| Korean football squad Ulsan Hyundai underscored its superiority against an all-Manila selection with three quick second half goals Tuesday night in an exhibition match at the Nomads Football club grounds in Parañaque.
The gulf in class and quality was reflected in the 3-0 scoreline that prompted newly-appointed national team coach Norman Fegidero Jr. to call on RP players to shape up or be left out of the team he is set to assemble for the Asian Challenge Cup in May.
The all-Manila booters, mentored by Philippine Air Force coach Edwin Cabalida, were gasping for breath as the Koreans launched wave after wave of attack that was rewarded by tall striker Cha Chul-Ho's 54th minute marker.
"They just couldn't keep up with the pace of the Koreans. That shows a lack of conditioning," said Fegidero, who also lamented the Filipinos' inability to complete a string of five passes at midfield that was crucial in unlocking the Korean defense.
"We have a lot of work to do," he added.
Receiving a cross from the left, Cha took a quick turn then fired past Edward Sacapaño. Cha was at it again in the 63rd minute, beating Sacapaño with a great volley at the near-post, just moments after the RP goalkeeper allowed another goal when he fumbled what could have been an easy save on Im Junsik's rolling drive.
But the Korean National League champions were reduced to 10 men when Cha was sent off for elbowing Ricardo Betita in the 73rd minute. Cha's dismissal set off a series of half-chances from the locals.
Ruben Doctora couldn't get at the end of an Emelio Caligdong cross that flashed on the face of goal, before Izzeldin El-Habbib's fierce strike was parried away by the Korean keeper and Doctora was foiled on his follow-up attempt.
The women's team compensated for the loss of their male counterparts later in the night as veteran Edna Agravante struck twice to power the RP footbelles to an exciting 4-3 win over the all-male Korean Union Church.
Skipper Marielle Benitez was also in the scoresheet as her dipping free-kick from the edge of the area found the back of the net
The women's squad of coach Hans Smit is preparing for the second round of the Asian Cup in Thailand , where it is grouped with South Korea , Malaysia and host Thailand . *CPT
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