Short-handed CQCU faces Global FC today

AN injury-plagued Cebu Queen City United (CQCU) Football Club will face the returning Global Football Club today in the Visayas Qualifying match of the 2013 Philippine Football Federation (PFF)–Smart National Club Championships at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) football pitch.

Global FC, which was initially disqualified from the tournament because of the lack of participation in previous games, will finally get its chance to prove itself against an undermanned but determined CQCU squad of coach Mario Ceniza.

PFF just recently revised its decision to disqualify Global FC. The decision, however, came late. Because of this, CQCU wasn’t able to prepare. According to CQCU manager Stanley Villasin, they were informed that they’d play against Global FC only last Friday.

Complicating things is the fact that CQCU won’t have four of their starters in Carlos Bolo Jr. (midfield), Limhar Baunsit (midfield), Frederick Isic (defender) and Ahmed Cheik Camara (midfielder) because of injuries.

But Ceniza remained optimistic. “We will fight hard because if we end up with a draw or a loss, we will not advance to the top 10 because they have a goal difference advantage,” Ceniza said.

Ceniza and Villasin are hoping that the Cebuano football fans will make up for the lack of manpower.

“The support of our community is very important. They will be the 12th man on the field,” Villasin said.

Meanwhile, Villasin said that the Stallions FC and Ceres FC protested PFF’s decision to revise Global FC’s disqualification. But both teams decided to just let it go to prevent destroying the relationship between the PFF and Global FC.

Global FC of coach Franco Lorenzo will be pinning its hopes on Filipino-Spaniard and Philippine Azkals midfielder Angel Guirado. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL