Rangers stuns Sino to enter AIA 7s finals

MANILA, Philippines – In the biggest upset of the entire AIA 7s Football Tournament, Rangers Philippines ousted hitherto undefeated Sino FC (that was on an 11-match winning streak) by — gasp — the score of 3-0 at McKinley Hill Stadium to punch their finals ticket.

Sino looked like a lock to roll over all comers and takers en route to the men’s Division One semifinals. 

Rangers had other ideas as it has become the giant killer in this tournament with a late surge.

Nigerian stalwart Idris Bolaji scored a hat trick to lead Rangers past Sino. He also blasted a brace against fourth-ranked Middle Beast as part of a 7-0 demolition in the quarterfinals.

One tactic that has unsettled foes is how Rangers coach Kross Ubiam has moved Bolaji to the forward position from his more natural defensive slot. 

“I think that caught others by surprise because Idris is big and so good,” Ubiam said.

Rangers was the third best defensive team in men’s Division One as they conceded 13 goals behind Manila Digger’s seven and Sino’s nine goals-against.

In the playoffs, no team has been able to break their defense.

Rangers’ breakthrough places them in a position to take down another top squad in defending champion Manila Digger that struggled to get past Manila Stars, 2-1, in their own semifinals match.
 
Thus, Manila Digger, gunning for their second consecutive title, will face Rangers Philippines at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, at the main field of the McKinley Hill Stadium. 

During the elimination round, Rangers dealt Manila Digger a 2-1 setback. 

“The finals though is something else,” added Kross who played defender for Kaya back in the UFL. “During the last AIA playoffs, we lost to Manila Digger, 2-nil, in the semifinals. Hopefully, we can get past them again.”

Rangers features two former UFL players in Fidelis Nnabuife who played for Nomads and Global, and Hassan Mohammed who played for Union International Manila. Manila Digger features former Kaya star Stephen “Tonaldo” Appiah who also gained plenty of experience playing in Europe.

“It should be a great finals,” underscored Kross. 

Over at men’s Division Two football, Black Amigos will take on Resenha in the finals that will be played at 5:30pm.

The Division Three finals will pit Manila Digger’s third squad against Mangtas FC at 4:30 p.m.