Bad weather hampers QCU’s UFL preparation

By Cheska D. Geli

Monday, January 16, 2012

THE gloomy weather is proving to be a downer for Queen City United Football Club’s final preparation for the United Football League Divison 2.

Queen City, whose debut in the UFL was moved for a week to give way to the Sinulog celebrations, was supposed to have a friendly against collegiate champion University of San Carlos (USC) last Saturday but the rains have rendered the USC field unplayable.


The match between QCU and USC, which is coached by Pachanga’s Joshua Fegidero and Gary Panagsagan, has been moved to Tuesday at the Aboitiz Sports Field, weather permitting.

Queen City, which lost all three matches during the UFL Cup last year, hasn’t been able to train for the past weeks also because of the weather. They were also not able to use the Aboitiz Sports field as a practice venue to preserve the pitch condition and have been relegated to doing conditioning drills outside the field.

Mario Ceniza, the head coach of the team, is eager to get a game for his club as he wants to know if the team is still at the same level before the Christmas break.

Series

“The team had its series of games a month ago and I’m not sure if they still have the same performance this time. Hopefully I can take a look at them once again,” said Ceniza.

The coach was referring to QCU performance in the 14th Aboitiz Cup, where it maintains a four wins and no loss record.

QCU routed Don Bosco United (6-0), Erco FC (6-0), Sumaba FC (13-0) and eked past defending champion Crazy Horse, (1-0). Curiously, Crazy Horse featured players like Mitsu Tsunakiri, Ariel Cahilig and Alex Boanghog Jr., who played for Queen City in the UFL Cup last year.

Queen City will debut against Dilimian Victory Liner on Jan. 21 and will face Agila FC on Jan. 29 and Laos FC on Feb. 5. Queen City will have a chance to face UFL Cup tormentor Pachanga on Feb. 11.

Queen City, which is in the 12-team Division 2 of the UFL, will play 22 games this season.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on January 16, 2012.