EVEN though Dynamic Herb Cebu FC is yet to capture a win in the Philippines Football League (PFL) Copa Paulino Alcantara, the rookie club’s morale is at an all-time high and looks to finish the tournament with a bang.
“We are thinking positively. The players are not down, they are still motivated. We had a talent night the last time and the players are enjoying it,” Cebu FC head coach Oliver Colina told SunStar Cebu.
Cebu FC is facing Stallion Laguna FC in a third place match at 4 p.m. on Nov. 18, 2021 at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Training Center in Carmona Cavite.
Cebu FC lost to Stallion FC in group stage, 1-0, after conceding an early goal by Stallion FC striker Abou Sy.
Expect Cebu FC to be more aggressive on offense in its rematch with Stallion FC.
“Certainly, we will be on attack mode in our game against Stallion. We need to win our last match,” said Colina.
Cebu FC proved that it’s at par with some of the best clubs in the country after two close defeats in the tournament, matches that could have gone either way.
Cebu FC’s most impressive performance in the tournament was against Kaya FC. The Cebu-based club held Kaya FC to just a single attempt in the opening half, almost went up ahead with a header attempt by Argentinean midfielder Ricardo Sendra early in the second half, but conceded a penalty late in the match following a handball.
“Maybe we will have a few changes. The players are healthy, and we don’t have injuries. Thank God our players are very healthy and fit,” said Colina. “I will determine my line-up based on today’s training. It always depends on the performance of the players.”
On the other hand, Kaya FC-Iloilo takes on Azkals Development Team (ADT) in the finals at 8:15 p.m.
Kaya FC-Iloilo has had an impressive run in this year’s Copa Paulino Alcantara. Kaya FC breezed through the group stage with a 2-0 win over ADT and a 6-0 beating of Mendiola FC 1991.
However, Kaya FC had a difficult match against Cebu FC in the semifinals, but advanced to the championship match after a 1-0 win from a late penalty kick by skipper Jovin Bedic.