MP United reclaims FA Cup

MP United Football Club’s Joshua Abragan, front, prevents TanHoldings FC’s Louie Calayag from reaching the ball during the second half of their title game in the 2016 NMIFA FA Challenge Cup held last Saturday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

MP United Football Club and Tan-Holdings’ second clash in less than a week had the same plot and same ending.

Three days after beating TanHoldings in a shootout, 4-3, and winning the boys U17 division championship in 2016 NMIFA Youth Fall League, MP United did it again en route to topping the 2016 NMIFA FA Challenge Cup held last Saturday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.

James Kim, who made the sixth attempt for MP United and hit the dagger in their close victory over TanHoldings in the playoff match for the division championship last Wednesday, found himself in a similar nerve-wracking situation after a goal from Joshua Galarion tied the match at 3-all. Kim went on to kick in a volley to deliver anew for MP United and give back to the club the FA Cup.

MP United ruled the annual tournament from 2011 to 2014, but had its streak snapped last year when TanHoldings U18 won the finals against Matansa, 4-0. MP United lost to Matansa in the semis, 1-3, while TanHoldings edged Paire, 1-0, to advance to the 2015 finale.

In the 2015 title match, MP United drew first blood off Sun Joon Tenorio’s goal in the 19th minute. TanHoldings then evened out the count before the halftime break as Anthony Fruit converted a penalty kick just a few seconds left before the 25-minute first half concluded.

Neither team hit the board in the second half, as both squads held their ground on defense. MP United and TanHoldings then played in a 10-minute overtime and made numerous attempts to score, but to no avail, forcing the opposing teams to settle their title duel in a shootout for the second straight time.

In the shootout, Fruit gave TanHoldings its first point when his attempt went in to the lower right corner. MP United’s first shooter—Edwin Kim—also converted his shot for the deadlock, while a goal from Alan Hinson put TanHoldings back on top as MP United’s Alex Park’s shot was way too wide to the right (of goalie Christopher Aninzo).

Ryan Relucio, who scored in the penalty shootout last Wednesday, this time missed as his shot down the center was kicked out by Aninzo and the ball eventually hit the top post before going out. After Relucio’s miss, Tenorio easily drilled in a quick shot to knot the count, 2-all, while another big defensive stop from Aninzo paved the way for an MP United lead. Aninzo pushed the ball out after a quick release from Jonathan Capayas, while Joshua Abragan’s shot rolled into the left corner, giving MP United a 3-2 advantage.

Galarion then attempted last for TanHoldings to tie the match anew, but his conversion did not matter in the end, as Kim delivered the killer blow anew for MP United.

MP United was handed back the perpetual trophy, while Aninzo and Tenorio received the Golden Glove and Golden Boot awards, respectively.

The eventual champion barged into the finals after routing TanHoldings U14 in the semis, 6-0. Tenorio and Michael Lee had a pair of goals apiece in MP United’s victory, while Go Sekiguchi and Eun Syu Hahn chipped in one each. In the other semis pairing, TanHoldings U17 oulasted Matansa, 1-0, off Thaiphi Austria’s goal in overtime. Matansa settled for third place following its 2-0 triumph over TanHoldings U14. Justin Achas and Terrance Evan Belcher made the two goals for Matansa.