Pachanga tops Stallions 2-nil

This appears in inthezone.com.ph

Pachanga's Joven Bedic celebrates after scoring his side's first goal against Stallions. Photo by Brosi Gonzales.

Pachanga tops Stallions 2-nil

by rick olivares

October 16, 2011

University of Makati

You can say that Pachanga has Stallions’ number.

On the road to the recently concluded Smart Club Championships, the two squads met last August 9 at the Stallions’ home field of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo. Under the sweltering sun and in a tough and rough game, the visitors upended the home side 2-nil with Shirmar Felongco and Alex Obiang tallying the goals.

A little over two months later, the Red Phoenix and the Stallions, once more clashed in Group C play of the 2011 UFL Cup.

Stallions has one of the more creative and dangerous midfielders in Ansing Gustilo. His memorable strike from just about the midfield line against Global FC during opening day easily is so far the goal of the tournament. Gustilo won two championships with Far Eastern University. The backbone of the Iloilo U-23 side, he is also the engine that drives this squad.

And for Pachanga coach Norman Fegidero Jr. the game plan for the Red Phoenix was simple – dominate the midfield.

Throwing a staggered 442 formation to close out the spaces for Stallions’ short passing, Gustilo had a difficult time sending threading the ball to his teammates to set up their attack.

With Stallions unable to get anything going, the Red Phoenix’ Oussy Diop and Alu Kigbu began to find their forwards by brilliant one-two passing and through balls.

Felongco put on a dazzling display of speed and dribbling skills as he would dance around his defender. But Stallions’ last line of defense – the rock solid Jason Cordova who once played on the national squad, repelled the attacks.

In the 28^th minute, Pachanga forward Chris Ojamire found himself closed down by Cordova in the right corner. Putting on some nifty footwork to free himself up, Ojamire found Diop unmarked on the right.

Diop’s was unable to get a good boot on his shot but it fortunately found teammate Joven Bedic some three yards from goal. Bedic controlled the ball and with the quick turn, Stallions’ outstanding keeper Wilson Muñoz had no chance. 1-nil to the Red Phoenix.

With a minute left to play in the first half, Diop found Ojamire in a brilliant position to beat the offside trap. With no defender within five feet of the Pachanga forward, Muñoz had no choice but to run out and hope his defense would cover the empty net.

Ojamire skillfully avoided the Stallions’ keeper for a breakaway. With Cordova giving futile chase, the Red Phoenix forwarded slotted it home. 2-nil Pachanga.

In the second half, Stallions adjusted their defense to prevent Diop and Kigbu from having too much space to work their midfield magic.

Late in the match, Stallions forward Jovanie Simpron was thrown out after throwing a punch at Robert Cañedo further putting a crimp on his side’s offense.

But with their defense holding and Muñoz stellar at goal, they prevented scoring opportunities from Mohamad Farah and Cañedo.

While the Red Phoenix’ forwards were outstanding, it was the back four of Pachanga as marshaled by Yves Ashime that also dictated the pace for Fegidero’s team.

Ashime turned back many an attack that allowed his wingbacks Neckson Leonora and Jalsor Soriano to join the attack.

After the match, Fegidero told his squad that he was happy for the win and their collecting the full three points but he felt that they should have taken advantage of Stallions being one man down. He underscored that an extra goal would eventually come in handy especially should thing come down to a goal difference. He also chided defender Camelo Tacusalme for an unnecessary yellow card.

With Global FC barging into the win column with a 3-nil win over Cebu Queen City FC, Fegidero told his team that next Sunday’s match versus the defending champions (who also knocked them out in the semifinals of the Smart Club championships) was a big test for his squad on how far they can go in this competition.

Notes: It’s almost like déjà vu – all over again for the teams that comprise Group C of the UFL Cup.

Global FC, Stallions FC, and Pachanga FC all figured prominently in the late charge to the recently concluded Smart Club Championships that ended with Global FC (playing under the name “Teknika”) as inaugural cup titlists. Pachanga, the Red Phoenix, were shut out by Teknika 2-0 while Stallions were piped by San Beda 2-1. Teknika went on to win the finals series by an aggregate score of 3-2.

And now, by a cruel twist of fate, the three teams along with Cebu Queen City FC are in the Group of Death – Group C.

With the team’s Korean players from Central Philippine University available (they missed their opening day match win over Global FC), Stallions had more weapons on in their arsenal.

Pachanga's starting goalkeeper Kenneth Dolloso was unavailable after suffering a mild injury.

Norman Fegidero Jr. discussing the first half and the adjustments for the second half with Red Phoenix players.