By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.
Negros Occidental Football Association’s Ceres-La Salle FC head coach Freddie “Nene” Lazarito yesterday said he sees home advantage when they face 2012 UFL Cup’s champion Stallion FC of Iloilo City this Sunday, for the 2013 PFF-Smart Club Championship at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
“There will always be an advantage playing on your own ground,” Lazarito told Watchmen Daily Journal.
“What we can only assure of is that we are ready.”
He added that the squad has been in rigid preparation for this anticipated high-quality match between longtime archrivals – the Negrenses and the Ilonggos.
Meanwhile, the Ceres squad is expected to come out big behind its local-based squads led by skipper Jason Cordova, Lemuel Unabia, Antony, Abelardo Solinas, Jose Emmanuel Diel, J Bagiuoro, Aldrin Dolino, Jayson Panhay, Joel Bedia, Ian Treyes, Richard Sumabong, Angelo Bahoyan, John Timothy Bolo, Fil-Am striker Joshua Beloya and keeper Jurex Replentes. Also boosting the home team are Koreans Yoon Byeong Jun, Choi Gun Hee, Yoon, Yu Young Jin, Hyoun Jae Hun, Kim Jung Mook, Sim Hyoung Min and custodian Hyoun Jae Hun.
Joining Lazarito at the sideline are Korean Cha Soung Yooung, Ramon Janeo and Ali Go. Team managers are siblings Ricardo and Leo Rey Yanson.
On the other hand, the Ernie Nierras-mentored Stallions are likewise expected to play tough following its huge performance on the 2-1 stunning victory over the more favored and league powerhouse Global FC during the recent UFL Cup finals at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
The champion squad is anticipated to be boosted by veteran booters from Barotac Nuevo led by Ruben Doctora, as well as several Korean nationals and Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez from the Spanish third division side Internacionale de Madrid CF.
With Ceres FC in Group A side are Queen City FC of Cebu City, Pasargad FC, M’Lang FC, Flame United FC, Baguio United FC, Romgarjal FC, and Nomads FC.
Group B, on the other hand, is composed of the Stallion FC of Iloilo City alongside Pachanga FC, Philippine Army FC, Kaya FC, Loyola FC, Gen. Trias International FC, Green Archers United FC and Global FC./
WDJ
Stallions have never played "on home soil". They never had a stadium that they can call their own and only played in Manila so far.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the home advantage will factor too much in here.
Stallion should win this 2-1.