Cebu Football

THE Philippines conceded an injury-time goal to settle for a 1-1 draw against Suzuki Cup reigning champion Malaysia in a friendly match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last night. Against the reigning champions who beat Indonesia, the team that booted out the Philippines in the 2010 Suzuki Cup, the home side started strongly and had the visitors on the defensive for most of the first half.

(This is the draft of my Fair Play column on Sun.Star Cebu for March 1) I’M not talking about last night’s game of course.  I wrote this hours before the match, because that’s the rules guys like us have to live by. I’m talking about a much earlier encounter, one that happened when I was both starting as a footballer and as a follower of sports.

DAVAO CITY—Of all the tournaments I cover, the PAL interclub is my second-most favorite event, next of course, to home games of the Philippine national football team. I don’t play golf, of course, and can’t distinguish a driver from a wedge even if my life depended on it, but that doesn’t stop me from appreciating the game.

(This is the draft of my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu on Feb. 25) DAVAO CITY—To say that last Sunday’s conversation I had with coach Graeme Mackinnon was unusual would be an understatement. Here’s a guy I’ve known since 1997 telling me he’s quitting his job as head coach of Global FC because he’s lost the fire in him. The passion was gone and now all he wants is to go home to his family.

(This is the draft of my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu on Feb. 22) DAVAO CITY--I was supposed to write about Coach Graeme today, but I think my friend would understand if for now, I’d talk about Coach Michael Weiss. Especially if just as I was to take my seat for to meet coach Weiss again the other night he says, “…especially when I’m reading this bullshit story,” while pointing to me, and, before leaving, he says, “I hope to educate this boy (again, while pointing to me) about football.”

(This is the draft my report, which I hoped I didn't have to write, for Sun.Star Cebu on Feb. 20) A DAY after a stunning win over undefeated Stallion Gilligan’s in the United Football League, Dan Palami and Global FC will have to deal with another surprise. An even bigger one—the loss of their coach, the former Cebu-based Australian Graeme Mackinnon. “I’ve resigned from Global,” Mackinnon simply said when he met with Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.

(This is the draft of my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu on Feb. 18) I’M just going to say flat out that what Kaya FC owner Santi Araneta tweeted—when he realized Joshua Beloya wasn’t part of the starting lineup--was wrong. Sir Santi’s wears two hats, one as head of the Football Alliance and one as head of Kaya FC, and as the team owner, I think he was just looking out for the welfare of his player.

(This is the draft of my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu ) THERE’S an interesting post in the Pinoy football page in facebook, and the poster wants to get rid of coach Weiss. Fire him he said. So, should we? Or more importantly, should the PFF team management get rid of Coach Weiss?

(This is the draft of my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu on feb. 15) FANS who stayed up late had their fill the other night when the Philippines beat Al Ahlil,3-1, in a friendly in Qatar.  Phil Younghusband, the subject of many-a-girl’s imaginary date, scored twice, missed a couple of chances, and almost lost his shorts to a defender who got rather frisky.  Dennis Wolf, the Pinoy from Germany, also scored, cleaning up James Younghusband’s rebound, while Angel Guirado missed another penalty.

(This is the draft of my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu on Feb. 13) THERE, I said it. I know some folks want to see these seven words on print and I’m granting their wish. I know some are gloating with the latest debacle, a 3-0 spanking from the Uzbekistan Under 23 in a friendly last Saturday and they are probably going to lose against Al Ahli SC tonight, too. Against Australia U23 on Thursday? Against a team that’s trying to regain its pride after stumbling in the Olympic qualifiers? The Azkals would probably whimper out, too.

CEBUANO keeper Charles Villarta played exceptionally but paid dearly for a single mistake in Cebu Queen City United’s 1-0 loss to leaders Pachanga FC in the United Football League Division 2 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium yesterday.

(This is the draft of my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu on Feb. 11) IF YOU want the latest on the drama that is unfolding in Cebu football, you may move along now. Frankly, I’m tired of talking about an issue that doesn’t seem to have an end in sight. Besides, there are other things worth tackling, like the Thirsty Football Cup and Queen City United’s game against Pachanga, which will both happen today. Both, in a way, are linked. Or should I say, should be linked.

(This is my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu on Feb. 9) I HAVE no voice in the Cebu Football Association elections, and I don’t even have the right to vote, as voting is limited to FA members. But I have an idea who could be a right fit in the board. He could even be the right CFA president.

(This is my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu on Feb. 6) I GOT an interesting e-mail the other day about the consequences for teams that withdraw from PFF-organized national tournaments and its corresponding sanctions. I guess, it’s time to play Devil’s Advocate. For PFF-organized events, there are four types of withdrawals—after confirming participation but before grouping or scheduling takes place, after regional finals but before grouping in nationals, after the grouping in the nationals, and in the course of the national competition.

(This is Springdale's letter to the PFF) February 1, 2012            Philippine Football Federation (PFF) 27 Danny Floro corner Captain Henry Javier streets, Oranbo, 1600 Pasig City RE:    Cebu Football Association (CFA) Sanction on Springdale Football Club Gentlemen: We respectfully bring to your attention and consideration the above stated matter in connection with the 14th Aboitiz Football Cup tournament in Cebu where the CFA served as Tournament organizer.  The said incident arose from the scheduled game last January 7, 2012 involving our Boys U14 category against Blessed John Seminary team where we were declared in default, despite the fact that the organizers granted a 15-minute time extension and our players arrived within the extended time.  To express our dismay on how our boys were unfairly treated, the said undesirable incident was the subject of our formal letter withdrawal from the tournament, a copy of which is attached hereto for reference.

(This is CFA's letter to Springdale regarding the school's three-year ban)

(This is Springdale's letter of withdrawal from the Aboitiz Cup--ML) ABOITIZ FOUNDATION Organizer ABOITIZ FOOTBALL CUP (14th Season) Banilad, Cebu City Thru:    Mr. Sonny Carpio     EVP and Managing Trustee Re:    Springdale Football Club Withdrawal Gentlemen: Our Club is one of the teams participating in the current season of the 14th Season of the Aboitiz Football Cup as we have been in the previous seasons.  It is unfortunate however that our Club is constrained to write this letter of formal withdrawal from the games arising from the undesirable incident which happened last Saturday, January 7 in one of the scheduled games for Boys U14 category.

(Below is a photo of the two-page CFA letter addressed to Springdale explaining the decision to default the team)

(This is the draft of my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu on Feb. 4) THE Cebu Football Association has banned Paref-Springdale for three years for the withdrawal of its teams from the Aboitiz Cup, and along with the ban in Cebu football, comes, of course, a ban in Philippine football. Though it stemmed from Springdale’s withdrawal from the Aboitiz Cup, that’s not really the cause of all this.  It’s far from it.