Filipinos shine in Singapore kiddie soccer tilt

Even in kiddie football, the Philippines is making a mark in Asia. The Philippine-Ateneo Team A dominated the Under-8 Division of the ARK - 5 V 5 Soccer Festival held in Singapore from December 17 to 18. Football clubs from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong and the Philippines participated, with two teams representing each country. At the end of two days of competition, the stage was set for an all-Filipino Finals in the U-8 Division. The more experienced Ateneo Team A (Grade 2) defeated Ateneo Team B (Grade 1), 4-nil, to clinch the crown. Prior to the finals, Philippine-Ateneo Team A came out of the elimination round with three wins over Philippine-Ateneo Team B, First Kick Academy of Singapore Team B, and Indonesia; a draw with defending champion Thailand; and a loss to First Kick Academy of Singapore Team A. After winning their respective semifinals matches against Singapore and Indonesia, both Filipino teams battled it out one last time under the stormy Singapore skies. PH Team A, PH Team B and Singapore Team A made the podium in this year’s edition of the annual soccer festival. With the apparent talent in the young crop, some of the players in the Philippine-Ateneo Team A were earlier chosen to be part of the football program of the Philippine Football Federation. The program was put up to prepare for the AFC Under-17 Championship and World Championship in 2017 and 2019 respectively. - GMA News