|
Sunday, December 18, 2005
SPRINGDALE WINS FINALS
By Mike T. Limpag
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
Paref Springdale reaffirmed its status as one of the top youth teams in Cebu after hacking out a tough 2-0 win over Hiroshi Football Club in the Aboitiz 15-Under finals at the San Roque Parish football field.
“I give credit to Hiroshi for a very good game. The score doesn’t reflect the real story of the game,” Springdale coach Mario Ceniza said after the win.
In the other match, Don Bosco College finally defeated Blessed John Seminary (BJS) XXII to secure third place. The Bosconians, who lost to BJS, 0-1, in the elimination round, scored a 3-0 victory via penalty shootout.
Bad luck and a muddy ground foiled Hiroshi’s bid for an equalizer late in the first half after Brian Liu took advantage of Hiroshi’s defensive error to put Springdale ahead, 1-0, in the 25th minute.
Midfield headache
Hiroshi, which failed to sustain its offense down the homestretch, couldn’t find an answer to Carlos Veloso, whose crisp passes from midfield always found the Springdale strikers.
Liu, one of the tallest players on the field, used his height advantage on a high ball from midfield, to deflect the ball past the defender and left-footed it past Gary Garciano.
Later in the first half, Garciano sent a long ball to the Hiroshi forwards and goalkeeper Paolo Pascual ran up the field to stop the streaking strikers. However, the Hiroshi striker couldn’t capitalize as the ball got stuck in the mud, allowing the defense to clear the ball.
Second goal
In the second half, Myles Edward Chu, who raised the heartbeats of the Springdale parents a few notches after a nasty collision left him cringing on the field, made it 2-0 with a perfect header off a corner kick – sending the ball to the bottom corner for the insurance goal.
The win gave Springdale a trip to the Philippine Football Federation 15-Under regional finals next year, where it will compete with other champion teams from the Visayas for a slot in the national finals.
“Yes, we will pick up players from Hiroshi, Don Bosco and Blessed John, because we will already be representing Cebu in the regional finals. There are also positions in the first 11 that have a lot of loopholes,” Ceniza said.
Meanwhile, the first edition of the Aboitiz Men’s League Division A goes down the wire as Hiroshi FC and Crazy Horse battle each other for the crown at 3 p.m. today, still at San Roque.
Both teams are deadlocked on top with 15 points apiece on five wins, and on goal difference with 29 apiece.
However, a draw will hand the title to Hiroshi FC, which has yet to lose in a finals match this year, as it has scored more goals with 31 against Crazy’s 30.
(December 18, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
