Football in 2015 looks to be fun-filled and packed. Lots of things to be looking forward to in these parts. Let me count the ways:
Senior National Team. The Azkals have their FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Just months after Germany hoisted its fourth Jules Rimet Trophy, the quest for spots in Russia will commence. The Asian Football Confederation tweaked the qualification methodology, streamlining it to serve concurrently as the qualifiers for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
If you recall, the Philippines opened its 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification campaign against Sri Lanka. You remember this one, right?
Or you more remember it for this one...
The Philippines has done well enough to be able to do away with the two-legged preliminary playoff involving the lower-ranked teams in the AFC on March 12 and 17. The prelims are conducted in order to whittle down the number of nations to 40. A draw then will be conducted in April to determine the eight groups of five that will comprise the second preliminary round.
The second preliminary round is a double round robin, with matches slated on June 11 & 16, September 3 & 8, October 8 & 13, November 12 & 17, as well as March 24 & 29 in 2016. The eight division winners and the four best runners-up proceed to the phase of qualification.
There is only one FIFA window that is available before the start of the Qualifiers, which is from March 23-31. The Philippines has already slated to play against China on the 25th (reportedly in China), which theoretically allows the team to possibly face another opponent in that same period.
U-23 National Team. The March 23-31 window also serves as the timetable for the AFC U-23 Qualifiers.The Philippines was drawn into Group G alongside North Korea, Cambodia, and group stage hosts Thailand. Win the group or finish among the top five runners-up ensures a berth to the finals, which will take place in 2016 at Qatar, and concurrently serves as the Olympic Qualifiers.
The Philippines is also initially tabled to participate in the SEA Games slated to take place this coming June in Singapore, although it is up to the powers-that-be in the PSC-POC task force who will "green light" the.participation.
Most of the youngsters are familiar to those who watch the UAAP. Of course, a couple of senior national team standouts fall under this category as well, namely defensive stalwarts Daisuke Sato and Amani Aguinaldo.
AFC Cup. Ceres-La Salle will be playing first, having to face Maziya Sports and Recreation of the Maldives on February 17. Win this, and the reigning PFF-SMART Club champions will join Group E, composed of Bengaluru (IND), Persipura Jayapura (INA), and either Warriors FC or Tampines Rovers (SIN).
UFL champions Global FC, on the other hand, already earned a group stage berth, and was drawn into Group G, wherein they will face Yadanarbon or Yangon United (MYA), South China (HKG), and Pahang FA (MAS).
Group Stage matches will take place on February 24/25, March 10/11, March 17/18, April 14/15, April 28/29, and May 12/13.
Senior National Team. The Azkals have their FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Just months after Germany hoisted its fourth Jules Rimet Trophy, the quest for spots in Russia will commence. The Asian Football Confederation tweaked the qualification methodology, streamlining it to serve concurrently as the qualifiers for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
If you recall, the Philippines opened its 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification campaign against Sri Lanka. You remember this one, right?
Or you more remember it for this one...
The Philippines has done well enough to be able to do away with the two-legged preliminary playoff involving the lower-ranked teams in the AFC on March 12 and 17. The prelims are conducted in order to whittle down the number of nations to 40. A draw then will be conducted in April to determine the eight groups of five that will comprise the second preliminary round.
The second preliminary round is a double round robin, with matches slated on June 11 & 16, September 3 & 8, October 8 & 13, November 12 & 17, as well as March 24 & 29 in 2016. The eight division winners and the four best runners-up proceed to the phase of qualification.
There is only one FIFA window that is available before the start of the Qualifiers, which is from March 23-31. The Philippines has already slated to play against China on the 25th (reportedly in China), which theoretically allows the team to possibly face another opponent in that same period.
U-23 National Team. The March 23-31 window also serves as the timetable for the AFC U-23 Qualifiers.The Philippines was drawn into Group G alongside North Korea, Cambodia, and group stage hosts Thailand. Win the group or finish among the top five runners-up ensures a berth to the finals, which will take place in 2016 at Qatar, and concurrently serves as the Olympic Qualifiers.
The Philippines is also initially tabled to participate in the SEA Games slated to take place this coming June in Singapore, although it is up to the powers-that-be in the PSC-POC task force who will "green light" the.participation.
Most of the youngsters are familiar to those who watch the UAAP. Of course, a couple of senior national team standouts fall under this category as well, namely defensive stalwarts Daisuke Sato and Amani Aguinaldo.
AFC Cup. Ceres-La Salle will be playing first, having to face Maziya Sports and Recreation of the Maldives on February 17. Win this, and the reigning PFF-SMART Club champions will join Group E, composed of Bengaluru (IND), Persipura Jayapura (INA), and either Warriors FC or Tampines Rovers (SIN).
UFL champions Global FC, on the other hand, already earned a group stage berth, and was drawn into Group G, wherein they will face Yadanarbon or Yangon United (MYA), South China (HKG), and Pahang FA (MAS).
Group Stage matches will take place on February 24/25, March 10/11, March 17/18, April 14/15, April 28/29, and May 12/13.
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