Philippine Football Peace Cup: Azkals vs Chinese Taipei, declared champion

Defeating Chinese Taipei after yielding a distant 3-1 score, the Philippine Azkals was declared the champion in the Philippine Football Peace Cup finals held Saturday (September 29) at the Rizal  Memorial Stadium in Pasay City. 

The goals were each piled up by Fil-German Dennis Wolf, vice-captain Chief Caligdong, and Fil-Am OJ Porteria, at the 10th, 34th, and 43rd minutes, respectively.

Photo Courtesy: Soccer Central PH

Dennis Wolf was named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). For scoring 4 goals, he was awarded the Golden Boot award. Sacapano was named as the Best Goalkeeper of the Peace Cup. Jeff Christiaens was picked as the Best Defender, while Matthew Uy was named as Best Midfielder of the tournament.

Team Philippines garnered 9 points all-in-all which placed them at 1st overall, followed by Chinese Taipei with 4 points, Guam with 3 points, and Macau with 1 point.

This is the first international tournament won by Philippines since 1914. The last time the Philippines took the championship crown was in the 1913 Far Eastern Games, the earlier version of the Asian Games.

The Philippine Football Peace Cup, or Long Teng Cup, was a series of friendlies ventured in by football teams in what is seen as  preparation for the 2012 Asean Football Federation Suzuki  Cup.

Philippine Football Peace Cup: Philippine Azkals vs Chinese Taipei

After making a 5-0 win against Macau Thursday night, and a 1-0 victory over Guam in its first game, the Philippine Azkals are now close to grabbing the championship crown tonight (September 29) against Chinese Taipei in the Philippine Football Peace Cup (Long Teng Cup) at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Pasay City.

Photo Courtesy: Soccer Central PH

Filipino fans are called to attend in the final match, Philippine Azkals vs Chinese Taipei, Saturday at around 7 PM. The Philippine Azkals only need to at least force a draw against Chinese Taipei to win in the Peace Cup. 

A tight fight is expected tonight. Since the 1960s, the Azkals have failed to beat Chinese Taipei  in the 7 matches that the teams played.

The last time the Philippines won a tournament was almost a century ago, when it earned the gold medal in the 1913 Far East Games.

Philippine Football Peace Cup: Philippine Azkals vs Macau

The Philippine Azkals once again took another win Thursday night (September 27), defeating Macau in its game achieving a far-out 5-0 score. Filipino-German recruit Dennis Wolf made an impressive performance scoring three out of the 5 goals, providing distance barrier to Macau's chances of winning. The other two goals were made by midfielders Carli de Murga and Patrick Reichelt.

Photo Courtesy: Soccer Central PH

The Azkals are currently taking lead in the Philippine Football Peace Cup, after triumphing over its first two games, one with Guam and the other with  Macau, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Pasay City.

The team emerged victorious in their match with Guam, 1-0, during the opening day of the Peace Cup (September 25).

For an in-depth chronology of event highlights of the Philippine Azkals vs Macau match, read here.

ADMU vs DLSU match on September 29

Their successful entry into the Final Four UAAP Men's Basketball showdow, after beating the FEU Tamaraws during their knockout match Wednesday, means the bitter inter-collegiate basketball rivalry between the DLSU Archers and the ADMU Eagles has once again been reborn.

Photo Courtesy: UAAP

The much-awaited DLSU vs ADMU game for the UAAP Basketball championship title will be aired on a super-sporty Saturday (September 26) on Studio 23, crammed with the NU vs UST semifinals fight at around 12 noon, the 2012 UAAP Cheerdance Competition replays at 2:30 PM, the DLSU vs ADMU match at 4 PM, the Philippine Football Peace Cup match between Philippine Azkals and Taipei at 7 PM, and the replay of the spectacular match DLSU vs FEU at 9 PM.

Sit tight and relax as you watch the DLSU vs ADMU on an energy-packed Saturday. Those who cannot watch through television might be able to watch live ADMU vs DLSU game through Studio 23's live stream website.

Peace Cup (Highlights Replay): Philippine Azkals vs Guam

Here are some of the highlights of the Philippine Azkals vs Guam match in the opening day of the Philippine Football Peace Cup held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, September 25.

 
Video Courtesy: Youtube user albertsadilisks1

Philippine Azkals defeat Guam, 1-0, in Peace Cup

The Philippine Azkals defeated Guam, 1-0, Tuesday night in the Philippine Football Peace Cup, formerly called as Long Teng Cup, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Photo Courtesy: SoccerCentralPH

Patrick Reichelt struck a goal in the 81st minute of the game. Meanwhile, the Chinese Taipei vs Macau match ended in a 2-2 standstill. 

Azkals dominance was imminent though dotted with unsuccessful on-goal attempts. The Philippines will play with Macau on Thursday (September 26) before the tournament's finale, a face-off with Chinese Taipei on Saturday (September 28). 

Philippine Football Peace Cup 2012: Schedule

The Philippine Football Peace Cup is a three-day, four-nation football tournament which will be held at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium (Manila) on September 25, 27 and 29 this year. Competing nations, aside from the Philippines, include Macau, Chinese Taipei and Guam.

Tickets to watch the Azkals and other teams play in the Philippine Football Peace Cup, as preparatory exercise for the bigger Suzuki Cup, are available online.

Photo Courtesy: PhilippinesGoForGold

The schedule of the Philippine Football Peace Cup matches is listed below.

September 25 (Tuesday) - OPENING

Match 1 (4:00pm): Chinese Taipei vs Macau

Match 2 (7:30pm): Philippines vs Guam

September 27 (Thursday)

Match 1 (4:00pm): Chinese Taipei vs Guam

Match 2 (7:30pm): Macau vs Philippines

September 29 (Saturday) - CLOSING

Match 1 (4:00pm): Guam vs Macau

Match 2 (7:30pm): Philippines vs Chinese Taipei

Philippine Football Peace Cup 2012: Younghusbands out of Azkals' line-up

PH football stars and siblings Phil and James Younghusband were not included in the list of Philippine Azkals players who will be playing in the 2012 Philippine Football Peace Cup.

Photo Courtesy: PhilippinesGoForGold

After being asked to doubtlessly commit to full participation in the preparations leading to the Peace Cup,and eventually the 2012 Suzuki Cup not every were able to assure the Azkals management to devote their time to crucial events prior to the extremely competitive tournament. This led to the shocking result of exclusion in the Azkals line-up of Phil and James Younghusband. Neil Etheridge was also out of the list. 

Phil usually takes the striker role, while James plays midfielder. Neil handles the task of goalkeeper.

Here is the roster of players for the Philippine Azkals in the Peace Cup.

• Goalkeepers: Eduardo Sacapano, Ref Cuaresma
• Defenders: Roel Gener, David Basa, Matthew Uy, Demetrius Omphroy, Jason Sabio, Carli de Murga, Jeffrey Christiaens
• Midfielders: Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong, Nestorio Margarse, Patrick Reichelt, Jason de Jong, OK Porteria, Misagh Bahadoran, Marvin Angeles, Marwin Angeles, Anto Gonzales
• Forwards: Denis Wolf, Ian Araneta

The Philippine Football Peace Cup, also known as Peace Cup, is a three-day, four-nation football tournament that will be held at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium (Manila) on September 25, 27 and 29 this year. Competing nations, aside from the Philippines, include Macau, Chinese Taipei and Guam.

 Schedule of the Philippine Football Peace Cup can be viewed here.