Zamo-Magic as Cebu Edge Digger

It’s game on for Cebu FC as they have their eyes set on a late title charge after edging out Manila Digger FC 1-0 at the Borromeo Sports Complex.

Both teams had their hopes for a win: Cebu to keep themselves in the title hunt, while Digger were looking to staunch the bleeding after a rotten run of three losses in four matches. The intensity showed with both clubs battling in the heart of midfield. Cebu’s attack was blunted after an early injury to influential midfielder Guyto Mijtland, but to their credit, they kept going at it; Yuya Kuriyama and the Digger backline proved equal. On the other end, however, Digger’s attack was essentially blunted as they were able to isolate Salifu Jattah and choke off his lay-ons for the wingers. Both sides were not still for lack of effort, but the first half ended goalless.

The second half promised more of the same as both sides continued to scrap in midfield, and it eventually settled into a pace where the Giants were gaining a little more ground on the Backhoe Brigade. The decisive result, however, came with a sprinkling of luck. Zamorano Ho-A-Tham took the ball down the left flank from a clearance and whipped a cross into the box that took a bit of help from the soft seaside breeze, blowing past the reaching arms of Yuya Kuriyama just before the hour mark to ultimately strike the decisive blow in this game.

With a bit more urgency in their steps, the Backhoe Boys redoubled their efforts to no avail, as Kamil Amirul marshalled his backline mates well and Yusuf Cekic proved equal to any stray balls heading his way. The Giants also hunted for an insurance goal, but to no avail, as the Diggers also proved equal to the challenge. In the end, the Ho-A-Tham wonder lob proved the difference as the hosts moved into 2nd in the league table after results elsewhere went their way, while the visitors head back to Manila with their patch of poor form extended to now read one win in five.