Spotlight: Pasargad’s Kenneth Dolloso

Spotlight: Pasargad’s Kenneth Dolloso

by rick olivares

Kenneth Dolloso stands five feet and five inches tall. Kind of short for a goalkeeper would be the first thing that comes to one’s mind but there is a reason why he plays in the top-flight division of the United Football League.

“Si Kenneth,” said Norman Fegidero Jr. of his former ward at West Negros University in Bacolod and with Pachanga, “always plays bigger than his size. He plays with a lot of heart and energy. He has that quick first step, makes good reads on shots that allows him to stop the best strikers. And he is very good in making stops during penalty shootouts.”

Strong praise indeed and that is why Pasargad immediately took Dolloso when he left Pachanga following their club’s recent sale.

Despite his size, his prowess at net minding was made possible by his relentless work ethic. “My former high school coach, Ronel de Oca, taught me how to read an attacker’s shot. Kung kanan siya o kaliwete. Kung anong part ng katawan ang gumagalaw bago tumira. Kung sino yung mga teammate niya na open,” explained Dolloso of his approach to goaltending.

To date, Kenneth has suited up for three UFL teams – Global where he helped the squad win a Division Two and Cup championship; Pachanga, where he also was the net-minder during the Red Phoenix’ record setting season last campaign; and now, Pasargad.

“Every where he has played, he has won,” said head coach Essi Sedigh of Dolloso’s pedigree.

In three matches thus far with Pasargad, Dolloso has conceded only three goals and all came during their first match against his former team in Global. “Nag-struggle kami for form and chemistry sa first game,” Ken recounted. “Okay na kami since.”

He says that being in an Iranian-flavored club is no problem with him. “We all get along. Sa depensa, kung mag-communicate kami, gumagamit kami ng sign language. Buti na lang medyo universal yung mga ginagamit namin na signs.”

He’d love nothing more than to help Pasargad recapture its former glory. “Mas mahirap ngayon mag-defend ng title or manalo. Lahat ng teams umangat,” he said of his team’s chances of bagging some silverware by season’s end. “Pero may laban kami. We have some very good players who have lifted us kung saan kami ngayon. Sana makatulong pa ako.”

Favorite football team (outside the UFL): Chelsea

Hobbies outside football: Playing FIFA on Playstation

Most dangerous striker he’s faced: Global’s Izzo El Habbib

Best goalkeeper in the UFL: Green Archers United’s Patrick Deyto

If he weren’t playing football: He’d be working on a cruise ship.