Girls U14 silver debut puts MFC program in spotlight

Ariana Gementiza (right), 10, competes in the U14 division. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Makati Football Club’s (MFC) Girls U14 will have a silver medal to show from its international debut in the Singapore International Youth Cup, validating a program that aims to unearth future stars from the grassroots.

The young girls yielded to Australia’s Northern New South Wales, 1-0, in the final. It was a sorry loss for MFC Girls U14, composed of provincial footballers, which defeated the same team, 2-1, in the group stage.

The girls also beat Fremantle, 2-1, and Football West, 5-0.

“We wish that one day we will be able to align our program with the national federation so we can … help develop our local athletes to give them better opportunities to maximize their potential,” said coach SeLu Lozano, Makati FC chief.

Sofia Galera was the team’s top scorer in the event with three goals, followed by Ushin Valencia and Maeva Javier with two each. Ariana Gementiza, 10, scored a goal.