By Mike T. Limpag - Suns Star Cebu
AFTER a one-week delay, the Cebu Queen City United will finally make their UFL Cup debut against defending champion Global FC in Manila today.
Cebu Queen City was supposed to play Pachanga last week but the game was cancelled and coach Mario Ceniza said though they were disappointed with the cancellation, the delay has helped the team a bit.
“Nakatabang gamay ang extra week na training,” said Ceniza, who formed the team in less than a month as Cebu was the last entry to sign up for the UFL, the country’s premier football competition.
However, Ceniza said they weren’t able to play a tuneup game the past week because of the lack of quality opposition, as the college teams are busy with their Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. campaign.
“Conditioning-wise, the players are OK as seen during the trainings and drills, but I really can’t say for sure because match fitness is different,” said Ceniza.
Ceniza, the coaching staff and players left for Manila yesterday afternoon for their game today. The Cebu Queen City players are Frederick Alazas, Alex Buanghog, Niño Zapanta, Dave Gerali, Jan Michael Flores, Ronald Mahilum, Julius Acre, Rocky Garciano, Mitsuo Tsunakiri, Junard Aguilar, Rommel Cuizon, Jack Reston, Christian Delan, Martin Bontia, Rene Menchavez and Marion Cubelo.
It’s the same problem for Graeme Mackinnon, the new Global coach, who has to deal with injury issues.
Mackinnon said he will put defender Jerry Barbaso in midfield to cover for the injured Remi Sery, one of the goal scorers in Global’s 3-2 loss to the Stallions.
“Right now, our bench is very shallow. (Remi) wasn’t able to finish the practice last Thursday because of his injury,” Mackinnon said.
Filipino Spanish player Angel Aldeguer also won’t suit up owing to the injury he picked up in the Azkals’ friendly against Singapore, and Mackinnon is planning to field the striker in their game against Pachanga.
The weather in Manila has also foiled the team’s practice and Mackinnon said they had to play seven-a-side football in a basketball court during their last session.
Mackinnon said he expects a tough game today.
“They (the players) know they have to redeem themselves after last week’s game. They have to get together,” Mackinnon said. “But we are not taking Cebu lately. We are expecting a tough match.”
“If you get complacent, it will come back to bite you,” he said.
The Stallions lead Group C with three points with a win, while Global, Cebu and Pachanga have yet to score a win.
In yesterday’s game, Phil Younghusband led the Loyola Meralco Sparks to a 15-1 rout of Socceroos, while Nate Burkey had a hat trick in Kaya FC’s 3-2 win over Diliman.
Showing posts with label Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC). Show all posts
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Azkals coach: PHL needs comprehensive grassroots program
By Caecent No-ot Magsumbol - (The Freeman)The Philippine Star
CEBU, Philippines - The Azkals may have been getting most of the attention now from fellow Pinoys worldwide, but the country’s elite football team coach Michael Weiss is still looking for more support.
The support Weiss is seeking for, however, is not only for the Azkals, but for the country to come up with a genuine football program especially up to the grassroots level.
With a good developmental program, Weiss said the national squad can utilize an all-homegrown talent.
“If I have the choice, as much as possible, I want all home-grown talents in the team,” said Weiss, who was in town last Saturday to grace the San Roque Football Festival at San Roque Parish field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
Unfortunately, the German strategist said there is not enough homegrown talents that can be tapped for all the international tournaments they are joining in.
“There are lot of conditions involved. We need more support from the people, schools, the clubs, the association. You see, there's not enough good pitches here in the Philippines, just like what you see here (San Roque football pitch) plus the environment, tournaments, the training of the young ones and continuity of the program,” said Weiss.
Having a pool of talented local players, Weiss said it will no longer be difficult to form a formidable team rather than rely on “professionals” who are based outside the Philippines that had been commissioned to fight for the flag and country.
Weiss even disclosed that PHL's lineup for this year’s Southern East Asian Games in Indonesia may be known only three weeks before the event since they still have to know the schedule of thir Fil-foreign pkayers.
Given this circumstance, Weiss could not promise of winning gold in the SEAG.
“The lack of preparation as a team would make it difficult to say on our chances,” Weiss said.
Prior to the SEA Games though, the Azkals are set to compete in aiwan next month then train either in the Middle East or Japan.
And if Weiss has his way, he would love to bring the Azkals back to Cebu for training and another team bonding although time may be very difficult for them to do it this year.
Sans the players, Weiss said he plans to go back to Cebu within the year for a much-needed break.
"I like Cebu very much. I like the people and that is why I’m establishing a relation with the people, with the federation here,” Weiss said.
Weiss’ Cebu trip was backed up by the Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC). He will report back for work today as the senior and under-23 teams resume their practice in Manila.
CEBU, Philippines - The Azkals may have been getting most of the attention now from fellow Pinoys worldwide, but the country’s elite football team coach Michael Weiss is still looking for more support.
The support Weiss is seeking for, however, is not only for the Azkals, but for the country to come up with a genuine football program especially up to the grassroots level.
With a good developmental program, Weiss said the national squad can utilize an all-homegrown talent.
“If I have the choice, as much as possible, I want all home-grown talents in the team,” said Weiss, who was in town last Saturday to grace the San Roque Football Festival at San Roque Parish field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
Unfortunately, the German strategist said there is not enough homegrown talents that can be tapped for all the international tournaments they are joining in.
“There are lot of conditions involved. We need more support from the people, schools, the clubs, the association. You see, there's not enough good pitches here in the Philippines, just like what you see here (San Roque football pitch) plus the environment, tournaments, the training of the young ones and continuity of the program,” said Weiss.
Having a pool of talented local players, Weiss said it will no longer be difficult to form a formidable team rather than rely on “professionals” who are based outside the Philippines that had been commissioned to fight for the flag and country.
Weiss even disclosed that PHL's lineup for this year’s Southern East Asian Games in Indonesia may be known only three weeks before the event since they still have to know the schedule of thir Fil-foreign pkayers.
Given this circumstance, Weiss could not promise of winning gold in the SEAG.
“The lack of preparation as a team would make it difficult to say on our chances,” Weiss said.
Prior to the SEA Games though, the Azkals are set to compete in aiwan next month then train either in the Middle East or Japan.
And if Weiss has his way, he would love to bring the Azkals back to Cebu for training and another team bonding although time may be very difficult for them to do it this year.
Sans the players, Weiss said he plans to go back to Cebu within the year for a much-needed break.
"I like Cebu very much. I like the people and that is why I’m establishing a relation with the people, with the federation here,” Weiss said.
Weiss’ Cebu trip was backed up by the Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC). He will report back for work today as the senior and under-23 teams resume their practice in Manila.
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