NEGROS OCCIDENTAL FA (NOFA) topped Davao South RFA, 1-0, in their semifinal action at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) U15 Boys National Championship on Wednesday at the National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
A highly anticipated match, the contest got everything in 90 minutes, but it was the lone Visayan squad which advanced to Friday’s final, courtesy of a lone strike by midfielder Mark Gabriel Cantos 20 minutes before full time.
Cantos made sure to connect with the opportunity given to him to send Ronald Treyes’ side into the title game, where they face either National Capital Region or Mount Apo RFA in the second semifinal later in the afternoon.
Tempers flared late in the match after a scuffle between NOFA’s Leoven Gatungan and Davao’s Gian Sartirani with the former earning a red card for his involvement, thus missing Friday’s final match.
“The boys did their best in the match,” said Treyes. “Our preparation may have been short, but because of their diligence, perseverance, and sacrifices, their performance paid off that led to the victory.”
The Group 2 winner had several chances but the equalizer came elusive as Davao was relegated to the third-place playoff.
