By Adrian Stewart Co

The Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) will represent the Philippines in the upcoming 2019 Soong Ching Ling Cup next month, from August 1 to 8 in Hangzhou, China. The event is comprised of a series of friendlies between youth football clubs from China and the ASEAN region.
“Team NOFA-Philippines has always looked forward to joining the Soong Ching Ling Cup,” said NOFA President Ricky Yanson. “Being a China-ASEAN football tournament, we get a glimpse of the level [of] football for Under-13 [competitions] in these countries.”
“Opportunities for interaction with other coaches and organizers can also bring about ideas essential to our own grassroots development program,” he added.
This is the third time NOFA has participated in the competition. They finished in fourth place last year.
The players set to suit up for the squad include Mark Jason Apostolero, Luke Apuhan, Kian Klent Catoto, Aaron Nathan Dionaldo, Andres Gabriel Dumlao, Renzo Angelo Enriquez, Frankie Andrei Felia, Franz Derek Liansing, Kian Terrence Niu, Elijah Raj Pabalate, Christian Rendon, Rey Allen Rico, Ethan Jacob Roxas, Mark Anthony Talingting, Jr., and Ansbert Tayapad.
The Philippines opens the competition against Malaysia on August 3./ASC, WDJ