Team Socceroo Earns Point Against Stallion, Loyola Run Riot Again

25 January Results:
Stallion Gilligan’s FC 1-1 Team Socceroo
Loyola Meralco Sparks 4-0 Pasargad FC

Team Socceroo Earned their first ever point in the UFL First Division last Saturday, at the Emperador Stadium. After three successive defeats, last year’s Second Division conquerers fought tooth and nail to salvage a 1-1 draw against defending champions Stallion Gilligan’s FC.

“They played with a big heart. They showed real confidence,” said Socceroo head coach Franklin Cacacho, who oversaw his side endure a painful 7-1 mauling by Kaya just two days prior. “It’s like we’re an airplane. We’re still on the runway, but now we’re on the way up.”

Napoleon Bustillo opened the scoring 26 minutes into the match, tapping in after Ousseynou Diop had rampaged down the right flank. The goal made amends for Hamed Hajimahdi’s penalty miss in the game’s opening minutes. Stallion only held the lead for eight minutes, though, as Ikechukwu Duruachazie fired from the edge of the box to score the equalizer.

Stallion created most of the opportunities in the second half, but couldn’t breach a valiant Socceroo backline. The result means Stallion remain in seventh in the standings, with only two points in three matches. “We have to start winning games instead of tying,” said Coach Ernie Nierras after the match. “It’s going to be a tough week ahead for us.” The double champions next play Kaya FC before playing League leaders Loyola Meralco Sparks, who were magnificent once again against Pasargad FC.

Phil Younghusband and Simon Greatwich both scored two goals each, as the Sparks overcame the absence of several regular starters to notch their third straight win. “It’s good to know that anyone you give an opportunity to can perform,” said Loyola coach Vince Santos after the match. “They know that if they put in the extra effort on the training ground, they’ll get opportunities to play.”

It took only seven minutes for Phil to start the scoring, smashing in a rocket from outside the penalty box. Greatwich doubled the advantage shortly after, turning and shooting from inside the area after clever interplay found him in space. Right before half-time, Younghusband scored his second of the match, and his fifth of the League, easily beating his defender before cooly slotting in the ball. Greatwich, who started the game in central midfield, before being moved to right back, finished the game as a striker, which allowed him to round out the scoring with a well-taken long range strike in the 90th minute.

28 January Matches:
5:15pm – Loyola Meralco Sparks v Green Archers United
7:30pm – Stallion FC v Kaya FC
*Live nationwide on Aksyon TV

Source: http://www.ufl.ph