GLOBAL Cebu FC and Ceres Negros FC will face off tonight in the inaugural Philippines Football League (PFL) in what is dubbed as the “Visayas Classico”.
Ceres earned a bit of an upper hand--the support of its roaring fans--after PFL chose it to host the finals at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
Though looking like underdogs playing in hostile territory against arguably the most talented club in the country, Global head coach Akbar Nawas believes that it’s all about who has the bigger resolve.
“When you go into a final, whether you are an underdog or a favorite, everything goes out the window. Whoever wants it more will win the game,” he said.
Global finished fourth in the season and took on No. 1 ranked FC Meralco Manila in the semifinals. Global didn’t have the luxury of playing in front of its hometown crowd at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) in the two-legged semifinals due to the stadium’s unavailability.
Global still rose up to the occasion, showing a ton of heart, by beating Meralco 3-2 on aggregate due to late goals in the two legs that were played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. Global came from behind in two matches, with the first leg, a 2-1 win with two late goals by Brazilian defender Wesley Dos Santos and Fil-Japanese winger Hikaru Minegishi. Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez was the hero in the second leg, scoring late equalizer, for a 1-1 draw.
“Every single match in Cebu, thousands were watching and supporting us. Fans are amazing, atmosphere was amazing,” Global skipper Misagh Bahadoran said of what the team will miss in the finals.
Defender Amani Aguinaldo and OJ Clarino will still be out due to their injuries, while Global will miss the services of veteran Paul Mulders, who is suspended for this match due to accumulated yellow cards.
Ceres, in the meantime, will still miss the services Manny Ott with an injury and its head coach Risto Vidakovic, who is suspended.
“Manu’s out for a few weeks already. (But) I’m very confident for tomorrow’s (today’s) game. It’s pleasure to represent the province of Negros one more time. We are ready to bring our A-Game tomorrow,” is Martin Steuble.
Ceres, the second seed, beat Kaya FC-Makati on a 3-1 aggregate.
Ceres and Global has split the season with two wins each. Ceres won with identical 1-0 margins for both its home matches Global. One the other hand, Global beat Ceres 1-0 and 2-0 in home matches at the CCSC.
The PFL Finals will kick off at 6 p.m.