CARMONA, CAVITE – Pundits were surprised after Maharlika Manila released their line-up for the 2020 Philippines Football League (PFL) brought to you by Qatar Airways kicking off this October 25 at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center. Apparently, a few prominent names mentioned during the new squad’s build-up were omitted but they were quick enough to answer the queries of their fast-growing fan base.
Co-founder Anton del Rosario will remain at the squad’s forefront along with his fellow former Philippine Azkals David Basa and Jerry Barbaso. They will be joined by Mateo Yuhico, Peter Varley, Charlie Beaton and goalkeepers na Cedric Martinez-Hodreal and Enrique Ortiz.
Eleventh hour additions were forwards Yannick Tuason and Chris Lawless, midfielders Carl Amisola, Javi Coscolluela, Dingdong Fornea and Michael Libre and defenders Bim Pitogo and Jose Montelibano. Maharlika also acquired two new foreign reinforcements in the person of forward Kim Sung Min from South Korea and goalkeeper Henri Bendeken from Cote d’Ivoire.
According to Coach Roxy Dorlas, several team members had to beg off due to conflicts in their schedule with that of the PFL bubble while factoring the ongoing health crisis. He is sad with the development but he respects their decision and he knows that they will still support their teammates even from a distance.
Among those who will skip the PFL bubble are former Azkals Simon Greatwich and Misagh Bahadoran and Brazilian model Daniel Matsunaga. Coach Dorlas vowed that the team will still exhibit high-grade Football for their fans, especially those from Manila.
Maharlika will immediately undergo an acid test in their opening day fixture versus early favorite United City starting at 8:00 PM. Their succeeding matches will be against Stallion Laguna (October 28), Kaya Iloilo (October 31), Azkals Development Team (November 3) and Mendiola 1991 (November 6).
The club was established in the middle of this year and were able to secure a license from the PFF only last month in time to be the PFL’s sixth and latest participant. Dubbed as the “Koponan ng Masa” or “Team of the Masses”, Maharlika believes that fans will play a big role in framing their decisions.
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