UFL Team of the Week (3): YOON Yun Eh!

Formation: (3-4-3)
GK: The very calm Wilson Muñoz with his excellent positioning all game, prevented the Sparks from ever mounting a comeback.
DEF: The very tough Global FC defense which includes Badz El-Habbib & Carli De Murga, contributed to 2 of the 5 goals versus Nomads last Sunday. Kaya FC's all around player Jonah Romero was tough on defense & caused Navy a lot of problems when moving forward. 
MID: The Archers' Arnie Pasinabo was his usual creative self and continued to be a threat all game versus Pasargad. William Espinosa was a tireless worker, constantly beating the opposing fullback, and opened the scoring onslaught for Global early on. An assist and a cracker of a goal were Chieffy Caligdong's contributions before being subbed with an injury, early in the first half. The Stallion's creative midfielder Yoon Byeong Jun, bested all last weekend with a thunderbolt goal and two great assists en route to a third consecutive Stallion FC win.
ATT: The Stallion attack-duo of Ruben Doctora & Lee Joo Young make our list a third time after a goal each in a very convincing victory over the UFL Cup runners-up. Kaya prized-striker Joshua Beloya scored his first league goal and showed an array of skills, which makes him worth the future-superstar tag.


PLAYER OF THE WEEK : YOON BYEONG JUN (Stallion FC)

Other Notables: Charlie Sutcliffe (Pasargad), Meliton Pelayo (Army), Angel Guirado (Global)


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Contributions from: Cedelf Tupas, Jaron Genota.

UFL Rant N Rave Top 3: Most Promising Teenagers

Nothing is more valuable than the 'wonderkid', some say. Managers will spend a lot of time scouting and grooming a gem, a big investment that could bring club glory or big money, in the future.
They may have seen very limited time on the pitch on UFL league or cup matches, but their brief appearances and remarkable resume have given me enough reason to say they have the potential. Some of these gems may even be members of our Azkals youth squads real soon, who knows. It would also be very interesting to watch how they develop with more club matches and national team appearances (hopefully).

Russel Pierson - This former Kaya youth player started and played decently for the club when they battled Global FC for 3rd place in last year's UFL Cup. He is now Kaya's 2nd choice keeper. The great thing about Russel is not just his height & cat-like reflexes, at 16 he's got all that room to develop.
Jeremy Theuer - This kid reminds me of Arsenal's Theo Walcott. The high school kid from a Manila international school is so quick and agile, that he'll battle Azkals U23's Jeffrey Christiaens for the title, "The Next Chieffy Caligdong".
Kennedy Venida - People seem to speak highly of this former Team Socceroo standout, who has made his first appearance for the club versus Pasargad last week. At just 19, he still has room to flourish under Izo El-Habbib's tutelage.


You heard it here first (hehe), I'm banking on these kids to be the future of the UFL and the Azkals.
Know any other promising teeners in the league? Tweet #UFLwonderkid. There's limited information about these kids on the internet so please let me know if I need to correct data about them.


For more Top 3 lists, follow us on Twitter (@UFLrantNrave).


*Photo credits: Kayafc.com, Mark Cristino

UFL Team of the Week (2) : Just What the DOCTORA Ordered

Formation: (3-4-3)
GK: On a number of occasions, JEFF BLAKE's timely interventions prevented Navy through-balls from being scoring chances.
DEF: VALENTINE KAMA led Global's defense to the UFL week's only clean-sheet finish & did a splendid job as emergency keeper vs Pasargad. ANTON DEL ROSARIO & Kaya's back-line played solidly to limit Green Archers Utd opportunities. While Stallion FC right-back PI YONG JAE kept Chieffy in check for most of their match.
MID: JAMES YOUNGHUSBAND scored his clinical first league goal while JAKE MORALLO again was influential vs Army in a sub role. LEXTON MOY's brace sinked GAU's hopes of getting their first points of the season. Global FC striker ALEX OBIANG who was allowed to roam around midfield all game, scored & assisted - for the club's first win.
ATT: An all-important MARLON PINERO header gives Navy their well-deserved point vs Nomads. LEE JOO YOUNG & RUBEN DOCTORA scored 2 goals each, highlighting their domination of league & cup champions Air Force FC.


PLAYER OF THE WEEK : RUBEN DOCTORA (Stallion FC)


Other Notables: Park Bo Bae & W.Munoz (Stallion), Mk.Hartmann (Loyola), A.Pasinabo (GAU), Y.Hoshide (Global)

UFL Rant N Rave Top 3: Best UFL Fans

Each & every club whether big or small have at least some fans, depending on whether the locality they are in, the number of star players or the amount of trophies. Football fans are known for the level of dedication they impose even in the club level. Based on a world-wide poll last year, the best fans were the: Toon Army (Newcastle United), Kopites (Liverpool) and the Sao Paulo FC fans. Each club fans have their unique features, which may be the name they bear, outfit, celebrations and so on. In our very own United Football League, here's MY top 3 list of the noisiest & most passionate fans:

Nomads FC fans: The most intense football fans are from Europe. And since most of the club's followers are foreigners, they could be one rowdy bunch that brings a very lively atmosphere into the games. Hear the chants, boos, jeers & grunts for every Nomads goal, half-chance, miss or just about anything going on, in the pitch.
Kaya FC fans: They got shirts, flags & the Una Kaya spirit in every club game. Their official supporters club, Ultras Kaya leads everyone to chant or into a frenzy depending on the situation. It's wonderful seeing their color and liveliness, whenever a Kaya player scores a goal.
Green Archers United fans: If you're a fan, then you must know the DLSU cheers heard all through out the match. Plus some more drum-beating, arms waving and fist-pumping. Its college atmosphere all over again, isn't it?


There are other supporters' groups brewing & gaining strength like Global FC's own Global Force & the Loyola Meralco Sparks, who are planning to have a boosters squad. They should be up in my list soon, we'll see.


Don't agree? Share your thoughts. Tweet using #UFLbestfans


For more Top 3 lists, follow us on Twitter (@UFLrantNrave2).


*Photo credits: Soccercentral.ph, Ultras Kaya Facebook, Mark Cristino

UFL Rant N Rave Top 3: Player Monickers/Nicknames

You've heard of "El Presidente", "Skywalker", "The Captain" and of course, the ever famous "Big J" when watching the PBA, back in the days. In the world of football, don't tell me you've never heard of, "Baby-faced Assassin", "El Nino", "The Welsh Wizard", "CR7", "Captain Fantastic" and "The Special One". 
While watching UFL games on TV, i've heard of only a few player monickers and here's my Top 3:

HOLLYWOOD - It's been said that team-mates started teasing him when he was late for training because of a photo-shoot.
EXTRA RICE - Let's ask Mr. Ryan Fenix why.
AK-47 -Kaya FC's explosive striker wears the number 47 jersey.

What other nicknames did I miss? What funny or creative monickers would best fit our other UFL players? Tweet #UFLnicknames


For more Top 3 lists, follow us on Twitter (@UFLrantNrave2).

*Photo credits: Kayafc.com, Health & Beyond, Isko Jose

[Jan 26 2012] : UFL Rant N Rave Top 3 : Of Nomads & Titans

3.) Shouldn't there be a limit (at least) in allowing @nomadssc in playing official UFL games on their own pitch? #unfairadvantage
2.) It's been suggested quite a lot before but not a lot are moving. The fans want UFL merchandise. What's up, clubs?
1.) Clash of the Titans! Battle of the league's top 2: @StallionFutbol versus @MeralcoSparks is a must watch. Yes, it's televised this Sat.

[Jan 25 2012] UFL Rant N Rave Top 3: Stallion Domination

3.) In-form Ruben Doctora (@StallionCaptain) is making a strong case to be recalled to the Azkals team. @cedelfpt also pointed that out.
2.) Thanks to Air Force FC & Stallion FC, I'm starting to love having weekday UFL matches. Weekend football just ain't enough.
1.) My Bold prediction was right. Air Force struggled vs Stallion, the darkhorse, uhmm.. of the season. Top of the table? Surprise!

[Jan 24 2012] UFL Rant N Rave Top 3: Believe Me, Stallions Over Air Force

3.) Can each @UFLphilippines club have their ownmedia officer/POC covering the games? Even if it means just tweeting live matchupdates.
2.) Interesting to know of UFL club youngsterswho've raised eyebrows in the U21 tryouts. Including one from Global, Meralco& Nomads.
1.) I should have more respect for the reigningcup & league champs (Air Force) but I feel they'll continue to struggle vStallion tonight.

[Jan 23 2012] UFL Rant N Rave Top 3: Jason Sabio - UFL Best Defender?

3.) The Loyola Meralco Sparks seem to have the league's best offense. I can't say the same with their defensive unit.
2.) Kaya's Jason Sabio looks to be the league's best defender early on in the season. Just imagine how teams will score when Aly comes back.
1.) Of the 5 @UFLphilippines Div 1 games weekly, only 2 are televised. It would be great to see video highlights of the others at least.

[Jan 22 2012] UFL Rant N Rave Top 3: Thank You Global, Army, Laos & Stallion FC

3.) Great performance by our UFL boys last night. Special mention to Barbaso (Global), Margarse (Army), Doctora (Stallion) & Angeles (Laos).
2.) Global FC's Alex Obiang was a revelation in yesterday's match vs Pasargad & will tear defenses apart for more games to come.
1.) Last night's goal-scorer & Laos FC midfielder Marwin Angeles will be an exciting prospect for most Division 1 clubs next season.

[Jan 20 2012] UFL Rant N Rave Top 3: Beloya was good, but not week's best

3.) Loyola Meralco Sparks fans would be delighted with the comeback of Simon Greatwich who arrived in Manila yesterday.
2.) This is exactly why more UFL games should be televised. Joshua Beloya was voted UFL Fans' Player of the Week. FAIL!
1.) Hooray to Global, Air Force, Stallion, Laos & Army for lending players for today's Azkals charity match, despite them having UFL games.