A tense silence came over the whole field as one kick would determine the victory over a formidable team, Askvoll og Holmedal IL IL J16, at the Norway Cup.
LAOS Football Club striker Vanessa Jhoy Ignacio set the ball for the kick, took a few steps back, then charged forward, sending the ball untouched into the back of the net.
Our Filipina booters did it. “GOAL!”, the crowd roared, and as arms went up into the air, the celebrations began, with the Under-16 Girls of LAOS FC (short for Leyte Association of Organized Sports Football Club) representing the Philippines winning the quarterfinal round at the Norway Cup that will end Aug. 4.
This is one of the largest youth football tournaments in the world which began on July 26 in Oslo.
LAOS FC Under-16 Girls became the Cinderella story of the tournament, gathered from grassroots soccer programs from around the Philippines under the auspices of the Leyte Association.
The girls showed the world that the Philippines has got talent and determination to succeed at the highest level of youth football.
Into the semifinals these young booters had the weight of the Philippines in their shoulders. An exciting and courageously-played 1-1 game went on, until the tie was tragically broken by a sudden goal by the opposing team Alta IF of Norway.
The Cinderella story reached a sad conclusion on that fateful evening of Aug. 1, with a 2-1 loss, and elimination from the tournament. This ended a brilliant and valiant effort from our homegrown U16 Girls of LAOS FC who brought tremendous pride to the Philippines.
As Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico Fos declared, “They showed the Filipino heart and resilience despite the odds.”
The youth team will soon leave Norway with their heads held up high after a landmark accomplishment of reaching the semi-finals in this prestigious international tournament.
The four Negrense women: Zara Gabriella Danieles (FKU FC), Kelsy Skye Anub (FKU FC), Erika Rose Jamio (Carabell FC), and Charmen Nacion (Carabell FC) who played in the U16 Girls team must have had an experience of a lifetime. (Zephanie Repollo)
