CEBU, Philippines - The Little Azkals swiftly made an impact in their first tournament of the year after they beat Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, 3-2, via penalty shootout to clinch the boys 14 title of the 9th Thirsty Football Cup yesterday at the San Roque Parish field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
The Sacred Heart booters headed into the final battle full of confidence as they fended off the top-seeded Mandaue Technical Institute, 1-0, before kicking out Cebu International School (CIS), 2-1.
The Little Azkals, on the other hand, had to scrape through a 2-1 victory Don Bosco Technology Center Team to book a championship ticket.
Despite having only a 10-minute rest from its semifinal game, the Little Azkals fought with vigor against the equally-tough Ateneans.
The Little Azkals made several attempts but were rebuffed by SHS-AdC’s goal keeper Geremiah Bernaldez resulting into a scoreless draw at the end of the regulation period.
In the shootout, both of Little Azkals and SHS-AdC knocked in their first shots courtesy of Javier Romero-Salas and Mark Veloso, respectively.
After JB Borlongan and Jun Canlas missed on their turn, Jed Diamante delivered for the Little Azkals so as Bernaldez for Sacred Heart, thus, the 2-2 standoff.
In the next sequence, the spectators held on to their breath until Josh Miller converted his attempt for the Little Azkals. SHS-AdC’s Iñigo Ugarte had a chance to tie the count but muffed his attempt to the delight of Cebuano coach Oliver Colina and the Little Azkals supporters.
In the other games, Foundation University of Dumaguete bagged the boys 12 crown after crushing Bright Academy-Red, 2-0. The young Dumagueteño booters played with a big heart and great determination to go home with a golden boot.
Over at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center (USC-TC) field, Olles Football Club of Bukidnon topped the players 6 division after defeating Centre for International Education-Tacloban, while Barili broke the hearts of the visiting Masbate squad to reign supreme in the players 8 category.
In the distaff side, Subangdaku FC clinched the girls 14 tiara after edging out San Roque FC, while SHS-AdC lorded it over in girls 17 after outplaying St. Theresa’s College (STC). (FREEMAN)