Little Azkals rip NORFA in Pintaflores football

The Little Azkals Under 14 are now assured of a semifinals seat after padding their lead to six points as the 5th Pintaflores National U16 Invitational Football Cup enters its final day of elimination today in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

The Little Azkals solidified their hold of the top spot in bracket B with a 4-1 demolition of Negros Oriental Football Association (NORFA) yesterday.

Davao’s Javier Romero-Salas drew first blood with his goal in the 14th minute.

The Little Azkals stretched its lead to 2-0 on Cebuano Brandon Durano’s goal in the 23rd minute while Cagayan de Oro’s Troy Limbo placed the national team out of reach with his contribution six minutes later.

Cebu’s Lawrence “Soysoy” Colina sealed the Little Azkals’ win by converting a penalty kick in the 76th minute.

The U14’s final assignment today will be against the Abellana National School (ANS), which drew its second match against Iloilo Football Association-Central Philippine University (IFA-CPU) at 2-all.

NORFA stayed at second place and must win its final elimination match against IFA-CPU today to also advance to the next round.

The semifinal tickets in bracket A are still up for grabs with San Carlos City selection and Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC)-Cebu both nudging day 1 leader San Beda to the second spot.

DBTC-Cebu blanked San Beda, 1-0, while the host team inflicted the same score against Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI)-Victorias.

Defending champions San Carlos City Selection, DBTC-Cebu and San Beda are all in a must-win situations if they are to advance to the crossover semifinals.