Goal Line: Team Socceroo humming in Division 2

 

Team Socceroo humming in Division 2

MANILA, Philippines — Following their 5-0 thrashing of Manila All-Japan FC, Team Socceroo looks all set to cruise to the country’s top flight, taking the league’s second division by storm and grabbing the early solo lead.

Founded in 2005 as a club offering football training for kids and other enthusiasts, Team Socceroo traces its humble beginnings from the Reyes brothers — Wool, Nicholas, Mike and Paulus — who share a passionate love for the beautiful game. The brothers led the team to many victories in various weekend football and futsal tournaments all over Metro Manila before breaking in the national scene by joining the country’s premier league, the UFL.

Need to represent the youth

Asked about the reason why the club eventually entered in the second division of the UFL, Team Socceroo captain Mike Reyes said that there is a need to represent the youth.

“There was a need to represent the youth, the kids in our training academy. We also wanted to maximize the rise of football in the country the past years. We need to make the goal alive while aiming for continuity,” Reyes said.

During the national television debut of the league through the 2011 UFL Cup, Team Socceroo was one of the highly anticipated clubs due to the signing of several celebrities including Daniel Matsunaga and Jake Cuenca. The team, however, faced a rough road coming in the league with their first game in the 2011 UFL Cup against the mighty Loyola Meralco Sparks FC. The Sparks went on to win that contest in a lopsided scoreline of 15-1. 

Cinderella run

But the club made a Cinderella run and went on to qualify in the Round of 16 before eventually bowing down against a formidable Kaya side. The succeeding league saw the team finishing at the middle of the table.

With the turn of the new season, Team Socceroo revamped its line up despite the losses including the transfer of Matsunaga and Hector Zaghi to Stallions Sta. Lucia FC. The team absorbed some of the brilliant players from General Trias International FC, semifinalist of the recently concluded PFF-Smart National Championships.

The move saw drastic improvement to the team’s performance in the current season with a Division 1 promotion looming in the horizon if they hold to their winning ways.

The past two games saw the Paranaque-based squad demolish opponents with a comprehensive scoreline, stamping their dominance in the country’s segunda division. And it looks like the team is not stopping there. Asked about the club’s ultimate goal this season, this is what skipper Reyes had to say.

“Win the whole league and be promoted and play with the big boys. That’s our goal,” he said with no hesitation.

With the kind of performance the team is showing in the league so far, this goal is not far-fetched. They may even give the top flight’s current titans a run for their money once they break the Division 1 scene. The team is totally living up to its motto, reaping victories every match by playing every game with “clear eyes and full hearts”.

 

Global FC (6) – (0) Philippine Army FC

Starosta 27′, Bahadoran 36′, Christiaens 50′ 75′, Uy 87′, Mv Angeles 91′

Best: The reigning league champions were clearly making a statement after it thrashed Philippine Army FC in a goal-scoring-clinic-cum-demolition in the first match of the UFL Tuesday action.

Despite boasting of three veteran national team players including ace keeper Ed Sacapano, midfielder Boogie Margarse and defender Roel Gener in its lineup, the Philippine Army FC once again failed to see the light of day and score some points in the league.

Global on the other hand, bagged its fourth consecutive win and grab the lead in the table in goal difference. Five of the goals of the game came from national team players. A natural left winger who was later converted to left back in the national team setup, Jeffrey Christiaens registered a brace, scoring in the 50th and 75th minute, proving his lethal goal scoring abilities when given the chance. Azkals midfielders Matthew Uy and Marvin Angeles scored in the 87th and 91st minute, respectively. Polish midfielder Ben Starosta opened the scoring with a gorgeous strike in the 27th minute.

However, the most spectacular goal came from Misagh Bahadoran, longtime Azkals and Global FC player, after his scissor-kicked strike in the 36th minute went past Army keeper Ed Sacapano. Global is intent in protecting the lead and lifting that coveted league trophy once again.

Worst: The Army squad is in the brink of relegation and might be going in that direction eventually if it continues its performance. Failing to garner any point with a goal difference of -10, the Philippine Army FC is currently tied with PSG FC at the bottom of the table.

Age and experience may not be a viable combination anymore for the ageing Army squad if it wants to stay in the top flight. The March transfer window is near and the club’s management might need to seriously consider infusing in new blood to the team. Hopefully, their financial woes won’t stop them from doing so.

 

Stallion Sta. Lucia FC (2) – (1) Kaya FC

Doctora 47′, Italia 70′ | Soriano 88′

Best: Stallions Sta. Lucia is firm in making the race at the top of the first division table a tight one, tying with Global and Loyola Meralco Sparks in points, with a hard-fought win against a coach-less Kaya FC.

Stallions showed their prowess in the midfield with a 3-6-1 formation that gave the Kaya midfield defense a headache. However, Kaya showed quality and played toe-to-toe with the reigning Cup champions with national team midfielder Chris Greatwich anchoring the attack.

After an even and scoreless first half, the Iloilo-based squad broke through the Kaya defense after team skipper, Balut Doctora made a beautiful strike from a deflected corner kick, beating Kaya keeper Saba Sadeghi. Bervic Italia doubled the lead in the 70th minute with a floater after Saba failed to clear the ball and sent it to Italia’s feet. Kaya’s Janrick Soriano gave the 6th place team a consolation goal in the 88th minute after a brilliant run in the flank off a counterattack.

One of the best things in this match, though, was how the homegrown players were the brightest stars in the field. All three goals were from local-based players showing that the quality of football in the country is getting better.

Worst: Kaya FC should go back to the drawing board and restore its winning ways. The team does not have the luxury of time and lick the wounds of the resignation of Maor Rozen. They don’t have an excuse as the team is teeming with quality with the likes of Greatwich, Porteria, Del Rosario and Soriano in the squad. What needs to be done is strategy, strategy and strategy. The dominant Kaya days are not gone, it just needs to be discovered again.

 

Green Archers United FC (4) – (1) Philippine Air Force FC

Melliza 22′, Caligdong 24′, Aguisanda 50′, Pasilan 63′ | Gustilo 33′

Best: Looks like the green-clad men called the Archers are finally awake. After suffering three straight defeats in three consecutive matches, Green Archers United finally snapped up its first 3 points after comprehensively beating the Philippine Air Force FC, 4-1.The match was also the first time Chieffy Caligdong met with his old club.

UAAP scoring wonder Jess Melliza made an incredible comeback in the country’s top flight by opening the scoring in the 22nd minute with a beautiful strike that beat Air Force keeper Kenneth Dolloso. Caligdong doubled the lead just 2 minutes later with a beautiful header from a Melliza cross. Air Force snatched one back with a Gustilo strike in the 33rd minute. However, Green Archers meant business at the start of the second half, comprehensively beating the Airmen with Aguisanda scoring in the 50th minute and Archers skipper Tating Pasilan striking in the 63rd minute to nail the victory.

Green Archers needs to keep this winning attitude if it wants to have a chance in the league trophy. There are still so many games ahead but gaining momentum right at this very moment would be ideal.

Worst: The revamped Philippine Air Force FC have to live up to its youth and vitality and score some points. Ian Araneta should need to do more and inspire his younger teammates to have that winning mentality he shared in the Air Force squad with Chieffy Caligdong and Yanti Barsalles.

 

Loyola Meralco Sparks FC (3) – (0) PSG FC

Mk Hartmann 17′, Jang 47′, 55′ P. Younghusband

Best: Challenging Global FC in the goal scoring department would be Loyola Meralco Sparks. Ever since the league inaugurated on national television, Loyola has scored some of the most lopsided victories and has even made winning a natural habit, hence, the win against Pasargad last Thursday came natural as passing the ball for the Sparks booters.

Despite missing the services of James Younghusband due to back strain and Chad Gould due to accumulated yellow cards, the Sparks played like a complete unit with Mark Hartmann once again marshaling the attack. The youngest of the Hartmann brothers opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a beautiful strike that went past the infamous PSG keeper, Reza Ataei. Korean import Jang Jo Won doubled the lead in the 47th minute after an Ataei save rebounded in the foot of the running Korean. Azkals ace striker sealed the deal in the 55th minute after striking home a gorgeous goal from a wonderful assist from Mark Hartmann.

Sparks striker Freddy Gonzalez collided with an onrushing Ataei who went way out of his line to clear a ball. The two players collided and went down hard on the pitch. Ataei seemed shaken but it was Gonzalez who was at the receiving end of the pain. The former Division 2 golden boot awardee was marshaled off of the pitch and seemed to be needing more medical attention for his knee.

Worst: PSG will need to look at its cards again and might need a reshuffle. Despite the infusion of new blood including national U-22 standout Angelo Verheye, Emil Muncada and Nelson, PSG still needs to do better. They are currently at the bottom of the league and in the brink of relegation. The March transfer is coming and they should make the most out of it. Essie Sedigh, PSG coach, said that they are adding two incredible players from Iran to beef up the line up come the transfer window. We will see how this reshuffling of cards will go in the coming games.

 

Nomads FC (1) – (0) Pachanga-Diliman FC

Arroyo 23′

Best: The little man stood tall. Jason Arroyo, Nomads’ dynamo of a midfielder, lifted the Alabang-based squad to a hard-fought win against an undermanned Pachanga-Diliman FC. Arroyo slotted home the winner in the 23rd minute in the Saturday action of the UFL lifting his team to 4th place ahead of Pachanga-Diliman FC with a win-draw-loss record of 2-1-1. Pachanga-Diliman missed the services of strikers Jason Cunliffe and Ian Mariano due to international duties for the Guamanian national team in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers. Both teams fought valiantly but it was Arroyo who stood tall against everyone to give Nomads a much needed victory.

Pachanga-Diliman, however, is not a disappointment as it is showing enterprise in the top flight and is set on staying there. – Rappler.com

 

DIVISION 2 Results:

Cebu Queen City United FC (0) – (3) Forza FC (Forza winning by default)

Cimarron FC (1) – (3) Agila FC

Team Socceroo FC (5) – (0) Manila All-Japan FC

Union Internacional Manila (4) – (4) Laos FC

Dolphins United FC (4) – (0) Philippine Navy FC