A STRAY dog’s untimely answer to nature’s call propelled the Azkals to a scintillating 1-0 win over Chinese Taipei yesterday in their first game of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup at the Penabenuang Stadium in Bangladesh.

Facing a far more superior team, the Azkals, who are coming off back-to-back losses to Thailand’s senior and Under-23 teams prior to the Challenge Cup, were on the defensive for most of the match, with captain Ali Borromeo providing spectacular defensive plays to stop the opposing strikers.

The Pinoys rarely had a chance at goal in the second half before that fateful 79th minute, when the dog came to play.

Early in the match, the Azkals, which has problems in the opposing side defense, left a man open but his shot hit the bar, unto Borromeo’s head before keeper Ref Cuaresma, a former Southwestern University scooped it safely.

Cuaresma was taxed to the limits of his abilities in the next 30 minutes as he pulled save after save as the wily Chinese offense keep on finding holes in the RP defense.

They used the flanks to attack but instead of crossing into the penalty area – they attacked the Azkals weak spot – the midfield – leading to an incredulous 15 shots at goal just before the half.

Fortunately, Cuaresma was up to the task, pulling hand saves, divers, and in one instant, getting hit in the groin after a shot by Wan Jung Lo ricocheted off Borromeo.

Though it took more than five minutes for Cuaresma to get up, he shrugged it off.

“I used to be a boxer in my high school days and in college I roomed with Malcom Tuñacao, Randy Suico and Rodel Mayol. We had some fights, this is nothing,” he told Cebufootball.blogspot.com in a phone patch interview after the match.

It was the same story in the second half as Chinese Taipei kept on pushing to no avail, forcing coach Aries Caslib to replace strikers Ian Araneta and Luis Brillantes with more defenders to help Borromeo.

“Heck they had nothing to do, I might just as well give them sun block and sun glasses since they just look like they were out to get a tan,” coach Aries Caslib said.

Then the dog came.

It is not sure how get to the venue nor who owned him but in the 79th minute, Chinese Taipei keeper Ako Bud Lat got too bored with the lack of action on his side, that he was seen signaling the dog to come to him.

“There’s a saying in football, goalkeepers are either gay or crazy,” said Chinese Taipei coach Tosikai Tae, who took over the team just two months ago.

“I guess it’s safe to let Bud lat sleep with the rest of the team now,” Tae continued.

In the 79th minute, the dog strutted towards the goal, raised his hind-legs and pissed on the lower right corner of the post, distracting Bud Lat, who in turn approached him.

At the other end of the field, Jung Lo unleashed a shot from 30 yards that hit his teammate, Bay Eng Itlogan, and it bounced toward a bored Leigh Gunn.

Gunn, who seemed to have known the history of the friendly sweeper of Chinese Taipei down to his great-great-great-great grandfather’s classmate’s cousin to the 2nd degree, got the ball and for the first time in the match, took a shot at goal – a hail mary—that sailed past everybody into the empty net, while Bud Lat was stroking the dog.

“I no touch dog, I tell him, I shout him, I push him out! Out! He no listen, that’s why I come near to talk,” an indignant Bud Lat said after the match.

The unexpected goal of Gunn lifted the RP team and the Azkals were able to plug the holes in their defense, it also woke up the lone RP fan in the stadium, Jaime Batan-ongbana.

“Look the word “lucky” in the dictionary and you will find a picture of that dog,” an ecstatic Caslib told mediamen after the match, “In our next game, we will try hard to be good, not to be lucky.”

Happy April first.

FOR the second straight year, the Cebu International School stumbled in the International Schools Athletic Conference Girls’ football finals to finish second in the eight team event over the weekend at Brent Baguio.

CIS, which lost to Brent Subic via shoot-out in last year’s finals, lost 0-2 to Brent Manila last Sunday to finish second in the event. The runner-up finish also boosted CIS to third place in the over-all rankings of Isac. Brent Manila got the over-all trophy award for the second straight year after sharing the top prize with CIS last year.

Newcomer Mindanao Christian Academy, which took the boys basketball crown over Southville IS, 46-45, finished second over-all.

“Girls basketball is what pulled us down in the rankings because we finished last. We weren’t able to practice much for girls basketball because the kids were busy with a school play,” said CIS athletic director Brian Bedford.

The CIS girls, coached by Dexter Arrojado and Jessica Aspillaga, found themselves down a goal early after the wily Kaori Kondo eluded the defense in the first half to get past keeper Danica Ronquillo.

Hobbled by injuries and playing with only two substitutes, CIS played catch-up for the rest of the match however Brent keeper Regina Fong kept the goal clear.

CIS had their best chance with a free kick from Monica Moraza but her shot sailed high.

Five minutes into the second half, things got worse for CIS as it lost trusty defender Gabi Aboitiz, who got one of the two best defender awards in the meet, to an injury.

Seeing their chance, Kondo found an open Mariah Bloom five minutes later and the Brent striker banged the ball past Ronquillo to put the game beyond doubt.

Captain Gabi Mercado tried to rally the team back but Brent Manila’s sweeper Georgia Guidecelle, was a steady presence in the defensive end as she checked strikers Merilee Watson and Presley Cunningham to preserve the shut-out.

Despite the runner-up finish, Bedford is satisfied with both the runner-up finish and their over-all rankings.

“We only started with 13 girls and we had two new ones,” he said.

Bedford said that despite having only 180 high school students compared to Brent Manila’s 1000, they were able to perform well in the Isac meet, with most of their players playing two or more sports.

“The core group is phenomenal. Their stamina and dedication to the practice. This is the third year we have with the seasons, if we stick to it, in 10 years we could be the team to beat in all sports,” he said.

Isac opens with the volleyball games in October, the boys’ football and girls’ basketball in February and the boys’ basketball and girls’ football late March.

BAGUIO City – The Cebu International School barged into the final round of the International Schools Activities Conference (Isac) Girls’ Soccer after a grueling four-game second day at Brent Baguio.

Meanwhile, their Boys’ basketball team bowed out of contention despite putting up a valiant effort against Mindanao Christian Academy (Mica) before losing, 28-38 to finish with three wins and three losses.

The CIS girls, won two, drew one and lost to Brent Manila in the second day of the Isac meet to finish second in girls’ soccer behind Brent Manila. CIS has 14 points on four wins and a draw while Brent Manila is first with 18 points from six wins.

Ironically, British School Manila, the only undefeated team with three wins and four draws is not in contention for the finals as they finish third with 13 points.

The CIS girls will have a chance for revenge against Manila, when they face each other in the final match at 9 p.m. today.

“We can beat (Brent) Manila, they just got lucky today,” said CIS coach Dexter Arrojado.

In their final game yesterday, an unchecked striker banged in a goal off a bad clearance from a corner kick for the lone goal for Brent Manila’s 1-0 win.

“Danica (Ronquillo) got covered that’s why she wasn’t able to stop the shot,” said Arrojado, who is assisted by Jessica Aspillaga.

The second day started strongly for CIS as they routed European International School (EIS) 3-0, before drawing their game against BSM.

Amanda Darza had two goals while Monica Moraza banged in a penalty for their easy win.

In their next game, CIS strikers Merilee Watson and Presley Cunningham couldn’t get past the strong BSM defense for the scoreless draw.

Their third game against winless Mica also started badly with CIS on the defensive end for a 0-0 score at the turn.

In the second half, CIS passing finally found its mark and Watson found a rushing Miko Sarmiento for a 1-0 score two minutes in. Watson finally got her scoring chance five minutes later after stripping a defender and smashing the ball home for their 2-0 win to send CIS back in the finals.

However, CIS, which is trying to better their runner-up finish last year, will have to overcome injuries to Gabi Aboitiz and Monica Moraza in the finals today.

“I rested Monica in the final game so she could play tomorrow (today),” said Arrojado.

Meanwhile, the CIS boys, coached by Rey Marañon, lost their first game yesterday, 41-24 to EIS before outclassing Brent Subic, 59-23.

The stifling CIS defense had them up 28-4 at the half, and it wasn’t until the 6:38 mark of the third period that Subic got to double-digit score.

In their final game against Mica, CIS had the lead early, 7-4, on a trey by Michael Sharpe but the taller Mica squad fought their way back to take the lead, 18-16, at the end of the half.

Mica stretched the lead to 26-20 after three periods before Jerry Lee and Dominic Ugarte sparked a short rally for CIS to bring them within two, 28-26 with five minutes left in the final period.

However, after Lee fouled out, Mica scored 10 unanswered points to seal their win. Mica will face EIS in today’s final.

BAGUIO City – The Cebu International School had a good start in the first day of the International Schools Athletic Conference (ISAC) here at Brent Baguio.

The Girls’ football team took a temporary hold of the top spot after bagging two wins and a draw, while the Boys’ basketball team also started with two means before stumbling in its final assignment, losing to Southville International School (SIS), 27-40.

“If we win both events, we will be the ISAC over-all champion,” said CIS athletic director Brian Bedford. Last year, CIS shared the over-all trophy with Brent Manila.

In its first game, the CIS girls, who finished runner-up last year, had difficulty finding their target as they fought to a scoreless draw with defending champion, Brent Subic.

“Lisud ka-ayo makascore kay gamay ra ka-ayo ang oras,” said CIS head coach, Dexter Arrojado, who is assisted by former University of Sto. Tomas varsity, Jessica Aspillaga. Each half runs for only 17 minutes.

In their next game, CIS leaned on the young Gabby Aboitiz for the lone goal in its 1-0 win over host Brent Baguio.

Monica Moraza had the best chance at the end of the first half after she was left along at the top of the box, however, her best effort only kissed the top bar.

Moraza forced the keeper to a diving save in the second half and Aboitiz banged in a bad clearance by a defender for the lone goal in the 29 th minute.

Baguio got a chance after winning an indirect free kick inside the box but their shot hit the CIS wall before getting cleared.

In their third game, it was Gabi Mercado’s turn to wear the hero’s cap for CIS, with a little help from a luckless keeper.

Mercado, who’s never-give-up attitude has endeared her to the coaching staff, banged a shot off a corner that seemed harmless but the keeper, instead of catching the ground ball, opted to kick it out, and missed.

Aboitiz power shot in the 30th also sailed wide while the keeper got luck on her hands after managing to recover the ball after it slip through her feet a second time in the 32 nd.

CIS is now on top of the seven-team event with two wins and a draw, while Brent Subic is second with a win and two draws.

The girls will close out their elimination round today against European International School (EIS). British School Manila and Brent Manila.

Meanwhile, the CIS boys swept their first two games, 45-30, against Brent Manila and 48-34 against Brent Baguio before losing to SIS.

CIS took the lead against SIS, 2-0, on a basket by Dom Ugarte but SIS answered back with 12 answered points as they out-hustled CIS in all areas en route to a 21-6, SIS lead at the end of the first quarter.

CIS managed to get its act together in the second half behind Ugarte, who had two back to back triples as they clawed back to with in three, 18-21 before SIS answered back to stretch the lead to, 21-30 to seal their win.

Today, the boys of Rey Maranon will play EIS, Brent Subic and Mindanao Christian Academy.

From the Philfootball.info Site.

Here is also the correction for our EWALD DENKER Tournament Invitation:

Sunday, April 2, Men’s Open,
Sunday, April 23, Youth, 1991 and younger,
Sunday, April 30, Youth, 1989 and younger,
Sunday, May 7, Youth 1993 and younger,
Sunday, May 14, Youth, 1987 and younger.

Biltz tournament style, maximum 8 teams per category,
Lineup (22players) 30 min before the 1. game of the team,
Maximum per game (11players,3 substitutes,goalie substitute)
2 brackets, playing time depends on the number of teams,
all teams will receive a Trophy,
no registration fee.
Location: Lapu-Lapu, MEPZ 1 field
contact: Manfred, email: schuwerk@gmx.de, tel:34658371

/>

FOOTBALL mags are as rare as a Pele sighting here in the Philippines. Imagine my surpise when I got a few in the mail last week, thanks to the Big Guy, man-mountain Jack Biantan, the former Sun.Star assistant sports editor who is now pulling his weight in London, with his newly-born son, Lucky.

He’s coming home this May 4, and he said, he’s going to donate an England jersey to the MVP of the Inter Club Invitational’s Men’s Open. And in classic Jack Biantanesque — a bahag for the 38-above MVP.”

FOOTBALL in Cebu is set to get a livelier as the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) is ready to spread the sport to the grassroots.

“With Ricky Dakay as our sports director for football, we can introduce football to the barangay level,” said CCSC’s Jack “The Wack” Jakosalem.

Dakay, who also sits at the Queen City Football Club board, was named the godfather for football in Cebu, a move by the CCSC to copy what Ed Hayco has done with the multi-awarded Team Cebu City-Dancesport.

The grassroots program is also expected to increase the population of football players in Cebu, which is already having problems with suitable playing venue.

However, Jakosalem and Dakay are already taking steps to address the perennial problem with the long planned football field at the South Reclaimation Project.

“The mayor has already approved that two football fields will be constructed at the SRP along with the planned multi-purpose park,” said Jakosalem.

A field for baseball and softball will also be constructed at SRP.

“There is enough space,” said Jakosalem.

Meanwhile, after the just concluded Red Ribbon Under-16 Cup, the Cebu Football Association is set to hold the Women’s Open and Boys 18-under tournament.

Defending champion Queen City United, which went on to finish runner-up in Women’s National Open to two-time champion Davao City last year, is expected to defend its title when the event opens in the next few weeks.

PAREF-Springdale bagged its fourth straight title after a surprisingly easy, 3-0, whipping of Hiroshi FC in the finals of the Red Ribbon Under-16 tournament at the San Roque Parish football field.

This year, Springdale has won the 1991 age group of the Thirsty Cup, Cebu International School Friendship Cup, while also bagging last year’s Aboitiz 15 Under, also against Hiroshi.

Yesterday’s win also capped Springdale’s impressive campaign in the Red Ribbon, where it has not conceded a single goal while scoring 18 in its four wins.

“Kaluoy sa Ginu-o, na-champion,” said Springdale coach Mario Ceniza, “I was a bit worried because we didn’t get to practice much as the kids were busy with their exams.”

Ceniza said he didn’t field some of his players yesterday since it is their policy not to let players who missed the practices, play.

Ceniza need not worry as Carlos Veloso and Kevin Tecson’s strong presence in the midfield allowed Springdale to control the game. It’s pinpoint passing led to a 13th minute Dominic Garcia goal for a 1-0 lead.

Garcia could have added another but he was pulled in the penalty area in the 28th, preventing a strike. Veloso got even for the downed striker as he converted the penalty for a 2-0 lead.

In the second half, Hiroshi came up fighting and managed to harass Springdale but it couldn’t find their mark.

Displaying his field-savvy, Veloso sent a perfect pass to a streaking Miguel Arriola for the final count.

For his leadership and all-around play, Veloso, acknowledged even by opposing coaches as the heart of the Springdale team, got the Most Valuable Player award while Tecson got the best midfielder award.

Paolo Pascual got the best keeper trophy while Jeryll Enriquez was named the best defender. Don Bosco College striker Francis Buot, who scored seven goals in two games, got the best striker award.

The win earned Springdale the right to represent Cebu in the National Red Ribbon Fiesta – a two day seven-a-side football tourney in Manila this April. More importantly, Springdale now forms the core of the Cebu City team that will join the International Children’s Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

“It will be up to the (Cebu City) Sports Commission, if they want us to form the team, we will just recommend this team,” Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo said.

AFTER last year’s 23rd Southeast Asian Games, football fans in Bacolod City are set to witness another international football extravaganza with the country’s hosting of the qualifying round of the 2006 LG Cup.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Johnny Romualdez is still waiting for the final confirmation from the Asean Football Federation.

“It’s still unofficial because we haven’t got the papers yet,” said Romualdez. “If we get it, it will be most likely in Bacolod.”

However, a report from the Vietnam Football Federation website already mentioned the Philippine’s hosting of the event, slated Nov.

“Though the host country for the final round has not yet been chosen, the program will vary little from 2004. Accordingly, the qualifying round will be held in the Philippines from Nov. 7 to the 25 with the participation of Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Laos, and the Philippines. Brunei will join the tournament on the condition that the sponsor is not a beer or wine producer,” said a part of the report posted at the Philfootball.info forum.

The qualifying round is a new thrust in the Asean Football Federation, which organizes the event, to give lower- ranked countries a chance to compete against themselves.

“The bottom five teams will play a round robin and the top two teams will advance to the final round. Previously, their were no qualifying rounds so the lower-ranked teams got beaten easily,” said Romualdez.

Romualdez also said the Philippines has a good chance to qualify to the final round as the other teams in the qualifying round are not that strong.

In the 2004 edition, the Philippines defeated Timor Leste, 2-1, with Emilio Caligdong scoring two goals in the final two minutes. The Philippines also defeated Cambodia, 4-2, in the Seag.

The LG Cup, previously known as the Tiger Cup, will be the second international tournament for the Men’s team this year. Next month, they are set to compete with the other bottom 15 teams in Asia in the AFC Challenge Cup in Bangladesh.

“This (Challenge Cup) will be tougher because this is the Asian level, not the Asean level,” Romualdez said.

Chelsea FC reserves Philip and James Younghusband as well as Fil-Australian Leigh Dunn, who played for the Philippines a few years ago, are expected to be in the Challenge Cup team.

AFTER ED Hayco’s successful handling of Team Cebu City-Dancesport, the Cebu City Sports Commission is mulling to appoint a ‘godfather’ to take care of each sport, to duplicate the dance czar’s achievement with dancesport.

“We want to spread what Ed Hayco has done to the other sport, the godfather doesn’t necessarily have to be a player of that sport, he should just have the passion and can devote his time for the sport,” said Jack Jakosalem of the Cebu City Sports Commission.

Hayco, and his wife Eleanor have helped raised the level of Dancesport in the city, leading to Cebuanos domination of dancesport in the national level and culminating to a gold medal sweep in last year’s Southeast Asian

Among the ‘godfathers’ the commission are looking are Juan Uy for swimming, Ryan Rivera for gymnastics, Glen Soco for volleyball and Ricky Dakay for football.

According to Jakosalem, Uy wanted to spread swimming in the Barangay level but his project did not push through.

“We heard he wanted to do a project before, in 2001, so that shows he’s passionate for swimming,” said Jakosalem.

On the other hand, football coach Mario Ceniza said Dakay is the perfect choice for football.

“He’s a fanatic, he even spent his own money to renovate the Springdale field and he also intalled lights,” said Ceniza, who was two years Dakay’s senior at the University of San Carlos collegiate team.

Dakay is also an officer of the Queen City United club, which is hosting a cash-rich tournament this summer.

According to Jakosalem, Dakay is also helping the City design the planned football field at the South Reclamation Project.

Jakosalem also said they are still looking for other persons to head the other sports and also clarified the confirmations of the appointed godfathers will come later this month.