| Season | 2022–23 |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 7, 2022[1] – June 11, 2023 |
| Champions | Kaya–Iloilo 1st title |
| AFC Champions League | Kaya–Iloilo |
| AFC Cup | Dynamic Herb Cebu Stallion Laguna |
| Matches | 84 |
| Goals | 283 (3.37 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Daizo Horikoshi (15 goals) |
| Best goalkeeper | Florencio Badelic Jr. Anthony Pinthus (4 clean sheets) |
| Biggest home win | Dynamic Herb Cebu 7–1Mendiola 1991 (September 16) |
| Biggest away win | Mendiola 1991 0–7Kaya–Iloilo (October 16) |
| Highest scoring | Dynamic Herb Cebu 7–1Mendiola 1991 (September 16) Mendiola 1991 2–6Dynamic Herb Cebu (September 24) |
| Longest winning run | Kaya–Iloilo(Feb 26 – Apr 14) (6 matches) |
| Longest unbeaten run | Dynamic Herb Cebu(Aug 20 – May 24) (23 matches) |
| Longest winless run | Maharlika Manila (Aug 7 – Mar 4) (14 matches) |
| Longest losing run | United City (Nov 12 – June 11) (12 matches) |
| Highest attendance | 1,899Kaya–Iloilo 2–1United City (November 12) |
| Lowest attendance | 0(behind closed doors)Stallion Laguna 2–0Mendiola 1991 (August 8) |
←2021 2024 → | |
The2022–23 Philippines Football League was the fifth season ofPhilippines Football League (PFL), the professionalfootball league of thePhilippines. This is the second season of the PFL under the sponsorship ofQatar Airways. The season began on August 7, 2022, and concluded on June 11, 2023, marking the first time during the Philippines Football League era that a season takes place in an inter-year format. The league was initially contested by seven teams (later reduced to five), and played each other four times during the season.
The2021 Philippines Football League season was planned to commence in late 2021 but was cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,[2] and was eventually replaced by the league cup tournament, the2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara.[3] Marking a change in the format of the previous seasons, the2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara was held before the league season, withUnited 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 theCopa Paulino Alcantara, the league also increased its foreigner count from 3+1 to 5+1, adhering to the newAFC regulations. While all matches were held at thePFF 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 byQatar Airways, the competition is officially known asThe 2022–23 Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways.
Since the league was last held in2020, there have been several changes. All six teams of the 2020 season are set to compete, withDynamic Herb Cebu being the new team joining after previously competing in the 2021 and 2022 editions of theCopa 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-awayRound-robin tournament, with all teams playing each other 4 times, for a total of 24 matches.
Since the2020 Philippines Football League, several clubs have undergone location changes.United City, who previously competed without a home city and stadium, will be temporarily based inCapas,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 ofManila, will play their games at theRizal 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 theSingapore Premier League orMalaysia Super League. However, in 2022, theAsian Football Confederation changed its system of scheduling, shifting from an intra- to an inter-year system. Several leagues followed this, such as theThai League 1, theIndonesia Liga 1, and theIndian Super League, prompting the PFL to switch to this format as well.
All 6 clubs from theprevious PFL season are set to compete, withMaharlika Manila andUnited City competing for the first time in 2 years, having taken a break during the2021 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 wereLAOS (Leyte Association of Organized Sports), who last competed in the2016 United Football League, and new club Rapids F.C. fromCagayan 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.
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 theNew Clark City Athletics Stadium, whileMendiola 1991 is temporarily holding their home matches in theCity of Imus Grandstand and Track Oval. United City plan to hold their future home matches in their "field of dreams" inPampanga while Mendiola 1991 will build their stadium inTaytay, Rizal.
In February 2022, theMcKinley Hill Stadium inTaguig was approved by the PFL asMaharlika Manila's home stadium.[11]
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As part of the criteria imposed by the sponsorship ofQatar 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 |  Stephan Schröck | Quincy Kammeraad | Monté | 4Gives1,Chooks-to-Go2, PHSD4 |
| Dynamic Herb Cebu |  Mehmet Kakil | Nathanael Villanueva | RAD Apparel | WinZir1, Leylam2,Beko3, Tigertek Sports4,Pocari Sweat, The Green Table |
| Kaya–Iloilo |  Yu Hoshide | Jovin Bedic | LGR | LBC1, Fitogether2,ICanServe4, Peakform,Pretty Huge |
| Maharlika Manila | Roxy Dorlas | David Basa |  Equipt Studios[14] | AIA1, Reparil Ice-Spray2, Elan Vita3, Wheyl Nutrition, Kinetix Lab |
| Mendiola 1991 | Joel Villarino | Jim Ashley Flores | Ropa | Vill-Mell Trading, Jon Enterprises, Thunderbird Feed, Best Diagnostic |
| Stallion Laguna | Ernest Nierras | Ruben Doctora | Cutz Apparel | Giligan's Restaurant1, Airlock3892, South Coast Industrial Door3, Pi Tracer |
| United City |  Joan Esteva |  Alan Robertson | Chronos Athletics | Allianz1,[15] Gravity Sport3, Sportskred, Rsportz,BCDA, Klean Athlete |
Notes:
| Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming coach | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maharlika Manila | Arvin Soliman | End of contract | Undisclosed | Pre-season |  Jeongil Kim | February 20, 2022 |
| Mendiola 1991 | Dan Padernal | Personal Reasons | February 2022 | Christopher Pedimonte | March 10, 2022[16] | |
| Azkals Development Team | Giovanni Villagracia | Undisclosed | January 2022 | Norman Fegidero[17] | March 11, 2022 | |
| Dynamic Herb Cebu | Oliver Colina | Appointed byPhilippines U23 | March 14, 2022[18] | Mehmet Kakil[19] | March 18, 2022[20] | |
| Azkals Development Team | Norman Fegidero | Undisclosed | June 2022 | Giovanni Villagracia | June 23, 2022[21] | |
| Mendiola 1991 | Christopher Pedimonte | Appointed byPhilippines U17 | July 2022 | Joel Villarino | July 31, 2022[22] | |
| United City | Franklin Muescan | Demoted to assistant coach | September 17, 2022 | 2nd | Joan Esteva | September 19, 2022 |
| Maharlika Manila | Jeongil Kim | Mutual consent | September 21, 2022 | 7th | Arman Esteban[23] | September 22, 2022 |
| Arman Esteban | End of contract | Undisclosed | Roxy Dorlas | January 2023 | ||
| Azkals Development Team | Giovanni Villagracia | Demoted to assistant coach | February 2023 | 4th | Stephan Schröck | February 25, 2023 |
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 inbold 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 |  Leaford Allen | Mert Altınöz[25] | Rintaro Hama |  Marius Kore |  Ibrahim Moro |  Mohamed Soumah | Arda Çınkır[25] Ren Okuda |
| Kaya–Iloilo |  Milad Behgandom | Daizo Horikoshi[26] | Tamon Horikoshi |  Robert Lopez Mendy | Dylan Nobiraki | Ryo Fujii Carlyle Mitchell[26] Patrick Arthur | |
| Maharlika Manila | David Asare | Kim Sungmin |  Ben Konaté | Ibrahima Ndour |  Emmanuel Otuyemi | Bienvenido Villaflor | Isaac Essel Frank Baring Boris Moundang Ousman Jeng |
| Mendiola 1991[27] |  Ali Ghamloush | Hamed Hajimehdi | Serge Kaole | Mahdi Keyghobadi | Mahan Rahmani | Junior Ngong Sam | Stephen Appiah Alassane WadeHenri Bandeken Kim Min-su |
| Stallion Laguna | Kraig Bonanken | Yusuke Hayashi | Rafael Nogueda | Abraham Placito[28] | Kosuke Uchida | Abou Sy | Hamed Hajimehdi Juan Trujillo Leonardo Nogueira Gabriel SilvaAmir Memari |
| United City | Withdrew mid-season |  Amirbek Juraboev[29] Simen Lyngbø2Alan Robertson[30] Ricardo Sendra[30] | |||||
Notes
| 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) |
| 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 the2023–24 AFC Champions League |
| 2 | Dynamic Herb Cebu | 22 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 52 | 23 | +29 | 51 | Qualification for the2023–24 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[a](G) | 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 |
| Team ╲ Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azkals Development Team | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Dynamic Herb Cebu | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Kaya–Iloilo | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Maharlika Manila | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Mendiola 1991 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Stallion Laguna | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| United City | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Team ╲ Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azkals Development Team | L | W | W | D | L | W | L | D | D | L | W | W | W | W | L | L | L | L | W | L | L | L | L | L |
| Dynamic Herb Cebu | L | D | W | D | W | W | W | W | W | D | W | W | W | D | W | W | W | W | W | D | W | W | W | D |
| Kaya–Iloilo | W | W | W | W | W | L | W | L | W | W | W | W | L | W | W | W | W | W | W | D | W | W | W | W |
| Maharlika Manila | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | D | L | L | L | L | W | L | L | W | W | L | L | W | L | L |
| Mendiola 1991 | L | L | L | W | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | W | W | L | L | L | L | L | W | L | L | W | W | W |
| Stallion Laguna | W | W | L | L | L | W | W | W | L | L | L | D | L | W | W | W | W | L | D | L | W | W | W | W |
| United City | W | W | D | L | W | W | W | W | D | D | W | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L |
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.
First round[edit]
Updated to match(es) played on March 24, 2022. Source:[24] Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win. Notes:
| Second round[edit]
Updated to match(es) played on June 11, 2023. Source:[citation needed] Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
|
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daizo Horikoshi | Kaya–Iloilo | 15 |
| 2 | Jarvey Gayoso | Kaya–Iloilo | 12 |
| 3 | Arda Çınkır | Dynamic Herb Cebu | 8 |
| Eric Giganto | Kaya–Iloilo | ||
| 5 | Jesus Melliza | Kaya–Iloilo | 7 |
| Chima Uzoka | Dynamic Herb Cebu | ||
| 7 | Kenshiro Daniels | United City | 6 |
| Junior Ngong Sam | Mendiola 1991 | ||
| 9 | Andres Aldeguer | ADT | 5 |
| Mert Altınöz | Dynamic Herb Cebu | ||
| Daniel Gadia | Dynamic Herb Cebu | ||
| Robert Lopez Mendy | Kaya–Iloilo | ||
| Griffin McDaniel | Stallion Laguna | ||
| Ricardo Sendra | United City |
| Rank | Player | Club | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daizo Horikoshi | Kaya–Iloilo | 19 |
| 2 | Mert Altınöz | Dynamic Herb Cebu | 8 |
| Jeremiah Borlongan | Dynamic Herb Cebu | ||
| 4 | Arnel Amita | Kaya–Iloilo | 7 |
| 5 | Griffin McDaniel | Stallion Laguna | 6 |
| Hikaru Minegishi | United City | ||
| 7 | Arda Çınkır | Dynamic Herb Cebu | 5 |
| Eric Giganto | Kaya–Iloilo | ||
| Marius Kore | Dynamic Herb Cebu | ||
| Jesus Melliza | Kaya–Iloilo | ||
| Juan Trujillo | Stallion Laguna |
| Rank | Player | Club | Own goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alan Robertson | United City | 1 |
| Richard Talaroc | Mendiola 1991 | ||
| Ben Konaté | Maharlika Manila |
| Player | Club | Result | Against | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jarvey Gayoso | Kaya–Iloilo | 4–1 (H) | Maharlika Manila | 27 August 2022 |
| Arda Çınkır4 | Dynamic Herb Cebu | 7–1 (H) | Mendiola 1991 | 16 September 2022 |
(H) – Home; (A) – Away
4 Player scored four goals
| Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florencio Badelic Jr. | United City Dynamic Herb Cebu | 4 |
| Anthony Pinthus | United City | ||
| 3 | Michael Asong | Stallion Laguna | 3 |
| Kenry Balobo | Kaya–Iloilo | ||
| Zach Banzon | Kaya–Iloilo | ||
| Hayeson Pepito | Stallion Laguna | ||
| 7 | Joseph Ceniza | Mendiola 1991 | 2 |
| Patrick Deyto | Stallion Laguna | ||
| Quincy Kammeraad | Kaya–Iloilo | ||
| Julian Schwarzer | ADT | ||
| Nathanael Villanueva | Dynamic Herb Cebu |
| Rank | Player | Team | Red cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simone Rota | Kaya–Iloilo | 2 |
| Daniel Gadia | Dynamic Herb Cebu | ||
| 3 | Arnel Amita | Kaya–Iloilo | 1 |
| Patrick Arthur | Kaya–Iloilo | ||
| Enzo Ceniza | Mendiola 1991 | ||
| Charles Dabao | Dynamic Herb Cebu | ||
| Patrick Deyto | Stallion Laguna | ||
| Shirmar Felongco | Stallion Laguna | ||
| Nicolas Ferrer Jr. | Dynamic Herb Cebu | ||
| Carlyle Mitchell | Kaya–Iloilo | ||
| Rafael Nogueda | Stallion Laguna | ||
| Kenneth Payosalan | Mendiola 1991 | ||
| Alan Robertson | United City | ||
| Gabriel Silva | Stallion Laguna |
The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament.[37][38]
| Award | Winner | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Ball | Daizo Horikoshi | Kaya—Iloilo |
| Golden Boot | ||
| Golden Glove | Zach Banzon |
| # | Football club | Average attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaya FC | 231 |
| 2 | Cebu FC | 187 |
| 3 | Stallion Laguna | 156 |
| 4 | Mendiola FC | 124 |
| 5 | Maharlika Manila | 109 |
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