THE University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R)-manned Cebu Football Association (CFA) team lost to the Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA), 1-4, yesterday to end its first round campaign in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Suzuki Cup U23 at the Don Bosco Boys Home in Liloan town, northern Cebu.
CFA has just four points to show after the first round and will start the second round with a win-loss-draw record of 1-2-1.
The division leader NOFA had the upperhand early in the match and ended the first half on top, 2-0.
CFA was able to cut NOFA’s lead to one with Junjun Pintuan scoring a goal just five minutes into the second half.
However, NOFA found the back of the net twice more while CFA never had a chance.
CFA head coach Joselito Bono said that NOFA had a simple game but were just simply strong.
His boys, on the other hand, had problems with passing and lacked ball distribution.
Bono assured that the team will do its best when it starts its second round campaign on April 28 against Leyte at the Aboitiz Sports Field.
CFA team aims to finish the Visayas eliminations in the top 3 so it could advance to the national finals.
NOFA had solidified its hold of the top spot with nine points after winning all three of its matches so far. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON