It wasn’t just the fact the Makati Football Club’s managed to repeat as champions in the Gothia Cup in Sweden.

It was how the Girls 13 age group squad did it.

Forty-three goals scored. Only two conceded.

In what is dubbed as football’s “Youth World Cup,” the Makati FC teenagers didn’t just defend their title. They owned the tournament.

“Since we won last year, all the teams this year were watching us and looking out on us,” said midfielder Ariana Gementiza, the team skipper, after the club’s 6-0 victory over San Francisco Seals of the United States at SKF Arena capped an undefeated run to the crown.

“So all the pressure was on us—but that pressure made us more hyped up and gave us more motivation and a reason why we need to win the championship,” added Gementiza.

That motivation was on full display in the final. From kickoff, Makati FC asserted control with confident passing and relentless pressing. They carved out early chances and built a 3–0 lead by halftime, keeping the American squad pinned in their own side of the turf.

Match MVP Nafeeza Ayasha Nori delivered the knockout blows in the second half.

“I think we won because we worked as a team. We played really well,” said Nori. “I hope I get to play next year as well—and perform even better.”

Makati FC, which opened the tournament with a 6–1 win over FCNE (US), shut out six of their next seven opponents, including a 9–0 rout of Iceland’s Fram.

Late drama saw the Makati goalkeeper sent off after a last-minute foul in the box, but the final whistle followed moments later—confirming a dominant title defense.

Alongside Nori’s tournament-leading 11 goals, Gementiza scored 9 and Ajirapha Kaeobanchong added 7—making them the top three scorers in the competition.

The Gothia Cup drew teams from over 80 countries, with Makati FC dominating an age group that drew 61 squads from 11 countries.—INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF