Global FC eyes Cebuanos’ support in upcoming AFC Cup

SCOTTISH head coach Brian Reid of the Global FC hopes the Cebuanos will show up and support the team’s Group B matches of the 2013 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s Cup on May 8, 10, and 12 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

“We hope that Cebu will believe in us,” said Reid, who together with team owner Dan Palami, consultant Kostanjevec Hinko and the Global FC players, arrived here last Friday.

“Hopefully we can get some to cheer for us, get a decent support from the home crowd.”

The group was treated to a welcome party at the Beverly Hills residence of Cebu Football Association (CFA) president Pericles “Ricky” Dakay, who was also celebrating his birthday.

Reid said they decided to come earlier to get the team settled and get used to playing in a proper grass, referring to the carabao grass of the CCSC pitch. Playing on proper grass will be very different from playing on an artificial grass, wherein most United Football League (UFL) matches are played.

Global FC earned the right to represent the country in this AFC-organized tournament after becoming last year’s UFL champions.

Reid also said the team will go light on their remaining practice sessions prior to the first match on May 8.

“Our trainings will not be heavy,” he said. “It will be more tactical, introducing the new system of play to the new players, formation, not so much physical.”

He said Dordoi Bishkek of Krygyzstan will be the team’s toughest opponent as it has 17 national players in its lineup.

Global FC will be no pushover as it also has several members of the Philippine Azkals in its lineup as such as Carli de Murga, Juani Guirado, Denis Wolf and Jeffrey Christiaens. Palami has also acquired the services of Jason de Jong and Joshua Beloya, both also members of the country’s national football team, but playing in other clubs.

Global FC will not be able to use most of its talented foreign players, who are mainstays in its UFL lineup, because as per AFC rules, only two foreign players are allowed per team.

Although he has many players to choose from, including about seven foreigners, Reid said that it is difficult for him to pick a player for the lineup. “It is not a very easy decision, it is tough for the coach.”

Making it more difficult is the fact that they don’t know their opponents that well.

“My biggest concern is that we’ve had no opportunity to focus on any of our opponents. Normally we send scouts over to check them out but we don’t have the facility for that. It is a gamble, we will make do with what we can. Hopefully, we can rise to the occasion and do the country proud.”  /correspondent Mars G. Alison