Monday, April 28, 2008 Azkals mangle Cebu By Edri K. Aznar Sun.Star Correspondent
CEBU’S best footballers gave their best, but in the end the RP national football team was just too fast, too good and the Azkals lived up to the fan’s expectations as they manhandled the All-stars, 6-0, during the opening of the 8th Inter-Club Football Cup yesterday at the University of San Carlos Technological Center football field.
The RP National team started out strong offensively but the defense of the Cebu All-stars and poor finishing on the part of the Azkals—the nickname of the RP
team—resulted to no goals in the first 20 minutes of the game.
Team captain Emilio Caligdong, who served as a super sub in previous RP teams, scored off a block from Gary Garciano in the 23rd minute to break the scoring drought for the RP National team.
Fresh from the bench, Jovin Bedic immediately let his presence felt as he scored the second goal for the RP team in the 38th, redirecting Fil-Briton striker Phil Younghusband’s nifty cross from right flank.
Four minutes later, Younghusband joined the scoring act after heading in Anton del Rosario’s free kick for a 3-0 lead.
The closest Cebu got to scoring was from Julius Acre’s 30-yard free kick, which just skirted past the top post.
In the second half, more Fil-Brits suited up for the team as Phil’s brother, James and Chad Gould entered the game.
Just two minutes in, Phil scored his second goal off a freekick and completed his hattrick with another header, this time from a well-timed cross from James. Gould sealed the easy 6-0 victory with a strike in the 61st minute.
The Cebu All-Stars tried their best to find an opening but the defense of the RP team, anchored on the tough Ali Borromeo and Anton del Rosario seemed as solid as a wall.
Despite the easy win, the Azkals’ second straight in Cebu after a similar score against Queen City last Saturday, coach Norman Fegidero still sees a lot of room for improvement.
Fegidero believes the two Younghusbands still have a lot of adjusting to make since they only arrived from England last Friday.
The coach also thinks the RP team has a big chance in winning the Asian Challenge Cup set on May and the only team that might hinder them is the powerhouse Tajikistan team.
“We have a big chance in winning this tournament. The only team that i think is ahead of us is Tajikistan”, said Fegidero.
The RP team lacked the presence of Fil-foreigners Chris Greatwich, Neil Etheridge and Everton midfielder James Hall in yesterday’s friendly match. (EKA)
