Cebu F.C. Explained

Clubname:Dynamic Herb Cebu
Upright:0.9
Fullname:Dynamic Herb Cebu Football Club
Nickname:The Gentle Giants
Short Name:DHC
CFC
Ground:Dynamic Herb Sports Complex
Capacity:550
Owner:Dynamic Herb Sports Incorporated
Chairman:Uğur Taşçı
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Manager:Memiş Özata
League:Philippines Football League
Season:2024
Position:Philippines Football League, 2nd of 15
Pattern B1:_bluesides
Leftarm1:FFFFFF
Body1:FFFFFF
Rightarm1:FFFFFF
Shorts1:FFFFFF
Socks1:FFFFFF
Pattern B2:_goldcollar
Leftarm2:E30A17
Body2:E30A17
Rightarm2:E30A17
Shorts2:E30A17
Socks2:E30A17
Website:http://cebufootballclub.com
Current:2024–25 Cebu F.C. season

Cebu Football Club (also known as Dynamic Herb Cebu Football Club or DH Cebu for sponsorship reason) is a Philippines professional football club based in Cebu City, Cebu. The club currently plays in the Philippines Football League, the top-flight league of football in the Philippines.[1]

The club was founded in 2021. Affiliated with Cebu Football Association, Cebu is the third professional club to represent its region, after Cebu Queen City United which competed in UFL Division 2, and Global Cebu which competed in the Philippines Football League.[2]

History

The club is owned by Dynamic Herb Sports Incorporated, under the management of Ugur Tasci, a Turkish businessman who first arrived in the Philippines in 1994, together with his brother, Cem Tasci who developed Leylam Football Club that brought honors to Cebu in football tournaments, locally and abroad.[3] Following the success of Leylam, Tasci formed a new club that would join the Philippines Football League.[4] Leylam is considered as the predecessor of Cebu Football Club.[5]

Philippines Football League

In 2021, it was reported that the club would change its name to Dynamic Herb Cebu and was applying for a license to be able to join the Philippines Football League as early as that season. On 31 July 2021, Dynamic Herb Cebu was granted a provisional license pending full compliance of requirements that would allow it to participate in the 2021 Philippines Football League season.[6] [7] [8]

2021 season

Dynamic Herb Cebu's initial roster composed mostly of homegrown players from Leylam reinforced by players from other PFL clubs and collegiate teams.[9] The club's provisional license was affirmed on 24 August 2021.[10] The club was scheduled to debut in the 2021 PFL season, but the competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] [12] The club played its first competitive match on November 11, 2021, a 1–0 loss to Stallion Laguna at the 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara.[13] [14] Cebu qualified in the 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara semi-finals as group runners-up. They lost to eventual champions Kaya-Iloilo 1–0 in the semifinals.[15] Cebu finished their 2021 season as fourth placers in the Copa Paulino Alcantara after losing to Stallion Laguna via penalty shootout.[16]

2022 season

After securing a partnership with Turkish Süper Lig club Hatayspor, Cebu signed Mehmet Kakil as the club's new head coach with Levent Öztürk as his assistant. They also signed former Hatayspor youth players Mert Altinöz and Arda Çinkir while Nazim Özcan was signed on loan.[17]

Cebu started their 2022 season by defeating Stallion Laguna 2–0 in the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara, recording their first ever victory since the club's foundation.[18] [19] Cebu finished second in the table and captured a semi-finals berth for the second straight season. They lost to eventual champions United City 1–0 in the semifinals.[20] [21] Cebu once again finished as fourth placers in the Copa Paulino Alcantara after losing to Stallion Laguna 2–1.[22]

Cebu made their Philippines Football League debut in a 3–0 defeat against Kaya-Iloilo.[23]

AFC Cup debut

Cebu finished 2022–23 Philippines Football League season as runners-up thus seeing them qualified for their very first 2023–24 AFC Cup group stage competition. Cebu was than drawn in Group F alongside Australian club, Macarthur, Cambodian league champions, Phnom Penh Crown and Myanmar league champions, Shan United. On 26 October 2023, Cebu recorded their first ever continental win against Shan United in a 1–0 win with Ken Murayama scoring the only goal to give the club their first ever points in the AFC Cup.

Cebu then finished the 2024 Philippines Football League as runners-up which the club qualified for the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two. Cebu was then place in Group H alongside South Korean giants Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Malaysian club Selangor and Thailand club Muangthong United.

Stadium

Cebu plays its home games at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex in Talisay.[24] The sports complex has a stadium with 500 seating capacity, two FIFA-standard football fields, and indoor arena that accommodates several sporting events like futsal, basketball, badminton, and volleyball.[25] [26] For the AFC Cup (now the AFC Champions League Two), Cebu have only played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila for its "home" games.[27]

Crest and colors

Cebu's crest colors are red, white, grey and black and features a whale shark from Oslob, Cebu.[28]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Affiliated clubs

The following club is currently affiliated with Cebu:

In January 2022, the club launched a partnership with Turkish Süper Lig club Hatayspor.[29] [30] The partnership with Hatayspor aims to develop both men's and women's team and the development of football academic programs for the youth academy. Also part of the agreement are the exchange of coaching staff and players, including those who are in the academy.[31] [32]

Players

[33]

Technical staff

PositionName
President Ugur Tasci
Sporting Director Evren Tasci
Team manager Hannah Wong
Head coach Mustafa Göksu
Technical Director Nihat Tümkaya
Assistant coach Levent Öztürk
Goalkeeping coach Ralph Datoy
Fitness coach Paulo Isidoro

Head coaches

NamePeriodRef.
Oliver Colina2021–2022[34]
Mehmet Kakil2022–2023[35]
Joshua Schirmer2023–2024[36]
Memiş Özata2024–[37]

Honors

League

Performance in AFC competitions

2 appearances

2023–24

Group Stage

2024–25

Group Stage

Records

SeasonDivisionLeague positionCopa Paulino AlcantaraAFC Cup/AFC Champions League Two
2021PFLCancelled4th—
2022—4th—
2022–23bgcolor=silver2ndbgcolor=#c96Semi-FinalsGroup stage
2024bgcolor=silver2nd—
2024–25TBD—Group stage
Updated as of November 7, 2024

Continental record

All results (away, home and aggregate) list Cebu's goal tally first.

Season Competition Round Club Score /
Home Away
2023–24AFC CupGroup stage Phnom Penh Crownbgcolor=#FFCCCC style="text-align:center;"0–3bgcolor=#FFCCCC style="text-align:center;"0–4Group F
(3rd)
Macarthur FCbgcolor=#FFCCCC style="text-align:center;"0–3bgcolor=#FFCCCC style="text-align:center;"2–8
Shan Unitedbgcolor=#D0F0C0 style="text-align:center;"1–0bgcolor=#FFFFBF style="text-align:center;"1–1
2024–25AFC Champions League TwoGroup stage Jeonbuk Hyundai Motorsbgcolor=#FFCCCC style="text-align:center;"0–6bgcolor=#FFCCCC style="text-align:center;"0–4Group H
(4th)
SelangorDec 5bgcolor=#FFCCCC style="text-align:center;"0–1
Muangthong Unitedbgcolor=#FFCCCC style="text-align:center;"2–9bgcolor=#FFFFBF style="text-align:center;"2–2

Notes and References

  1. News: PFF gives Cebu provisionary license; Laos given deadline to fulfill requirements. Tiebreaker Times. 31 July 2021. 7 August 2021. 1 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210801041436/https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pfl-gives-cebu-provisionary-license-laos-given-deadline-to-fulfill-requirements/215491. live.
  2. Web site: Dynamic Herb Cebu FC packs team with homegrown talent. Cebu Sports. 7 August 2021. 7 August 2021. 7 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210807141959/https://cebusports.net/dynamic-herb-cebu-fc-packs-team-with-homegrown-talent/?fbclid=IwAR1kMcGqe2ab89IP1GfKqK7FJ2VGA7_WVTd6VkLsJpLHDqQciH7J1O_BqdU. live.
  3. Web site: Dynamic Herb Facilities In Cebu Need Name Partners. Pinoyfootball. 13 May 2018. 7 August 2021. 6 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210806174536/https://pinoyfootball.com/2018/05/13/dynamic-herb-facilities-in-cebu-need-name-partners/. live.
  4. News: Dynamic Herb Cebu FC is PH Football League's newest member . 2 September 2021 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 2 September 2021 . en . 2 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210902090808/https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/397930/dynamic-herb-cebu-fc-is-ph-football-leagues-newest-member . live .
  5. Web site: DH Cebu Football Club appeals for support from Cebuanos in PFL campaign. 6 September 2021. 6 September 2021. 6 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210906120329/https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/398621/dh-cebu-football-club-appeals-for-support-from-cebuanos-in-pfl-campaign. live.
  6. Web site: PFF First Instance Body Issues Decisions On Applicant Clubs. Philippine Football Federation. 31 July 2021. 7 August 2021. 7 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210807142002/https://pff.org.ph/2021/07/31/pff-first-instance-body-issues-decisions-on-applicant-clubs/. live.
  7. Web site: FIB decisions on applicant clubs. Philippines Football League. 31 July 2021. 7 August 2021. 1 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210801043058/https://pfl.org.ph/fib-decisions-applicant-clubs/. live.
  8. Web site: Green light for Dynamic Herb FC for 2021 PFL. ASEAN Football Federation. 1 August 2021. 7 August 2021. 7 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210807142000/https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/green-light-for-dynamic-herb-fc-for-2021-pfl/. live.
  9. News: Aznar . Edri . Colina eyes strong debut season for Cebu FC in PFL . 17 August 2021 . Sunstar . 13 August 2021 . 17 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210817084237/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1903983/Cebu/Sports/Colina-eyes-strong-debut-season-for-Cebu-FC-in-PFL . live .
  10. News: Terrado . Reuben . Cebu FC granted provisional license for 2021 PFL season . 25 August 2021 . Sports Interactive Network Philippines . 25 August 2021 . 25 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210825095305/https://www.spin.ph/football/pfl/cebu-fc-granted-provisional-license-for-2021-pfl-season-a795-20210824 . live .
  11. News: PFF reschedules PFL opener due to ECQ. Tiebreaker Times. 5 August 2021. 7 August 2021. 5 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210805151657/https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pff-reschedules-pfl-opener-due-to-ecq/216128. live.
  12. News: PFL teams stay active. 7 August 2021. 7 August 2021. 7 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210807141959/https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/07/pfl-teams-stay-active/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_57e103a24c90358ad88f2a45e19c9441002071a3-1628341027-0-gqNtZGzNAg2jcnBszQdO. live.
  13. News: Terrado . Reuben . Cebu Football Club gives homegrown talents chance to realize dream . 15 November 2021 . Sports Interactive Network Philippines . 15 November 2021 . en . 15 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211115144852/https://www.spin.ph/football/pfl/cebu-football-club-gives-homegrown-talents-a-shot-in-the-arm-a795-20211115-lfrm?ref=home_featured_3 . live .
  14. News: Rosal . Glendale G. . Cebu FC loses to Laguna FC in PH Football League's Copa debut . November 18, 2021 . CDN Digital . November 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211111114012/https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/411094/cebu-fc-loses-to-laguna-fc-in-ph-football-leagues-copa-debut . November 11, 2021.
  15. News: Aznar. Edri. Cebu FC loses to Kaya FC in Copa semis. SunStar Cebu. 17 November 2021. 17 August 2022. 17 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220817042329/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1913404/cebu/sports/cebu-fc-loses-to-kaya-fc-in-copa-semis. live.
  16. News: Rosal. Glendale G.. Cebu Football Club ends Copa Paulino Alcantara stint with 4-5 penalty shootout loss to Laguna FC. Cebu Daily News via Inquirer. 20 November 2021. 17 July 2022. 17 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220817034459/https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/412818/cebu-football-club-ends-copa-paulino-alcantara-stint-with-4-5-penalty-shootout-loss-to-laguna-fc. live.
  17. News: Cebu FC unveils new look. SunStar Cebu. 21 April 2022. 17 August 2022. 17 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220817042329/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1927003/cebu/sports/cebu-fc-unveils-new-look. live.
  18. News: Terrado. Jonas. Dynamic Herb Cebu beats Stallion-Laguna for breakthrough win in Copa. Manila Bulletin. 26 April 2022. 17 August 2022. 7 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220707202340/https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/26/dynamic-herb-cebu-scores-breakthrough-win-beats-stallion-laguna-in-copa1/. live.
  19. News: Yumol. David Tristan. Dynamic Herb Cebu victorious in Copa Paulino Alcantara 2022 opener. CNN Philippines. 25 April 2022. 17 August 2022. 17 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220817042329/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/sports/2022/4/25/Dynamic-Herb-Cebu-beats-Stallion-Laguna.html. dead.
  20. News: Aznar. Edri. Cebu FC loses to UCFC in 2022 Copa semis. SunStar Cebu. 18 May 2022. 17 August 2022. 17 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220817042544/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1929371/cebu/sports/cebu-fc-loses-to-ucfc-in-2022-copa-semis. live.
  21. News: del Carmen. Lorenzo. PFL: Lyngbo scores header as United City overcomes Cebu to reach CPA final. Tiebreaker Times. 17 May 2022. 17 August 2022. 17 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220817042329/https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pfl-lyngbo-scores-header-as-united-city-overcomes-cebu-to-reach-cpa-final/240396. live.
  22. Web site: Stallion Laguna clinches third after tight contest against Dynamic Herb Cebu. Philippines Football League. 23 May 2022 . 17 August 2022. 22 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220922053029/https://pfl.org.ph/stallion-laguna-clinches-third-tight-contest-dynamic-herb-cebu/. live.
  23. News: Co. Adrian Stewart. PFL: Kaya-Iloilo blanks Dynamic-Cebu, 3-0. Panay News. 17 August 2022. 17 August 2022. 16 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220816233526/https://www.panaynews.net/pfl-kaya-iloilo-blanks-dynamic-cebu-3-0/. live.
  24. News: Lim: Sports bubble and a new football stadium in Cebu. Sunstar. 4 March 2021. 7 August 2021. 6 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210806175005/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1887779/Cebu/Sports/Lim-Sports-bubble-and-a-new-football-stadium-in-Cebu. live.
  25. News: Unveiling of FIFA-standard artificial turf in Cebu being eyed in September. Cebu Daily News. 27 May 2019. 7 August 2021. 6 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210806150846/https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/236064/unveiling-of-fifa-standard-artificial-turf-in-cebu-being-eyed-in-september. live.
  26. Web site: Dynamic Herb-Borromeo Sports Complex: Cebu City's World-Class Football Turf. Sugbo PH. 8 March 2021. 7 August 2021. 6 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210806150850/https://sugbo.ph/2021/dynamic-herb-borromeo/. live.
  27. News: Rosal . Glendale . Cebu FC 'forced' to play ACL 2 home games in Manila . 17 September 2024 . Cebu Daily News . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 14 September 2024 . en.
  28. News: Rosal . Glendale G. . Dynamic Herb Cebu FC is PH Football Leagues newest member . 2 September 2021 . Cebu Daily News . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 2 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210902090808/https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/397930/dynamic-herb-cebu-fc-is-ph-football-leagues-newest-member . 2 September 2021.
  29. News: 17 March 2022 . Hatayspor'dan iki antrenör ve 3 futbolcu Filipinler Ligi'ne transfer oldu . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220317115557/https://ajansspor.com/haber/hatayspordan-filipinler-acilimi-iki-hoca-ve-3-futbolcu-transfer-oldu-598990 . 17 March 2022 . 17 March 2022 . Ajansspor . Turkish.
  30. News: 15 March 2022 . Hatayspor'da sürpriz Filipinler gelişmesi . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220315224204/https://www.fanatik.com.tr/hataysporda-surpriz-filipinler-gelismesi-2272432 . 15 March 2022 . 17 March 2022 . Fanatik . Turkish.
  31. News: Rosal . Glendale G. . 21 April 2022 . CFC ties up with Turkey's Hatayspor to develop football in Cebu, PH . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220422083916/https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/436782/cfc-ties-up-with-turkeys-hatayspor-to-develop-football-in-cebu-ph . 22 April 2022 . 23 April 2022 . Cebu Daily News via Inquirer.
  32. News: Villaflor . Noel . 23 April 2022 . Cebu FC prepares for war . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220423154420/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1927161/cebu/sports/cebu-fc-prepares-for-war . 23 April 2022 . 23 April 2022 . Sun Star Cebu.
  33. Web site: The Cebu Football Club Gentle Giants are ready to make waves! ⚽️ Now, presenting our 25 formidable lineup for the Philippines Football League 2024! . Cebu Football Club on Facebook. 5 April 2024. 5 April 2024.
  34. News: Newly formed Cebu Football Club to see action in PFL. Inquirer. 30 October 2021. 17 March 2022. 17 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220317150251/https://sports.inquirer.net/440500/newly-formed-cebu-football-club-to-see-action-in-pfl. live.
  35. News: Hatayli Futbolcular Filipinler'de Top Kosturacak. Turkish. Spor Haberleri. 15 March 2022. 17 March 2022. 4 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220504220349/https://spor.beyazgazete.com/haber/2022/3/15/hatayli-futbolcular-filipinler-de-top-kosturacak-6454809.html. live.
  36. News: Rosal . Glendale . American Joshua Schirmer is new Cebu FC head coach . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 11 August 2023 . en . 10 August 2023.
  37. News: Sürpriz İmza! Ordulu Hoca Süperlig Yolunda. Turkish. Hayat Gazetesi Ordu. 30 January 2024. 31 January 2024.

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