Real Crispy Pata delivers

Real Crispy Pata escaped with a 5-3 shootout win over Astig Futsal in the boys U15 title match in the 2014 SSS Christmas Youth Futsal Tournament last Saturday night at the TSL Sports Complex.

Astig Futsal’s James Ermitanio, left, and Keeanu Diaz ward each other off as they battle for ball possession during the first half of their title game in the boys U15 division of the 2014 SSS Christmas Youth Futsal Tournament last Saturday night TSL Sports Complex.
(Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Edwin Kim, Alex Park, Christopher Aninzo, Bada Lee, and Sunjoon Tenorio delivered in the shootout to save Real Crispy Pata’s title run and foiled Astig Futsal’s bid for a come-from-behind win.

Astig Futsal forced the shootout, as it worked its way back from a 0-2 halftime deficit behind Mareko Tekopua’s pair of goals in the second half.

Tekopua nailed his first goal right in the opening minute of the second half, as he eluded his defenders and unloaded the shot right in front of Aninzo, the Real Crispy Pata’s goalie. Aninzo, who made a lot of saves in the first half to frustrate Astig Futsal, this time was a little late for help defense as Tekopua’s shot went in.

Tekopua’s goal fired up Astig Futsal, as the Jershwin Angeles-coached team dominated possession in the remaining minutes of the second half. In one of those possessions, Tekopua nailed his second goal in the fifth minute, as he attacked the defense of Real Crispy Pata’s Clayton Izuka and Lee. The Astig Futsal forward went for a very strong kick and the ball rolled in between the two Real Crispy Pata defenders.

Tekopua’s shot was so strong that Aninzo tumbled down, while trying hard to go for the save. Tekopua also fell down after the shot and was forced to return to the bench, as he hurt his elbow.

Carlson Cruzat came in for the injured Tekopua and on two occasions nearly scored. His first attempt to break the tie and put Astig Futsal ahead came a few seconds after he checked into the game. He hit a looper, which Aninzo caught. The second try that came under the three-minute mark was the closest, as his shot just hit the left corner post.

Astig Futsal made several more attempts to steal the lead from Real Crispy Pata with James Ermitanio, Ryan Relucio, and and Junsik Kim attacking their foe’s defense. However, Aninzo was busy diving for those saves and catching the ball as he had seen enough after allowing Tekopua two early goals.

With the match still tied after 40 minutes of play, the title game went into a shootout with Real Crispy Pata attempting first. Edwin Kim took the first shot and unloaded a strong one, causing Astig Futsal goalie Hark Joshua Galario to fall back.

Junsik Kim was next and first for Astig Futsal and failed to cash it, as Aninzo pushed the ball away using both his hands. Park made it 2-0 for real Crispy Pata with his shot to the right upper 90, while Cruzat put Astig Futsal on the board, as Aninzo had butterfingers and the ball rolled in.

Aninzo and Bada Lee were the next two Real Crispy Pata players to attempt and they were both successful, going for quick shots that went into the left corner. Ermitano had the same shot , but Real Crispy Pata still had the lead , 3-2, and was earlier declared the winner before league officials decided to continue the shootout as Astig still had two shooters left.

Anthony Fruit was the fourth shooter and kept Astig Futsal in the race with a quick shot to the right corner. However, Tenorio sealed the deal for Real Crispy Pata with a left foot shot to the opposite corner.

Tenorio earlier scored off the bench midway in the first half, as he picked up his own miss and capitalized on Astig Futsal’s mental lapse on defense. Galario moved closer to Tenorio near the baseline to help his teammate, but the latter let go off a kick with the ball hitting the post. Tenorio got the rebound and with no defender in sight went for the follow-up shot.

Real Crispy Pata got its first goal in the opening minute of the game off Park’s free kick just a few feet outside the penalty area with the ball rolling past Galarion’s hands.