The Cebu Football Association-Cebu Queen City United (CFA-CQCU) assured itself of an entry into the Round of 16 as it routed its first assignment Baybay Leyte FC, 7-1, in yesterday’s start of the Visayas eliminations of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart Club Championships in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
The CFA-CQCU left nothing to chance as it immediately went into attack mode, scoring the first goal with just six minutes into the match courtesy of Samsom Olaniyi. This was followed with another goal two minutes later via Joseph Rodriguez’s effort.
Dan Villarico chipped in his contribution in the 14th minute while Olaniyi closed out the first half with another goal after picking up a cross from Bryan Eborda pegging the score at 4-0 in favor of CFA-CQCU.
CFA-CQCU’s scoring spree continued in the second half with Rodriguez scoring his second goal in the 69th minute, coming from another assist by Eborda.
Jade Paghubasan made it 6-0 for CFA-CQCU in the 82nd minute.
Baybay Leyte FC was able to sneak in a goal in the 89th before Villarico scored his second goal of the game in the 91st minute.
A win against Ceres FC tomorrow will make the CFA-CQCU the top Visayas qualifier. However, CFA-CQCU will be up against a formidable foe whose lineup is beefed up with six Korean players and two former members of the Philippine U23 Philippine Azkals—Aldrin Dolino and Lemuel Unabia.
CFA-CQCU has only a Japanese and a Nigerian as reinforcements. But head coach Mario Ceniza said that the Japanese player will not be fielded for now.
Ceniza said they will scout Ceres FC first when it goes up against Baybay Leyte FC today. He said he will see if they need to make adjustments come game time.