Busy year for Cebu football: May host group stage of AFC President's Cup

CEBU, Philippines - The Queen City of the South will have its busiest and biggest year ever in football with some international friendly matches being lined up including a possible hosting of the AFC President’s Cup on May 2-12.

In an interview with local sportswriters right after the Cebu Football Association (CFA) General Assembly last Sunday night, PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said the country hopes to snare the right to host a group stage match in the prestigious AFC tilt and that they are expecting the result of the bidding anytime soon.

Interestingly, Phl will be playing for the first time in this AFC President’s Cup since its inception in 2005.

“Well, they assure us of a good chance of hosting the event. Sana talaga magawa na agad ang Abellana(Cebu City Sports Center),” said Araneta refering to the CCSC centerfield, which is now back to its old 'baldy' and bumpy condition after the historic match between the Philippines and Singapore.

CFA though has already started the rehabilitation project of the CCSC yesterday.

The PFF has chosen Cebu to host the event as part of its promise to bring more international action here following the overwhelming success of the Azkals-Lions showdown in November last year.

The President's Cup is the club's version of the AFC Challenge Cup for emerging international clubs in Asia.

With this, it’s not only the country’s national team that will be playing here but also the Global FC being the reigning United Football Leagued (UFL) champion.

The Azkals and Global FC will go up against three other countries in their stage. The other teams will be known only after the drawing of lots.

The top squad in all three groups will then advance to the final stage set later this year.

Aside from the AFC President’s Cup, CFA will also be holding a friendly in June and September.

“Sa friendly, we would want to have a strong team to play against us. Vietnam is our priority pero depende pa rin yun sa availability nang mga teams,” said Araneta.

Iraq also wants to slug it out with the Azkals, but it had to be set aside for the moment due to the unavailability of a natural field here.

Meanwhile, the PFF is also hoping that Cebu will be able to send a team to the AFF Asean Super League. (FREEMAN)