FC Meralco Manila ready for Ceres-Negros FC challenge

Captain James Younghusband rallies the troops in training last Wednesday.

FC Meralco Manila faces arguably their biggest test of the Philippines Football League when they host high-flying Ceres-Negros FC later today, Saturday, July 15 at Rizal Memorial. Kickoff is slated at 4:00 pm, with tickets (PhP 20 for bleachers, PhP 50 for grandstand) available at the gate.

The Sparks hold the Busmen in high regard, as the lone Filipino side in continental competition. Phil Younghusband says, "They have players with good reputations and deservedly so. Any one of their players can produce a moment of magic," pertaining to their strikeforce of Manny Ott, Stephan Schroeck, Iain Ramsay, and Bienve Marañon. He counters, though, noting that the "We are a confident team. Winning is a habit and we have been winning. Our organization is very good, I think that is what has brought us success."

Head coach Aris Caslib adds, "It will take determination and concentration to win this game. Both sides have good quality. Whoever wants it more will win." At the pre-match press conference, he hoped that "we have a good match," noting that this would be "good for the league and for the fans." He adds, "Ceres is a very organized team. They are playing right now in the AFC Cup. It speaks well of their level, so it is a good motivation for the club to play against them."

With Ace Villanueva still unavailable due to his U-22 national team commitments, Junjun Badelic will be asked to once again protect the goal for the Sparks. He admits that the coaching staff has been asking him to take a more vocal role with the defense, and acknowledges that this matchup will be a challenge.

Risto Vidakovic in the pre-match press conferences said that they respect the Sparks since they are leading the table and views them as a challenge, noting their desire to be the first team to defeat them in the PFL and "make it a good game." He adds, "I think if we play 100%, if we do the things we did before, and if we take the game serious and we work altogether, i think we can make a good game. We must give 100% tomorrow."

Mike Casas added that the team is 200% ready for today's matchup, with a week of training under their belt.

Ceres-Negros is currently in fifth place with 16 points, but a win over FC Meralco Manila will move them up to third place and allow the other contenders to creep up to the current leaders. The Busmen are fresh from a 7-0 annihilation of Ilocos United at home in Panaad Stadium in Bacolod. Meanwhile, the Sparks would like to expand their lead in the Philippines Football League with a win this afternoon.

NOTES:

No Daniel Gadia and Ashley Flores for FC Meralco Manila, while Joaco Cañas is "50/50" with the injury he incurred late against JPV. Caslib did say he took park in the practices, noting his desire to participate in such a big game. However, the gaffer acknowledged that they have been preparing with Tyler Matas and Neil Dorimon in case the Spanish defender is a no-go. James Younghusband has been limited as a substitute for the past couple of games, although he did score the game-winner against JPV. Jake Morallo did practice, although he is nursing a sore Achilles tendon. In spite with these injury issues, Caslib says, "We're good, from the starting eleven to the players coming from the bench."

Vidakovic revealed that everything is going according to plan with Reichelt's rehab schedule and return to form, which is currently capped off by his return to action against Ilocos, scoring twice as a substitute. He also noted that Simone Rota has returned to action after being sidelined with an injury.

Although the match will not be televised, here is the streaming link for this huge PFL matchup.



The other PFL matchup today features Global-Cebu FC hosting Davao Aguilas FC at the Cebu City Sports Complex at 7pm today. The Sugbu side is seeking to consolidate their hold of second place against the visitors, who have yet to win a single match so far this season.