MPU leads FA Cup semis cast

The 2015 FA Boys and Girls Challenge Cup is down to four teams with last year’s finalist MP United Football Club U12 leading the semis cast in the annual competition.

MP United U12 co-ed team members and officials pose for a photo after winning the division championship in the NMIFA spring youth league at the Hopwood Junior High School Field late last month. The team is now in the semifinals of the 2015 FA Boys and Girls Challenge Cup. (Contributed Photo)

MP United U12, which lost the 2014 championship to Paire U12 in a shootout, 2-3, boosted its chances for a return trip to the finals following a 4-0 rout of Kanoa FC U15G last Saturday at the Koblerville Elementary School Field.

Akira Kadokura towed MP United U12 to the easy win, knocking in a pair of goals against Kanoa’s U15 girls crew. Kadokura scored his first goal in the 18th minute to give MP United a 2-0 advantage. Dylan Cho handed MP United its first goal in the fourth minute, while Jon Villagomez lifted his team to a 3-0 halftime edge with his shot in the 19th. Kadokura closed out for last season’s runner-up after gaining his second goal 10 minutes before the 60-minute match wrapped up.

MP United’s rival last year, Paire U12 co-ed, will not be able to defend its crown this season after bowing to Kanoa FC U12 coed in the other quarterfinal game at the San Antonio Elementary School Field. Kanoa cruised to a 4-1 win over the dethroned champion with the former drawing goals from four different players.

Jaydee Jose put Kanoa U12 on the board in the 14th minute, while Ian Karl Maniago made it a 2-0 count at halftime with his conversion in the 21st. Merrick Toves added one more goal in the 42nd before Paire U12 finally answered off Kaden Church’s goal in the 46th. Kanoa U12, however, had the last say with John Anastacio finding the back of the net in the 56th minute.

Before falling to Kanoa, Paire won its opening game in the FA Cup, eliminating MP United U15G last Wednesday, 3-2, at the Hopwood Junior High School Field. Church registered a hat-trick in Paire’s close win over MP United U15G, which got its two goals from Gillian Villagomez.

Meanwhile, joining Kanoa U12 and MP United U12 in the semifinals were Shirley’s FC U15G and Matansa FC U15G.

Shirley’s FC, which ruled the spring league’s girls U15 competition, pulled off a 2-1 victory over Tan Holdings U15G last weekend at the KES pitch to set up a semis date against MP United U12.

Diana Maniacop handed Shirley’s the semis berth as she scored the go-ahead goal two minutes after Chevy Kate Alipio equalized for Tan Holdings in the 36th minute. Maniacop also logged Shirley’s other goal in the 29th.

Tan Holdings earned the right to battle Shirley’s FC for one of the four semis tickets after dominating Paire U15G last Wednesday, 4-1, at the Hopwood pitch. Chloe Salvosa anchored the victory with her three goals, while Britanny Wally contributed one. Guinevere Borja recorded Paire’s lone goal in the loss.

Matansa FC U15G took the fourth and last semis slot after a 2-1 win over Tan Holdings U12 at the San Antonio pitch last Saturday.

Cousins Angelica and Lyka Sally posted the two goals for Matansa, while Ezekiel Canape hit the only goal for Tan Holdings U12. Angelica scored first in the 11th minute, while Canape forced the deadlock three minutes later before Lyka broke the tie in the 20th. Matansa hung on tight on defense to preserve the slim lead and advance to the semifinals against Kanoa U12.

The Matansa U15G-Kanoa U12 semis tiff is set for today at 4:30pm at Hopwood Pitch 2. Over at Pitch 1 at the same time, MP United U12 and Shirley’s U15G fight for the other finals berth. Winners of today’s semis matches will go for all the marbles this Saturday at 3pm at the Hopwood pitch.