Football in the Philippines
Encyclopedia
Football in the Philippines is organized by the Philippine Football Federation
(PFF)
Despite football being popular among its Southeast Asian neighbours, football is usually overshadowed by basketball
which is undeniably the most popular sport in the Philippines
. Football was virtually unheard of throughout the archipelago as there was no national football league and are also no stadia that would easily pass FIFA requirements.
In recent years, football has become an emerging sport in the Philippines.
Over a hundred years ago, the Philippines
were ceded by Spain
to the USA. American sports such as basketball
consequently gained the upper hand, at the expense of the once popular game of football. However, since local youngsters, both boys and girls, rediscovered the delights of football, the tide has begun to turn. But there is still a long way to go before football can once again become the country's leading sport. The nation's most notable successes happened some time ago (semi-final qualification in the 1991 South East Asian Games
). The national association is, however, trying to promote young talent by means of grassroots nationwide programs in an effort to raise football standards to a reasonable level after a spate of poor results. Training programs in all major areas have also been set up, based on FIFA
courses such as Futuro. The news that Philippine striker, Alfredo Gonzalez
, considered by many as the first ever Filipino professional football player in history and the Philippines' finest striker since the legendary Paulino Alcántara
, had signed a contract for a professional Vietnamese club was the first international transfer to hit the headlines in the country for years. The association is hoping this will serve as an inspiration for other players.
seek to revive the sport to its former glory. efforts include the launching of a FIFA goal project in 2003 in the city of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo
which involves the construction of a National Training Center.
The stunning performance of the national football team of the Philippines during the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup
, in which it defeated the defending champion Vietnam
and qualified for the semifinals of the tournament, inspired many Filipinos. This development further boosted the revival of football in the country as Filipinos have begun to show more interest in the sport. The Philippines has also expressed its willingness to host the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup
. Also, scouting of players to bolster the national team has stepped up.
In 2010, the German Football Federation (DFB), recommended the services of former Rwanda U-17 coach, Hans Michael Weiss
. The DFB also allegedly gave the Philippine Football Federation a 500,000-Euro grant.
On October 18, 2011, Real Madrid announced its intentions of opening a youth academy in Mindanao.
Philippine Football Federation
The Philippine Football Federation is the governing body of football in the Philippines. It was founded in 1907 as the Philippine Amateur Football Association . They were one of the 12 Asian associations that founded the Asian Football Confederation...
(PFF)
Despite football being popular among its Southeast Asian neighbours, football is usually overshadowed by basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
which is undeniably the most popular sport in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Football was virtually unheard of throughout the archipelago as there was no national football league and are also no stadia that would easily pass FIFA requirements.
In recent years, football has become an emerging sport in the Philippines.
History
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
were ceded by Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
to the USA. American sports such as basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
consequently gained the upper hand, at the expense of the once popular game of football. However, since local youngsters, both boys and girls, rediscovered the delights of football, the tide has begun to turn. But there is still a long way to go before football can once again become the country's leading sport. The nation's most notable successes happened some time ago (semi-final qualification in the 1991 South East Asian Games
Football at the 1991 Southeast Asian Games
The football tournament at the 1991 Southeast Asian Games was held from 25 November to 4 December 1991in Manila, Philippines.- Group A :--------- Group B :------------- Knockout stages :- Semi-finals :- Third place play-off :...
). The national association is, however, trying to promote young talent by means of grassroots nationwide programs in an effort to raise football standards to a reasonable level after a spate of poor results. Training programs in all major areas have also been set up, based on FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
courses such as Futuro. The news that Philippine striker, Alfredo Gonzalez
Alfredo Razon Gonzalez
Alfredo Fernando Razón "Freddy" Gonzalez is a Filipino football player and many-time member of the Philippines national football team. He is considered by many as the first ever Filipino professional football player in history and the Philippines' finest striker since the legendary Paulino Alcántara...
, considered by many as the first ever Filipino professional football player in history and the Philippines' finest striker since the legendary Paulino Alcántara
Paulino Alcántara
Paulino Alcántara Riestrá was a Filipino–Spanish footballer and manager. He spent most of his playing career at Barcelona and was the first Filipino and Asian player to play for a European club. He also played for Catalonia, the Philippines and Spain...
, had signed a contract for a professional Vietnamese club was the first international transfer to hit the headlines in the country for years. The association is hoping this will serve as an inspiration for other players.
Revival
The Philippines and FIFAFIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
seek to revive the sport to its former glory. efforts include the launching of a FIFA goal project in 2003 in the city of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo
Iloilo
Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,...
which involves the construction of a National Training Center.
The stunning performance of the national football team of the Philippines during the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup
2010 AFF Suzuki Cup
The 2010 AFF Cup, sponsored by Suzuki and officially named the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, took place on December 1–29, 2010. Indonesia and Vietnam hosted the preliminary stage from 1 to 7 December for Group A and 2 to 8 December for Group B. The semi-finals were played home and away with the first legs...
, in which it defeated the defending champion Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
and qualified for the semifinals of the tournament, inspired many Filipinos. This development further boosted the revival of football in the country as Filipinos have begun to show more interest in the sport. The Philippines has also expressed its willingness to host the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup
2012 AFF Suzuki Cup
The 2012 AFF Cup will be the ninth edition of the tournament which will be co-hosted by Malaysia and Thailand.-Hosts:On 17 December 2010, the Philippine Football Federation declared their interest to host the 2012 AFF Cup...
. Also, scouting of players to bolster the national team has stepped up.
Help from foreign clubs and countries
Due to the recent renaissance of football in the Philippines,a number of foreign countries and clubs have offered to help promote the sport within the country.In 2010, the German Football Federation (DFB), recommended the services of former Rwanda U-17 coach, Hans Michael Weiss
Michael Weiß (football manager)
Hans Michael Weiß is a German football manager, currently in charge of the Philippines national football team after being referred by the German Football Association in January 2011...
. The DFB also allegedly gave the Philippine Football Federation a 500,000-Euro grant.
On October 18, 2011, Real Madrid announced its intentions of opening a youth academy in Mindanao.