UFL: Loyola Meralco, Stallion, notch strong wins versus Army and Green Archers

The Loyola Meralco Sparks got two of their three goals from players headed for national team duty in a 3-1 win over Army-GTI, while Ruben Doctora, also set to play in the Azkals’ friendlies versus Malaysia and Azerbaijan, scored in a 4-1 rout of the ailing Green Archers United, in UFL action, Tuesday at the Emperador Stadium.
 

Short-handed Sparks have enough to best Army-GTI

The Loyola Meralco Sparks FC has drawn twice this League but remain unbeaten at the top of the standings. Army-GTI FC is in fifth spot, toting a 3-1-5 win-draw-loss card. Coming into this game, it did not take a rocket scientist to see that the Sparks had the edge.

However, it may not show in their record but the Sparks have actually been struggling in their last several games. Plagued with injuries, the UFL Cup-winning team has had only two to four fit subs per match, and this fixture versus Army was no exception.  

At the start of the match, the Sparks looked like they were struggling. It was Seong Wook Hong who started for Army between the sticks instead of regular keeper Cpl. Ed Sacapano. The Sparks definitely had more chances early in the first half, but the Army defense held well.

It took the Sparks until the 37th minute to slowly chip away at the Army defense and get a goal. Simon Greatwich, who has been called up into the Azkals pool again, found his mark from inside the box.

Five minutes later, Matthew Hartmann’s cross found Joo Young Lee, who volleyed the ball past a couple of defenders and the Army-GTI keeper, to make it 2-0 for the Sparks at the half.

Army-GTI decided to make some adjustments in the hope of stopping the Sparks from overwhelming them. They sent in Sacapano to replace Hong and then Army men Pfc. Ricardo Becite and Sgt. Luisito Brillantes to replace Cpl. Lauren Bedua and Shin Seok Jeon.

At the 51st minute, a free kick was awarded to Army. Becite took the free kick but sent it over the bar. Army’s frustration started to show, and with it came a couple of yellow cards flashed at their players.

James Younghusband, who is still nursing an injury, stepped on for Armand del Rosario in the 66th minute. A couple of minutes later, the referee pointed to the spot after Joo Young Lee was brought down by what looked like an elbow to the head right inside the box. James took the penalty but it was deflected by Sacapano. James however got the ball off his own rebound, and sent it past Sacapano for a 3-0 tally.

Army, however, was able to pull one back right at the 89th minute. Captain Roel Gener caught Baba Sampana alone and off his line. Gener celebrated with a little cartwheel, something that has not been seen often this League. "Naka-tsamba," Gener good-naturedly said after the game.

There were two minutes of added time but the scoreline read 3-1 in favor of the Sparks when the final whistle blew.

“We got too comfortable after the third goal.” lamented Sparks coach Vince Santos. “That's not the way.” Santos looked slightly stressed and not like his team had just won 3-1 and dominated the game.

Santos said that he was not very happy with the way the team "took the foot off the pedal.

“I’m still glad we're getting the wins,” Santos said, adding that he would be happier with more goals. The Sparks may be at the top of team standings but Global FC, who have a game in hand, hold a better goal differential record and are just four points behind the Sparks.

Army-GTI FC remains in fifth spot but with a disappointing -17 goal difference. A single win or even just a draw by Pachanga PLDT Home Fibr FC will immediately bring Army down one spot in the standings.


Read on for the recap of Stallion FC vs Green Archers United FC:

 

 

Stallion overruns Green Archers United

Green Archers United FC score extremely early in their game versus Stallion FC. At the fourth minute, Lopez Mendy hit the post, got to his own rebound, and slotted the ball in before Stallion keeper Wilson Munoz could collect himself or the ball.

However, that was it for the Archers in this game. At the 21st minute, Simone Rota, playing in the midfield for a change, equalized on a header off a Hamed Hajimahdi cross. Two minutes later, Ruben Doctora Jr. continued the good spell of those called up for Azkals training, making it 2-1 in favor of Stallion FC.

In the earlier game, the Sparks’ Simon Greatwich had also scored a goal. Greatwich, Rota, and Doctora had all been training with the Azkals.

Archers keeper Patrick Deyto, who has been on and off the injured list this League looked decidedly less than 100 percent coming into the game but still played the full 90 minutes.

In what was probably the best chance for the Archers to get back on to the scoreboard, referee Rey Ritaga called for an indirect free kick after Stallion’s keeper Munoz handled the ball following a Rota back pass. The kick however just hit the wall.

Immediately afterwards, Stallion brought the ball to the other side and Nate Alquiros made an attempt. Deyto seemed to get a hand on it but was ineffective in stopping the ball. Officials called it an own goal for the Archers’ Ronnie Aguisanda, who was also in that area, making it 3-1 for Stallion in the 56th minute.

There were some really good chances for the Archers but Munoz was up to task. The Archers also seemed just unlucky during some plays. There was a great chance for the Archers on a Jovanie Simpron - Gabriel Olowoyeye play and Munoz slid to try and save the ball and missed completely. But instead of the ball rolling into the goal, it rolled just wide and out.

Stallion got one more goal at the 85th minute. Alquiros worked past the defense and Deyto, who seemed rooted to the spot during the sequence.

There were three minutes of added time but that was it. Stallion took the game 4-1. Stallion and the Archers remain in fourth and seventh place, respectively.

The March transfer window should be an interesting time for both teams, however, as the Archers may need to pick up a couple of players to expand their offensive options, especially in the absence of Chieffy Caligdong and Arnie Pasinabo. Stallion meanwhile will look to replace some players who have seemed to gone missing from its lineup in the past few games, including goal keeper Pedro Marenco, Pablo Calles, and Napoleon Bustilo.  - AMD, GMA News