Davao holds Global Cebu to a draw

Man of the Match Marko Trkulja leads the team in thanking the Cebu crowd

Global Cebu FC's aspirations of taking over the leadership of the Philippines Football League took a major hit against Davao Aguilas FC on Saturday night, as they were held to a goalless draw at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The Sugbu squad came into the night off back-to-back wins, while the visitors are fresh from a 5-1 battering at home against Kaya FC-Makati.

The hosts tried to take advantage of Davao missing their skipper and defender Jason Cordova, but they could not convert on their early scoring opportunities from Shu Sasaki. Marjo Allado tried to make adjustments in the second half, but Aguilas goalkeeper Marko Trkulja prevented potential game-winners from Hikaru Minegeshi and Sekou Sylla.

Speaking to the media after the match Trkulja was pleased with securing the clean sheet, noting that head coach Gary Phillips highlighted the "good effort" put in the match. For Phillips, he was "very proud of the team's performance tonight, particularly at the back of last week's results, which was unacceptable." He added that they stuck together and maintained their discipline.

Allado praised Davao's defending, saying that it "made the difference tonight." He adds, "We tried to adjust at halftime in order to score and to break the line of their defense but still we couldn't." "It's a lesson for us, he says, "we need to train on how to beat that when we play against them again."

NOTE:

The Sportswriters Association of Cebu, along with San Miguel Brewery, handed over their 35th All-Cebu Sports Awards Special Citation (for excellence in football and contributing to the professionalism of the sport) to Davao Aguilas FC defender Jordan Jarvis. Jarvis helped Ateneo claim the UAAP Season 79 Men's Football title, while being named as its Rookie of Year, before making the leap to the professional ranks with Davao.