Cebu FC off to blazing start in new PFL season

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu FC Gentle Giants opened their campaign in the Philippine Football League (PFL) 2024-25 season with a 6-0 thrashing of Mendiola FC 1991 over the weekend at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

The Gentle Giants found the redemption they were seeking on the same pitch where they bowed to South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC, 6-0, in their debut in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two two weeks ago.

Head coach Nihat Tümkaya said they had already moved on from that disappointing setback.

“Despite the disappointment of losing such a tough match, we quickly recovered and secured a well-deserved victory in our first (PFL) league match. Although our opponent wasn’t on the same level as us, we maintained our discipline for the full 90 minutes. Our players largely executed both the defensive and offensive tactics we asked of them,” the Turkish mentor said.

Abou Sy sparked Cebu FC’s scoring spree with just eight minutes gone by in the game. He sank another goal seven minutes later, and then Guytho Marcus Mijland found the back of the net at the 43rd to make it 3-0 at halftime.

Cebu FC sustained its explosive charge in the final half, with Rintaro Hama firing in back-to-back goals at the 52nd and 71st minutes before Ryoo Togashi sealed the shutout win at the 87th.

The Gentle Giants will not be coming home just yet as they are set to travel to Malaysia to face Selangor FC in their first away match of the ACL Two on Thursday, October 3.  — (FREEMAN)