Local fans of the Philippines Football League will have to wait a little bit longer, at least a month to be a bit specific for the fixtures to begin. A PFL official gave The Designated Kit Man an update on the opening of the domestic season and instead of an early March start, it will now begin on April 6, 2024.
The source said the delay is due to two reasons. The PFL is still working things out with an outside marketing group that will practically run the league, make it sustainable and financially viable, too. Yup, that is the hope.
Another reason cited was the facelift set to be done on the VIP stands and dugouts for opposing teams at the Rizal Memorial Stadium (RMS). Which, if done, will definitely impact the appearance of the historic site, at least aesthetically. And if it is not asking too much, maybe the PFL bosses can also check on the artificial pitch that has been in use for at least the last 10 years.
Some keen fans, however, have speculated that the postponement may be due to some other reasons. They theorized that the postponement might be due to some clubs needing more time to assemble a decent squad to compete in the tournament.
While several clubs have been very active with signings, transfers and arrival of foreign players to boost their squads, more are still silent on their buildups for the season opening competitions. Of the 15 teams competing, only a few have been consistent in giving updates on social media and other online platforms. The rest are quiet and “missing in action” until now. A club should have at least 25 players on their roster before the initial February 20 deadline which is fast approaching. This might be true or not. The other clubs might just be keeping their cards close to their chests and will just surprise their opponents.
Other fans say the postponement was to give way for the preparation of the men’s national team’s forthcoming games against Iraq for the World and Asian Cup qualifiers. Might be true, too, but then how would you account for the match readiness and fitness of homegrown players, who will be tapped to play in the national team if the tournament opens after the crucial games against Iraq next month?
Which leads us to the question of what’s happening to the men’s national team? Who will be invited to attend the training camp? Can we expect new names and new faces soon? When will the training camp start? And who will be the coach of the team?
Hans Michael Weiss is still the coach on paper because his contract is until the end of December this year. We have a new administration in place at the Philippine Football Federation and it has appointed a new manager when the longtime former boss decided to give the new president the free hand to decide on what direction the men’s national team will go. So it is understandable that speculations are rife, too, that the current coach might go as well.
As early as a few weeks ago, a prominent name has been reported to be set to replace Weiss and lead the national squad in the next few years. This fellow has been rumored to be the next Azkals, err men’s national team’s, coach for some time in the past. Until now, however, these claims remain nothing but “chismis”.
I’ve heard that Weiss is in the country waiting and ready to resume his duties as the head coach, with waiting as the operative word. I also heard that he has spoken to John Gutierrez on several occasions. Whether he has spoken with Freddy Gonzalez, the new team manager, is yet to be confirmed.
The “silence” on the status of the national team is quite alarming to say the least. The game against Iraq is set on March 21, or a little over a month to go from now.
Iraq is probably the toughest team in our group. And coming just from the recently concluded AFC Asian Cup 2023, Iraq is in top shape and match ready. The country topped Group D by winning all its fixtures to advance to the knockout round. Iraq’s campaign, however, was cut short after they lost to eventual first runner-up Jordan, 3-2, in the round of 16.
The Azkals or the men’s national team last played a game when it drew against Indonesia last November 21 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The team has been known to gather a few weeks or even just days before a major tournament but then again, results would also show that this has never been the most ideal set up ever.
On the flipside, however, the PFF might just be doing its job to assemble the best team possible without the fanfare, distractions and the noise. I would probably think more of the latter until the PFF makes an official announcement.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
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