BIG-TIME FOOTBALL ON PHL TV

As the whole nation keenly awaits the Philippine Azkals-Kuwait 2014 FIFA-World Cup second round qualifier matches on July 23 and 28, big-time international football fills up our appetite for the beautiful game as Solar Sports brings to Philippine TV the Asian Tour of English Premier League (EPL) powerhouse Chelsea FC and the US tour of one of La Liga’s most popular teams, the famed Real Madrid led by the great Cristiano Ronaldo, from July 17 to 28, 2011. Real Madrid opens up its American campaign against the Los Angeles Galaxy at 10:00 am live on July 17. Real Madrid will then play the top Mexican squad Chivas de Guadalajara, and another Major League Soccer (MLS) club in Philadelphia FC. Chelsea on the other hand, will have an interesting schedule as they play our Southeast Asian neighbors, the Malaysian and Thailand national teams live on primetime. Herewith is the complete Solar Sports TV schedule of the matches:

July 17 10:00 - 12:00nn LA Galaxy Vs. Real Madrid Live
July 17 10:00 - 12:00pm LA Galaxy Vs. Real Madrid Replay
July 21 10:00 - 12:00nn Chivas de Guadalajara Vs. Real Madrid Live
July 21 09:45 - 11:45pm Chelsea FC Vs. Malaysian League Live
July 22 08:00 - 10:00am Chivas de Guadalajara Vs. Real Madrid Replay
July 22 10:00 - 12:00nn Chelsea FC Vs. Malaysian League Replay
July 24 09:00 - 11:00am Philadelphia FC Vs. Real Madrid Live
July 24 07:00 - 09:00pm Chelsea FC Vs. Thailand All Star Via Satellite
July 27 02:00 - 04:00pm Philadelphia FC Vs. Real Madrid Replay
July 28 02:00 - 04:00pm Chelsea FC Vs. Thailand All Star Replay

CHELSEA FC ASIA TOUR 2011

Three years ago, Chelsea FC played the Malaysian national football team before a jampacked of 60,000 partisan crowd at the Shah Alam Stadium. Nicolas Anelka and Ashley Cole scored a goal in each half as the Blues blanked Malaysia, 2-0. On July 21, all roads lead to Bukit Jalil National Stadium as the Stamford Bridge outfit, to be led by newly-appointed manager Andre Villas-Boas, will play the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup champions Malaysia once again. The match is part of Chelsea’s 2011 Asia Tour. John Terry and company will also visit Thailand on July 24 to play the Thai national squad and will end their tour on July 27 and 30 with matches against Hong Kong national champions Kitchee. Villas-Boas says the coming Asian trip will be important to the club as it will help them connect more with their fans in the Far East, according to Chelsea’s official website.

“Going back to Asia is important for us. It shortens the distance with the Asian public who are following us from a big distance. It is important for them to feel we have respect for them and we are able to feel their heat. I am sure they will give us tremendous support for the games we will have over there.”

TOP EPL CLUBS TO INVADE ASIA ANEW

Asian football fans will be in for a big treat as Malaysia and Hong Kong will host the EPL Asian Tour 2011, respectively. First stop will be Kuala Lumpur. EPL powerhouse clubs Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea will play the Malaysian national squad on July 13, 16 and 21, respectively. All games will be played at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. The tour shifts to Hong Kong as top flight teams Chelsea, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers along with Hong Kong First Division winners Kitchee will dispute the 2011 Barclay Asia Trophy on July 27 and 30. All matches will be played at the Hong Kong Stadium. Chelsea is gunning for its second Asia Trophy following its victory in the inaugural tourney in 2003. Bolton won it all in 2005, while Portsmouth took the title in 2007. In 2009, the finals was played in Beijing, China. The Tottenham Hotspur defeated Hull City, 3-0 in the title match. Liverpool star Steven Gerrard says he is always excited to play before all the fanatical fans in Asia, according to Malaysia-Kini.

“Whenever we go to Asia, the fans are always amazing. The supporters over there are fanatical about Liverpool and it’s great that we can give so many of them a chance to come and watch the team play.”