MANILA – Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) are now off to the finals of the Philippine Football Federation(PFF) U15 Boys’ National Championship semifinals after ousting Davao South Regional Football Association, 1-0, at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite on Feb. 26.
A lone strike by midfielder Mark Gabriel Cantos was the ultimate difference maker for NOFA. The Negrense booters now face their final mission versus the National Capital Region Football Association (NCRFA), which slammed Mount Apo Regional Football Association (MARFA), 4-0.
A mistake from Davao goalkeeper Mattheus Lim was the perfect chance for Cantos in the 12-yard territory using his left foot to surge the Negros ahead in the 20th minute.
Tempers flared late in the match with NOFA’s Leoven Gatungan and Davao’s Gian Sartirani. The former was sent off via a red card in the involvement, thus, missing today’s final matchup.
“The boys did their best in the match,” said NOFA head coach Ian Treyes. “Our preparation may have been short, but because of their diligence, perseverance, and sacrifices, their performance paid off that led to the victory.”
In the other semifinals showdown of the tournament, NCRFA leaned on two conversions by Umi Martin Abelarde and a goal each from Andrei Gonzalez, and skipper Dominic Tom en route to the win.
Abelarde placed NCRFA ahead in the first half of the match with a right footed strike past MARFA goalkeeper Angelo Jonasan and completed a brace in the second half with the same effort just outside of the box in the 52nd minute.
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 touch in the 86th minute./PN
