Manila Metros

MATCH REPORT: November 9, 2019
WFL Matchday 5: Superbad FC 1-4 Manila Metros
Chelsea Blue Pitch 10:00am
Goalscorer (Assist): Larsen (Presyler) 13’, Uddenvaall (Obarijima) 38’, Uddenvall (Ryan) 67’, Obarijima (Okema) 79’

Man of the Match: Philemon Okema was a standout in a strong Metros performance with his supreme defensive work and his penetrative passing at the heart of many of the team’s best moves during the match.

On a very early hot Saturday morning the Manila Metros paid a visit to Superbad FC at the Chelsea Blue Pitch. Superbad pulled a double over the Metros last season and the visitors were focused on a better result this time around knowing that if they won and other results went their way the round would end with the Metros top of the table.

The match kicked off and the Metros were the stronger of the two sides. The Superbad keeper was drawn into action twice in the first ten minutes from a Eoghan Ryan volley and a Marcus Larsen effort from the edge of the box. The Superbad keeper had done well to this point but looked to be carrying an injury sustained in one of the dives.

For all the Metros intricate combination play in offense the breakthrough was very direct with Fausti Presyler’s long throw finding Larsen in the box to plant a strong header into the bottom corner past the keeper. Presyler coming up from centerback for his long throws have been a danger in every match this season thus far.

The Metros were finding a lot of joy down the flanks with Geja Rajagopal’s strong running and Jimmy Obarjima’s pace on the opposite wing causing headaches with the Metros midfield able to continually seek them. If not for a few questionable offside decisions by the linesman the Metros could have been further ahead.

Superbad began to show some of their attacking ability on the break and were starting to bring their strong forward into play. Francisco and Presyler were strong in containing him and therefore most of Superbad’s dangerous play with the rest of the team doing well to cover and limit their options.

An incident off the ball saw Metros centerback Presyler with a bloody nose after the Superbad forward had thrown his elbow into him. The referee and linesmen could not agree and eventually brandished a yellow. Presyler was taken out of the game and Metros original Visar Demar entered the match that saw a reshuffling of the Metros backline.

The Metros scored a well deserved second when Okema pinged a ball over the top to free Obarijima who attempted to lob the onrushing keeper. Chris Uddenvall was on hand to help it over the line to help the Metros to a two goal lead coming into half time.

The first 15 minutes of the second half was a bit flat with the Metros content to adsorb the Superbad offensive effort and looking to hit them on the break.

A loose pass in midfield allowed Superbad to loft a ball and catch out the Metros defense for a Superbad forward to finish smartly passed Turkish Firat Sen who was furious at the play leading up to the. The Metros for the most part had been in control of the match but with Superbad scoring to half their advantage they knew that they had a lot of work still to do.

Midway through the half the Metros had restored their two goal advantage with another long throw play. Marcus Larsen nodded on Preysler’s long throw to free captain Ryan who did well to send the ball dangerously across the goal. Uddenvall was on hand to turn in his second of the match.

Superbad were wearing out towards the end of the match and that opened up the game with Jimmy Obarijima squandering a chance to square to his strike partner Ryan before eventually scoring after being put through again by man of the match Okema.

As the referee blew the final whistle the Metros celebrated having secured another big three points in their mounting title challenge. With Manila All Japan dropping points away to Garreli, the Metros see themselves at the top of the league table entering a three week break before the first round of the WFL Cup.

MATCH REPORT: October 26, 2019
WFL Matchday 4: Manila Metros 6-1 Manila Tala
McKinley Stadium 2:00 pm
Goalscorer (Assist): Francisco (Uddenvall) 11’, Ryan (Uddenvaall) 37’, Ryan (Mijares) 57’, Obarijima (Sulla) 66’, Ryan PK 77, Francisco 81’
Man of the Match: Chris Uddenvall has been influential in the attack after his switch this season to a more attacking midfield role away from his usual position as the anchor in front of the defense. His calmness on the ball and his pinpoint delivery was key as the Metros fought back after conceding early to eventually win the game. Shoutout to Norman Francisco with a strong showing with his two goals, his first a timely equalizer in the first half.

The current WFL division champions Manila Tala paid a visit to the Metros at their home stadium of McKinley on matchday 4 of the WFL 2019/20 season. The Talaticos have undergone a bit of an overhaul as a squad with several key players transferring to other teams and the lineup that squared up against the Metros had a very different look to the team that bested Manila Hurricanes to the title last year.

For a Manila Metros team that was going through its own period of adjustment after the long term injuries suffered by two key players.

What the Metros would not have wanted was to start slowly and unfortunately conceded at the first asking from Tala with a towering header at the back post from a corner within the first five minutes. The Metros were punished for starting slowly and were fired to respond.

Within the first fifteen minutes the teams were leveled when Norman Francisco scored a dominant header of his own from a deep Uddenvall freekick to the back post. This was just the response the Metros needed.

With their new squad Tala were taking some time to grow into the game. For all their good play in their third and the middle of the park the final ball was somewhat lacking. The away side were lined up with a tall forward who was a handful for the Metros backline but he lacked the supporting runs to really hurt the home side.

Tala vs Metros is always a tough and physically contested match and it showed midway through the first half with the Tala striker lashing out twice in the span of 15 or so minutes to earn two yellow cards and an early bath.

With the numerical advantage the Metros were pushing on looking to capitalize and take the lead. With Uddenvall playing a free role behind the forward he was able to create an overload on the right side of the pitch to receive and play a curling cross behind the defense for Ryan to come late and finish first time on the volley.

Coming from behind the Metros now led the champions 2-1 who were looking to adjust their shape after having gone down to ten men in the first half.

The second half started as the first half ended with the Metros having all of the ball and Tala holding shape to try and limit the home team’s ability to play through the lines and hurt them in the final third.

Their resistance was broken with Uddenvall again at the center of it spotting the penetrating run of Ham Mijares behind the defense to thread him through for Mijares to cut back around the penalty spot for Ryan to finish first time.

Understandably it was challenging for Tala to mount a comeback with their new look side and with the man disadvantage but they defended strongly and looked to frustrate the Metros at every opportunity.

With his second assist in as many games Sulla caught the Tala defense off guard with a perfectly timed slide ball for Obarijima to go one on one to finish calmly.

After this frustrations started to set in from the Tala side and it was evident when the Tala keeper hauled down forward Ryan in the box making no effort to get to the ball. The referee was strong to immediately blow up and call for the penalty kick. Ryan picked himself up to slot past the keeper.

There was time for a final goal when Francisco, who
had started the Metros comeback with the equalizer, scored during a scramble after a corner kick.

The final whistle blew with the Metros registering another win and with the champions in rough shape during their transitional season. Big game coming up for the team with Superbad away early at the Chelsea Blue Pitch.

MATCH REPORT: October 13, 2019
WFL Matchday 3: Manila Hurricanes 5-4 Manila Metros
BGC Turf 12:00 nn kickoff
Goalscorer (Assist): Mijares 50’, Ryan PK 68’, Ryan 74’ (Sulla), ManHur OG 79’

Man of the Match: The Man of the Match for the Metros goes to the captain Ryan who was a leader at the front with his two goals. His attitude and drive was behind the Metros almost making a comeback.

This game against the reigning WFL Cup champions Manila Hurricanes was positioned as a huge test of the Manila Metros’ title credentials this season. The Metros grabbed two wins against ManHur the season passed and always seemed to raise their game against such quality opponents. Those results plus with former ManHur starting right back Norman Francisco now lining up for the Metros this season it was always going to be a match with a lot of fight and desire from both squads.

The game was played at the small BGC Turf which always makes it difficult to play any sort of settled ground passing game with everyone so close into each other. The opening exchanges saw little in the way of proper football from either team though the Metros had a header come off the cross bar in the best attack from either side.

Within the first 15 minutes though the Metros were struck by two serious injuries to two of its key players in center back leader Kim Sol landing awkwardly resulting in a broken arm and influential winger Kevin Skinker being trodden on accidentally in the aftermath of a tackle causing a MCL tear in his right knee. Both players will be missed for several months.

A shuffling in the side was necessary with a lack of fit center backs forcing a shift in tactics from the Metros. In the aftermath of the team adjusting to the loss of two of its key players, ManHur capitalized with a long ball that caught the defense out leaving the forward to slot past Sen in goal for the opener.

After overcoming the initial double hitter of losing two key players and the first goal the Metros pushed on looking to have a bigger influence in the match. The away side were able to play out of the back into midfield but the final ball was lacking and the Metros were unable to seriously test the shaky ManHur goal keeper.

Late into the half however two lapses in concentration allowed the home team to capitalize with some clinical finishing to put themselves up 3-0 within the first 45 minutes. A lot of work to be done in the second half if the Metros were to grab a result from this.

Some early pressing paid dividends when a back pass to the ManHur keeper was closed down by the Metros offensive line leading to a shanked clearance. Egyptian Filipino Hamo Mijares was first to it and his touch prodded the ball into the net for the Metros response.

The Metros looked dangerous from set pieces utilizing their height and ability in the area. Shortly after pulling a goal back a corner produced a bit of mayhem in the box with a Metros shot on goal eventually hitting the arm of a ManHur defender. The ref was aware to the situation and called a penalty pick when other refs might have played on. Captain Eoghan Ryan stepped up to convert his third penalty in as many games.

ManHur were rattled but with the quality they had they were always going to be dangerous on the break with the Metros pushing hard looking for the goals they needed to get back into this game. Miscommunication at the back resulted in a fluke of an own goal restoring a two goal lead for ManHur.

Rotations were key given the extremely hot conditions of the match and one such substitution paid dividends when Fred Sulla found time and space to play a ball over the top for Ryan to latch onto and score. This was a big moment for Sulla after sitting out most of last season with a recurring groin issue. The match was back to just having one goal between the two sides.

In a match that was going back and forth the entire time another swing happened when a weak clearance at the back for the Metros allowed ManHur to play in one of their attackers for their 5th goal of the match. The Metros will feel aggrieved that without their leader Solheim at the back the type of goals they conceded were very weak.

Late pressure from the away side forced a ManHur OG to pull it back to within one again. But with just over ten minutes left to play the home team were able to weather the late pressure to hold on for a 5-4 match in a crazy game that showcased both team’s ability to be dangerous going forward while less assured defending.

A disappointing result for the Metros but something to build upon moving into the next round of games. The challenge now will be grinding out results until we are up against ManHur again in the reverse fixtures for a chance at retribution.

MATCH REPORT: September 28, 2019
WFL Matchday 1: Inter Manila FC 1-1 Manila Metros
Circulo Verde Pitch 6:00 pm kickoff
Goalscorer (Assist): Ryan PK 8’

The Manila Metros kickoff their sixth season in the Weekend Futbol League away to Inter Manila FC at the Circulo Verde Pitch in Quezon City. The Metros enter the season after having experienced a bit of an indifferent pre-season. Their pre-season had a batch of mixed results and quite a few players recovering from injuries.

The Metros started off in control of the match and were dictating things in midfield as they were up against an obviously makeshift Inter Manila lineup. It was clear that the home team were struggling without some of their standout performers from the previous season.

The grass pitch was very cut up in places which caused the Metros some grief when in attacking positions. The bounce and movement of the ball along the ground made it challenging to play the kind of expansive football the team had been looking to implement this season. In xspite of this the Metros had the better of the early exchanges with their first real chance of the evening coming to the captain Ryan who was released from midfield by Moez Ben Ayad who has grown into his new role this year as a number 10 in behind the forward. Ryan was set through behind the opponents only for his lob over the keeper to go wide. Warning signs for the home team.

The Metros were seeing much joy down the wing with quick interchanges in midfield setting up for a switch to the other side which saw widemen Geja Rajagopal and new signing American Kevin Skinker repeatedly cause Inter Manila’s full back headaches. Several opportunities were crafted from these situations but nothing clear cut was materializing just yet.

Inter Manila were looking to play through their best player who at the base of their midfield was moving the ball along before inevitability looking to play it long for their forwards. The Metros backline has seen some recruitment over the off season and one of the recruits Norman Francisco showed his quality filling in at left back. Collectively the defense was able to keep Inter Manila at arms length.

The half ended with the Metros in control but with the score still set to 0-0 the team knew they would need to create more and be more clinical to come home with the crucial 3 points.
The Metros started the 2nd half with their pressing reaping benefits after Francois Delas robbed the opponent’s left back to slide in Ryan behind the backline. Unselfishly Ryan square it for Obarijima, on as a sub, who was taken down by the keeper. Penalty quick awarded to the Metros. Ryan stepped up take authority and calmly dispatched the penalty to set the Metros up nicely not even five minutes into the second half.

The Metros sat back and with their lead absorbing the long balls that Inter Manila were throwing at them while looking to play on the break. A few opportunities to go further ahead were fashioned from these break aways only for the pitch to cause an awkward bobble to put off the Metros attacker.

With 15 minutes left in the match and with the Metros in complete control a lapse in concentration cause Metros goalkeeper Firat Sen to handled a backpass to give Inter Manila an indirect freekick in the box. Inter Manila were able to score in the scramble ensuing the free kick and just like that the Metros were level again in a match which they had complete control in.

With the pressure on the Metros were looking for the winner they felt they deserved but were unable to score again in the match. In the final moments Inter Manila had an opportunity to score against the run of play but thankfully the shot sailed over the bar.

The game ended in a draw but it very much felt like a loss for the Metros given the performance they had put in. Not the worst result for the opening game of the season but the club know they have a lot of work to do as there are no easy points in this division. On to the next one.

***The club was later advised that Inter Manila had defaulted the match due to incomplete player registration requirements. The result has been adjusted to reflect a 3-0 win to the Manila Metros.

MATCH REPORT: October 5, 2019
WFL Matchday 2: Manila Metros 5-2 Garelli United
McKinley Stadium 2:00 pm kickoff
Goalscorer (Assist): Ryan PK 8’, Ezequiel 37’ (Okema), Flodman 62’ (Mijares), Ryan 75’ (Ezequiel), Ryan 82’ (Ezequiel)

Man of the Match: In a match where several of the Metros could have won the award it has to go Chris Uddenvall from center midfield. His tenacity and ability to maintain possession under pressure provided the platform for much of the team's positive play. Dominant.

The Manila Metros came into this game with an opportunity to build some momentum coming into next week’s match against WFL Cup holders Manila Hurricanes. Today’s opponents, Garelli United were mainstays in the WFL and were competing at the very top. This season they are back in Division 1 after a one year sabbatical. They lined up with a very different squad reflecting the club’s new emphasize on youth development.
The opening exchanges showed Garelli’s comfort on the ball as they looked to keep the ball with the Metros happy to remain compact and look to hit Garelli on the break or press them in key areas of the pitch.

Within the first ten minutes the Metros pressing paid dividends as Geja Rajagopal nicked the ball off the Garelli fullback in their defensive third to drive down the line and whip in a dangerous cross. The cross was awkwardly handled by the opponent’s CB and struck him clearly across the arm. A penalty kick was awarded without much debate given the change in FIFA rules. Captain Eoghan Ryan stepped up to slot home his second penalty of the season to give the Metros a smart start to the game.

Garelli were not phased by going down so early and continued to work their way into the game with their possession based football. A bit of confusion at the back allowed them to respond with a goal of their own to make the match all even before the half hour mark.

Looking to alter the course of the game some changes were made with last season’s second top scorer Jimmy Ezequiel as well as midfielder Philemon Okema coming on. The subs combined shortly after with a signature Metros breakaway with Ezequiel beating the offside track to latch onto Okema’s long through ball to finish coolly to put the Metros ahead before the break.

The second half started off badly as the Metros conceded to a Garelli wonderstrike from outside the box only a few minutes after the restart.

The mentality of this reshaped Metros squad would be tested now. Ryan headed in from a freekick only to have the goal questionably deemed invalid due to the slightest of touches on the opposing defender.

New signing Alex “Toni Kroos” Flodman powered home a header from other new signing Hamo Mijares pin point corner to put the Metros back on top.

After the third goal it was all the home team with another two goals had by the captain both from his strike partner Ezekiel’s hard work down the right flank.

At full time the Metros celebrated another 3 points in this season’s competition in a match that was nervy at times but showcased the difference in mentality of this team compared to last.

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Extended Match Highlights

Manila Metros vs Stafford Utd
October 14, 2018

A super tense game against Stafford United in the early rounds of the Weekend Futbol League 2018-19 season.

Check out our extended highlights from the match! Lots of cool editing c/o Daniel Meñes.

Manila Metros vs Stafford Utd Extended Highlights WFL 2018-19 Matchday 2 Manila Metros vs Stafford Utd

MATCH REPORT: October 7, 2018
WFL Matchday 3: Never United 6-7 Manila Metros
McKinley Stadium 6:00 pm kickoff
Goalscorer (Assist): Ezequiel 14’ (Ryan), Ryan 22’ (Delas), Ryan 32’ (Gentil), Ryan 42’ (Tawfik), Larsen 47’ (Stoltze), Ryan 52’ (Ezequiel), OG 60’ (Ryan)
Man of the Match: In a frantic match that ended with 13 goals scored, Captain Eoghan Ryan led the way with four goals, an assist to new strike partner Jimmy Ezequiel to open the scoring and forcing an own goal out of the Never centerback.

The Manila Metros were still smarting from losing to their first match away to Manila All Japan when they came up against Never United. Never United are one of the longest serving clubs in the Weekend Futbol League comprised of the best of Philippine collegiate football with their team all former varsity players.

The game kicked off a little after 6 pm at the McKinley Stadium in Taguig. Never United started the more determined of the two sides with their aggressive press leaving the Metros with little time on the ball although the opening ten minutes yielded little in ways of clear cut chances from both sides. After the initial exchanges the Metros midfield were yielding some better passing moves with the players sticking tighter to each other compared to last week against Manila All Japan.

The deadlock was broken before the quarter hour mark when Dane Marcus Larsen released the captain Ryan with a perfectly timed through ball to set him through one v one with the Never keeper. With the keeper onrushing Ryan opted to selflessly square the ball to summer transfer Ezequiel for a tap in and his first competitive goal for the club.

However, all was even almost right from the kick off when a foul down by the corner flag gave Never the chance to launch a ball into the Metros box which resulted in a scramble and a goal by Never to even things up.

It was soon 2-1 when the Metros were too slow to learn from Never’s first goal to concede a similar goal after a lofted ball over their backline. There were indications of a handball by the Never forward to maneuver the ball into a scoring position but the linesman kept his flag down leaving the Metros shocked at going behind.

A freekick earned on the edge of the box gave the Metros the opportunity to respond around the 20th minute mark. A dangerous whipped ball by Francois Delas allowed Ryan to apply a deft touch to guide the ball into the far post to tie the game. Shortly after more nervousness at the back gave Never an easy chance to score to make it 3-2.

Two more goals in quick succession turned the half around when Frenchman Bazil Gentil, another summer signing for the club, tormented his marker to make it to the byline to cross for Ryan to convert a weak footed volley. Shortly after Ryan had his hattrick when Tofi Tawfik played him through to volley with aplomb to achieve his perfect hat trick – header, left foot, right foot.

The Metros came into the halftime break up 4-3 with their attack looking dangerous but inversely shaky at the back.

After the restart the Metros came out the stronger with Never obviously tired from a draining first half. The Metros scored three goals in the opening 15 minutes of the second period to pull the game out of sight.

Or so they thought with Never mustering their own attempt at a comeback to score three in the last 20 minutes of the game to make it nervy at 7-6.

In the end the Metros defended resolutely to bag their first win of the new season.

The Metros are up against Stafford Utd. next week which is a little bit of a grudge match since their old days back in Division 3.

After three days and three intense matches the Manila Metros have won the first Asia Pacific Alliance Chambers Cup! Proud to have represented the Philippines against great and challenging opponents!

Results

Day 1: Philippines 4-0 Japan
Eoghan Ryan (3), Marcus Larsen

Day 2: Korea 0 - 4 Philippines
Eoghan Ryan (3), Jimmy Ezekiel

Day 3: Philippines 2-1 Hong Kong
Eoghan Ryan (2)

Looking forward to more tournaments like this!

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