NATIONAL Capital Region Football Association and Negros Occidental Football Association dispatched their separate rivals in contrasting fashion last Wednesday to set up a title showdown for the Philippine Football Under-15 championship at the PFF national training center field in Carmona, Cavite today.
The Big City booters, bannered by Umi Martin Abelarde’s brace, swamped Mount Apo Regional Football Association 4-0 while the Negrense footballers eked out a 1-0 win over the Davao South Regional Football Association in the semifinals two days ago.
NCRFA and NOFA battle for the title at 2:30 p.m. while their rivals battle for third place at 9 a.m.
The NCRFA charges of coach Richard Leyble were never in trouble as Abelarde scored a brace while Andrei Gonzalez and skipper Dominic Tom had a marker each in the lopsided semis match.
Ten minutes after coming on for Sebastian Lizares in the 54th minute, Gonzales added a third with a curling shot, before Tom put the finishing touches in the 86th minute.
“We’re very thankful for the players, they played well and followed what we trained,” said Leyble. “I’m very proud of these boys. Now, we’re going to prepare for the championship against Negros Occidental.”
It was keenly-contested match between NOFA and Davao South RFA until Gabriel Cantos finally scored the winning goal in the 70th minute on a follow-up strike.
Tempers flared late in the match after a scuffle between NOFA’s Leoven Gatungan and Davao’s Gian Sartiranim with the former earning a red card and will thus miss today’s championship match.
“The boys did their best in the match,” said NOFA coach Ronald Treyes. “Our preparation may have been short, but because of their diligence, perseverance, and sacrifices, their performance paid off that led to the victory.”
The Group 2 winners had several chances but the equalizer came elusive as Davao as relegated to the third-place playoff.
