NAT'L UNDER-14 FOOTBALL TEAM SWEEPS GAMES

Courtesy of Sun Star Newspaper (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/)

Sunday, May 28, 2006 issue
by Mike Limpag, Staff Reporter

Just a few days before playing its first international tournament, the Philippine national Under-14 team showed positive signs as it swept its two friendlies against Southridge and Ateneo de Manila.

The RP team, which will compete in the Asian Football Confederation Youth Festival, defeated Southridge’s 16-under team, 3-2, last May 24 and the ADMU U-16 squad, 8-0, yesterday.

Joseph Villarino stuck first in the ninth minute inside the box, and Warren Rosillo made it 2-0 in the 13th after redirecting a cross. Henry Llaban added his goals in the 17th and 25th, while Christian de Juan made and Michael Mabanag scored the final two goals in the half for a 6-0 lead.

Direct kick

In the second half, Rob Famador’s perfectly-taken direct kick got past the goalkeeper and de Juan added his second goal seven minutes from time.

“The coaching staff is rotating the players, for them to get a feel on what position they will be playing,” said Cebu Football Association’s Jonathan Maximo.

Maximo was appointed by the Philippine Football Federation as the head of delegation for the tournament.

“Llaban and Mabanag are small but fast players. The attack starts from them and (they are) good in crosses,” Maximo said.

Also with the team are Paref Springdale’s Joshua Cruz, Evanjames Mendoza and Kevin Tecson, who is on his second stint with the national squad. (ML)

CEBUFA TO HOLD TRY-OUTS FOR RP UNDER-14 SQUAD

Courtesy of Sun Star Newspaper (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/)

Thursday, April 06, 2006 issue

The Cebu Football Association (CebuFA) will hold tryouts tomorrow and on Saturday for the Philippine Under-14 team that will compete in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-14 Tournament on May 29 to June 4 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

CebuFA president Jonathan Maximo said those who will be selected will be included in the training pool that will undergo intensive training.

The tryouts, which will be held at the San Roque football field in Subangdaku, Mandaue City, is open to players born on or after 1992. Players from Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Negros Oriental and other Visayas areas are also expected to join the tryouts.

The tryouts will be conducted by national coach John Carmona to be assisted by Center For Excellence coach Mario Ceniza.

“We have lobbied to the Philippine Football Federation that they should conduct a separate tryout for Cebu since we now have a pool of very good youth players capable of playing for the national team,” said Maximo.