Booters to train in UK, eye FIFA U-17 W Cup

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ under-11 boys football team leaves for the United Kingdom tomorrow for education and sports training program aimed at helping the Philippine Football Federation prepare a team to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2019.

The British Council, in cooperation with the British Embassy and in partnership with the Philippine Football Federation, is sponsoring the three-week training to be conducted by Loughborough University in Leicestershire, one of the world’s greatest sporting institutions.

Mark Alanquihan (Dipolog), Mark Amaikurut (Davao) and Josh Asignar (Cebu) head the 22-player contingent that also includes Yuan Rena (Cebu), Tristan Enad (Cebu), Charles Unabia (Cebu) Chevey Celeste (San Carlos City, Negros Occ.), Shemrei Marobillo (San Carlos City, Negros Occ.), Joi Gaid Jr. (Cagayan de Oro);

Greg Naquines (Cagayan de Oro), John Karl Solomo (Iloilo), Jill Pillora (Iloilo), Agiel John Rojo (South Cotabato), Drexler Valencia (Negros Oriental), Ildefonso Escobin (Laguna), Robert Orr (NCR), Michael Osorio (NCR), Jacob Padernal (NCR), Nikko Guitierrez (NCR), Nicolei San Jose Abalos (Laguna), Shaninho Clemente (NCR) and Vin Joel Dela Cruz (NCR).

They are among the top players scouted from the nationwide Kasibulan Grassroots Development Program launched in 2012 by the PFF and selected by the PFF coaches from among the national pool of U-11 players formed after the Regional Festival of Football last March.

The PFF Kasibulan: Grassroots Football Development Program is funded by Pagcor and supported by the Department of Education and the Asian Football Development Program.

The team will be accompanied by five coaches and staff designated by the PFF. The team will also have training matches  with several  U-11 boys’ teams from the UK and get a chance to watch an English Premiere League and a World Cup qualifying match between England and Moldovia at the historic Wembley Stadium.