Cebu Football Club’s Rintaro Hama was named the “Man of the Match” in CFC’s 8-1 win over Pilipinas Dragons in the Copa Paulino Alcantara. | Contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu Football Club (CFC) Gentle Giants are now on a three-game winning streak after annihilating the Pilipinas Dragons, 8-1, in their game in the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara of the Philippines Football League (PFL) on Sunday, September 3, 2023, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The victory pulled the Gentle Giants into the top of Group B with a clean slate of three wins, equivalent to nine points, dislodging erstwhile leader, University of the Philippines (UP).
It was a masterful performance for the AFC Cup-bound Gentle Giants as they scored four goals within eight minutes in the first half, despite the Dragons scoring the first goal in the 12th minute from Jose Milo.
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That opposing goal sparked the Gentle Giants to go on a scoring spree, with homegrown player Marcel Ivan Ouano initiating it with an equalizer in the 26th minute to tie the match 1-1.
Three minutes later, in the 29th minute, Japanese winger Rintaro Hama put CFC ahead, 2-1, via a header from Jaime Rosquillos’ cross pass.
The Gentle Giants grabbed a 3-1 lead after forward Chima Uzoka slipped the ball in between the legs of the Dragon’s goalkeeper inside the goal in the 32nd minute.
Ryoo Togashi and Ouano made it to a commanding 5-1 lead after scoring goals in the 33rd and 36th minutes, respectively.
CFC went on to seal the first half with a 5-1 lead.
Not contented by their dominating first-half outing, CFC started the second half with a 50th-minute goal from Uzoka to make it a 6-1 advantage.
Eight minutes later, Cinkir joined the scoring spree that stretched their lead to a 7-1.
Hama, named “Man of the Match,” put the icing on the cake with an 82nd-minute goal, 8-1. /dcb
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