By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Dubbed as “small but terrific” by impressed Australian spectators, the all-Negrense girls football team Buglas Filipinas defied expectations in the just-concluded 33rd Kanga Cup.
The Negros Island Region-based football club finished second in the under-15 female plate division of one of the southern hemisphere’s largest youth football tournaments.
Despite their physical disadvantage against taller and bigger Australian opponents, the team delivered a remarkable performance in the week-long competition held in the freezing winter of Canberra.
They competed with only 13 players due to visa issues, leaving them with just two substitutes for the grueling daily 70-minute matches.
Still, they powered through the elimination round undefeated, winning four matches and drawing once.
Among their most dominant showings were shutouts of 7-0 and 4-0.
They scored 17 goals in total, conceding only four.
In the semifinals, Buglas Filipinas edged their opponents in a penalty shootout, 3-0, after a 1-1 draw in regulation.
However, fatigue and cold weather took a toll in the finals, where they lost 0-4 to the Rouse Hill Rams — the same team they beat 2-1 in the earlier round.
Though the loss was bitter, the girls returned home with heads held high and silver medals around their necks after a campaign that exceeded expectations.
Their success was boosted by overwhelming support from the Filipino community in Canberra and several traveling family members.
In each of their games, Filipino-Aussie supporters outnumbered local spectators, with some Australians also cheering for the underdog team.
The team was led by technical director Rene Jiffrey Lomugdang, head coach Pangs Silava and lead consultant Elmer Lacknet Bedia, a three-time Mr. Football awardee.
Assistant coaches included Rachelle Beatrize Semillano, Christian Earl Bona, Red Yasay, and Ron Gerard Molequin.
Buglas Filipinas is composed of players Nathalie Rhaine Andres, Renee Gavriel Animathea Lomugdang, Chloe Belisse Pasama, Angel Nicole Segovia, Kelsy Skye Anub, Ysabel Anara Yasay, Maxene Dominique Sison, Shanel Dominique Molequin, Hushlee Lhannia de Larrazabal, Claudia Elise Montinola, Jhayne Elainne Dalogdog, Marinel Gonzales, and Yannah Marie Amar./ASC, WDJ