Cebu Football

(This was written May 10, 2001) “ITS too expensive” This was the explanation given by Philippine Football Federation’s World Cup 2002 qualifier campaign deputy Domega Geramidi as to why the country will host only one group stage game instead of three. The Philippine men’s team is currently competing in the World Cup 2002 qualifying stage under Group 1 together with Syria, Oman and Laos. They have already played three matches, all “away” or matches played in another nation’s home field, contrary to the usual home and away format of the World Cup 2002 qualifying stage. In April 30, the Philippines lost 12-0 to Syria in Damascus and on May 4, lost 5-1 also to Syria, still in the Syrians turf. Last May 7 RP lost again to Oman, 7-0 in Oman and will play the Omanese this Friday still on enemy soil. In a usual World Cup 2002 qualifier or any league matches, two teams play each other twice with each team getting to host one game each. However, the Philippines conceded hosting one game aga...

12-0. IN what has become numbingly familiar, the country’s senior team received another sound beating from hosts Syria, 12-0, in their World Cup 2002 Group 1 qualifier in Aleppo, Syria last Monday. The Imai Matasaki mentored RP squad trailed 2-0 in just 16 minutes of play, after Sayed Bayazid struck twice to put the hosts on top. Tariq Jabban joined the scoring act in the 25th minute, while Bashar Sourour added his own goal in the 29th for a 4-0 lead. Lohad Hajj Mustafa banged in the final goal in the first half for they Syrians in the 45th minute for their 5-0 lead. After a goal by Rahjdan Shaade, Bayazid, who plays in the Greek 2nd division made it 7-0 for the 104th ranked Syrians in the 54th minute as they put an early conclusion to their game against the Philippines, the lowest ranked in their group at 181. In the other Group 1 match, favorites Oman scored a similar 12-0 win over 169th ranked Laos to put their World Cup bid on the right note. Only one team from Group 1 will a...

I found a few old stories I wrote about the last time the Philippines joined the qualifiers. Two reasons why I'm posting it. 1.) It's been said the Sri Lanka game will be the first World Cup qualifier match and 2.) I spent a darn lot of time scouring through old files that I want to reward my effort. RP 2002 World Cup qualifier matches April 30 vs. Syria May 1 vs. Syria May 7 vs. Oman May 11 vs. Oman May 19 vs. Laos May 26 vs. Laos (in Manila) FORMER Southwestern University mainstay Rocky Garciano start another chapter of his football career when the Philippines open their World Cup 2002 qualifying bid against Syria today in Aleppo, Syria. The 22-year old Garciano was a member of the Salazar Institute of Technology team who won the Coke-Go-For-Goal crown in 1996. He then played for the SWU Fugsports under Glenn Ramos for two years before he was recruited to play for the Philippine Army. Garciano, a sleek midfield operator during his stint with SWU, has been train...

WITH the hullabaloo that the Cebu City Sports Center oval was getting, I thought, the best way to get to the bottom of things was to get the side of the subject, as any sane journalist should. So yesterday, off I went for a chat with the 14-year-old edifice. I asked permission from CCSC manager Ricky B, but he just stared at me and locked his door when I left. Still, it didn't stop me. Permission be damned, a sports editor can get away with lots of things you know. I introduced myself to the Eight Lanes. And boy, did I get a mouthful from the Eight! "The nerve! Idiot...We have nothing to say but thank you very much! Get your feet off me before I whup you! Crazy ...No comment!!!" I reasoned and cajoled, "Don't you want to air your side?" "You're one to talk about maintenance," said Lane One, "You don't even pay when you use us." " Freeloader !" To get their side, I knew I had to be honest. So I admitted flashing my press ...

Quick. The San Roque Football Club has stumbled into something unique. In the waning days of summer, just as you'd be lucky to catch a local game being played, the San Roque Football Club put on a P20 football raffle. Just show up, pay your P20 registartion fee and boom. You get to play. Not a bad idea. And if you have an axe to grind against a neighbor, forget about it, chances are you'd end up playing together. In their one-day fiesta last Sunday, you don't choose who to play for, nor does anyone for that matter. Every member is raffled off to a team. Here are the pics.

I rue the day I decided to shift to blogger beta. No matter what I do, I can't seem to fix the 'comments' in this blog. So I decided to transfer. Just check the site for developments. Cheers. Happy new year to all