PFF chief lauds Adidas Cup

Philippine Football Federation president Rene Adad yesterday cited the Adidas Cup under-19 football competitions as a stepping stone for young hopefuls to the national team.

"The Adidas Cup has become a ground for youth players aspiring for the national team, and we would like to thank Adidas for this tournament where they can display their talent and skills," said Adad.

Adad singled out Adidas managing director Philip Go and marketing and sales director Sonny Nebres for their commitment in sponsoring the age group event that has become a fixture in the football calendar.

Twelve teams representing the cream of the country's youth football will strut their wares in Iloilo when the national finals of the third Adidas Cup kicks off Feb. 23.

The tournament, also backed by Globe Telecoms, will be used to scout candidates for the national under-19 squad that will compete in the Asian Youth championship scheduled June 27-Aug. 5 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

National coach Juan Cutillas will be in Iloilo to pick up potentials who will be invited join the national tryouts in summer.

"I am eyeing 40 aspirants who will compose the national under-19 pool. They will try out for the final 18-man lineup that will undergo two months of rigid training for the Asian Youth tournament," said Cutillas.

Cutillas added those excelling in the national under-19 team will also have a crack at the national senior squad that will see action in the Tiger Cup, Southeast Asia's football championship, in November.

Competing in the third Adidas Cup national championships are teams from Manila, Masbate, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Cebu, host Iloilo, Iligan, Pagadian, Zamboanga, Cotabato, Davao and Cagayan-Misamis-Oriental.