CEBU, Philippines - Team Tsuneishi made its debut a memorable one in the 3rd San Roque 9-a-side Football Tournament yesterday at the San Roque Parish field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
The Tsuneishi booters outlasted the more favored Teletech, 2-1, via penalty shootout to win the championship in the Inter-BPO category of the two-weekend event.
Teletech actually broke the ice of the match in the first half to gain psychological advantage.
However, Tsuneishi, instead of wilting under pressure, put up a more aggressive performance leading to a goal by Lloyd Dumdum that forged a 1-1 standoff at the end of the regulation period.
During the shootout, one after the other missed their targets until Arrojado finally hit one for Teletech.
Again, Tsuneishi displayed big fighting heart, with one of its trusted players Mutsuhiro Yoshi Zu converting his attempt for the equalizer.
Moments later, Ariel Jake Darel knocked in his shot to give Tsuneishi a 2-1 edge. Tsuneishi's goalie Taisu Suenaga then warded off the attempt of Teletech’s fifth kicker, causing the rest of his team and their fans to leap for joy.
Meanwhile, exciting action resumes next week to be highlighted by the battle for supremacy in the centerpiece men's open division. (FREEMAN)