AMINADO si Serbian coach Risto Visakovic na mabigat ang laban ng mga Pinoy kontra Shan United ng Myanmar sa Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League qualifying na gaganapin sa Enero 14 sa Rizal Memorial Football field.
“I must admit our game against Myanmar is tough like scaling the mountain. It’s a tough job to accomplish. We have to play our best and walk the extra mile to win,” sabi ni Vidakovic sa kanyang pagbisita sa unang session ng Philippine Sportswriters Assocation (PSA) Forum para sa 2020 kahapon sa Amelie Hotel-Manila.
“We are prepared physically and mentally to face them. Our ultimate goal is to win and advance to the next round. We will go for it to please the home crowd who will be cheering for us,” wika ng 51-anyos na Serbian mentor.
Ayon kay Vidakovic, kalahati sa team ay homegrown at ang kalahati ay Fil-foreign players na dala ang pangalan Bacolod-based Ceres football team.
“It’s 50-50 percent. Fifty percent are Filipinos and 50 percent foreign players born in other countries with Filipino blood,” ani Vidakovic.
Kasama ni Vidakovic sa forum na suportado ng San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel at ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) ang lima sa kanyang mga manlalaro na sina Stephen Schock, Joshua Gremmen, Arnie Pesibre, Hikan Misegishi at Mark Hatman.
Ang panalo ng mga Pinoy laban sa Myanmar League champions ay maghahatid sa kanila sa second round kontra Thai League 1 team Port FC, na kasama na sa lineup si dating Ceres captain Martin Steuble.
Makakasagupa naman ng mananalo sa second-round matchup ang Kashima Antlers ng Japan para sa isang puwesto sa group stage. Ang kabiguang magkuwalipika ay maglalagay sa Ceres sa AFC Cup, ang second-tier club competition sa continent.
“Two years ago we made it to the third round so hopefully we can create a surprise again in the first two rounds,” ani Vidakovic. “Our focus is more on motivation because right now it’s impossible to be fully prepared.”
Sinang-ayunan ito ni Schrock. The mindset is always winning regardless if we are prepared or we were only playing together for a short time,” he said. “I’m playing against the idea of losing. In the back of my mind, I want to qualify. I’m looking for history.” CLYDE MARIANO
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