Kanoa and MP United battle for the possession during the semifinal game of the 2019-2020 Holiday Futsal Jam U15 Boys Division on Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex. Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
MPU entered the turf ready as its players were the first to draw blood. After 13 minutes of back and forth action, MPU capitalized with a near mid-field shot courtesy of Dylan Mister to take the lead.
KNFC aimed for retaliation. Its players’ relentless efforts created shot opportunities, but Dane Hodges stayed on his toes and managed to block the initial attacks. However, it did not take long before KNFC broke through the wall as Brian Lubao’s shot evened the score, 1-1.
For the remainder of the game both teams gave it their all. KNFC stayed aggressive with more shot attempts but the MPU players kept their cool to protect their end of the field. They also tried to keep up with the tempo with a few shots of their own, but to no avail. The gamed ended in a tie.
In the penalty shootout, KNFC scored in two of three attempts. But certain violations were spotted, forcing the referees to redo the shootout. This time around, KNFC only made one goal while MPU, which drained two goals in the first shootout, made three more to secure the win, 5-4, and a spot in the finals.
MPU will face the TanHoldings Football Club which defeated KNFC 2, 6-4.
In the U12 Coed Division, the TanHoldings Football Club made it to the finale after bringing down KNFC, 8-6, and will face MPU which defeated Shirley’s Football Club, 4-3.
