By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Painful but sweet!
This is how to describe the 3-1 triumph of the Ceres-Negros Team over the Iloilo Football Association booters yesterday during the first leg of the Philippine Football Federation Suzuki Under-23 National Cup Finals at the Central Philippine University football pitch in Iloilo City.
These two neighboring rival squads battled through full time and two extension periods, but it seemed to be more like a wrestling match. The Negrenses had to overcome the physical game played by the Ilonggos.
�We have already anticipated the possible game plan of Iloilo. That�s why we told the boys to stay focused because our main objective in this tournament is to win,� said Negros Assistant Coach Ramon Janeo.
�At the start of the game, we tried to play offensively through a 3-4-3 formation but it did not work out because our midfielders had lots of miscommunications,� Janeo explained.
Aldrin Dolino opened Negros� offense in the 27th minute after his shot slid off the hands of Iloilo keeper Wilson Mu�oz.
Another goal opportunity for the Negros team came in the 34th minute on a foul on Joshua Beloya but his penalty shot hit the crossbar.
At the resumption of the match, Iloilo became aggressive in its offense and managed to make very close attempts. However, the Negros defense stood tight, denying Iloilo any goal opportunity.
In the 54th minute, Iloilo�s midfielder Glester Sobremisana forced the match to a draw after converting a penalty shot on a handball by Negros defender Janrick Soriano.
Both teams failed to break the deadlock within regulation but Iloilo suffered a blow later in the second half when a red card was issued against one of its key players.
During an attempt by Negrense booter Joven Bedic, Iloilo keeper Mu�oz rushed out of the box and intentionally struck Bedic instead of the ball.
Referee Grant Rojas immediately slapped Mu�oz with a red card and threw him out of the game. The incident brought more bad news for Iloilo, as the red card translates to a one game suspension, which will preclude Mu�oz from suiting up for his team during the Bacolod leg of the finals.
In the extension period, a crucial goal was sunk by Bedic, a native of Barotac Nuevo who currently plays for West Negros University under Negros head coach Norman Fegidero Jr.
Brutally knocked down several times and taunted by the home crowd, Bedic blasted a shot from 25 yards at the 9th minute of the first extension period. Iloilo substitute goalkeeper German Doronilla unable to block the shot, paving the way for the visiting team�s second goal.
With Negros leading 2-1, a 13th minute insurance goal from striker Aldrin Dolino sealed the match at 3-1.
�We tried to play a defensive game in the second half using the 4-4-2 formation but we were unable to capitalize on it. After Mu�oz got the red card, we increased the intensity of our attack,� Janeo explained.
�It was a big win for us. A big away win,� said Fegidero. �We wanted to score more goals. This is crucial to us when we will be defending in our home field in Panaad.�
�When Bedic was injured and forced to temporarily retire from the game in the second half, I told him, �Bbumalik ka! Bumalik ka!� And he made the difference with that goal,� Fegidero added.
Despite losing the first game at home turf and also losing his starting goalkeeper when they invade Bacolod this Sunday, May 22, Iloilo head coach Marjo Allado remained optimistic.
�We were able to have more attempts than Bacolod but were unable to finish properly. It�s not yet over. It�s going to be hard but, hopefully, we can prepare for it.�
Iloilo will have Francis Gustilo, Neckson Leonora, and Shizmar Felongco back in the next leg but there will be a gaping hole at the net with Mu�oz being sidelined by the one-game suspension.
�Though we are ahead in this leg, we don�t want to be overconfident. It�s still anybody�s ball game. We just have to keep focused on our game plan. It�s only done when the final whistle blows,� said Janeo.
�We were a better team in a very physical game,� said Philippine Olympic Committee Chairman Monico Puentevella, who was also present during yesterday�s game.
Puentevella asked the Negrenses and Bacolodnon to show support for the Negros team. �Let�s wear green on Sunday. Let�s support the Ceres-Negros team,� he appealed.
The final leg of the PFF Suzuki Under-23 National Cup is on Sunday, May 22 at 6 p.m. at Panaad Stadium.
Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on May 20, 2011.
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