THE giant-killer is now king.
Rangers Philippines poured it all in the first half then held on the rest of the way to dethrone Manila Digger, 2-1, in the AIA 7s Football Tournament Men’s Division 1 at the McKinley Hill Stadium over the weekend.
A high-pressure defense laced with relentless attacks resulted to two goals in the first half for Rangers Philippines, enough to hold off the former champions’ bid to turn things around in the second period.
Ebere Juel opened scoring in the ninth minute but Manila Digger equalized in the final minute of regular time on a strike by Ilemona Usman.
Both sides were scoreless in added time sending the match to a penalty shootout.
Rangers’ goalkeeper Junel Marasigan save all the shots of Manila Digger while Olisa Anena banged in the title-clinching goal.
In ascending the summit of the 7s, Rangers, the fifth seat, defeated Middle Beast, 7-0, that was a notch above them in the quarterfinals. Then they booted out also erstwhile undefeated squad Sino FC in the semifinals in convincing fashion, 3-0.
The one goal they conceded to Manila Digger is the first they have allowed in the playoffs.
The superb defense of Rangers also saw them stop the prolific Stephen Appiah of Manila Digger.
Rangers’ goal keeper Junel Marasigan was named the Most Valuable Player.
“He saved two penalties in the lead up to the finals,” team manager and former Kaya player Kross Ubiam said. “As I said, once we get to the finals, we’ll be hard to beat.”
It was the Rangers’ fourth title.
They scored 12 goals in three playoff games for an average of four per match.
“We were not favorites this season,” said Rangers Philippines head coach Ayi Aryee, who won two University Athletic Association of the Philippines titles as a striker for the University of the Philippines. “We were regarded as veterans but a few things escaped their minds—football is played with experience and not just speed. A team must be tactical and disciplined to win games. And preparation is everything.”
“We peaked at the right time,” Ubiam added.
The champion team includes Ebere Juel, Bolaji Idris, Stanley Edeme, Hassan Mohhamed, Forio Jonah, Junel Marasigan, Fidel Nnabuife, Charles Ujam, Olisa Anene, Femi Originde, Charles Muotouh, Idowu Ominisi, Bernard Ifeachor, and Mikael Lagard.
Manila Digger salvaged a measure of pride when their Division 3 squad outscored Mangtas FC, 3-2, in their own finals. The men’s division two finals saw Black Amigos win, 4-2, over Resenha.