The Philippine Men’s Under-19 training pool was leading versus the Italy selection team 2-1, at the Philippines-Italy Friendship Cup on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, but a last possession goal by Jed Francisco forced a 2-2 draw, which then led to a 5-3 win by the blue side via penalties.
Jed Matthew Francisco of Kaya U19 fought in an intense corner kick scramble and sank Italy’s tying goal in the very last play to force the game in a penalty shootout.
The Friendship Cup, organized by the Italian Embassy and the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) in commemoration of the Italian Republic Day last June 2 and the Philippine Independence Day on June 12, also served as a venue for the PFF to scout potential recruits for the national men’s under-19 squad in light of the 2024 ASEAN U-19 Boys Championship in July.
“This is just the beginning and there are many things to work on moving forward,” said PFF Technical Director Josep Ferré, who coached the Philippine side
“This is part of our recruitment for the national Under-19 which is ongoing… It’s been interesting not only for our squad, but for me as well. My players need to be on a platform to be scouted,” Ferré explained, adding that he will also look on the eligibility of Filipino players from the Italy selection “who performed well.”
Ferré will also be scouting players from the PFF U19 Boys National Championship Finals to be held in Cebu City on June 8 to 10, 2024 where teams from NCR, Negros Occidental, Panay and Central Visayas Regional Football Associations have advanced from a nationwide qualifiers held recently.
The Philippines started the game on top with an early goal from Ryen Lim, who scored off a running attack from the left flank in the fourth minute.
UAAP Rookie of the Year and University of the Philippines standout Ramil Bation III then scored the equalizer for Italy, scoring off the spill of Filipino goalkeeper Pio Unlay in the 18th minute.
Adamson U’s Mark Christian Ricario then sank the go-ahead for the Philippines to end the first half with a goal from outside scored in stoppage time.
Italy, coached by Philippine men’s national team midfielder Simon Greatwich, gained several scoring chances in the second half off set pieces but their chances were stymied by the Filipino defense, until an unmarked Francisco found the back of the net in the 90+6th minute.
Thereafter, the Italy selection five assigned on the spot sank all their five penalties to win the Friendship Cup.
“We decided to organize a football event to celebrate the friendship between Italy and the Philippines and I am glad that the Philippine Football Federation, through its president John Gutierrez, accepted my invitation,” said Italy’s Ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente.
“Football is the most popular international sport and we hope that it will become the Filipino national sport,” Mr. Clemente continued.
“Aside from commemorating the ties between Italy and the Philippines, which date back to the 1940s, we are able to highlight Filipino football culture and also give our emerging U19 National Team a chance to play against a formidable selection team,” said PFF President John Gutierrez.
Notwithstanding the result for the Philippine side, Gutierrez considers the match a win for both countries. “The skills and fortitude of our players were revealed as the game also showed the cooperation between the Philippines and Italy, all for the love of the beautiful game,” Gutierrez concluded. * * *