Ang Kalatas Volume V February 2015 Issue

20 THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 5 Number 5 | February 2015 SPORTS WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS ASIAN COMMUNITY YOUTH CUP Azkalroos win Youth Cup in Penalty Shoot Out WINNERS. From left, Arlo Dimaculangan (Capt./Midﬁeld); Dustin Villareal (Striker ); Anthony Windsor (Midﬁeld/Striker); John Banas (Defender/Keeper); Ben Aguilar (Defender/Keeper); Ethan Ramos (defence); Shawn Banas (Striker/Keeper); BJ Bourke-Cuisia (Midﬁeld); Jason Reyes(Defence); Leigh Gunn (Coach/Director); Andrew Fletcher (Team Manager/Director); Ricky Villareal (Manager) THE boys surely gave pride to the FilipinoAustralian community. DESPITE handicaps and losing key players, the Azkalroos Youth team pulled a win to bag the Western Sydney Wanderers Asian Community Youth Cup in a penalty shootout with traditional rivals Nepal 2-0 at the finals held January 31 at the Sydney Olympic Park. The team played the tournament without both regular goal keepers and lost two key players to injury during the contest. John Banas, normally a full back, stood in goal in the early games, but unfortunately injured his calf and was not able to continue. Shawn Banas, striker and previous Golden Boot winner, then became the team’s shot stopper for the Semi Final & Final. By the time the Penalty Shoot Out round came Shawn’s hand injury worsened. Ben Aguilar, centre half, picked up the gloves and stopped the shots that enabled the Azkalroos to achieve vitory. The team, despite being the smallest of all the competitors, showed an excellent range of football skill, passing and teamwork to succeed against considerable odds. The good form shown at this prestigious tournament will be ideal for the group leading up to further games during February, March and the proposed Futsal tournament at the Goodwill Games in Manila during April. Azkalroos Directors Leigh Gunn and Andrew Fletcher congratulated the team who have performed brilliantly despite the loss of players and the unavailability of their keepers. They were particularly pleased with the team spirit and the excellent ball skills displayed throughout the contest. The Azkalroos staff and players were thrilled to welcome Mr. Nonong Arane- ta, the President of the Philippines Football Federation (PFF), to the early games to meet with the players and show his appreciation of the team’s excellent form.

Ang Kalatas Volume V February 2015 Issue | Page 20