Loyola
Meralco Sparks in high spirits for Singapore Cup
by rick olivares
The Loyola Meralco Sparks are in good
spirits in Singapore. They had not played well in the last few weeks. In doing
so, they have dropped out of the race for the UFL title.
Hoping to salvage a trophy-less
season, the Sparks look forward to making some serious headway in the 2013
Singapore Cup. The initial assignment in the tournament is against the
Malaysian U-19 team, Harimau Muda B, that is hoping to gain a lot of experience
by playing in the S.League. This current season, the Young Tigers are in fifth
place in the 12-team standings with a 6-2-6 record.
The Young Tigers play a compact 4-4-2
formation but have trouble scoring. Harimau Muda B has scored 17 goals in the
S. League but has also conceded 17.
“We cannot take them lightly,” warned
Loyola assistant coach Gil Talavera said. “Last year, Geylang was at the bottom
of the S. League but they nearly won our match. Even the last match against
Gombak United, another midcard team, was a difficult one to play as the Sparks
lost 2-nil (Gombak has since pulled out of the league citing financial
difficulties).
Forward Phil Younghusband expressed
excitement in returning to the tournament: “It’s good to be back. It’s always
good to back in Singapore. There’s a more sense of professionalism being in a
hotel, being isolated just with your teammates so you have nice facilities and
like that. We also came back because of how well we did last year (in the
Singapore Cup). And we’re excited to play. Obviously, with the disappointed of
the league, we still want to prove something. So this gives us the
opportunity.”
Midfielder/defender Simon Greatwich
who has come into this current UFL season in superb shape concurred: “it is a
good opportunity for us to get outside the country. We haven’t been doing well
in the UFL so it’s a fresh start. It’s a one-off game and everyone’s excited to
prove our critics wrong.”
“We’re now more aware of the level of
the other teams. Coming out through three or four trips last year after
progressing through the rounds so we got an idea of the competition and the
level of the Singapore league.”
New addition and veteran
internationalist Armand Del Rosario couldn’t contain his excitement about being
in the Singapore Cup, “I’m excited. Nice to be here with the guys. It’s like
being back with the national team. The team is together everyday bonding. We’re
relaxed and having fun. We are in a position to do well.”
“Now we have to go out and get a good
result,” summed up Younghusband.
The Sparks play Harimau Muda at 730pm
at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
 |
| At Changi International Airport with Freddy Gonzalez and Bob Guerrero. |
 |
| At Jalan Besar Stadium, Saturday night, with Louie Potenciano, Carlo Rodriguez, Vince Santos, and Gil Talavera. |
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