UCFC COACH FRANK MUESCAN
CAGAYAN de Oro City —One would think that United City FC coach Frank Muescan will just walk on the park, sit down and read the papers when they clash Stallion Laguna FC Friday evening at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Training Center grounds in Carmona, Cavite.
UCFC will seek for its fourth win and another three points to remain on top of the standings in this Qatar Airways sponsord PFL bubble mini tournament.
Maescan refuses to sit down and relax even after his UCFC wards scored a lopsided 10-0 win over newcomer Maharlika FC last Tuesday.
“The match against Stallion Laguna FC will be different. The Stallions have improved against Kaya after their surprise 1-2 loss to Maharlika FC during the opening and they managed to equalised in the second half. They also had many chances to add more goals,’’ he said in an exclusive interview with Pinoyfootball.com.
This is why Muescan, who was born and raised in Victorias, Negros Occidental, insists on using the same starting eleven that he used against Maharlika FC when play against the Stallions at 9 p.m.
This match is very important for UCFC who are leading the pack with nine points, as s slip will ruin their chance of winning the title.
Kaya FC is breathing down the neck of UCFC with seven points and ready to overtake them as they take on the winless Mendiola FC in the first game of the day at 9 a.m.
Muescan is prepared against the Stallions of coach Ernie Nierras and he has made some adjustments for their match.
“I need to adjust to secure our backline for transition,” he said. He added that they will stick to their playing style of ball possession game patiently and dictating the rhythm and tempo of the game.
“We will play more direct balls behind their back four and creat deep runs and put more players inside the box,’’ he said.
He has no problem with the players playing with over confidence. “They are all have professional attitudes and over confidence will not be an issue,” he said.
Muescan will use the deadly combinations up front OJ Porteria and Robert Mendy who scored three goals each against Maharlika FC.
Spanish import Buenvenido Marañon who also added one goal will give them support. But of course skipper Stephen Shrock will man the midfield with the Ott brothers Mike and Manny. Mike Ott scored twp goals against Maharlika.
Completing their starting 11 are Anthony Phintus, Takashi Odawara, Sean Kean, Josh Dutusme, and Hikaru Menigishi.
The Stallions have played only two matches and are in fifth place with only one point courtesy of their 1-1 draw against Kaya FC. They lost to Maharlika FC 1-2 in their opening game. (l.biantan@gmail.com)
