Nomads turn back Kaya, 1-0, for Kia Cup title

NOMADS Football Club leaned on the heroics of British striker Phil Connelly in the first half as they turned back Kaya FC, 1-0, to clinch the top honors in the men’s division of the first Kia Cup seven-a-side football championships.

Connelly, a customer service manager at a Makati-based call-center company, rolled in the winning marker off an assist by teammate Allistair McReady midway in the first 10 minutes of the game at the Alabang Country Club grounds in Muntinlupa.

The Michael Dennison-coached Nomads FC made it to the finals after sweeping their four-game assignments and then beating Forza FC in the semifinals, 4-3.

A total of 39 squads saw action in the men’s division of this one-day tournament supported by Kia Motors Philippines.

“This shows our commitment in the sport of football. We participate in sports because this is the direction, which Kia is taking,” said Kia Philippines marketing service manager Paterno Soriano.

Kaya FC barged into the men’s finals after prevailing over Global C, 4-3, in the semis. They reached the quarterfinals when they placed second in Group F.

University of the Philippines-A won by penalty shootout over La Salle-A, 3-2, to claim the women’s crown.

Tourism junior Clara Poblador scored the winning goal, which was blast from 10 meters, curving to the left corner of the goal post.

The Maroons reached the finals after they outplayed the Gilligans-Philippine Malditas, 1-0, off a penalty kick from Hope Sales.

La Salle-A stormed to the finals with a 3-1 triumph over University of Santo Tomas-A, behind the efforts of midfielder Pia Bravo and Malditas booter Sam Nierras. Peter Atencio


Manila Standard Today