KICK OFF PH

The Barotac Nuevo native  has been with Kaya FC since 2013 The Kaya FC skipper took time to answer our KICK OFF PH questions. The interview covered a lot of topics including his pre-match routine, most memorable goal to the life lessons he learned from football. KICK OFF PH : How and at what age did you start playing football? Jovin: Football is our number one sport in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo. My father was a coach at our school. So at the age of 8 he taught me how to play football. KICK OFF PH :  What was it like growing up and playing football in the football capital of the  Philippines? Jovin:  Since Barotac Nuevo is the Football Capital of the Philippines, I was very lucky growing up seeing great and amazing talented players playing there. They played with passion and heart every game. In our December league every game was full pack stadium. So the games were intense and physical. KICK OFF PH :  After playing varsity football, how did you end up playing in Manila?  Jovin:  Coach Nor

Jhan-Jhan Melliza has been a prolific scorer for Stallion Laguna in recent years KICK OFF PH caught up with Stallion Laguna's prolific goal scorer Jesus "Jhan-Jhan" Melliza. The Stallion Laguna striker shared to KICK OFF PH how his football journey started and also revealed which player he wants to team up with. KICK OFF PH:   How and at what age did you start playing football?  Melliza:  I started playing football when i was 7 years old. My father is a football player and eventually he became my coach. KICK OFF PH:   How did you end up playing for the FEU Tamaraws? Melliza:    As years passed by, I kept thinking if I will pursue football as my career due to financial problem since I am the oldest in the family. I once said that if I will go to college, I will be taking a maritime course to become a seafarer someday who sails internationally to provide better for my family. But opportunity came to me when I tried out for the U-19 national team, and luckily I got the spot.

Takashi Odawara and the Ceres - Negros FC had an impressive run in the 2020 AFC Champions League qualifiers. The game of football has evolved into a global phenomenon. It is undeniable that foreign players have contributed to the quality of the local football scene and bring more excitement to the games. Japanese midfielder Takashi Odawara has been in the Philippines for five years and has played for three professional clubs. Growing up in Tokyo, Takashi Odawara, like many other Japanese, fell in love to the beautiful game at a young age. "Football in Japan is very popular. Over 30,000 people come per game for my favorite team, FC Tokyo," said Odawara.  Odawara started his football journey with the FC Toripletta youth team. From there, he would go play varsity football for the Tokyo University of Agriculture. It has always been Odawara's dream to become a professional footballer. "I never thought I was good in football but I loved it and I knew I wanted to be a pro e

Coach Ruzgal's last tournament with Ceres - Negros Youth After the news broke that their senior team has folded and will no longer be known as Ceres-Negros, Coach Aber Ruzgal, one of the backbone of the Ceres - Negros Youth team, says that 'it will never be the same.' "Ceres men's team is a huge influence and inspiration not only in our youth teams but also to the entire Filipino football community," Ruzgal told KICK OFF PH. " It's not easy to move on actually. Ceres is Ceres. Still painful for us."  Coach Ruzgal with the Ceres U13 But despite the situation their men's team is facing, Coach Ruzgal remains upbeat. "It it will not stop our youth team to continue to be motivated playing this beautiful game. We dearly thank our senior team for everything that they have done for Philippine football. The youth team will always make them proud in whatever name we carry moving forward," said Ruzgal, who also supervises the Ceres youth U15 a

 Patrick Deyto  is now in his  second season with  Suphanburi FC KICK OFF PH recently caught up with Philippines international Patrick Deyto  for a question and answer session. The  Suphanburi FC goalkeeper   revealed his Top 3 goalkeepers, toughest player he ever played against & more. KICK OFF PH:  It is no secret that in the Philippines basketball is the most popular sport. How did you get started in football and at what age?​ Patrick: I was encouraged to join extra curricular activities as a young kid and I chose football at that time, I never left the sport since then. KICK OFF PH:  What’s the difference between the style of football in Thailand and in the Philippines? Patrick:  Its more competitive in here (Thailand) since there are a lot more professional teams. Every game is a unique challenge. And the players are also very good technically. KICK OFF PH:  Did you always play the same position growing up? Patrick:  I was able to play a different position outfield when I was

                                        Patrick Reichelt at the 2018 AFF Championship. Photo: Patrick Reichelt KICK OFF PH caught up with Azkals Patrick Reichelt, who currently plays for Suphanburi FC in the Thai League 1.  The 32-year-old winger shared to KICK OFF PH how his football career started, how he end up playing in the Philippines and plenty more. Here's what he had to say...    KICK OFF PH: Can you share to us your humble beginnings in Germany and what was it like growing up with Filipino mother?  Patrick: My mom worked really hard for my brother and I to have everything we needed. I grew up eating a lot of Filipino food at home but only realized that after I moved there and saw all kinds of food I had at home in Germany.   KICK OFF PH: At what age did you start playing football? Patrick: I was 4 years old when I first went to a football practice. Hated it and didn’t attend another training until I was 6.   KICK OFF PH: What was it like growing up and pl

                                             Kristofer Reyes with the Vikingur Olafsvik. Photo: Kristofer Reyes The Filipino - Icelandic defender has a message for everyone during this time of Coronavirus ( COVID-19) pandemic.  Kristofer Reyes was in the Philippines even before it had an outbreak of  COVID-19 . He was in Manila and was supposed to play for the Azkals Development Team (ADT) this season in the Philippines Football League (PFL). "I was with the ADT from January until middle to end of May," said the 23-year-old Reyes.  Reyes and the ADT started the year by keeping themselves in tip-top shape in preparation for the upcoming PFL season. However, training was cut short due to  the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. The government imposed an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in response to the growing number of cases. Sporting events including games and official training sessions were suspended or cancelled. Reyes  did not take a time off as he

Gallantes and the AzkalsU22 at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Photo: Yrick Gallantes The Filipino-born Hibernian midfielder says that  playing for  flag and country is “the best feeling ever.” Yrick Gallantes played at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and knows exactly how it feels playing in front of thousands of Filipino spectators.  Gallantes started his football career in the Hibernian Academy and made his debut for the Hibs developmental team at the age of 15-years old. It was also at Hibs where he would meet Azkals goalkeeping coach Steve Marsella. "Coach Marsella used to be in my club and I think they may have seen some of my games too," Gallantes told KICK OFF PH.                                                                              Yrick Gallantes playing for  Hibernian FC Reserves The Hibs youngster admits that he "didn't really expect that football was  big in the Philippines" but the SEA games experience was an eye opener for him. "The foo

                       In a quick interview with Filipino-Swiss defender Michael Kempter, he shared to KICK OFF PH his personal goals for the Philippine Azkals and talked about what it is like living abroad in a Filipino community.  Growing up in Schlieren, Switzerland, Kempter was aware of his Filipino roots, whose mother hails from Pasay City. "I grew up with a lot of half-Filipino friends and children of my mom's friends. We would eat a lot of sinigang and adobo or menudo," he told KICK OFF PH. Michael Kempter in action for FC Zurich                                                                                                                                                                      The FC Zurich skipper has been in the radar of the Azkals management for quite some time. Kempter admits he has been scouted at a very young age by the Azkals but admits that "it wasn't the right thing for him at that time." The 25-year old Kempter added that it w