Springdale wins Red Ribbon

PAREF-Springdale bagged its fourth straight title after a surprisingly easy, 3-0, whipping of Hiroshi FC in the finals of the Red Ribbon Under-16 tournament at the San Roque Parish football field.

This year, Springdale has won the 1991 age group of the Thirsty Cup, Cebu International School Friendship Cup, while also bagging last year's Aboitiz 15 Under, also against Hiroshi.

Yesterday's win also capped Springdale's impressive campaign in the Red Ribbon, where it has not conceded a single goal while scoring 18 in its four wins.

"Kaluoy sa Ginu-o, na-champion," said Springdale coach Mario Ceniza, "I was a bit worried because we didn't get to practice much as the kids were busy with their exams."

Ceniza said he didn't field some of his players yesterday since it is their policy not to let players who missed the practices, play.

Ceniza need not worry as Carlos Veloso and Kevin Tecson's strong presence in the midfield allowed Springdale to control the game. It's pinpoint passing led to a 13th minute Dominic Garcia goal for a 1-0 lead.

Garcia could have added another but he was pulled in the penalty area in the 28th, preventing a strike. Veloso got even for the downed striker as he converted the penalty for a 2-0 lead.

In the second half, Hiroshi came up fighting and managed to harass Springdale but it couldn't find their mark.

Displaying his field-savvy, Veloso sent a perfect pass to a streaking Miguel Arriola for the final count.

For his leadership and all-around play, Veloso, acknowledged even by opposing coaches as the heart of the Springdale team, got the Most Valuable Player award while Tecson got the best midfielder award.

Paolo Pascual got the best keeper trophy while Jeryll Enriquez was named the best defender. Don Bosco College striker Francis Buot, who scored seven goals in two games, got the best striker award.

The win earned Springdale the right to represent Cebu in the National Red Ribbon Fiesta – a two day seven-a-side football tourney in Manila this April. More importantly, Springdale now forms the core of the Cebu City team that will join the International Children's Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

"It will be up to the (Cebu City) Sports Commission, if they want us to form the team, we will just recommend this team," Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo said.

Comments

Anonymous said…
i wasn't able to watch the championship game. and although i support a different team, the football fan in me cannot help but say - "this Player 14 team of Springdale is a joy to watch."

at this stage, their midfield is very, very good. they run after the ball and harrass opposing midfielders. their control of the ball and their thru balls also deserves notice.

their strikers and wingers knows how to look for the openings. they don't wait for the ball to get to them but they go to the area where the ball will be going or where their midfielders will be dropping it to.

this particular group is hard to defend if your team relies on a three-defense formation. the springdale offense always have 5 players when on the attack - their strikers side-by side with the opposing sweeper, both midfielders looking for a thru pass, and with both wingers drawing the fullbacks out to the side. almost always it's a 3 on 2 or 4 on 2 situation at the penalty box in favor of springdale. credit that to mario's tactics and the player's self-discipline. a flat-four defense with a defensive half may stop the springdale offense but the offense of the opposing team will surely be affected.

congratulations to springdale.
Anonymous said…
well said ronaldo. One othre thing i like about the championship is that little guy on defense -- rodriguez i think -- boy, was he a fiesty one.
Anonymous said…
The International Childrens Games in Bangkok has a website and only futsal is listed among the sports. Theres no football.
Anonymous said…
really? will check.
Anonymous said…
thailand is futsal-crazy right now but i'll find it intriguing if football is not included.
Anonymous said…
mike: the defense was enriquez not rodriguez--jeryll enriquez
Anonymous said…
gooo springdale!!!! congratz..u guys deserved it!!!
Anonymous said…
i wasnt referrring to the guy who won the best defender award :-), i didnt get to see him play much as he was on the other side, what i did see was that little guy rodriguez.
Anonymous said…
that little Rodriguez guy is my brother!!! hahahah thanks for the good comments :p keep on cheering for springdale!

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