Air Force, Sta. Lucia battle to goalless draw in UFL Cup
Philippine Air Force and new team Sta. Lucia finished their group D play in the UFL Cup with goose eggs on the scoreboard last Sunday night at the Nomads pitch in Merville.
Air Force had the best chances to score when Yanti Barsales hit the post in the first half and Reymark Palmes' late second half boot was spilled by Realtors keeper Kim Dong Hyun. The ball appeared to go near the line before the keeper scooped it to safety.
Air Force thought the ball had crossed the line for a score but the goal was not given.
The Airman dominated Sta. Lucia and had far more scoring opportunities, but a well-organized Realtor defense, spearheaded by center back Doumbia Abdoulaye kept a clean sheet.
The result leaves both clubs at 5 points in the group, out of quarterfinal contention. Neither club started the game with a chance for progressing since groupmates Army (8 points) and Stallion (9 points) had already finished playing all their games.
Sta. Lucia, without talismanic midfielder Kim Da Bin due to suspension, were on the back foot from the outset as Air Force piled on the pressure with shots from Peter Jaugan, Ian Araneta, and Jalor Soriano that were all wide of the target.
Barsales should have opened the scoring in the 19th but he missed from close range after a receiving a pass from Chieffy Caligdong.
Three minutes later the Air Force captain let another opportunity slip by, knocking another attempt off the woodwork.
Sta. Lucia could have gone ahead with thirty minutes gone but Neckson Leonora disrupted Enzo Pinga's foray into the box.
Five minutes later Sta. Lucia's Marjo Allado offered a shot that clanged off Joel Ballo-allo and nearly went in for a goal if not for the alertness of Airman keeper Erl Tomodos.
The second half started better for the Realtors, with Nathan Alquiros firing over off a free kick and Jimmy Vergara shooting wide.
But as the game wore on Air Force regained the momentum, with Caligdong's rasping effort in the 73rd minute saved well by Kim.
Air Force coach Edsel Bracamonte sent in a mix of youth and experience into the game, bringing in newbie Paul Concepcion along with veterans Reymark Palmes and Joebel Bermejo.
Bermejo, a former Azkal and league MVP, had been beset with foot problems and missed several games.
In the 80th minute Chieffy unleashed a 20-yard rocket that shaved the top of Kim's crossbar.
Sta. Lucia replied with a 35-yard free kick from Abdoulaye that sailed high and a left footer from Enzo Pinga that Tomodos corraled.
Tomodos, playing in place of Tats Mercado, had no difficult saves to make but he did impress with his booming kicks and startlingly long throws, one of which in the first half was converted into a half-chance by Caligdong. He also left his area to head a ball clear in the 50th minute.
With six minutes to play Bermejo played a ball down the right wing that Barsales chased and centered brilliantly to Palmes. The former Azkals' shot was unconvincingly stopped by Kim, who scurried back and palmed it clear as it bounced very near the goal line.
The Air Force fans thought the goal should have been given but the linesman refused to budge. From this reporter's vantage point, it was not conclusive that the ball had crossed the line in its entirety, and the non-call was probably correct.
Air Force now sets their sights on the AFP-PNP Games in December, where they will play in a double-round robin against Navy and Army.
Air Force and Sta. Lucia could have been in contention for the SMART Club Championship next year had one of them won big. But instead it will be Pasargad and the third placer out of Group C who will join the eight quarterfinalists in that competition.
Group C was supposed to finish on Sunday with Loyola taking on Mendiola 1991 and Pachanga duking it out with Laos, but the poor condition of the Umak pitch forced the league to resched the games for Monday.
Quarterfinals start as scheduled on Tuesday and will air live on AKTV starting at 5pm.
In the other UFL Cup match on Sunday, Socceroo avoided the wooden spoon in Group A by beating Navy 1-0 in the ASCOM pitch.
You can follow the UFL on Twitter @UFLPhilippines. Follow Bob @bhobg333.
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.
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