MP United keeps U17 crown

MP United’s Go Sekiguchi, front, uses his body to shield the ball from TanHoldings’ Anthony Fruit during the second half of their playoff game for the boys U17 title in the NMIFA youth league yesterday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

MP United Football Club escaped with a thrilling 4-3 victory over TanHoldings in a penalty shootout during the title-deciding game in the boys U17 division of the 2016 NMIFA Youth Fall League yesterday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.

James Kim made the winning penalty kick, as he went for a quick shot (lower right 90) with TanHoldings goalie John Joseph Bucayo a step too late for the save. Kim was the sixth MP United player to attempt for the penalty kick.

TanHoldings was the first to step to the box with Joshua Galarion’s shot blocked by MP United’s Christopher Aninzo. MP United’s Go Sekiguchi was next and he faltered, too, as the ball hit the right post (upper 90). An Anthony Fruit conversion handed TanHoldings its first penalty point when his shot rolled to the left corner. MP United, which took the U17 spring title this year, also scored in the ensuing play off Alex Park’s shot. Bucayo partially blocked the ball, but Park’s kick was so strong that the former failed to control it.

Alan Hinson then put TanHoldings back in the lead with his shot to the upper left 90, but MP United equalized anew, thanks to a similar kick from Sun Joon Tenorio. Emmanuel Aniana took the fourth attempt for TanHoldings and Aninzo was there to tap it out to keep the match tied. A Bada Lee shot to the lower right 90 broke the deadlock as Bucayo failed to react to the shot.

With his team now behind, Ryan Relucio delivered under pressure, making the game-tying penalty. The closely fought match was still deadlocked after Bucayo blocked Keeanu Diaz’s shot.

With the match in a standoff, the opposing teams had to choose a new set of players to attempt for the penalty kick. Again, TanHoldings went for the first attempt, but unfortunately Louie Calayag’s kick was way too strong, going pass the left corner (of the goalie).

After Calayag’s crucial miss, all eyes were focused on Kim, who eventually hit the dagger to finally end the more than two-hour match played under the dim lights at the Oleai pitch.

TanHoldings and MP United figured in an extended game after Jonathan Capayas hit the equalizer in the fifth minute of injury time. Capayas and two other MP United players chased the ball down the sideline and he found a way to split their defense and kicked it in. The leather bounced with Aninzo missing it as he turned his back when he tried to provide help defense.

Earlier in the fifth minute of regulation, Tenorio put MP United on top. MP United then kept the shaky lead in the first half and the remainder of the second as its defense repeatedly frustrated TanHoldings. TanHoldings had four free kicks in the second half, but could not cash in from the numerous attempts.

With the match tied after the eight-minute injury time, MP United and TanHoldings were forced to play in overtime (14 minutes). TanHoldings dominated possession in the first seven minutes of overtime, but still could not convert any of its shots. In the last seven minutes, MP United had two chances to score and win the game outright when Tenorio found himself free for a cross. However, Bucayo stepped in, using his body to block the ball. Then there was a scramble for the rebound with Diaz winning and kicking the ball, but Relucio was where to deflect it and kick the leather out.

With neither team able to score in overtime, the game had to be decided via penalty shootout with Kim making the back-breaking shot.

“The game could have gone either way, as both teams really played hard. I would like to commend both clubs for their efforts. In our team, we always tell our players to play every game as if it is their last so that made the difference in this match,” MP United coach Norman Del Rosario said.