inroads in Southeast Asia and certainly played a part in the emergence of, among others, the likes of Stephan Schrock, Patrick Reichelt and Manny Ott – leading to James deciding it was time to hang up his boots.

Together with brother Phil, Younghusband played an integral part in the rise of the Philippines with qualification for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Finals the highlight of their national team careers.

Younghusband, who made his international debut in 2005, scored 52 goals in 108 appearances, also a Philippines national team record.

The forward was appointed captain of The Azkals in 2016, leading the team to a 2-1 win over Tajikistan in March 2018 as Philippines clinched an AFC Asian Cup Finals berth for the first time.

Younghusband, who was on English Premier League side Chelsea's books earlier in his career, first represented the Philippines in the 2005 SEA Games, scoring twice in a 4-2 defeat to Malaysia.

The Busmen sealed the PFL title in late July with their 6-1 victory over Global Cebu, which  earned them a spot in the 2019 AFC Champions League Preliminary Stage, or direct qualification to the 2019 AFC Cup Group Stage should they fail to advance in the Continent’s premier club tournament, while Kaya-Iloilo and Davao Aguilas finished second and third respectively.

Earlier in August, Ceres Negros failed to retain their AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal title after suffering a 3-1 aggregate loss to Singapore’s Home United.

The Copa Paulino Alcantara will be an annual tournament, and all six clubs that participated in the 2018 PFL will be aiming to make a mark on the first edition.

Ceres Negros, Stallion Laguna and Davao Aguilas were drawn into Group A, while Kaya Iloilo, JPV Marikina and Global Cebu are in Group B.

The group winners and runners-up will advance to the semi-finals on October 21, with the final set for October 27.

Throughout the year, the FFA organised a variety of programmes under their comprehensive strategic development, while the PFF's multiple activities involved participants from all over the country and benefitted from the help of other regional football associations as well as the establishment of excellent partnerships with government agencies and ministries for support.

The NFABD, meanwhile, ran regular technical and promotional activities while maintaining several areas of cooperation with both governmental and non-governmental partners.

The nominations for the award are based on a points system which takes into account several criteria such as the structure and management of grassroots football as well as the philosophy and policy of Member Associations.

In addition, Member Associations’ grassroots partnerships with various external organisations are also assessed, as are technical programmes such as courses, workshops and talent identification.

Other criteria include exchange programmes such as those with schools, administrative sub-regional football associations, communities and clubs as well as grassroots activities, for example promotional, educational and social responsibility events.

Photo: AFC

The Azkals, who have qualified for the final round of 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, will face their A-League opponents on July 26 at the President Quirino Stadium in Bantay.

Before their showdown with Thomas Dooley’s charges, Perth will face United Football League (UFL) powerhouse Global FC on July 20 and an UFL All-Stars team three days later.

Both games are scheduled to be played at Manila’s Rizal Memorial Stadium.

St. Kitts & Nevis international Tishan Hanley broke the deadlock at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on the stroke of half-time with his tournament-leading 15th goal of the campaign which cam courtesy of Diego Barrera’s cross before Kaya doubled their lead as Colombia-born American midfielder Barrera went from provider to scorer 11 minutes into the second half.

Ceres fought back strongly and reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute through Korean midfielder Lee Jeong-woo before the comeback was complete in the 73rd minute when Juan Garrido headed home a cross from Martin Steuble, with the equalising goal coming four minutes after Kaya midfielder Chris Greatwich had been sent off for a second bookable offence.

Neither side could add to the scoreline in the remainder of regulation time or the additional half hour as the match went into penalties, with the defining moment coming when Kaya keeper saved from experienced Netherlands-born Philippines international midfielder Paul Mulders.

Ceres championship win sees them secure one of two places in next year’s AFC Cup available to the Philippines, with the Bacolod-based side having missed out in this season’s continental competition after losing 1-0 to Maziya Sports & Recreation Club of the Maldives in the playoffs.

Needing just a draw to ensure they would put enough distance between themselves and their closest rivals, a pack of three teams that included defending champions Global FC, Ceres took the lead at a rain-soaked Rizal Memorial Stadium with four minutes of the first half remaining, when Socceroo midfielder Arnel Casil diverted a shot from Ceres’ Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Orman Okunaiya into his own net.

The floodgates opened in the second half with Okunaiya grabbing another and  Nate Burkey, Marwin Angeles, and Jeffrey Christiaens all getting their names on the scoresheet as Ceres made it two league titles in a row having claimed the UFL Division 2 title last year.

Neither side could take the initiative in the opening period before substitute Misagh Bahadoran - a 23rd minute replacement for Stephan Schrock - broke the deadlock five minutes after the interval.

The home side doubled their advantage ten minutes later through Javier Patino, a two-time Thai Premier League winner with Buriram United prior to his move to Henan Jianye at the turn of the year. 

Al Hidd midfielder Abdulwahab Al Malood reduced the deficit three minutes into second-half stoppage time but it was too little too late for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers as the Philippines held on for all three points.

The teams in Round 2 will compete according to a double round robin format, with the qualification matches held between June 11, 2015 to March 29, 2016.

The group winners and four best runners-up (total 12 teams) will advance to the 2019 Asian Cup finals and the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

The next best 24 teams from the preliminary stage of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining slots (12 slots or 11 slots + 1 slot for the host) in the 24-team 2019 Asian Cup finals.

Photo: AFP

Despite there only being pride to play for with DPR Korea and Thailand contesting the top two spots in the group, the Cambodians came out firing and midfielder Chan Vathanaka duly drew first blood when he bulged the Philippines’ net just five minutes into the encounter, before doubling his tally five minutes later.

Striker Soeuy Visal then made it 3-0 on 16 minutes. Jorrel Aristorenas scored for the Filipinos one minute into the second-half stoppage time but it was too late to make a difference for Jim Fraser’s side.

Cambodia, led by coach Lee Tae-hoon, concluded their qualifying campaign in third spot, while the winless Philippines finished bottom.

Ten group winners and five best second-placed teams from all groups will join hosts Qatar at the AFC U-23 Championship 2016, with January’s 16-team competition also serving as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in Rio.

The final group winner and the complete line up of best second-place finishers will only be confirmed after the conclusion of Group B of the qualifiers, which features Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan as well as hosts Pakistan.

Group B was scheduled to take place in Lahore at Lahore’s Punjab Stadium from March 23 to 31 has been postponed due to security concerns following the recent troubles in the Youhanabad area of the city.

A decision on an alternative venue and schedule for Group B will be announced in due course.

Ra Pong-gi’s side led the match 2-0 at the break before two substitutes added two more goals after the interval in the Group G game.

Ri Hyong-jin opened the scoring on 17 minutes before So Kyong-jin doubled the lead with a penalty kick in first-half stoppage time.

Jang Ok-chol, who came off the bench to replace Ho Myong-chol on 57 minutes, made it 3-0 five minutes later.

Pak Hyon-il, substitute for Mun Hyok on 14 minutes, scored the North Koreans’ fourth and final goal on 80 minutes.

DPR Korea will next play Cambodia while the Jim Fraser-led Philippines will take on hosts Thailand on Sunday.

Ten group winners and five best second-placed teams from all groups will join hosts Qatar at the AFC U-23 Championship 2016, with January’s 16-team competition also serving as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in Rio.