MANILA – Makati FC Girls U13 upended NCE New York, 3-1, in the finals to rule the Girls Trophy tournament over the weekend at the Haileybury School in Hertfordshire, England.
The decorated Philippine youth nipped Go Pro Dubai, 1-0, in the semifinal to atone for a 0-1 setback in the final group stage match.
It was an amazing group stage run for Makati FC Girls U13, who topped the standings with 13 points, two clear of NCE New York.
Along the way, the girls bested notable academy clubs like Arsenal, Brighton, and Aston Villa to secure the No. 1 spot and a crucial advantage heading into the knockout rounds.
Ranged against world-class academy teams, Makati FC defeated Linfield, 3-1, Brighton, 2-0, and Aston Villa, 3-0, and battled toe-to-toe with Arsenal in a thrilling 2-2 stalemate.
“It’s not about winning tournaments, it’s about creating a pathway for homegrown talent and building a system that works,” team owner Selu Lozano said.
“Every game shows us what the competition demands, and our mission is to keep improving the program so that Philippine youth players can develop to meet — and even surpass — those standards,” he added.
Lozano further said that Makati FC’s vision is long-term: to elevate the level of football in the Philippines by aligning our grassroots programs with the realities of world-class competition.
“I’m really grateful to be back in London and compete,” said Grace Gella, who was the youngest member of the squad.
“We were happy to play against strong teams, and I’m hopeful for more tough tournaments like this to come so we can continue to test ourselves and get better,” added the Pontevedra-native booter.
With their latest international triumph, the future looks bright for Makati FC’s young stars, who continue to prove that Philippine football can stand tall on the world stage. Every experience abroad is a step closer to building not only stronger players but also a stronger football culture back home./PN
