MP United FC clinches two titles

MP United FC’s David Yang goes for a header against the much smaller Matansa FC goalie during the first half of their game in the boys U18 division of the NMIFA youth league last Saturday at the Hopwood Junior High School Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

MP United Football Club captured two division championships in the 2014 NMIFA Spring Youth Football League.

The club’s U15 squad was the first one to notch a title, following a 3-1 victory over Paire Football Club last Friday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field. Michael Lee canned back-to-back goals in the first half, while Kaki Yamada nailed the other one in late in the second frame to lift MP United to the season-clinching win.

MP United improved to a 7-0-0 win-draw-loss record in the five-team field, way ahead of Paire FC, which is in second place with its 3-2-2 slate. MP United FC has one more game left in the regular season and regardless of the results of its final match, the team will no longer be bumped off from the top spot. Pending its last assignment in the spring season, MP United has collected 21 points and 26 goals, while giving up only two goals.

Matansa has the second most goals so far with 24, following a 4-2 triumph over Tan Holdings FC in the other boys U15 match at the Hopwood Junior High School Field last Saturday. Matansa moved up to third place in the team standings with its 3-1-3 card, just half a game ahead of Tan Holdings (3-1-4), while Shirley’s (0-0-7) rounds out the boys U15 field.

In the U18 division, MP United completed the nine-game season sweep to claim its third straight regular season championship. The Norman Del Rosario-coached team capped a perfect record after shutting down Matansa FC, 10-0, last Saturday, also at the Hopwood pitch.

MP United finished the double-round robin competition in style, drawing goals from eight different players. Tanapon Unsa and Scott Kim knocked in two goals apiece, while John Taisacan, Daving Yang, Jireh Yobech, Daniel Lim, Enrico Del Rosario, and Jake Lee chipped in one apiece. With the 10 more goals at the conclusion of the season, MP United had a field-best 52 goals. The three-time champion also gave up the least goals (3).

In the other boys U18 match, Tan Holdings (0-0-9) also cruised past Paire FC, 8-0, for a runner-up finish in the division.

Sean Perez anchored the win with his four goals, while Jericho Perez, Marc Mora, Kautong Omengkar, and Mareko Tekopua contributed one apiece, as Tan Holdings ended the season with a 5-0-4 record, 15 points, and 34 goals. Paire (4-0-5) completed the field.

Matansa boosts title bid

In the girls U15, Matansa posted a crucial 1-0 win over Tan Holdings last Saturday at the Hopwood pitch.

With the victory, Matansa climbed to the top spot with its 5-4-0 record and 19 points. Tan Holdings slides to second with its 5-2-2 mark and 17 points. Both Matansa and Tan Holdings have one more game left in the regular season and results of this weekend’s matches will decide the winner of the division crown.

Lyka Sally moved Matansa one step closer from taking the girls tiara after scoring the lone goal in last weekend’s match in the seventh minute of the opening frame.

Two more games in the girls U15 division were played last Saturday with MP United beating Shirley’s FC, 2-0, and Paire FC and Kanoa FC settling for a tie, 1-1.

MP United (3-4-2) got two goals from Karleen Reyes to beat Shirley’s (4-1-4). Reyes scored early, with her goal in the fifth minute and then earned her second in the 65th.

In the Paire-Kanoa tussle, Shaiann Cabrera drilled the equalizer for the latter, as she found the back of the net five minutes into the second half. Paire took a 1-0 halftime lead off Kalea Andrew’s goal in the 42nd minute.