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Ilocos United vs. Davao Aguilas a battle of firsts


Photo: Neo Ramirez de Mateo
Photo: Neo Ramirez de Mateo

 

It was billed as a battle between the two new boys of Philippine football, two newcomers to the scene who dared to dream and compete with the more established old guard.

Geographically at the opposite ends of the country, the match was likewise hyped as a duel between the North and the South.

Thus, when Ilocos United Football Club hosted the Davao Aguilas in Bantay, Ilocos Sur on match day two of the first ever Philippines Football League, Philippine football history was made yet again.

It was the first time a football club representing the Ilocos region played in a professional football match against the lone representative of the island of Mindanao.

So when the referee signaled the start of the game, nerves were understandably on display amongst fans and players alike, albeit more evident from the home team on the onset.

Ilocos United were playing at home, but it was the Davao Aguilas who would settle down early and dominate almost two-thirds of the possession.

In a battle of two teams with short preseasons in comparison with the other PFL squads, the white shirts of the Davao Aguilas would come out with more cohesion and chemistry as they built from the back.

Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson were among those watching intently from the stands, and he saw a rather scrappy first half, one that saw few clear-cut chances from both sides.

Things would be different in the second half.

With 45 minutes of PFL experience under their collective belts, both teams came out of the half-time huddle with a renewed sense of purpose as they looked to break the scoreless deadlock.

However, it would be the away team that would strike first.

Ilocos United has probably the leanest squad in the PFL with 24 members, but they have proven quality players in their ranks.

Veterans Valentine Kama, William Ebanda, Anton del Rosario make up the backline, with former Meralco keeper Baba Sampana manning the sticks. But they would be helpless in preventing the visitors from opening the scoring.

Levi Gilmar Fernandez-Lynch returns to Philippine football after a forgettable time with former club Stallion, and his composed performance in the midfield provided guile and stability to the Aguilas. Now free of the impossible hype that surrounded him the first time he was in the country, Gilmario has now rightly adapted the mantra of letting his football do the talking.

Former Kaya and Ceres striker Nate Burkey, wearing jersey number six, now oversees proceedings in the Davao midfield and it was his perfectly weighted pass that led to the game’s opening goal.

Fil-Belgian Dylan de Bruycker came into the game amid much anticipation from the Davao faithful, and he showed the league that the pre-tournament hype was justified with a well-taken goal in the 50th minute.

The goal would spark Ilocos to life. Graham Caygill, starved of service up top for the most part, was tireless up front, while Dominic del Rosario tried to conjure chances from the wings.

An ensuing period of sustained Ilocos pressure would pay dividends.

With time winding down, winger and former Ceres man Angelo Verheye Marasigan - a constant threat on the wings all game long - earned Ilocos a penalty in the 77th minute.

Captain John Kanayama took the responsibility of scoring Ilocos’ first ever goal, and he finished with aplomb to the delight of the orange-clad fans in attendance.

Ilocos United would finish the game on the ascendancy, but a draw in their opening match is a fair result and just reward for both teams still trying to find their bearings.

More than a few of the favored teams in the PFL have told this writer that they are wary of facing Davao and Ilocos. It could be mind games and gamesmanship on their part, or they could be telling their honest opinion.

Either way, the onus now is on the new kids on the block from the North and the South, to show that they belong to the league.

And if their first match was anything to go by, teams facing Ilocos and Davao are in for a fight. —JST, GMA News

Photo credit: Neo Ramirez de Mateo

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