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The Philippines U14 Boys are set to compete in the Jenesys 2.0 Japan-ASEAN U14 Football Exchange Programme from April 1 to 9, 2014 in Osaka, Japan. It is a competition sponsored by the Foreign Ministry of Japan, and participated in by 11 ASEAN countries Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Lesta, Vietnam, Philippines, and a team from host Japan.
A team of PFF coaches headed by Coach Thomas Roy, PFF’s Technical Consultant from the German Olympic Sports Confederation, has already inspected players from Mindanao last February 7-9, 2014. Around 140 players from the Mindanao provinces gathered in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Davao City, and in Valencia City, Bukidnon to join the try-outs.
Scouting sessions for Visayas will be held on February 13 to 16, 2014 in designated venues at Cebu City, San Carlos City and Iloilo City, respectively. This will be followed by Luzon inspection in Metro Manila and Naga City on February 21 to 23, 2014.
Each session makes use of 8 activity stations in a pitch. Drills include dribbling, shooting, sprinting and juggling. The criteria for scouting are strong will and character, dynamics, agility, and speed and power.
The final list of the national pool members will be determined after all the scheduled inspections have been conducted. From the pool, afinal squad of 17 will be eventually selected.
Coach Thomas Roy said that they have seen substantial talents in Mindanao and look forward to seeing more talents in the Visayas given its reputation as a football hotbed in the country. Now on his 7th month in the Philippines for a 2-year assignment, Coach Roy also emphasized the need for more competitions at the grassroots level to improve football in the country. “There are spots where football is promising. If the kids have regular competition, they will improve faster. More competition will result in more talented young players, and this is good for the future of football here,” he said.
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