The Philippine football scene saw a boom in 2023 as 221 matches were played.
Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez expressed satisfaction over the number of times Filipino clubs perform at home and overseas.
“Local competitions serve as the breeding ground of footballing talents nationwide. We look forward to what the next year holds with several competitions being lined up on all fronts,” Gutierrez said.
Kaya FC-Iloilo bannered the year by winning both the Philippines Football League and the Copa Paulino Alcantara while also playing in the AFC Champions League against Shandong Taishan of China, Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan and South Korea’s Incheon United FC.
Kaya also dominated the PFF Women’s League and the PFF Under-19 Second Division.
Meanwhile, PFL clubs Cebu FC and Stallion Laguna FC competed in the AFC Cup apart from the usual PFL and Copa matches.
Cebu was the only Filipino team in the AFC Cup to notch a win this year after a 1-0 victory over Shan United FC of Myanmar last 27 October at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Stallion, for its part, picked up a shocking 2-2 draw against Malaysian side Terengganu FC at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Malaysia last 26 October.
The club from Laguna also emerged victorious in the Under-19 First Division after a 1-0 win over National Capital Region FA.
Things can only go well from here as the PFF Under-16 and Under-19 National Championships, the PFF Women’s League, and the newly expanded Philippines Football League which targets an expanded cast of 14 participating teams kick off in 2024.
