Records tumble on 9th edition of Milo Football.
In a build up that was slated to be a pushover matchup between Chase’s Academy and Santa Rosa Secondary School, the newcomer in the Milo Football Competition turned out to be one that left thousands of spectators surprised.
Santa Rosa’s win and Chase’s defeat will definitely be talked about for a long time, as some very longstanding records were shredded by the hands of the boys from Region 1.
First Interior unit to beat Chase’s Academy
Having won four out of the last 9 Milo U-18 championship, this team has made this competition one of their own, proving to be formidable opponents while dismantling teams who set out to spoil their victory parade.
The record of not losing to an interior unit, spans across eight years of playing in the league, with the likes of Waramadong and Annai falling victim to a school many consider the best in the land.
Chase’s Academy team.
But as the saying goes; ‘once records are made it must be broken’, that’s what a resurgent and energetic Santa Rosa Secondary did, coming into the Milo competition, knocking the alpha team who was also once banned from this competition and making a superb welcome back all the way to the finale.
The energy that the Santa Rosa unit played with and the intensity, was too much for a much younger Chase unit.
Vansluytman, making his name with 9 goals as a defender
A captain must always be a leader whether as an attacker or defender, this year’s Milo, we have seen the emergence of a leader among boys in Roy Vansluytman.
As if Santa Rosa couldn’t create more memories for themselves the 17-year-old made history in becoming the only defender to score 9 goals from open play in this tournament’s 9 years.
Roy Vansylutman
So far, its been a wonderful year for PETRA and it’s school’s football competition.
Vansluytman adding 9 goals to his name was hailed as the best of the bunch as the last two goals came in time that his team was in dire need of a leader to put his hands up and charge to the front.
First Team to comeback from a 2-0 deficit to be crowned champions
As intensity of the game rose, so did the confidence of the Santa Rosa Football team, going into the second half was definitely the hallmark of the game.
Many supporters lost hope in the team, but a calm and determined Captain Vansluytman kept his troops focused as they pressed on to equalize.
The captain took responsibility and scored two goals, this was the knockout blow to the Chase’s Academy team who could not react after they were hit by this loss.
A penalty decided the eventual winners, Santa Rosa walked out as Champion of the 9th Annual Milo Schools under-18 tournament.
(Michael Richmond)
