SOCCER football became only the second mainstream teams code embraced by the Filipino-Australian community, after basketball, when the fledgling Azkalroos’ under-14s and under-16s snared victory from NSW Nepalese All Stars, 3-0 and 2-1, on Sunday, November 17, at the Five Sports Complex in Caringbah NSW.
It was the first outing for coach Leigh Gunn’s Azkalroos, following formation of the Azkalroos Pathway Soccer Academy under head of coaching Andrew Fletcher at a clinic during this year’s Filipino Fiesta in Fairfield.
“Azkalroos’ senior team showed wonderful determination, passion and football skills to come from a goal deficit to beat the Nepalese All-Stars in a frantic finish,” Fletcher said.
Earlier, Azkalroos’ youth provided a convincing 3-0 victory led by Arlo Dimaculangan.
Coach Leigh Gunn echoed the feelings of the many Filipinos supporting the teams at the grounds: “I was very proud of the boys’ attitude and performance today. It was encouraging to see a few players from the U/16s Youth team step up for the senior match.
“Our back line would not look out of place in any State Premier League team. The midfield was outstanding. And goalkeeper Enzo Kanayama was superb.”
The event also served as a successful fund-raiser for survivors of supertyphoon Haiyan in the city of Tacloban, Leyte, with the Azkalroos working with the Philippine Australian Sports and Culture (PASC) to raise funds and receive appeal for donations of food, utensils and clothing.
A minute’s silence was observed before the main game with the Azkalroos players wearing black armbands in tribute to those who died in the disaster.
The Philippine national anthem was sung by Melanie Balagtas, recently crowned the 2013 Miss Philippines-Australia.
The Azkalroos v NSW Nepalese Allstars games were jointly organised by the Azkalroos Football Academy and Australian Nepalese Football Association (ANFA) with the objective of bringing the communities together.
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PICTURE:
Azkalroos striker Ace Gernica (No. 11) threatens the Nepalese All-Stars goal, wrong-footing the fullback for a clear shot with only the goalkeeper to stop it.
