Younghusband brothers power 10-man Loyola to UFL Cup triumph over Pachanga

The Loyola Meralco Sparks FC finally clinched a title, via a 3-2 triumph against Pachanga Diliman FC for the 2013 UFL Cup championship, at the Emperador Stadium on Thursday.

Phil Younghusband fired low towards Pachanga keeper Kim Versales' far left to put Loyola up 3-1 in the 52nd minute. Ariel Zerrudo then trimmed the Sparks' safety margin after a minute, stretching against a defender for a left-footed strike from just outside the box. The former Division 2 champs however could not come up with an equalizer after that to force extra-time.

Phil Younghusband was named the winner of the Golden Boot, after tallying 21 goals in the competition. He also won the MVP prize. Baba Sampana got the Golden Glove after conceding just two goals in the entire competition, both in the Finals.

Earlier in the game, Zerrudo broke Loyola keeper Baba Sampana's UFL Cup clean sheet streak in the 16th minute, scoring off a steal from teammate Anto Gonzales. James Younghusband then equalized for Loyola, heading in brother Phil's corner kick at the 19th.

Chad Gould then made it 2-1 just before halftime, turning Joaco Cañas' misfire into a score at the 45th minute.

Loyola's Freddy Gonzales, Pachanga's former owner during its Division 2 days, almost made it 4-2 with a tap from Phil's feed inside the box at the 58th minute. Cañas also failed to make an easy header after Versales dropped the ball in mid-air at the 66th.

The Sparks were reduced to ten men after an ugly-looking clip by Peter Fadrigalan on Alu Kigbu in the 82nd. Pachanga also had a chance to equalize with a free kick from James' handball, but Ian Mariano struck it wide in the 90th minute.

The UFL Cup 2013 is Loyola Meralco Sparks FC's first championship title ever. They were runners-up in the 2011 edition of the tourney, losing to Air Force 2-0. In 2012, they lost in the semifinals to Global FC.

Prior to this match, Green Archers United secured third place via a 3-0 tally over Air Force. - AMD, GMA News