Global Cebu FC remained unbeaten in its home pitch, by salvaging a scoreless against powerhouse and league-leader FC Meralco Manila Sparks last night in the ongoing Philippines Football League (PFL) at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
Global Cebu FC remains at second place in the standings with 34 points while the Sparks kept their lead with 41 points. Both teams earned one point fro drawing last night’s encounter.
Global Cebu now has nine wins, seven draws and four defeats while the visiting squad has 12 wins, five draws and two defeats.
Yesterday’s crucial match became even more difficult for both teams after a heavy downpour at the start of the second half flooded the pitch.
According to Global Cebu’s team captin Patrick Deyto who served as the team’s goal keeper, both teams played safe and cautious to prevent sustaining injuries.
He said that they could have scored a goal or performed better in front of 4,850 Cebuano football fans if not for the rain. “It was disappointing because of the condition of the pitch and the weather also. Both teams played safe rather than play with an all out performance,” said Deyto who managed to save several attempts from the visiting squad.
Aris Caslib, Meralco’s head coach on the other hand said that finishing their match against Global which is the UFL champions is already a big achievement for the team that lost two of its key strikers – Phil and James Younghusband – who transferred to the Aguilas Davao FC.
“The team was tested,” said Caslib. “We want three points but sharing one point with the UFL champs is a good result for us.”
On Wednesday, Global Cebu will face the Stallions Laguna in Biñan Stadium at 4 p.m. while the Sparks will play the Aguilas on Sept. 23 at the latter’s turf.
Aboitiz football Cup opens last night
Meanwhile, no less than AboitizLand Chief Operating Officer (COO) Patrick Reyes and other AboitizLand and Aboitiz Foundation officials graced the opening of the 19th Aboitiz Football Cup during half time of the Global Cebu-FC Meralco Manila PFL match.
Cebu Football Association (CFA), the partner of AboitizLand in the tournament, said 150 football teams signed up for the 15-category tournament.
Actual competition will start on Sept. 23 at the PAREF Springdale pitch with a total of 56 matches scheduled in the under-seven mixed and under-nine mixed categories.