SEAG booters miss out on semis berth

By: Cedelf P. Tupas 

The Philippines Under-22 side missed out on the semifinals of the Copa Paulino Alcantara, after settling for a 2-2 stalemate with Mendiola FC on a rainy Wednesday night at Biñan Football Stadium.

Using the tournament as part of their buildup for the Southeast Asian Games late this month, the young Azkals looked sharp and incisive at the start with Chima Uzoka firing two goals early, but their defensive frailties were exposed by Mendiola, which went on to secure the second semifinal spot in the group behind Ceres-Negros.

The Young Azkals, who are still waiting for the arrival of several foreign-based recruits as well as the two overaged players allowed for the SEA Games, tallied four points on a win, a draw and a loss.

“I think we saw a lot of the potential of the team that we have in the SEA Games,” manager Dan Palami said. “The priority now is to work on those weaknesses for the SEA Games. The last two games saw the team take the lead only to concede in the second half so that’s a concern for the coaching staff.”

Ceres-Negros reached the semifinals after routing Green Archers United, 4-0.


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