PACHANGA FC ended Cebu Queen City United (CQCU) FC’s campaign in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart Club Championships after a 3-1 win yesterday at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
The third time was certainly the charm for Pachanga FC head coach Bob Salvacion after his team finally defeated coach Mario Ceniza’s CQCU FC in its own home turf, which makes the victory even sweeter.
Salvacion’s team then named UP Diliman/Victory Liner had gone up against CQCU twice last year in the United Football League Division 2 tournament.
In their first meeting CQCU drew the match while in their second meeting, CQCU devastated Salvacion’s team, 4-1.
With the win, Pachanga FC will advance to the quarterfinal round.
“I am happy to beat Cebu in Cebu,” said Salvacion, who added that his team really prepared not only physically but also mentally considering that the local team had the homecourt advantage.
According to Salvacion, they prepared for Cebu’s fast football, keeping in mind the local team’s aggressiveness and agility.
He added that he did not expect to win by as many as two goals against CQCU.
Two of Pachanga FC’s three goals came from a direct free kick and a penalty kick in the second half, which Ceniza said affected his boys’ game.
Pachanga FC foiled CQCU’s agility by constantly attacking the goal. Its first goal was a header from Joven Bedic in the 38th minute.
A minute into injury time before the end of the first half, CQCU was able to level the match with a goal from Samson Olaniyi, who picked up a cross from Junard Aguilar in the right flank sending the match into 1-all at halftime.
Pachanga FC continued its offensive game in the second half, creating havoc with CQCU’s ball possession, ball control and passing.
CQCU could not even manage to convert its chances on counter attack with Pachanga immediately foiling its scoring attempt.
The closest chance that CQCU had in scoring was on a free kick, which was crossed from the left flank but a weak finish allowed Pachanga’s goalkeeper to pick it up.
In the 67th minute, Pachanga’s Jason Conliffe converted his free kick attempt taken right in front of the penalty box.
Pachanga sealed its win with a penalty kick from Mario Javier Clarino, a reinforcement from Stallions FC, who came in halfway into the second half replacing Bedic. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON