Life without the Younghusband brothers officially begins for FC Meralco Manila this afternoon, as the Sparks attempt to take solo leadership of the Philippines Football League against Global Cebu FC at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Currently level on points with idle Kaya FC-Makati at 27, FC Meralco Manila owns the inferior goal difference, but has a couple of games in hand.
Head coach Aris Caslib noted that "it will not be easy" to try to pull off the victory against the former UFL champions, but adds that "we will do their best." He shared that the squad has been working on fixing their transition, with Tahj Minniecon, Curt Dizon, and Daniel Gadia taking up the cudgels in funneling the attack.
As for the team moving on, Caslib noted that "the players were ready already for the next chapter of the club's story." Everyone is prepared. They know their task, they know how to play against Global. I think it is going to be a tough match." He adds that everyone would have step up, although he specifically Connor Tacagni and Jinggoy Valmayor to step up, and guys like Simon Greatwich, Milan Nikolic, and Minniecon that can push the team to the next level.
Global Cebu seeks to take solo third in the standings, as they are level on points with Ceres-Negros FC and own the inferior goal difference. A win would also keep themselves within striking distance of the leaders.
Addressing the media, head coach Akbar Nawas says that the team looks forward to the game, but noted that every game is different from football and "they have to prepare well for the game." He adds that the team just has to go out there and "let out feet do the talking."
The former Tampines head coach also said that they have to go into the game and respect the opponent. "As a team, they are still up there. Due respect has to be given to them, whether the Younghusbands are there or not. We just have to prepare ourselves and go into that game. We can't be complacent, and I don't think they will give us the three points. We will just have to focus."
Misagh noted that the Sparks were the ones scoring first in their previous meeting, a 2-2 draw at Rizal Memorial, so the team has been working all week on fixing that problem.
Amani Aguinaldo was suspended for that matchup, but Nawas said that they have to see if he is healthy enough to be a go for the game.
At the time of the press conference, only Dominic del Rosario was confirmed to have joined Global Cebu. When asked about what the recent Philippine international can do to help the team, Nawas described him as a "natural left-footer in his natural position of left back." The team has been lacking in that area for quite a while now. "He brings a little bit of presence to us on that area of the field, which could help us play better the way we want to play."
When asked about what del Rosario can bring, Bahadoran noted that there are not much left-footed players in the Philippines, and also acknowledged that it addresses a position weakness. He also highlighted the difficulty finding Filipino defenders, and "Dominic is one of the players we really needed, especially [since] we have fast wingers. We need someone who can supply these players and play the ball fast, forward. Dominic is a player whose feet who can run, can cross, can shoot the ball. It's good that we have him also. We will see what he can bring for Global."
The team has since announced that have snapped up Rufo Sanchez and Darryl Regala, with the former making his long overdue return to Philippine club football.
Tickets are available at the gate, with kickoff slated at 4pm. For those who cannot come to the game, one can watch via streaming, with the link for the match available below
NOTES:
Global Cebu FC at FC Meralco Manila is not just the major football match scheduled today. Later on tonight, Ceres-Negros FC attempts to be the best ASEAN club in the AFC Cup by facing off against S-League side Home United FC in the first leg of the ASEAN Zone Final.
When asked about the matchup:
Caslib: Ceres has this momentum right now of winning. And if they would really focus the way they can, I think it would be easy for them to win in their matchup.
Nawas: Of course in a final, anything can happen. The more hungrier team will win, but Ceres is a good team. Home is a good team in Singapore, but technically I think Ceres has the upper hand.
Nawas when when asked about the state of Philippine club football: I think Philippine football is getting into another level, especially with this year going professional and all that. Definitely, we have seen some improvement that can elevate the league to another level. it is a good start for being professional.
Currently level on points with idle Kaya FC-Makati at 27, FC Meralco Manila owns the inferior goal difference, but has a couple of games in hand.
Head coach Aris Caslib noted that "it will not be easy" to try to pull off the victory against the former UFL champions, but adds that "we will do their best." He shared that the squad has been working on fixing their transition, with Tahj Minniecon, Curt Dizon, and Daniel Gadia taking up the cudgels in funneling the attack.
As for the team moving on, Caslib noted that "the players were ready already for the next chapter of the club's story." Everyone is prepared. They know their task, they know how to play against Global. I think it is going to be a tough match." He adds that everyone would have step up, although he specifically Connor Tacagni and Jinggoy Valmayor to step up, and guys like Simon Greatwich, Milan Nikolic, and Minniecon that can push the team to the next level.
Global Cebu seeks to take solo third in the standings, as they are level on points with Ceres-Negros FC and own the inferior goal difference. A win would also keep themselves within striking distance of the leaders.
Addressing the media, head coach Akbar Nawas says that the team looks forward to the game, but noted that every game is different from football and "they have to prepare well for the game." He adds that the team just has to go out there and "let out feet do the talking."
The former Tampines head coach also said that they have to go into the game and respect the opponent. "As a team, they are still up there. Due respect has to be given to them, whether the Younghusbands are there or not. We just have to prepare ourselves and go into that game. We can't be complacent, and I don't think they will give us the three points. We will just have to focus."
Misagh noted that the Sparks were the ones scoring first in their previous meeting, a 2-2 draw at Rizal Memorial, so the team has been working all week on fixing that problem.
Amani Aguinaldo was suspended for that matchup, but Nawas said that they have to see if he is healthy enough to be a go for the game.
At the time of the press conference, only Dominic del Rosario was confirmed to have joined Global Cebu. When asked about what the recent Philippine international can do to help the team, Nawas described him as a "natural left-footer in his natural position of left back." The team has been lacking in that area for quite a while now. "He brings a little bit of presence to us on that area of the field, which could help us play better the way we want to play."
When asked about what del Rosario can bring, Bahadoran noted that there are not much left-footed players in the Philippines, and also acknowledged that it addresses a position weakness. He also highlighted the difficulty finding Filipino defenders, and "Dominic is one of the players we really needed, especially [since] we have fast wingers. We need someone who can supply these players and play the ball fast, forward. Dominic is a player whose feet who can run, can cross, can shoot the ball. It's good that we have him also. We will see what he can bring for Global."
The team has since announced that have snapped up Rufo Sanchez and Darryl Regala, with the former making his long overdue return to Philippine club football.
Tickets are available at the gate, with kickoff slated at 4pm. For those who cannot come to the game, one can watch via streaming, with the link for the match available below
NOTES:
Global Cebu FC at FC Meralco Manila is not just the major football match scheduled today. Later on tonight, Ceres-Negros FC attempts to be the best ASEAN club in the AFC Cup by facing off against S-League side Home United FC in the first leg of the ASEAN Zone Final.
When asked about the matchup:
Caslib: Ceres has this momentum right now of winning. And if they would really focus the way they can, I think it would be easy for them to win in their matchup.
Nawas: Of course in a final, anything can happen. The more hungrier team will win, but Ceres is a good team. Home is a good team in Singapore, but technically I think Ceres has the upper hand.
Nawas when when asked about the state of Philippine club football: I think Philippine football is getting into another level, especially with this year going professional and all that. Definitely, we have seen some improvement that can elevate the league to another level. it is a good start for being professional.
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