Loyola's blowout of Laos highlights Day 1 of YFL

Forza and Ceres South's U9 teams battled to a 4-4 draw.
By Dugout Philippines

MUNTINLUPA—The 2019 Season of the Speed Regalo Youth Football League kicked off in style on Sunday at the Alabang Country Club as teams entered Match Day 1 hoping to get their momentum going early on with victories.

“It's our third year and I think we have a pretty well-oiled organization. Things went as smooth as it should be. We started on time and ended on time,” said a pleased YFL President Mike Atayde at the conclusion of the day’s matches.

He added, “We’re very happy that the level today is quite impressive. A lot of the teams and kids showed great potential for future football players in the Philippines.”

In the U13 division, Loyola got off to a strong start as it crushed Laos, 6-1.

Loyola pretty much stayed in cruise control after taking a comfortable 4-1 lead at halftime and managed to pad their lead.

Kaya Elite 06-07 and Green Archers United both picked up 2-1 victories over MSA Aguila and G8 Academy, respectively.

Meanwhile, Laos and Mendiola F.C. played to a goalless draw that saw both teams relentlessly chase a potential go-ahead goal at the end of the match.

The U11 age group saw Green Archers United and Apuesto Bueno get into a highly-contested match with the prior prevailing by two goals, 3-1.

Coach Tommy Escoltero was pleased with the Archers’ performance and said, “Since opening ng YFL, tsaka yung result namin is two wins [U11 and U13s] we’re very happy kasi nagbunga yung preparation namin for ilang weeks. Tapos nakita namin yung laro ng mga bata so very happy talaga kami.”

It was a day to forget for the Ceres U11 teams as both failed to register a victory.

Its South team yielded to Forza, 2-0, while its North counterparts dropped a 3-1 decision to Kaya 2008.

On the other hand, Kaya 2009 team alongside with Laos played to a 1-1 draw with Bohemian absorbing a 4-2 loss to their counterparts from Loyola.

G8 Academy struggled to match the intensity brought in by MSA Aguila as it fell into a four-goal deficit at the half.

MSA Aguila did not lift their foot off the gas pedal as they pushed their opening-day tally to seven goals.

Ceres South found itself trailing by three goals at halftime to Forza A in the U9 division but refused to wilt.

Their resilient effort allowed them to steal a draw, 4-4 and avoid an opening day defeat.

Similarly, Aspire held a slim one-goal lead heading into the break against Kaya 2010 but was forced to settle for a 3-3 draw before an energetic crowd.

“For us today we had a good day, some pretty good performances, and all the kids had fun which is most important,” Kaya F.C. Academy’s Chris Greatwich concluded after running through their results for the day.

Also, in the U9 division, Forza B also went on to defeat Ceres South 5-0.

G8 Academy, on the other hand, squeaked past Kaya 2011, 1-0.

Also, Malaya’s Red and Gold teams churned out identical 4-0 victories in auspicious starts over Loyola and Laos, respectively.

The U7 matches were highlighted by Loyola and Forza asserting their dominance with two wins in as many games.

The former racked up 13 goals as the latter churned out a whopping 22 goals to boost their goal difference.

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