Real Negrense vs. Trimaxi in NFL tournament finals

By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

Nobody expected that Real Negrense and Trimaxi Football clubs will make it but both squads did and will forge a battle for pride in this year’s 2nd Conference Finals of the North Football League this Sunday, Aug. 26, at the Ayala North pitch.

Despite being the underdog going into the semis, Real Negrense was filled with so much desire for the crown as its booters stunned erstwhile tournament leader Dynamic Builders, 3-2, last Sunday.

The Builders were actually on top at the half, 1-nil on a goal from Michael Benedicto in the 24th minute. But Real came out as a better team in the second half as Michael Pacite equalized the board at 1-goal apiece, after sending the ball at the back of the net in the 45th minute.

Both clubs tried to nail a goal but the tight defense from both ends prevented the strikers to convert an attempt. Not until the veteran and playing coach Luis William Clauor drilled his way to break Dynamic’s defense for his team’s second goal in the 73rd minute.

Two minutes later, Dynamic’s skipper and striker Ali Rojas Go was quick enough to even the score, 2-all. However, on transmission, John Winston Valencia took advantage of Builders’ disarrayed defense as he sealed the match with a strike in the 76th minute and gave Real the victory.

Clauor said that everyone did their bests. “We overcome our problems. It was a sheer determination and effort of the team that made us won.”
Dynamic is a tough nut to crack but they committed errors at the back and we punished them. We are all enthusiastic and we made it to the finals, the playing coach further stressed.

On the other hand, Bes dela Noche of Trimaxi-Agro scored the match’s lone goal in the 58th minute to eliminate defending champion Ceres FC, 1-nil. Both clubs were held scoreless at the break.

Ceres battles Dynamic Builders for the third place on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. while the Real Negrense-Trimaxi championship match will start at 4:30 p,m./

WDJ