The Search for the New Teen Azkals (U17-19) is On

Last Saturday evening, a bloggers' event was held at OneA Events Place along Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City to promote the (PFF) Philippine Football Federation's search for the New Teen Azkals U17-19. Teen Azkals (PFF U17-19) Team Manager Alvin Carranza and PFF Technical Coach Director Jose Ariston Caslib were present to share the vision and plans for sustaining the current success of the Men's National Football Team.

Mr. Aris Caslib talked about the PFF's grassroots level training plans, continuous development of coaches and the thrust to organize competitions from the club level to the younger age groups which are all part of the plan to develop competitive national youth teams for the Philippines.

 Teen Azkals Manager Alvin Carranza opening the evening's program

PFF Technical Director Aris Caslib giving a talk and answering the questions of bloggers

 With PFF Technical Director Aris Caslib

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Where to Buy Tickets to the Azkals vs LA Galaxy Match

I purchased two bleacher tickets for the LA Galaxy vs Azkals football match on December 3, 2011 and if you are wondering where to buy tickets like I did before, then let me share with you how easy it is. But first, let me tell you about the other events that come with this special football match at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium; Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. M. Adriatico - Vito Cruz, Manila.

The Azkals vs LA Galaxy football match is a Saturday but there are two other events prior to the match that are also worth watching. LA Galaxy will have their open practice and a football clinic the day before the match. Tickets are available for the three events.

Schedule of events:

LA Galaxy's Open Practice: Friday, December 2, 2011; 9-11AM

Football Clinic for children: Friday, December 2, 2011; 2-4PM

The Azkals-LA Galaxy match: Saturday, December 3, 2011; 7:30PM

Now, where can you buy tickets for the Azkals- LA Galaxy football match?

They are available at Ticketworld and ticket prices are as follows (inclusive of extra fees):

Ticket Prices for the Azkals-LA Galaxy football match:
PhP 15,965.00
PhP 12,875.00
PhP 10,815.00
PhP 9,785.00
PhP 5,150.00
PhP 2,060.00





Ticket prices for the Football Clinic and Open Practice: (Audience)
PhP 3,090.00
PhP 1,545.00



There are three ways to purchase tickets for the Azkals-LA Galaxy match:

1) Visit the ticketworld.com.ph and purchase your tickets online using your credit card. You will be prompted to create an account with them if you do not have one yet.

2) You can call (0632) 891-9999 and make your purchase over the phone. You need to be ready with your credit card details.

3) You can visit any ticket world outlet. Here is a list of TicketWorld outlets.

So go and select your method of purchase and secure your tickets for the match. I got mine yesterday will just need to claim them in a RedEnvelope from an outlet. When I bought my pair yesterday, tickets were still very much available. I checked the TicketWorld site this morning while writing this post and the availability of tickets for the Azkals-LA Galaxy match is still high.

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David Alaba: Fil-Nigerian Could be the Youngest International Football Team Player Ever

I guess you haven't heard of David Alaba, he is an Austrian football (soccer) player who is currently playing for Bayern Munich II and guess what? He was born in Vienna to a Filipino mother and a Nigerian father. He started his football career in Bayern's youth system and played for U-17 since 2005 and now in U-21 for Austria.

David Alaba: born to a Filipino mother and a Nigerian father

At age 17, David Alaba was called up on 08 October 2009 for the National game against France national football team and will give his senior debut for the Austria national football team on 14 October 2009. That will make him the youngest international football team player ever.

This football player in whose blood runs the blood of Filipinos made his debut in a Liga match against Dynamo Dresden last August and scored on 31 August 2009 his first professional goal for FC Bayern Munich II. He has been named in Bayern Munich's squad for the 2009-10 UEFA Champions League.

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Spening Monday Afternoons at Marikina Sports Park

It has been two weeks in a row that me and my son (and my wife, of course) have been taking time to go out and exercise at the Marikina Sports Park. Jed's grandmother bought him a soccer ball while we were in Palawan less than a month ago. Since then, I have wanted to take my son to the nearest football field available to play with him and his new toy and somehow try to introduce to him this very popular sport.

Exercise is a great family activity - a great time to bond

We have achieved some minor success in teaching him because he is learning to not only kick the ball (with his left foot) but to also trap the ball with his foot. It took only one session and he learned not to hold the ball with his hands when we're playing soccer upon simple instructions. He also started imitating me as I trap the ball every time he kicked the soccer ball back to me. I thought maybe I could become a successful soccer coach (lol).

My son and I enjoy playing soccer together at the Marikina Sports Park

Aside from playing football, we were also to spend some time jogging and if this becomes very regular, then I would not need to resort to using diet pills. Too bad that we weren't able to go yesterday because after a scheduled Breaking Point program at Makati City, I thought we would still be able to go to Marikina Sports Park in the afternoon but I was too tired and took a nap with my son instead. But, aside from being able to teach my son soccer, what I enjoy the most is seeing him enjoy himself as we play together.

Playing football at Marikina Sports park

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Go Marikina United FC!

Last Tuesday, I received word form my team mate that our football club, Marikina Unted FC won its match against Xavier FC, 6-0. I was surprised and was so happy to hear the news. The match was held at Xavier school in Greenhills andis part of the NCR FA Terry Razon Copa Filipina Tournament (Third Division).

My team mate shared that at the end of first half the score was 1-0. But our club just dominated the other team on the second half and I can't wait to become available to play with them soon.

Our football club's next match is on Saturday, December 6, 10 AM against La Salle Zobel and will be held at Ayala Alabang Zobel Field. I hope we win against them.

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Getting Up Feeling Sore

Getting up from the bed this morning was quite difficult because I felt sore all over since it has been a long time since I played a full match in a soccer game. I have been doing my regular jogging, yes, but it is far easier than doing a full run constantly during a game. But, again, I am thankful that last night’s game didn’t end up violent otherwise those who have brought with them their self defense products might have used them and made matters worse for those who were just planning to play a friendly game of soccer. Indeed, getting up was hard but a few stretches and I am back in business again.

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Marikina United FC and Claret Alumni's Tune Up Game

I just got home, took a shower and ate my second dinner, after our football team's (Marikina United FC) tune-up game against Claret Alumni held at Marikina Sports Park. The game started out well, and it was great because we had the lights turned on and it was like playing under the sun, at night. That was how bright it was.

The first 45 minutes ended at 1-1 but at the end of the game, it was 5-3 in favor of Claret. Everything was going well until the game heated up and it was one of our Chinese team mates defending his younger brother against a Claret alumni who was also hot headed. I have actually have had a personal encounter with this guy in the past but, since I am always apologetic and I try to broaden my mind about how physical soccer could be, we ended up shaking hands. But the two players in our game tonight almost had a scuffle. It was a good thing that people around were quick enough to prevent the fight from happening.

I understand their reactions but I guess not too much to understand how they might want to take it into a fight. I am passionate about soccer, too, but it is just a game. And everyone else's major concern in the field a while ago was how we were consuming our paid time in Marikina Sports Park which charges P1,000 per hour for the use of the lights on the soccer field. Everybody was just telling the two players to just play.

Oh, well. It's a good thing they didn't end up hurting each other, otherwise it would have been much worse for both of our teams. But, we're sure we'll all see each other again at the NCR FA 3rd Division 2008-2009 tournament which will start on the second week of November.

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Back to Footballing

For the past two weeks I have been able to get back to playing football once a week. I was able to arrange with my wife a once-a-week exercise schedule for myself and I'll be playing football every Thursday night at Marikina Sports Park with my some of my team mates from Marikina United FC. We actually played a tune up game against Claret Alumni the Saturday before last and boy how I missed playing soccer. I also got updated on the latest from my team - they are actually organizing a one-day soccer tournament with 3 or four of our regular team contacts at Marikina Sports Park on July 13, 2008. Too bad I won't be able to join them anymore on Sundays. But I'm still glad I can get to play once a week, and get to exercise. I actually gained about 8 pounds druing the 3-4 months I wasn't able to play. But now, I'm back!

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The Rush That Soccer Brings

Today, after more or less four months, I was able to play football again. Our team, Marikina United FC, which meets at the Marikina Sports Center regularly, had a tune up game against Claret Alumni. It felt so good to be in my soccer shoes again and just run, kick and create tactics on how to get the ball into that goal together with my team mates. There's that certain rush to it, one that I don't get from basketball, badminton or any other sport that I have ever played. I guess only those who've played and really enjoyed soccer can really understand this feeling. It's just nice to feel that feeling again.

By the way, don't miss the finals of Euro 2008 on Monday early morning here (Sunday night European time) - Germany vs Spain. To catch up on what happened during the Group stage, quarter finals and semis, you can check out my other blog (that's how crazy I am with football) Football Videos and Pictures.

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