SUMMER’S boiling sun could not keep teams from sparkling at the Futsal Sa Fiesta on Monday, October 4, 2015 at Fairfield Showgrounds.
By ANDREW FLETCHER
Azkalroos Greens defeated younger brothers Azkalroos Blues, 6-4, in the grand final after breezing through the Indian and Nepalese sides.
Futsa Sa Fiesta has become a regular part of the annual Philippine Fiesta Kultura, organised by Philippine Australia Sports and Culture Inc.
The Indian team beat the Nepalese into third place, with both teams showing good form and close to winning their games.
The Blues did exceptionally well considering their 10-player squad consisted of six players between the ages of 12 to 18.
Azkalroos’ head coach Leigh Gunn led his young team well, calling from the sidelines.
Travis Elhindi, at 12 years of age the youngest player at the tournament, showed good game savvy and ball skills as the Blues’ striker.
New boys, the Cummins brothers Nico with the Greens and Aldie with the Blues, settled well with their new teammates and played some excellent football.
Dustin Villarreal showed that, at 15 years of age, he already has the skills to progress much further. His tackling against India helped turn a 3-0 deficit into a 6-4 win.
Blues goalkeeper Jacques Tan, 16, displayed excellent skills and courage to win the best goalkeeper award.
The Green Azkalroos featured Dominic Del Rosario and Enzo Cheng, two Azkalroos who are now regulars in the Philippines’ U23 team.
Dominic captained the Greens with an outstanding display midfield as the team’s leader to win the most valuable player award.
Ben Aguilar, a potential Azkal U19s player, made many fast and exciting runs to open up the opposition and score on several occasions.
The reliable Andrew Pegg created good scoring opportunities with brilliant passes from the back.
The Golden Boot Award for the top goal-scorer went to the Azkalroos Greens’ Anthony Windsor who scored eleven goals in four games.
The Greens’ centre-half Gerald Tan &and left-half Julian Matthews won the inaugural Azkalroos MoneyGram Scholarships to the Philippines for trials with teams in the United Football League.
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PICTURES:
Azkalroos Greens’ Julian Matthews, second from left, sees an opening and moves in with the ball.
Azkalroos Greens’ Gerald Tan, left, momentarily figures to go either right or left and the Blues move in.
