Air Force
bombs Manhur out of the UFL Cup
by rick olivares
November 5, 2011
Rizal Memorial Football Stadium
The Manhur players were lounging
around the pitch when Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong entered carrying his gym bag.
They shook hands with the national player and praised him for what he has done
for local football.
Minutes later, the team went to the
dugout to change and they mistakenly stumbled into the Air Force changing room.
Handshakes were exchanged. Hosannas once more sung.
Manhur FC, formed merely three years
ago by players from Dumaguete who played for Silliman University, Far Eastern
University, and the University of Santo Tomas, the team was proud of advancing
from the group stage to the knockout round.
“It’s an accomplishment,” said forward
Anthony Emperado.
Even if they were up against mighty
Air Force with its all-star lineup?
“This game,” clarified head coach
Rigoberto Buccat, “was a test. When you play Air Force with all they have
achieved through the years, through the decades, it’s like climbing Mt. Everest
or Mt. Kilimanjaro. We just need to give a good account of ourselves.”
Unfortunately for Manhur, even with
their 4-5-1 formation that was supposed to stem the tide of the Airmen’s 4-4-2 attack,
they mostly stood by mesmerized by the seamless 1-2 passing between Caligdong
and Ian Araneta despite the rain-soaked pitch. And for good measure, the Airmen
showed there was more to their patented left wing attack by utilizing the speed
and runs and crosses from the right by Jalor Soriano and Joebel Bermejo.
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