MANILA, Philippines - Football came alive in Bacolod City over the weekend as Bacolod United FC tripped the visiting Malay Mail of Malaysia, 3-2, and captured the RP-Malaysia Veterans Football Championship before a huge crowd at the Panaad pitch.
Former RP team star Norman Fegidero conjured up the magic that gave host Philippines a stunning 1-0 win over Malaysia during the Manila SEA Games by coming through with two goals to beat the Malaysians in the event sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation headed by Jose Mari Martinez.
“I hope this will be the start of something good for the sport. In the years to come, we expect our neighbors from Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan and Vietnam will join our tournament,” said Martinez. “We need some icons so that our young players will strive harder and will be inspired.”
Martinez said youth tournaments in the country are vital in the resurgence of the sport.
The Malaysians controlled the match early, breaking the ice in the ninth minute.
But Fegidero, who mentored the RP team last year, produced a stretch of brilliance where he scored two goals in a span of four minutes. He knotted the count in the 23rd before giving Bacolod the lead in the 27th, sending the crowd into frenzied celebration.
But tension continued to build up as Moud Faridzal Kazim tied the count anew in the 36th minute. Greg Gustillo finally eased the tension for the host squad with a booming shot in the 50th minute.