story and pic by rick olivares
The PFF Smart National Club Championship reaches its long
end when Ceres takes on wounded Pasargad in the explosive finals set for
Saturday, February 2 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Ceres, the Bacolod City power, mostly unknown outside its
native Visayas, took down elite UFL clubs en route to the title match. The
piped Stallion and Global by a pair of 1-nil wins before thrashing Kaya, 3-1,
in the semifinals. The University of St. La Salle-based side usually features a
homegrown side but added a select few Koreans and English players to beef up
their squad for this tournament.
Pasargad ruined an all-La Salle finals when they stunned
Green Archers United by drawing 2-2 in extra periods before advancing via an
exciting 2-1 penalty shootout win.
PSG’s road to the finals was a tough one and filled with
tense moments. They survived a last ditch rally by Army to advance, 2-1. Against
General Trias International, PSG was outplayed for much of the way until
defender sent them through with a stunning 40-yard volley for a 1-nil win. Once
in the semifinals, they felled the much ballyhooed Green Archers United that
undertook a massive manpower build up highlighted by the acquisition of
longtime Air Force and Azkals icon, Chieffy Caligdong.
That semifinals match however saw them lose four stalwarts
because of cards. PSG will be without striker Emmanuel MBata, midfielder
Charles Ujam, central back Jaham Taher, and goalkeeper Reza Ataei.
“Our backs are against the wall,” cried PSG head coach
Esmail Sedigh in an interview last Thursday. “There were lapses in our
concentration that led to the dismissal of our key players. We can only learn
from this and move forward. I have been trying my best to prepare this team for
a very good Ceres team.”
Without PSG’s four key players, the inconsistent Promise
Jolomi will take MBata’s slot up front, while the oft cramp-troubled Reza
Amirkhizan will have to play extended minutes at central back. In all of PSG’s
matches thus far, Amirkhizan has gone off at the half. “We do not want to risk
injury,” explained Sedigh. “But he is being prepared for longer minutes.”
At goal for Pasargad will be Ricardo Padilla. “I will try
my best,” said the youthful player.
Ceres on the other hand will have its full complement that
includes striker Peter Long, left winger Jayson Panhay, and tough defenders
Jason Cordova, Danny Claxton, and Sim Hyung Min.
“We will take nothing for granted,” promised Ceres head coach
Freddie Lazarito. “We will prepare as if Pasargad is complete. Our biggest
enemy will be complacency as we think this match is a won one. We respect
Pasargad.”
Notes: Unless Ceres’ Peter Long, Kim Jung Mook, Jayson Panhay, and Yoon
Byeong Jun; and PSG’s Reza Amirkhizan individually score three or more goals,
the Golden Boot Award will go to GAU’s Chieffy Caligdong who has registered
four goals in this tournament. Green Archers United will also bag the Fair Play
Award for having the fewest cautions of the tournament.
No comments:
Post a Comment