Philippines Football League
Season2022–23
DatesAugust 7, 2022[1] – June 11, 2023
ChampionsKaya–Iloilo
1st title
AFC Champions LeagueKaya–Iloilo
AFC CupDynamic Herb Cebu
Stallion Laguna
Matches played84
Goals scored283 (3.37 per match)
Top goalscorerDaizo Horikoshi
(15 goals)
Best goalkeeperFlorencio Badelic Jr.
Anthony Pinthus
(4 clean sheets each)
Biggest home winDynamic Herb Cebu 7–1 Mendiola 1991
(September 16)
Biggest away winMendiola 1991 0–7 Kaya–Iloilo
(October 16)
Highest scoringDynamic Herb Cebu 7–1 Mendiola 1991
(September 16)
Mendiola 1991 2–6 Dynamic Herb Cebu
(September 24)
Longest winning runKaya–Iloilo (Feb 26 – Apr 14)
(6 matches)
Longest unbeaten runDynamic Herb Cebu (Aug 20 – May 24)
(23 matches)
Longest winless runMaharlika Manila (Aug 7 – Mar 4)
(14 matches)
Longest losing runUnited City (Nov 12 – June 11)
(12 matches)
Highest attendance1,899
Kaya–Iloilo 2–1 United City
(November 12)
Lowest attendance0 (Behind closed doors)
Stallion Laguna 2–0 Mendiola 1991
(August 8)
← 2021
← 2020
2024 →

The 2022–23 Philippines Football League is the fifth season of Philippines Football League (PFL), the professional football league of the Philippines. This is the second season of the PFL under the sponsorship of Qatar Airways. The season started on August 7, 2022, and will conclude in May 2023, marking the first time during the Philippines Football League era that a season takes place over two years rather than just one. The league is contested by seven teams, the most since the 2019 season, which played each other four times during the season. Each team will play 24 matches in total, the most since the 2019 season.

The 2021 Philippines Football League season was planned to commence in late 2021 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[2] and was eventually replaced by the league cup tournament, the 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara.[3] Marking a change in the format of the previous seasons, the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara was held before the league season, with United City emerging as first-time winners of the competition. The success of the Copa, as well as the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the return of fans, prompted the league season to resume in August.

The 2022 season saw the first time since 2019 that teams will play home and away. Several changes were witnessed in the league's system, such as the format changing from an intra-year to an inter-year format, with seasons spanning two years rather than one. After changing the foreigner restrictions in the Copa Paulino Alcantara, the league also increased its foreigner count from 3+1 to 5+1, adhering to the new AFC regulations. While all matches were held at the PFF National Training Center for the 2020 season, matches are played in the home stadiums of the PFL clubs for the 2022 season, with plans to allow fans back after the success of the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara. Dynamic Herb Cebu is the only new team competing for this season.

Kaya–Iloilo secured their first league title on May 24, 2023 with one match to spare.[4]

Sponsored by Qatar Airways, the competition is officially known as The 2022–23 Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways.

Format changes

Since the league was last held in 2020, there have been several changes. All six teams of the 2020 season are set to compete, with Dynamic Herb Cebu being the new team joining after previously competing in the 2021 and 2022 editions of the Copa Paulino Alcantara. While the 2020 edition was held under closed-circuit format to limit the spread of COVID-19, this season marks the first time since 2019 that the league reverts to a home-and-away Round-robin tournament, with all teams playing each other 4 times, for a total of 24 matches.

Since the 2020 Philippines Football League, several clubs have undergone location changes. United City, who previously competed without a home city and stadium, will be temporarily based in Capas, Tarlac, while their stadium is under construction. After the 2022–23 season, they will rename to United Clark from United City. Maharlika Manila, who also competed without a home stadium but represented the city of Manila, will play their games at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The most noticeable change this season is the league changing its format for scheduling. Previously, the league followed the scheduling system of most Asian leagues such as the Singapore Premier League or Malaysia Super League. However, in 2022, the Asian Football Confederation changed its system of scheduling, shifting from an intra- to an inter-year system. Several leagues followed this, such as the Thai League 1, the Indonesia Liga 1, and the Indian Super League, prompting the PFL to switch to this format as well.

Teams

All 6 clubs from the previous PFL season are set to compete, with Maharlika Manila and United City competing for the first time in 2 years, having taken a break during the 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara.[5][6][7] Dynamic Herb Cebu were given a provisional club license,[8] which would have allow the club to debut in the cancelled 2021 season, but due to the season's cancellation, 2022 was their first league season in the Philippine top flight.

Two potential new entries in the 2022 season were LAOS (Leyte Association of Organized Sports), who last competed in the 2016 United Football League, and new club Rapids F.C. from Cagayan de Oro.[9][10] The two clubs started their license application process at the same time as Dynamic Herb Cebu. However, the PFF approved Cebu's license while the other two clubs' licenses were still found lacking in requirements.[8] United City withdrew mid-season in February 2023. Azkal Development Team soon withdrew as well in May 2023.

Stadiums and locations

Several of the teams have nominated venues as temporary home venues due to their home stadiums being under construction. United City is temporarily based in the New Clark City Athletics Stadium, while Mendiola 1991 is temporarily holding their home matches in the City of Imus Grandstand and Track Oval. United City plan to hold their future home matches in their "field of dreams" in Pampanga while Mendiola 1991 will build their stadium in Taytay, Rizal.

In February 2022, the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig was approved by the PFL as Maharlika Manila's home stadium.[11]

Personnel and kits

As part of the criteria imposed by the sponsorship of Qatar Airways, each team's kit should contain the Qatar Airways logo where the manufacturer's logo would usually be.[13] The official logo of the PFL should also be placed on one of the sleeves of the kit.

Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Sponsors
Azkals Development Team Philippines Stephan Schröck Philippines Quincy Kammeraad Philippines Monté 4Gives1, Chooks-to-Go2, PHSD4
Dynamic Herb Cebu Turkey Mehmet Kakil Philippines Nathanael Villanueva Philippines RAD Apparel WinZir1, Leylam2, Beko3, Tigertek Sports4, Pocari Sweat, The Green Table
Kaya–Iloilo Japan Yu Hoshide Philippines Jovin Bedic Philippines LGR LBC1, Fitogether2, ICanServe4, Peakform, Pretty Huge
Maharlika Manila Philippines Roxy Dorlas Philippines David Basa United States Equipt Studios[14] AIA1, Reparil Ice-Spray2, Elan Vita3, Wheyl Nutrition, Kinetix Lab
Mendiola 1991 Philippines Joel Villarino Philippines Jim Ashley Flores Philippines Ropa Vill-Mell Trading, Jon Enterprises, Thunderbird Feed, Best Diagnostic
Stallion Laguna Philippines Ernest Nierras Philippines Ruben Doctora Philippines Cutz Apparel Giligan's Restaurant1, Airlock3892, South Coast Industrial Door3, Pi Tracer
United City Spain Joan Esteva South Africa Alan Robertson Philippines Chronos Athletics Allianz1,[15] Gravity Sport3, Sportskred, Rsportz, BCDA, Klean Athlete

Notes:

  1. ^ Located on the front of the shirt.
  2. ^ Located on the back of the shirt.
  3. ^ Located on the sleeves.
  4. ^ Located on the shorts.

Coaching changes

Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment
Maharlika Manila Philippines Arvin Soliman End of contract Undisclosed Pre-season South Korea Jeongil Kim February 20, 2022
Mendiola 1991 Philippines Dan Padernal Personal Reasons February 2022 Philippines Christopher Pedimonte March 10, 2022[16]
Azkals Development Team Philippines Giovanni Villagracia Undisclosed January 2022 Philippines Norman Fegidero[17] March 11, 2022
Dynamic Herb Cebu Philippines Oliver Colina Appointed by Philippines U23 March 14, 2022[18] Turkey Mehmet Kakil[19] March 18, 2022[20]
Azkals Development Team Philippines Norman Fegidero Undisclosed June 2022 Philippines Giovanni Villagracia June 23, 2022[21]
Mendiola 1991 Philippines Christopher Pedimonte Appointed by Philippines U17 July 2022 Philippines Joel Villarino July 31, 2022[22]
United City Philippines Franklin Muescan Demoted to assistant coach September 17, 2022 2nd Spain Joan Esteva September 19, 2022
Maharlika Manila South Korea Jeongil Kim Mutual consent September 21, 2022 7th Philippines Arman Esteban[23] September 22, 2022
Philippines Arman Esteban End of contract Undisclosed Philippines Roxy Dorlas January 2023
Azkals Development Team Philippines Giovanni Villagracia Demoted to assistant coach February 2023 4th Philippines Stephan Schröck February 25, 2023

Foreign players

A maximum of six foreigners are allowed per club, with five players of any nationality and a sixth coming from an AFC member nation. This is in line with the upcoming AFC regulations that allow for more foreigners to be signed by clubs. However, only 4 foreign players can be registered in the starting 11 during a matchday, with one of them being from an AFC member nation. A further two foreign substitutes may be placed on the bench.[24]

Players name in bold indicates the player was registered during the mid-season transfer window. The window lasted from 1 January 2023 to 26 March 2023, with the initial deadline for registered squads set on February 9.[12]

Club Players Former players1
Azkals Development Team Withdrew mid-season
Dynamic Herb Cebu
Canada Leaford Allen Turkey Mert Altınöz[25] Japan Rintaro Hama Ivory Coast Marius Kore Togo Ibrahim Moro Guinea Mohamed Soumah Turkey Arda Çınkır[25]
Japan Ren Okuda
Kaya–Iloilo Iran Milad Behgandom Japan Daizo Horikoshi[26] Japan Tamon Horikoshi Senegal Robert Lopez Mendy Japan Dylan Nobiraki Japan Ryo Fujii
Trinidad and Tobago Carlyle Mitchell[26]
Ghana Patrick Arthur
Maharlika Manila Ghana David Asare South Korea Kim Sungmin Equatorial Guinea Ben Konaté Senegal Ibrahima Ndour Nigeria Emmanuel Otuyemi United States Bienvenido Villaflor Ghana Isaac Essel
Cameroon Frank Baring
Cameroon Boris Moundang
The Gambia Ousman Jeng
Mendiola 1991[27] Lebanon Ali Ghamloush Iran Hamed Hajimehdi Cameroon Serge Kaole Iran Mahdi Keyghobadi Iran Mahan Rahmani Cameroon Junior Ngong Sam Ghana Stephen Appiah
Senegal Alassane Wade
Cameroon Henri Bandeken
South Korea Kim Min-su
Stallion Laguna United States Kraig Bonanken Japan Yusuke Hayashi United States Rafael Nogueda United States Abraham Placito[28] Japan Kosuke Uchida Senegal Abou Sy Iran Hamed Hajimehdi
Mexico Juan Trujillo
Brazil Leonardo Nogueira
Brazil Gabriel Silva
Iran Amir Memari
United City Withdrew mid-season Tajikistan Amirbek Juraboev[29]
Norway Simen Lyngbø2
South Africa Alan Robertson[30]
Argentina Ricardo Sendra[30]

Notes

1.^ Former players only include players who left after the start of the 2022–23 season.
2.^ Jesse Curran was originally a citizen of Australia but was called up by the Philippines national football team to participate in the 2022 FAS Tri-Nations Series, while Simen Lyngbø was considered a Norwegian import until he played for the Philippines in the 2022 AFF Championship.[31][32]
Foreign players by confederation
AFC Japan (6),  Iran (3),  South Korea (1),  Lebanon (1)
CAF Ghana (1),  Cameroon (2),  Senegal (3),  Guinea (1),  Ivory Coast (1),  Equatorial Guinea (1),  Togo (1),  Nigeria (1)
CONCACAF United States (5),  Canada (1)
UEFA Turkey (1)

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Kaya–Iloilo (C) 22 18 1 3 70 20 +50 55 Qualification for the 2023–24 AFC Champions League
2 Dynamic Herb Cebu 22 15 6 1 52 23 +29 51 Qualification for the 2023–24 AFC Cup
3 Stallion Laguna 22 11 2 9 39 26 +13 35
— United City 12 7 3 2 27 13 +14 24 Withdrew
— Azkals Development Team[lower-alpha 1] 22 6 3 13 26 39 −13 21
4 Mendiola 1991 22 5 0 17 19 66 −47 15
5 Maharlika Manila 22 2 1 19 14 60 −46 7
Source: PFL[33]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal Difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ↑ The Azkals Development Team were a guest team for the PFL and ineligible to qualify for AFC club competitions.

Positions by round

Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324
Azkals Development Team443344555544433444444444
Dynamic Herb Cebu655533332222222222222222
Kaya–Iloilo321111121111111111111111
Maharlika Manila766777777777777777777777
Mendiola 1991577666666666666666666666
Stallion Laguna234455444455555333333333
United City112222213333344555555555
Updated to match(es) played on June 11, 2023. Source: [24]

Results by round

Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324
Azkals Development TeamLWWDLWLDDLWWWWLLLLWLLLLL
Dynamic Herb CebuLDWDWWWWWDWWWDWWWWWDWWWD
Kaya–IloiloWWWWWLWLWWWWLWWWWWWDWWWW
Maharlika ManilaLLLLLLLLLDLLLLWLLWWLLWLL
Mendiola 1991LLLWLLLLLLLWWLLLLLWLLWWW
Stallion LagunaWWLLLWWWLLLDLWWWWLDLWWWW
United CityWWDLWWWWDDWLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Updated to match(es) played on June 11, 2023. Source: [24]
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Results

The seven clubs will play each other in two rounds of home and away matches. A total of 82 matches will be played.[34] United City withdrew mid-season in February 2023 and will not feature in the second round.

Season statistics

Scoring

Top goalscorers

As of May 23, 2023
RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Japan Daizo HorikoshiKaya–Iloilo 15
2 Philippines Jarvey GayosoKaya–Iloilo 12
3 Turkey Arda ÇınkırDynamic Herb Cebu 8
Philippines Eric GigantoKaya–Iloilo
5 Philippines Jesus MellizaKaya–Iloilo 7
Philippines Chima UzokaDynamic Herb Cebu
7 Philippines Kenshiro DanielsUnited City 6
Cameroon Junior Ngong SamMendiola 1991
9 Philippines Andres AldeguerADT 5
Turkey Mert AltınözDynamic Herb Cebu
Philippines Daniel GadiaDynamic Herb Cebu
Senegal Robert Lopez MendyKaya–Iloilo
Philippines Griffin McDanielStallion Laguna
Argentina Ricardo SendraUnited City

Top assists

As of May 27, 2023
RankPlayerClubAssists
1 Japan Daizo HorikoshiKaya–Iloilo 19
2 Turkey Mert AltınözDynamic Herb Cebu 8
Philippines Jeremiah BorlonganDynamic Herb Cebu
4 Philippines Arnel AmitaKaya–Iloilo 7
5 Philippines Griffin McDanielStallion Laguna 6
Philippines Hikaru MinegishiUnited City
7 Turkey Arda ÇınkırDynamic Herb Cebu 5
Philippines Eric GigantoKaya–Iloilo
Ivory Coast Marius KoreDynamic Herb Cebu
Philippines Jesus MellizaKaya–Iloilo
Mexico Juan TrujilloStallion Laguna

Own goals

As of March 4, 2022
Rank Player Club Own
goals
1 South Africa Alan Robertson United City 1
Philippines Richard Talaroc Mendiola 1991
Equatorial Guinea Ben Konaté Maharlika Manila

Hat-tricks

As of September 16, 2022
Player Club Result Against Date
Philippines Jarvey Gayoso Kaya–Iloilo 4–1 (H) Maharlika Manila 27 August 2022
Turkey Arda Çınkır4 Dynamic Herb Cebu 7–1 (H) Mendiola 1991 16 September 2022
Note

(H) – Home ; (A) – Away

4 Player scored four goals

Clean sheets

As of June 4, 2023
RankPlayerClubClean sheets
1 Philippines Florencio Badelic Jr.United City
Dynamic Herb Cebu		 4
Philippines Anthony PinthusUnited City
3 Philippines Michael AsongStallion Laguna 3
Philippines Kenry BaloboKaya–Iloilo
Philippines Zach BanzonKaya–Iloilo
Philippines Hayeson PepitoStallion Laguna
7 Philippines Joseph CenizaMendiola 1991 2
Philippines Patrick DeytoStallion Laguna
Philippines Quincy KammeraadKaya–Iloilo
Philippines Julian SchwarzerADT
Philippines Nathanael VillanuevaDynamic Herb Cebu

Discipline

Red cards

As of June 11, 2023
RankPlayerTeamRed cards
1 Philippines Simone RotaKaya–Iloilo 2
Philippines Daniel GadiaDynamic Herb Cebu
3 Philippines Arnel AmitaKaya–Iloilo 1
Philippines Enzo CenizaMendiola 1991
Philippines Charles DabaoDynamic Herb Cebu
Philippines Patrick DeytoStallion Laguna
Philippines Shirmar FelongcoStallion Laguna
Philippines Nicolas Ferrer Jr.Dynamic Herb Cebu
Trinidad and Tobago Carlyle MitchellKaya–Iloilo
United States Rafael NoguedaStallion Laguna
Philippines Kenneth PayosalanMendiola 1991
South Africa Alan RobertsonUnited City
Brazil Gabriel SilvaStallion Laguna

Awards

The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament.[37][38]

Award Winner Club
Golden Ball Japan Daizo Horikoshi Kaya-Iloilo
Golden Boot
Golden Glove Philippines Zach Banzon

References

  1. ↑ "Kaya FC-Iloilo 2-3 United City FC". kayafc.com. May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Copa Paulino Alcantara to usher in 2022 season". The Philippines Football League. October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  3. ↑ Rosal, Glendale (October 22, 2021). "PFL to hold Copa Paulino Alcantara on Nov. 7 in Cavite". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  4. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (May 24, 2023). "Kaya FC-Iloilo bags first PFL season crown as Cebu FC falls short". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Maharlika Manila F.C. to skip Copa - Focus on PFL 2022 Season". Facebook. Maharlika Manila F.C. October 29, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  6. ↑ Pedralvez, Manolo (October 24, 2021). "PFL Cup sees 6 teams participating; kickoff on Nov. 7". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  7. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (October 31, 2021). "Sudden United City FC pullout leaves Copa with only 5 clubs". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  8. 1 2 del Carmen, Lorenzo (July 30, 2021). "PFF gives Cebu provisionary license; Laos given deadline to fulfill requirements". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  9. ↑ Suyu, Ian (February 11, 2021). "2 teams to join PFL". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  10. ↑ Suyu, Ian (March 14, 2021). "PFL welcomes new team". Daily Tribune. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Clubs submit Team Roster form". The Philippines Football League. February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  12. 1 2 "Clubs submit Team Roster form". pfl.org.ph. February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Qatar Airways to Sponsor the Philippines Football League". Qatar Airways. November 26, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  14. ↑ "MAHARLIKA MANILA FC AND EQUIPT STUDIOS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP". equiptstudios.com. Kaya FC-Iloilo. March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  15. ↑ "United Clark, Allianz team up for PFL, ACL season". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  16. ↑ "The ESBF Updates: Mendiola FC 1991". Eat Sleep Breathe Football. March 10, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  17. ↑ del Carmen, Lorenzo (March 11, 2022). "PFF names Fegidero as head coach of Azkals SEAG team, Hall as director". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  18. ↑ Rosal, Dale (March 14, 2022). "Cebu Football Club takes on Mendiola FC 1991 on May 2". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Hatayspor'da sürpriz Filipinler gelişmesi" (in Turkish). Fanatik. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  20. ↑ Özgür, Koç (March 17, 2022). "Hatayspor'dan iki antrenör ve 3 futbolcu Filipinler Ligi'ne transfer oldu" (in Turkish). Ajansspor. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  21. ↑ Cabatbat, Erel (June 23, 2022). "Schroecky's final third". Manila Standard. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Philippine Under-16 To See Action In AFF U16 Championship". pff.org.ph. July 31, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  23. ↑ Olivares, Rick. "Esteban is Maharlika Manila FC's new head coach". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  24. 1 2 3 4 "Philippines Football League Season 2022-2023 kicks off". pfl.org.ph. August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  25. 1 2 "Hataylı futbolcular Filipinler'de top koşturacak" (in Turkish). 8GunHaber. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  26. 1 2 "Kaya FC-Iloilo's 2021 Squad is Taking Shape – Kaya FC–Iloilo". Kaya F.C. March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Mendiola '91 marks 30th anniversary with breakthrough". Tiebreaker Times. November 7, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  28. ↑ "WTHAW EXCLUSIVE: Stallion-Laguna FC - Signings unveiled, Copa Paulino Alcantara, Coach Ernie Nierras". YouTube. Mendiola FC 1991. March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  29. ↑ Terrado, Jonas (January 18, 2023). "PFL resumes next month with United hit by player exodus". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  30. 1 2 "United City F.C. Team Roster 2022". United City Football Club. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Philippines MNT To Face Malaysia And Singapore In FAS Tri-Nations Series". Philippine Football Federation. March 19, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  32. ↑ "SQUAD LIST, Here's our 25 man line-up for the Tri-Nations series that will be held in Singapore". Facebook. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Philippines Football League Season 2022-2023 kicks off". pfl.org.ph. August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  34. ↑ Malanum, Jean (January 16, 2023). "PFL to resume in February". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  35. 1 2 3 "Philippines Football League resumes February 2023". pfl.org.ph. January 16, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  36. 1 2 "PFL Disciplinary Committee decisions". pfl.org.ph. March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  37. ↑ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (May 28, 2023). "CDaizo Horikoshi named PFL Golden Ball winner". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Kaya thwarts Stallion, wins elusive PFL title". The Philippine Star. May 28, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
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