Matansa U12 steals FA Cup

Matansa Football Club’s U12 team pulled off an upset over Tan Holdings FC, 2-1, last Saturday at the Hopwood Junior High School Field to rule the 2012 NMIFA Boys and Girls FA Cup.

Joshua De Leon and James Ermitanio delivered the needed goals for Matansa to stun the unbeaten Tan Holdings FC. Completing the champion team are Ronnel Ocanada, Bradley Camacho, Gabriel Reuter, Jether Yobech, Andrie Membrere, Joshua Tenorio, Chad Shankweiler, Cameron Halstead, Lyka and Angelica Sally, Marlouie Santiago, David Mafnas, Keyona Tudela, and Hana Mafnas. Coaching the squad are Joven Cruz and Rengesuul Yobech.

“I think our team was considered the underdog in the game against Tan Holdings because they have a few national players and U15 boys in their roster. We played a solid team game and fought very hard to win. They gave their best,” Cruz said when asked to comment on Matansa’s upset victory.

De Leon got things going for Matansa early when he found the back of the net just four minutes into the winner-take-all finale. Then Matansa held on defense to shut out Tan Holdings and protect a 1-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, Matansa also got off to a good start with Ermitanio this time scoring with only five minutes gone by in the payoff period and giving the team a 2-0 advantage.

Behind by two, Tan Holdings found a new lease of life when it drew a goal from Christopher Aninzo in the 37th minute. However, Matansa’s defense hung in there to preserve the lead and complete the upset.

Matansa and Tan Holdings arranged their FA Cup duel after outclassing separate foes on May 23. At pitch 1, Matansa edged Shirley’s FC, 2-1, while Tan Holdings foiled an all-Matansa finale after a 2-0 victory over Matansa girls U15.

De Leon also scored in the semis win, putting Matansa in the board in the first half, while Ocanada drilled the other goal in the second half. Shirley’s lone goal was courtesy of Edwim Kim in the second half.

Tan Holdings also logged on each goal in the first and second half with both goals coming from Louie Bryle Calayag.

Five other teams joined the FA Cup—MP United Blue and Silver (U12), Paire girls U15, MPU girls U15, and Tan Holdings girls U15. These teams played in separate leagues and after the spring season, they were put in one group to compete for the FA Cup.