Post by teddyandtimmysdad on Jun 8, 2013 2:08:58 GMT 8
For those of you from far away, we have been having about 6 weeks of youth league action here in Manila, organized by the United Football League. There are many age levels, starting at U9 up to U19 as the oldest. My two boys play in the U13 category, and I can tell you the league has been exciting and fun. After 5 weeks of play, the U13 group now starts playoffs. You can see the league standings and playoff ladder for the U13 group here:
docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhJOQbagMTT3dG55V3NMN3JteXdua1BXeWlNQ3ZwdUE#gid=0
The official standings for all of the youth levels can be found here:
www.uflphilippines.com.ph/news-view/1367813131853/UFL%20Youth%20Results%20and%20Table%20as%20of%20May%2012,2013.html
So, here is my preview for the U13 playoffs set to begin in 6 hours:
Well, its playoff time for the U13 Youth, so I think I'll take a stab at a preview of the upcoming 4 matches for Saturday, June 8th starting at 8AM at Evia field in Alabang...
M731 Green Archers United (No.1/a) v Loyola A (No.4/b)
GAU has had an amazing run of 5 games undefeated with a GD of +27, led by their coach Chieffy Caligdong. Their toughest match came in week 4 against a tight Army defense, but with good passing they managed to eke out a tough 1-0 win. Kudos to Army though for their determined play and high work rate throughout the game.
Loyola A is a team known for its solid passing game. Although their players are a bit small in stature compared to some of the others, they cannot be underestimated due to the fine coaching from the Loyola organization (spearheaded by none other than Phil Younghusband). I believe that they are actually better than their 2-0-3 record, and GAU will not be able to take this match for granted. Still, if the big GAU defense doesn't lose their attention, I think GAU should emerge with a hard fought win.
PREDICTION: GAU 3-1 Loyola
M732 Kaya GK (No.2/a) v Forza (No.3/b)
Kaya GK had a bad first week, losing 10-1 to GAU. But since that time, their team has gelled and learned to work much better together, going the remaining weeks of the season without a loss and fighting their way to the No.2 position in Group A. They have steadily improved each week, beating a very tough Army team 3-0 along their way. Perhaps their biggest win was against Agila in week 4 by a score of 2-1. Agila up to that point was undefeated, with each game very solid play in each game. Kaya did a great job stifling Agila, and taking advantage of some misplay by Agila to take the tough win. Rumor has it the Agila coach was so disappointed after this loss he called an extra practice on the Monday immediately after.
Forza has been a solid side throughout the league play. Their two losses come against Global (2-1) and a really tough Pachanga match (5-3) which I was able to witness. Forza seems pretty solid all around, so they will be tough for any opponent.
PREDICTION: I think the Forza team has more experienced players, and I think this will bring them through in the end. However, I think this one will go to a penalty shootout, with the experience and power of the Forza shooters carrying the day. Forza advances.
M733 Agila (No.3/a) v Global (No.2/b)
I have seen Agila play. They are no doubt a solid team. Their primary strength is in their mid field and forwards. If they have any weakness, it may be their defense which looked a bit disorganized on the two matches I was able to observe them. Nevertheless, their play is solid and they will pose a threat to all their opponents with some real speed up front. Their 2-1 loss to Kaya GK was a heartbreaker, and their 5-2 loss to GAU was a learning experience. I am sure they will bounce back with determination for this playoff match.
Global is a team I have not yet had the chance to see. Thus, it is hard to say much or predict the outcome of this match. However, using their results against other teams I have seen as a measure, I think they will have trouble with this match. Losing 5-0 to Pachanga would have been a tough match, and perhaps indicative of a tough time with Agila.
PREDICTION: I'm sure Global is a solid team, and I think they will be able to score against Agila. However, losing 5-0 to Pachinga I think is perhaps indicative that they will have trouble with the solid offensive line of Agila. I call this one 4-2 for Agila.
M734 Pachanga (No.1/a) v Army (No.4/a)
I have been able to see Pachanga play twice, and I was able to video one of their games and study their team quite a bit. They have some big boys on the front and back lines, which seem to really carry their day. In their match against Loyola A which I watched, their big boys were able to keep the Loyola from line off balance. The 2-1 score for Pachanga in this match flatters Loyola a bit, as most of the play was in the Loyola end, and Pachanga missed several shots in the 6 yard box. This I think points up a problem for Pachanga, sometimes their guys miss the net. But, this is made up for by powering the ball through a lot so that they get a lot of chances.
Army strikes me as another very determined team with speed and a very high work rate. However, they seem to lack the quality in the passing and ball handling areas. It seems that many of their players may be relatively new to the game. But what they lack in individual ball handling, they more than make up for with their hard work and determination. However, I don't think this will allow them to carry the match against a strong Pachanga team.
PREDICTION: Army will work hard, and their defense will be stingy. But, I think they will struggle to put the ball in the net. I predict a 2-0 win for Pachanga.
So there it is, my predictions for the U13 playoffs. I will try to watch as many games as possible tomorrow to report back. I should be able to cover at least the first two matches, perhaps someone else can cover the matches after lunch?
docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhJOQbagMTT3dG55V3NMN3JteXdua1BXeWlNQ3ZwdUE#gid=0
The official standings for all of the youth levels can be found here:
www.uflphilippines.com.ph/news-view/1367813131853/UFL%20Youth%20Results%20and%20Table%20as%20of%20May%2012,2013.html
So, here is my preview for the U13 playoffs set to begin in 6 hours:
Well, its playoff time for the U13 Youth, so I think I'll take a stab at a preview of the upcoming 4 matches for Saturday, June 8th starting at 8AM at Evia field in Alabang...
M731 Green Archers United (No.1/a) v Loyola A (No.4/b)
GAU has had an amazing run of 5 games undefeated with a GD of +27, led by their coach Chieffy Caligdong. Their toughest match came in week 4 against a tight Army defense, but with good passing they managed to eke out a tough 1-0 win. Kudos to Army though for their determined play and high work rate throughout the game.
Loyola A is a team known for its solid passing game. Although their players are a bit small in stature compared to some of the others, they cannot be underestimated due to the fine coaching from the Loyola organization (spearheaded by none other than Phil Younghusband). I believe that they are actually better than their 2-0-3 record, and GAU will not be able to take this match for granted. Still, if the big GAU defense doesn't lose their attention, I think GAU should emerge with a hard fought win.
PREDICTION: GAU 3-1 Loyola
M732 Kaya GK (No.2/a) v Forza (No.3/b)
Kaya GK had a bad first week, losing 10-1 to GAU. But since that time, their team has gelled and learned to work much better together, going the remaining weeks of the season without a loss and fighting their way to the No.2 position in Group A. They have steadily improved each week, beating a very tough Army team 3-0 along their way. Perhaps their biggest win was against Agila in week 4 by a score of 2-1. Agila up to that point was undefeated, with each game very solid play in each game. Kaya did a great job stifling Agila, and taking advantage of some misplay by Agila to take the tough win. Rumor has it the Agila coach was so disappointed after this loss he called an extra practice on the Monday immediately after.
Forza has been a solid side throughout the league play. Their two losses come against Global (2-1) and a really tough Pachanga match (5-3) which I was able to witness. Forza seems pretty solid all around, so they will be tough for any opponent.
PREDICTION: I think the Forza team has more experienced players, and I think this will bring them through in the end. However, I think this one will go to a penalty shootout, with the experience and power of the Forza shooters carrying the day. Forza advances.
M733 Agila (No.3/a) v Global (No.2/b)
I have seen Agila play. They are no doubt a solid team. Their primary strength is in their mid field and forwards. If they have any weakness, it may be their defense which looked a bit disorganized on the two matches I was able to observe them. Nevertheless, their play is solid and they will pose a threat to all their opponents with some real speed up front. Their 2-1 loss to Kaya GK was a heartbreaker, and their 5-2 loss to GAU was a learning experience. I am sure they will bounce back with determination for this playoff match.
Global is a team I have not yet had the chance to see. Thus, it is hard to say much or predict the outcome of this match. However, using their results against other teams I have seen as a measure, I think they will have trouble with this match. Losing 5-0 to Pachanga would have been a tough match, and perhaps indicative of a tough time with Agila.
PREDICTION: I'm sure Global is a solid team, and I think they will be able to score against Agila. However, losing 5-0 to Pachinga I think is perhaps indicative that they will have trouble with the solid offensive line of Agila. I call this one 4-2 for Agila.
M734 Pachanga (No.1/a) v Army (No.4/a)
I have been able to see Pachanga play twice, and I was able to video one of their games and study their team quite a bit. They have some big boys on the front and back lines, which seem to really carry their day. In their match against Loyola A which I watched, their big boys were able to keep the Loyola from line off balance. The 2-1 score for Pachanga in this match flatters Loyola a bit, as most of the play was in the Loyola end, and Pachanga missed several shots in the 6 yard box. This I think points up a problem for Pachanga, sometimes their guys miss the net. But, this is made up for by powering the ball through a lot so that they get a lot of chances.
Army strikes me as another very determined team with speed and a very high work rate. However, they seem to lack the quality in the passing and ball handling areas. It seems that many of their players may be relatively new to the game. But what they lack in individual ball handling, they more than make up for with their hard work and determination. However, I don't think this will allow them to carry the match against a strong Pachanga team.
PREDICTION: Army will work hard, and their defense will be stingy. But, I think they will struggle to put the ball in the net. I predict a 2-0 win for Pachanga.
So there it is, my predictions for the U13 playoffs. I will try to watch as many games as possible tomorrow to report back. I should be able to cover at least the first two matches, perhaps someone else can cover the matches after lunch?