CDO prevails over Iligan on 1st day of reg’l qualifying

FOUR football associations from Northern Mindanao are participating in the ongoing Northern Mindanao qualifying tournament of the simultaneously-held Suzuki Under 23 National Cup. In the kickoff game Tuesday, host team Cagayan de Oro - Misamis Oriental Football Association (Cmofa) prevailed over Iligan - Lanao del Norte Football Association, 5-4.

The next game is scheduled this morning, as follows: Surigao del Norte Football Association and Butuan - Agusan del Norte Football Association. The games are held at the Xavier University Open Field and the tournament will run until April 2.
Other qualifying tournaments are held in Luzon and Mindanao, bringing together 23 squads where qualifiers from the National Capital Region (NCR) and the Visayas await them. Cmofa president Mike Batiles said the Suzuki Under 23 National Cup serves as breeding ground for future members of the Philippine men's national football team, affectionately known as the Azkals.

Batiles said he is confident that the teams from Mindanao will shine over their Luzon, NCR and Visayas counterparts, saying the 17 participating football associations from the island are the "most active" in the Philippine Football Federation.
The top two teams from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR will slug it out in the finals to be held on May 15.
The winners will join the Azkals and will see action for the first time in the Southeast Asian Games in November in Indonesia.

by Mark Francisco www.goldstardailynews.com