Tan Holdings bags U18 title

Tan Holdings FC’s Emmanuel Aniana, left, steps in to battle MP United’s Kyle Chung, center, for possession, while the latter’s teammate Alex Park stay in the play during the second half of their title game in the boys U18 division of the NMIFA youth league last Sunday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Tan Holdings Football Club nosed out rival MP United FC in a rubber match, 2-1, to clinch the boys U18 division title in the 2015 NMIFA Youth Spring League last Sunday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.

Cosmos Kim and Joel Fruit delivered the needed goals in the weekend match to give Tan Holdings its first boys U18 championship and end MP United’s two-year and four-season reign.

Kim was at the right place at the right time in the 23rd minute of the close match, as he joined a bunch of players inside the penalty box to battle for the ball after a corner kick. He won the scramble and kicked the ball in, which MP United goalie Christopher Aninzo failed to save as he dove in late.

Fruit, on the other hand, scored off a penalty kick after MP United’s Kennedy Izuka was called for a hand ball in the 58th minute near inside the penalty area (right side). Fruit went for the straight kick from the left and the ball rolled fast with Aninzo failing to anticipate the move and slide to his right side for the save.

Down by two with the clock ticking, MP United was pressured to make several attempts to make it to the board and its repeated efforts were finally rewarded in the 65th minute when Greg Sablan knocked in a header off Dakota Hall’s corner kick.

Still behind, MP United remained with a sense of urgency in the last 20 minutes of the match and had two good chances to equalize. The first one came in the 19th minute when Kennedy Izuka sent a long pass to Hall, who was ahead of his defenders. Hall received the ball and took a few dribbles before unloading a left cross. Unfortunately, the ball failed to roll in and was way off to the right.

Hall had another opportunity to drill the game-tying goal a few minutes later, but his shot off a feed from Sunjoon Tenorio was wide to the left.

Tan Holdings also made repeated attempts to put the game away in the late stages of the game with Kim the closest to score, as he nearly converted a lob from the penalty arc. However, Aninzo saw the ball soaring and tossed it out, frustrating Kim’s bid for a second goal.

Despite missing the shot, Kim and company still had the last laugh as they managed to keep the shaky lead en route to the division title-clinching win.

Joining Cosmos Kim and Fruit on the champion team are goalie Joshua Galarion, Se Young Kim, Mareko Tekopua, Yoshi Mafnas, Alan Hinson, Kautong Omengkar, Emmanuel Aniana, Sean Perez, Ryan and Reniel Relucio, Won Jun Kim, Louie Calayad, Jeremie Tanghal, and Junsik Kim. Ruselle Zapanta coached the squad, stepping in for Jersh Angeles, who was off-island.

“I was a bit pressured when I took over from coach Jersh, but at the same time I was challenged to get the job done and help the boys. I still used some of his strategy and make some additions. Basically, our game plan was to be aggressive on offense. Keep on attacking and be not afraid of MPU defenders. I told them to trust their skills and do not mind the physicality of the game. This was a battle for the championship and everyone should expect and be ready for a tough game,” Zapanta said.

Zapanta had to coach Tan Holdings for another game, as the squad lost the last regular season match early this month, 0-2. MP United and Tan Holdings ended the three-round regular season with similar 7-1-1 record.

“The players were sad when we lost and were forced to another game. However, I told them to just forget about it and concentrate on this one,” Zapanta added.