As it nears the Azkalroos First Anniversary at Fiesta Kultura we look back on a successful year of achievements and a future of further development, competing at Fiesta and the upcoming West Sydney Asian Cup.
In 2013 the Azkalroos ran Trials for potential Aussie-Filipino footballers at Fiesta Kultura. The group then competed successfully in a Tournament held at 5Sports artificial turf pitch in Caringbah.
During the tournament funds and donations were collected and sent to the Philippines to help the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda.
In December 2013, the first group of four Azkalroos travelled to the Philippines to trial for places in the Filipino professional league, the United Football League (UFL).
Since their Manila trials three Azkalroos have been playing in the UFL with two, Luis Abadia andDom del Rosario, playing at Kaya FC and were selected to play in an ASEAN tournament in Brunei with the Philippines Azkals U/21 team along with Azkalroo, Enzo Cheng who progressed from the Azkals U/19s.
The team is coached by former Australian Socceroo, Jim Fraser and & assisted by former Azkal and Azkalroos Coach, Leigh Gunn.
In the meantime, John Kanayama, having played with Enzo Cheng in the Azkals U/19s team was playing with eventual UFL champions, Global FC. John was also recently selected in the national senior Azkals squad for the Peace Cup held in Manila during August.
Josh Grommen, a member of the original Trialists group, has recently returned to Manila to attend trials arranged by Azkalroos Coach, Leigh Gunn, with Loyola Meralco Sparks the current UFL runners up.
Last week Josh’s trial was successful and he has now signed a three year contract with Loyola.
October 6th will see the Azkalroos compete in Futsal sa Fiesta, a 5 a side football tournament with the Aussie/Asian community teams of Nepal, Vietnam & Iraq at the Filipino Fiesta Kultura.
Luis Abadia will be playing for the Azkalroos as he has recently returned to Australia to work with Jim Fraser & Leigh Gunn at the International Strikers Academy in Blacktown.
Enzo Cheng is also training at the Academy & will join the Azkalroos for the Fiesta tournament & the West Sydney Asian Cup.
The Playing Format is Four Teams: Two Divisions: Youth Age 16 and under and Open/All Age. The Team with best results over both Open & Youth Divisions wins the Perpetual Fiesta Cup.
The games kick off at 10am. Mr. John Tsatsimas the CEO of West Sydney Wanderers FC has confirmed his attendance on the 6th October to present the Cup to the winning team.
The Azkalroos had their first Training session last Saturday and are now looking for additions to the squad particularly to replace the successful players now playing in the Philippines.
All Aussie-Filipinos are welcome to join the group. Players will receive expert coaching and skills development together with the opportunity to follow the successful football pathway to the Philippines UFL & the various national Filipino teams.
Following the Futsal sa Fiesta event, the Azkalroos will be competing in the West Sydney Asian Cup, presented by A League team, the Western Sydney Wanderers FC.
We are delighted to announce the dates have been finalised for the Western Sydney Asian Cup for Open Men and Youth.
In addition to the Asian teams in the Open Mens division we are hoping that the NSW Police team will join us in the event.
The details are as follows:
a. Senior Competition (Open Mens – 16 teams)
Venue – Marconi Fields and Stadium, Bossley Park
Round Robin: 8 November – 10am to 7pm – 30 minute games
Quarter Finals: 15 November – 11am to 6pm – 60 minute games
Semi Finals: 6 December – 1pm to 5pm (Main Stadium) – 90 minute games with
Penalties if required
Final: 20 December – 3pm to 6pm (Main Stadium) – 90 minute game with extra time
(golden goal) and penalties if required
b. Junior Competition (Futsal 5 a side – teams to be decided)
Sunday December 21st: 9am to 5pm
U12 boys and U16 boys Competition
U16 girls Competition
Venue – Inside Out Football – Rod Laver Drive, Sydney Olympic Park
http://www.insideoutfootball.com.au/
