Maharlika Manila F.C.
Full nameMaharlika Manila Football Club
Nickname(s)Koponan ng Masa
(Team of the Masses)
Short nameMAH
Founded2020 (2020)
GroundMcKinley Hill Stadium
Capacity2,000
OwnerChoy Calunsod
Cedric Hodreal
Denice Vitorio
Head coachDavid Basa
LeaguePhilippines Football League
2022-23Philippines Football League, 5th of 5

Maharlika Manila Football Club, commonly referred to as Maharlika, is a Filipino professional football club based in Manila that competes in the Philippines Football League.

The club was founded in 2019 as an all-star seven-a-side team that competed in the 7's Football League. The professional team was formed in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The club was co-founded by former Philippines national team defender Anton del Rosario.

History

Seven-a-side team (2019)

Former Philippine national team defender Anton del Rosario announced that to open his 7's Football League's 2019 season, the league would be launching a new competition called the Kampeon Cup 2019. The competition was held from July 27 to 28 at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig, and featured all-star 7-a-side squads from Manila, Bacolod, Cebu City, and Davao City.[1] The team based in Manila was Maharlika F.C.[2]

Several Philippines Football League (PFL) standouts played for the club during the Kampeon Cup, including former Ilocos United goalkeeper Cedric Hodreal, former Kaya and Philippine national team defender Aly Borromeo, Mendiola midfielders Hamed Hajimehdi and Roberto Corsame, and Philippine Air Force stalwart Alexander Elnar. The team had noted Philippine celebrities in its squad such as Nico Bolzico, husband of actress Solenn Heussaff, and Brazilian-Japanese model Daniel Matsunaga.[2]

During the Kampeon 7s Cup in 2019, Maharlika faced all-star clubs from around the Philippines and finished second out of four clubs in the group stage. In the final, it lost 5-3 to the Cebu all-star team, Cebu Leylam FC, with Hajimehdji, Del Rosario, and Borromeo scoring the goals.[3] The team was also planned to join the Kampeon 7s Cup 2020 in Cebu featuring clubs from Davao, Bacolod, Cebu, and Iloilo City from March 13 to 15, However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the competition was cancelled. [4]

Philippines Football League (2020–)

On July 27, the Facebook and Instagram pages of Maharlika were created, leading to exciting new rumours of the formation of a new club. The club began engaging its fans by asking them questions regarding topics such as player signings and sustainability. On July 30, the club opened its doors to training via Zoom. Pictures of these training sessions were later posted, revealing Del Rosario alongside a set of younger football players as well as many former United Football League and Philippines Football League veterans such as former Kaya-Iloilo players Serge Kaole and Alfred Osei, Hodreal, who played for Maharlika in the Kampeon 7s Cup, former Manila Nomads Sports Club player Mateo Yuhico, and former Global keeper Enrique Ortiz.

Philippines
Amisola
Philippines
Yuhico
Philippines
Fornea
Philippines
Canicosa
Philippines
Beaton
The starting lineup that garnered Maharlika's first-ever win over Stallion Laguna.

On August 6, during a livestream on the Facebook page of Sports On Air, Del Rosario revealed that Maharlika was applying for a license to be able to join the PFL as early as the 2020 season. Should they not participate in this year's season, they were open to join the 2020 season of the Weekend Futbol League.[5][6] He also stated that he doesn't want to commit just yet, given the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. The team's lineup wasn't revealed either, but it is hinted by Del Rosario to contain former Azkals players, former football players, and some youth players. Brazilian-Japanese model Daniel Matsunaga is one of those who is part of the lineup. [7][8][9] On August 9, Misagh Bahadoran hinted that he had joined Maharlika Football Club, stating that the club had the mentality of former Azkals' players.[10][11]

On September 1, Maharlika was granted a provisional license allowing it to participate in the PFL's 2020 season.[12][13][14][15] For at least the first season, players were signed to play for a wage of ₱1, essentially pro bono, until the club becomes more sustainable.[16] On September 22, 2020, Maharlika formally partnered with the Manila city government and were formally endorsed by Mayor Isko Moreno.[17]

Maharlika's first-ever PFL match took place on October 28 at the PFF National Training Centre, where they lost 1–0 to Kaya–Iloilo.[18][19][20] On their following match, on October 31, Maharlika scored their first-ever PFL goal, with Jose Montelibano scoring against Stallion Laguna. That same match was also their first-ever PFL win, which ended 2–1 courtesy of winger Jeremy Theuer.[21]

In February 2023, the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig was approved by the PFL as the club's home stadium.[22]

Team image

Maharlika Manila F.C. markets itself as the "Koponan ng Masa" and adopts the motto of "For the people, by the people, we are the People's Club".[23] The club's crest was designed by Augustino Cabral of Southside Football with its own nickname featured at the bottom using baybayin script.[24] The club is named after a feudal warrior class of the ancient Tagalog society in Luzon during the pre-colonial era.

Kit manufacturers and sponsors

Period Kit Manufacturer Shirt Partner[25]
2020–2021 Gameville Sportswear Philam Life
2022– Equipt Studios AIA

Players

First team squad

As of 30 September 2023 [26]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Philippines PHI Ralph Esteban
2 DF United States USA Tyler John
5 DF Philippines PHI Jerold Facturanan
7 DF Philippines PHI Raymond Abo
8 FW Philippines PHI Mark Endrinal
9 MF Philippines PHI Michael Canicosa
10 FW Philippines PHI Gino Clarino
11 FW Philippines PHI Michael Simms
12 DF Philippines PHI Christian Jamon
14 FW Senegal SEN Ibrahima Ndour
15 DF Philippines PHI Lawrence Baguio
16 GK Philippines PHI Christian Jay Mendez
18 MF Philippines PHI Jhayzer Pagulayan
20 MF Philippines PHI Mauro Acot
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 MF Morocco MAR Soufiane Bouazzaoui
22 MF Philippines PHI Karl Bugayong
23 DF Philippines PHI Elmer Sampaga
24 DF The Gambia GAM Ousman Jeng
26 MF Philippines PHI Matthew Uy
27 FW Philippines PHI Warren Ravanes
34 DF Philippines PHI Anton del Rosario
37 MF Cameroon CMR Boris Moundang
57 FW Philippines PHI Joe Brillantes
67 GK Philippines PHI Yosuke Suzuki
99 FW Philippines PHI Rigoberto Joseph
— DF Philippines PHI Christian Gamponia
— DF Philippines PHI Alimar Ambong

Coaching staff

As of 30 July 2021[27]

Position Staff
General manager Philippines Choy Calunsod
Head coach Philippines David Basa
Assistant head coaches Philippines Alvin Ocampo
Philippines Adrian Payson
Strength and conditioning coach Philippines Cris Roldan
Physical therapist Philippines Lorenzo Simbulan

Head coaches

Dates Name Notes
2020 Philippines Roxy Dorlas
2021 Philippines Arvin Jay Soliman
2022– South Korea Derick Jeongil Kim

Records

Season Division Teams League Position Copa Paulino Alcantara AFC Champions League AFC Cup
2020 1 6 5th Cancelled — —
2021 1 7 Cancelled Didn't Participate — —
2022 1 7 5th 6th — —
2023 1 5 Quarter Finals — —
Updated as of 21 October 2023

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ Murillo, Michael (22 July 2019). "7s Football League commences new season with Kampeon Cup". Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
    2. 1 2 PinoyFootball (20 July 2019). "Philam Vitality 7s KAMPEON Paves Way For Talented Players Around The Country". Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
    3. ↑ Alison, Mars (28 July 2019). "Cebu Leylam Niños 7s bag Philam Vitality Kampeon Cup title". Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
    4. ↑ Sunstar Cebu (12 March 2020). "Kampeon Cup cancels 3-day event". Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
    5. ↑ Stewart, Adrian (8 August 2020). "Maharlika Manila targets PFL license". Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
    6. ↑ Murillo, Michael (6 August 2020). "Maharlika FC signifies intent to join the PFL". Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
    7. ↑ Saldajeno, Ivan (6 August 2020). "Anton Del Rosario bares Maharlika Manila seeking PFL license". Retrieved 13 August 2020.
    8. ↑ "Maharlika Manila targets PFL license". Panay News. 8 August 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
    9. ↑ "Del Rosario forms football team". Manila Standard. 6 August 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
    10. ↑ Tupas, Cedelf (13 August 2020). "Bahadoran sets comeback, joins team with 'mentality of past Azkals players'". Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
    11. ↑ "Misagh Bahadoran to lead new PFL club Maharlika FC". Tiebreaker Times. 1 September 2020. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
    12. ↑ "Maharlika FC, Welcome to the Philippines Football League; FIB Slaps Global FC with a lengthy suspension". Huddle PH. 1 September 2020. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
    13. ↑ "Decisions For PFL Season 2020 Issued". Philippine Football Federation. 1 September 2020. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
    14. ↑ "PFF suspends Global FC for 90 days, grants Maharlika provisional license". ABS-CBN News. 1 September 2020. Archived from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
    15. ↑ "Football teams start practice as PFL eyes October restart". CNN News. 1 September 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
    16. ↑ Del Rosario, Paolo (10 September 2020). "Newly-formed Maharlika FC is built on 'love of the sport' and one-peso players". ESPN5. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
    17. ↑ "Maharlika FC Inks Dream Partnership with Manila". 22 September 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
    18. ↑ "PFL: Kaya Iloilo edges Maharlika-Manila for winning start to 2020 campaign". ABS-CBN News. 29 October 2020. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
    19. ↑ Go, Beatrice (28 October 2020). "Kaya FC surges past newcomer Maharlika FC for 1st win". Rappler. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
    20. ↑ Del Carmen, Lorenzo (28 October 2020). "Jayson Panhay, Kaya spoil Maharlika debut in PFL". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
    21. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (31 October 2020). "Maharlika Manila nips Stallion Laguna for first-ever PFL win". Sports Interactive Network (SPIN.PH). Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
    22. ↑ "Clubs submit Team Roster form". The Philippines Football League. 10 February 2023. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
    23. ↑ Naredo, Camille (2 September 2020). "Football: PFL hails 'professionalism' of new team Maharlika FC". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
    24. ↑ "We are proud to unveil the official logo of Maharlika FC". Facebook. Maharlika F.C. 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2020. We are proud to unveil the official logo of Maharlika FC, ang Koponan ng Masa. Logo by Augustino Cabral of Southside Football and Animation by Rigel Estabaya
    25. ↑ "Maharlika FC". Maharlika Football Club. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
    26. ↑ "Maharlika Manila 30-man squad". Maharlika FC via Facebook. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
    27. ↑ "MMFC PFL 2021 Coaching Staff". Facebook. Maharlika Manila FC. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
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