WITH the departure of some of its key players after its second place run in the Philippines Football League (PFL), Cebu FC brought back some familiar faces and some new recruits in its campaign in the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara.
After leaving the club last year, prolific Turkish center forward Arda Çinkir will have another run with the Gentle Giants as its main striker for the Copa. He makes his return after a short stint with third division Turkish club Darica Genclerbirligi. Also returning with him are Chima Uzoka, Rwn Okuda and Jaime Rosquillo.
Cebu FC also signed three new international players—Turkish defender Göktug Demiroglu, Japanese midfielder Ryo Togashi and Japanese winger Ken Murayama.
The 24-year-old Demiroglu transferred to Cebu FC from Spanish fourth division club Zalla UC. Togashi made a transfer from Japan Football League fourth division Briobecca Urayasu, while signed with Cebu FC from FK Neptunas of the I Lyga, the second tier football league in Lithuania.
Cebu FC is now at the helm of its new head coach Joshua Schirmer and assistant coach Mustafa Al-Saffar following the departure of Turkish coaches Mehmet Kakil and Levent Öztürk.
Cebu FC will have its first match in the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara on Aug. 20, 2023 against the University of the Philippines (UP) at the Dynamic Herb Sports Stadium in Talisay City, Cebu.
UP is currently at the top of Group B with six points, followed by Pilipinas Dragons with three points. Maharlika Manila FC is third with a point, while Manila Digger FC is fourth with also a point but behind on goal difference. / EKA