Negros-backed PH booters 4th in Beijing U13 contest

THE Philippines settled for fourth place in the 2018 Soong Ching Ling Cup after a 1-2 loss to China in the U13 division on Friday in Beijing.

Julio Antonio Yoldi opened the scoring for the Philippines early in the first half but China retaliated with two goals early in the second half to snatch a 2-1 advantage.

The Philippine team – bankrolled by the Negros Occidental Football Association – attempted to level the count behind Jared Alexander Peña but his try was easily saved by the Chinese keeper.

“We didn’t give up until the final whistle. Nevertheless, China deserved to win,” said Philippine team manager Andrew Infante said.

“With just a month of preparation, it was a good run for the team. Last year, we finished fifth overall,” he added.

The young Filipino booters failed to reach the final round after Thailand defeated them 6-1 in the semifinals last Thursday.

The Filipinos managed to hold their ground in the first half with a 2-1 deficit but the Thais pulled away in the second half with four hits.

“We were beaten fairly and squarely. The Thais were bigger and more skillful. Our coaches can tell that the Thais have been playing together for a long time. Their passing and teamwork were great,” said Philippine head coach Roland Ian Treyes.

Aside from Yoldi and Peña, also in the Philippine team were Kurt Sarip, Miel Dee Marcon, Anthony Joseph Galve, Jed Ariel Tan, Rafael Manuel Garcia, Breidel Medina, Lucas Sebastiano Andan, Elijah Zedric Ballesteros, Jan Emmanuelle Benedict Salceda, Earl John Singconiegue, Adrian Patrick Bacolod, Virgo Louis Herce, and Matthaeus Henricus Lim./PN