PH opens campaign in inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup vs. Morocco

MANILA — The Philippine Under-15 Men’s National Football Team will open their campaign in the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival against Morocco on Saturday at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Saturday’s clash against Morocco will be the first of five demanding Group F matches for the Philippines in Baku.

They return to action on Sunday, October 25, against Liberia at 6:30 p.m. and then face a quick turnaround on Monday, October 26, taking on Costa Rica at 12:45 a.m. before meeting Belize later that evening at 6:30 p.m.

Matches will be played in a new, fast-paced 8v8 tournament format.

The Philippines’ roster features a wide talent pool, with players hailing from Luzon and the Visayas to North America and Europe.

The Philippine Under-15 Men’s National Football Team together with their coaches ahead of the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival. Handout/PFFJordan Tan of Makati FC and Keanefred Cristiane Versales of De La Salle-Zobel will be in goal, while the defense will be handled by Paolo Enrique Fernandez of PAREF Southridge, Juan Carlo Felipe Morales representing FA Manila and Panabo, Davao del Norte, Frank Jonas Oliverio of Makati FC and Negros Occidental, and Matthew Zamora of Arayat FC.

Midfield duties belong to Micah Alva from Philadelphia, USA, Nathan Caligdong from the football stronghold of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, John Zhian Enario of FA Manila, Quito Alexander Pascual from the LA Galaxy Academy in the USA, and John Carlo Rendon representing Makati FC and Negros Occidental.

Spearheading the attack are forwards Satriani Alcantara, who plays out of Barcelona, Spain, alongside Cavite products Dan Emmanuel Becera of Trece FC and Josef Adrien Peña of La Salle-Dasmariñas.

“Representing the Philippines at the first FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival is a milestone for these young players and for our youth program,” said Philippine Football Federation President John Anthony Gutierrez.

“We chose a squad that combines players from our domestic clubs, schools, and regional football associations with Filipinos based abroad. We are proud of all of them, and we ask Filipino fans to support them,” said Gutierrez.

Calling the shots will be head coach Roxy Dorlas, a former national team player and PMNFT U16 head coach.

Dorlas is supported by an experienced technical bench consisting of assistant coaches Tetsuya Tsuchida, who previously served as PMNFT U16 head coach, and Joseph Jino Villarino, a former PMNFT U19 international player.