MindanaoToday.com | Higala FC nips Rosevale/Golden City via shootout to win U19 qualifying tilt
By: JACK BIANTAN
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Higala FC boys played steady in the end to defeat the hard fighting Rosevale School/Golden City booters, 4-2, in a penalty shootout and capture the CMORFA men’s U19 qualifiers title at the Rosevale School field in Xavier Estates, Balulang Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental.
Higala FC boys who waited for an opponent in the championship after topping the elimination round with three wins and one loss card, was in the attack mode from start to finish as as they desperately wanted to score the winning goal.
Rosevale School, who was beefed up by players from Golden City FC and Abba’s Montessori School also put up a strong defense from start to finish to frustrate the Higala boys to no end and secured a scoreless draw that extend the match to penalties.
Kinsey ‘Kid’ Yañez, Daryn Pagasian, Julius Galeon, and Jefforson Sombero found the back of the net for Higala during the penalties to secure the title for CdO’s winningest youth football club. Only Jefferson Datahan failed to hit the target.
Awayan, Bernales and Carlo Bongocan scored for Rosevale while Higala’s goalkeeper Mark Lionel Patriana saved James Alado and Ravi Balbotin’s penalties to secure their win.
Higala had an advantage as Rosevale played a grueling match earlier in the morning against Xavier University in their last elimination round assignment. The Higala boys the previous day had finished all their elimination round matches topping the five team qualifying tournament with three wins and one loss slate.
They won over Xavier University in their first match last Friday morning 1-0, but suffered a 0-1 loss to Rosevale School/Golden City in the afternoon. However, on Saturday, they defeated Gingoog selection, 2-0 in the morning and secured a place in the championship with a 1-0 win over Naawan FC in the afternoon.
The Rosevale booters on the other hand, needed a draw against Xavier University to get to the championship match and got what they wanted as they held XU to a scoreless draw to arrange a titular showdown.
It was a sweet win for Higala specially to their coaching staff Paul Fabio, Jeremy Jablo and Jerney Miaco. The victory proved that the efforts they have worked hard as a team for may years have paid off.
Members of the Higala FC U19 team include, Jefred M. Estonia, Julius Mark M. Galeon, Gian Paolo C. Llego, Jose Mari Antonio Manto, Jhomar Sohn T. Melon, Jay Vincent C. Valleser, Ralph Chaider A., Diongson, Grand Hortilano, Francis Iverson Sambaan, Ernest Sobremisana, Jefferson Sombero, Kinsey Drew Yañez, Jefferson Q. Datahan, Frankly Ash A. Diongson, Zandrew S. Nobleza, Mark Lionel P. Patriana, Franklin L. Bagona, Zen Daryn Pagasian, Rushed Ian B. Sabillo and Karstien Dane R. Yañez.
The Higala FC will form the core of the CMORFA U19 team that will be selected to play in the Division 1 Visayas Mindanao qualifying tournament in Cebu sometime in April. Head coach Ivan Caiña will select the other players from the participating teams to form the final CMORFA team. He will be backed up by the coaches of the champion team and other assitant coaches which will be named later. Top teams in the Vis-Min qualifiers will advance to the National finals in Manila.
CMORFA president Mike Batiles and Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president John Gutierrez have organized and financed this project to later form the national U19 team that will compete in various tournament abroad. The players would even have a chance to play for the Philippine Azkals or some professional teams if they get scouted. (jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)
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