Tan Holdings FC inches closer to co-ed U12 title

Tan Holdings FC players, coaches, and supporters pose for a photo after beating MP United, 2-1, in the co-ed U12 division of the NMIFA youth league last Saturday at the Hopwood Junior High School Field. (Contributed Photo)

Tan Holdings climbed up to first place in the team standings, dislodging MP United, as the former improved its record to 5-2-1 (win-draw-loss) for 17 points. MP United dropped to a 5-1-2 card for 16 points to slide to second place, but it still has a chance to regain the top spot and the division crown if it wins against Kanoa FC this Saturday and Tan Holdings loses to Paire FC in the other game this weekend.

Thaipi Austria led Tan Holdings’ important victory against MP United, drilling both goals in the game. Austria scored early, finding the back of the net in the seventh minute to give Tan Holdings the upper hand.

However, Oliver Lee retaliated for MP United 20 minutes later and the game was back to square one after the first half. In the second half, Austria eluded MP United defenders anew and lit up the board in the 49th to boost Tan Holdings’ chances for the division crown.

In the other co-ed U12 game last weekend, Paire edged Kanoa FC to notch its fourth win in eight games.

Kanoa FC remained winless, failing to stun Paire despite scoring first. A goal from J.D. Jose in the third minute gave Kanoa the first half lead, which it eventually lost when two different players from Paire delivered the needed goals. Only the jersey numbers of the Paire scorers were listed in the match report and they did not match with the roster provided.

Meanwhile, the girls U15 division also has a new leader in Shirley’s Football Club, which downed Paire, 3-1.

Shirley’s now has a 7-0-1 record for 21 points, just two markers ahead of idle Matansa Football Club (6-1-0). These two teams are up for a close fight for the division championship with two playing days left in the fall season.

Katherine Magat scored a hat-trick in Shirley’s win, making the goals in succession, as she drilled the team’s last two in the first half and one in the second. Jobelle Tabuena and Jasmine Phan registered the two other goals, while Guinevere Borja and Renita Fleming knocked in one each for Paire.

In the other girls U15 tiff last weekend at the Hopwood pitch, Tan Holdings also cruised to a 9-1 victory over the winless Kanoa FC.

Chloe Salvosa duplicated Magat’s feat with her three goals in the match, firing the first two in the opening frame and also scoring Tan Holding’s last goal. Mary Kay Alferos chipped in two goals, while Krizel Mae and Kyla Tuazon, Katherine Angeles, and Emalyn Aniana contributed one apiece.

Tan Holdings gained only its third win in eight games, while Kanoa absorbed its eighth straight setback.