TROY IN ACTION AGAINST KAYA FC
CAGAYAN de Oro — After his controlled and heads up performance in the midfield against Mendiola United, Cagayan de Oro’s Troy Limbo has gained confidence and may have earned a permanent spot on coach Scott Cooper’s plans for Azkals Development Team FC.
ADTFC has two more remaining matches to play in the Philippine Football League (PFL) Qatar Airways mini bubble tournament at the PFF Training Center in Carmona, Cavite. The young Azkals will play against Maharlika FC on Friday 430 p.m. to try to earn their second win in four matches.
Kaya FC will take on Mendiola FC at 9 a.m. while UCFC will play Iloilo Stallions FC at 8 p.m
.The young Azkals were tied nil-nil at the start of the second half against Mendiola when Troy was sent in to replace Marvin Angeles in the 65th and Dean Ebarle went in to replace Jarvey Gayoso as left defender. Gayoso was thrown up front to replace the injured Ivan Ouano.
Troy then paired with Jerome Marzan in the midfield and run the middle like their own playground. The duo controlled the midfield and never allowed Mendiola to create any attempts.
They also supplied the needed passes to the strikers which rattled the Mendiola defenders and created goal scoring opportunities, two of which hit the back of the net to secure three points for the young Azkals.
“It always feels good to win and get the three points. I also know that there are much more to improve and I know I will keep on improving every minute that I play,’’ he said after the game.
He is also thankful for coach Scott Cooper for allowing him to play with Jerome Marzan at the midfield as they have been playing together in the midfield during training.
Unknown to many fans Troy almost did not make it to the ADTFC as he suffered a stress fracture in his shin that required surgery. He was operated on at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center last February.
Luckily, because of postponement of the PFL due to the COVID 10 pandemic, he managed to recuperate and be ready for this competition.
He used to play wing but since his comeback coach Cooper has played him as central midfielder. “I am still adjusting and learning from my new position. I think I will keep on improving and develop in no time if I just keep on getting the minutes to play in that position,’’ he said.
Troy also said that he trusts coach Cooper. “Coach Scot’s plan is to put me in my best position which is to play center midfielder,’’ he said.
Troy did not play against UCFC during their first match but started in their match against Kaya FC but was substituted during halftime.
Slowly and surely Troy is adjusting to his new position. His performance against Mendiola FC was proof that he has improved and will continue to improve depending really on how many minutes does coach Scott Cooper will use him in their remaining games.
In a message to his fans and followers in Facebook, Troy humbly says that he is just happy to be back playing the beautiful game after the career threatening injury.
“The amount of patience and hard work I had put in just to get back to running was all worth it. I know I will keep on getting stronger and better. In God’s perfect timing I will be great,’’ he ended.
ADTFC needs to prevail over Maharlika FC and Laguna Stallions FC in their two last remaining matches to secure a decent finish. (l.biantan@gmail.com)
