Cebu FC makes its international tournament debut tonight, Sept. 21, 2023 as it takes on Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown FC in Group F of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
Cebu FC attempts to keep its unbeaten run this year and eyes its first win in an AFC tournament against Phnom Penh Crown FC, which is currently one of the best teams in the Cambodian League.
“We’re headed in the right direction. We’ve pretty much recovered from our previous games in the cup that we’ve won and now we’re working towards our first group stage, so I think we will be ready in time,” said Cebu FC head coach Joshua Schirmer.
Cebu FC has been trailblazing in the ongoing 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara and advanced to the next round after winning all four of its matches in the group stage. The Gentle Giants defeated Maharlika Manila FC, University of the Philippines, Manila Digger FC and Pilipinas Dragons in its four matches in the Copa.
Cebu FC hasn’t lost a match since a 3-0 loss to Kaya FC-Iloilo on Aug. 14, 2022.
“It’s been a great help because we always use these preseasons to get ready for these games, that gives us a full six to seven weeks to train and to have a really good competition and these games were really helpful,” said Schirmer of the Copa matches.
Since the departure of coaches Mehmet Kakil and Levent Öztürk, and some of its key players like Mert Altinöz, Cebu FC has revamped its coaching staff and its roster.
Cebu FC acquired the services of Schirmer and assistant coach Mustafa Al-Saffar. The club also re-acquired the services of Turkish striker Arda Çinkir and Nigerian-Filipino forward Chima Uzoka. Cebu FC also brought in new international players like Japanese wingers Rintaro Hama and Ken Murayama, and Turkish defender Göktug Demiroglu.
Phnom Penh Crown FC is also on a roll, winning its last five matches.
Phnom Penh Crown FC beat Visakha FC, National Defense Ministry FC, Nagaworld FC, Singapore’s Tampines Rovers and Laos’ Young Elephant FC.
Phom Penh Crown FC will field international players like 23-year-old Brazilian midfielder Denilson, Colombian attacking midfielder Andres Nieto, Japanese Shintaro Shimizu and Yudai Ogawa.
Phnom Penh Crown FC is currently second in the Cambodian League behind Svay Rieng FC. / EKA