Thrust into the limelight, newly-appointed Maharlika Manila FC head coach Biboy Esteban vowed to deliver their first win in the Philippines Football League.
Interviewed online, Esteban said they have to minimize their long balls on the pitch if they want to increase their chances of winning.
He said the appointment was unexpected, adding he was just overseeing the training of the team.
Esteban, also an assistant coach for the University of Santo Tomas’ men’s football team, was tapped last Thursday to replace Derick Keongil Kim who was unable to post a win in seven tries.
The club’s latest defeat was inflicted by Dynamic Cebu FC last 10 September.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be handling the club but as long as the opportunity is here, I’ll grab it,” Esteban said.
“We’ve been focusing on long balls. It doesn’t fit the team. We have players who can confidently handle the ball and play.
We have to limit the long balls.”
Esteban will handle a squad led by midfielders OJ Clariño and Filipino-German Jeremy Theuer, goalkeeper Zaldy Abraham and defender Carl Amisola.
On 1 October, Esteban will get an acid test as Maharlika faces United City FC at 4 p.m.
He said football fans can expect a different kind of football against the defending champions.
“They’re strong. We won’t allow ourselves to lose that easily We’ll work hard for it. We will play the kind of football we want. We’ll do our best to get at least a point in the league,” he said.
“We have to produce points for the management and the players because they have been working hard for it.”