UFL: Archers draw Global, Pasargad wins, Reichelt to Ceres
Match reports of Saturday's Division One matches in Emperador Stadium.
Global 0, Green Archers United Globe 0.
On his 24th birthday Archers goalie Patrick Deyto picked up a clean sheet, but so did his opposite number, Global's Roland Sadia, in an entertaining goalless draw.
“This was a goalkeeper's fight” remarked Global's GK coach Jorge Kuriyama, and the Mexican was correct as both netminders sparkled.
In the 26th minute Deyto denied a Charley Pettys header with a terrific reaction save. Three minutes after the hour mark the Azkal then stretched out to bat away a Misagh Bahadoran shot. Then fifteen minutes later the towering La Sallian was equal to Ben Starosta's venomous attempt from the right flank.
But the most crucial stop of the night came from Sadia. After Amani Aguinaldo was adjudged to have fouled Archer Gabe Olowoyeye in the box in the 60th minute, referee Michael Barajas awarded a penalty to GAU.
Jesse Martindale stepped up to take the spot kick and decided to drive it straight down the middle in the hopes that the Ivorian keeper would dive to one side. Sadia did just that but caught the leather with his upper leg to preserve the 0-0 scoreline.
Global's Misagh Bahadoran did find the net in first-half injury time but it was disallowed for a handball call which the Iranian-raised Azkal vehemently disputed.
ALSO READ: Jireh and Camille Ibanes: a hoops love story.
“We were frightened of the second ball” lamented Global coach Leigh Manson. “80-90% of the second balls went to Archers.”
Global inches to two points away from league-leading Loyola with seventeen points. United lies fifth with seven points.
OTHER NOTES: It wasn't all good for Deyto. He was strechered off the field at the final whistle with what appears to be a hamstring injury. Chieffy Caligdong was also subbed out with a knock on his ankle. An x-ray revealed that it was a fractured bone. No word on how long he will be out...The Kaya- Green Archers goalless draw on February 1 has been adjudged a win for Kaya by the league after it was discovered that United put in a sixth foreigner on the field in the 89th minute. The Archers did get a break from the technical committee when Martindale's red card against Socceroo was deferred. The next time the Aussie gets a yellow, he will serve his suspension. The circumstances of Martindale's red were peculiar; it was shown after he played for three full minutes after a swearing incident. Martindale claims he swore in anger at himself and not at an official.
Pasargad 2, Pachanga PLDT Home Fibr 1.
Ayi Nii Aryee's squad picked up their first win of the league by downing PLDT Home Fibr.
Belinga Blanchard steered in a free kick into the net in the 20th minute to begin the scoring.
Three minutes before halftime PLDT Home Fibr equalized when Nate Burkey chipped over a mis-positioned Pasargad keeper Charles Ujam for 1-1.
Pasargad's regular keeper, Russel Pierson, is “nowhere to be found” for the last three days, according to Nii, and the Korean backup, Seo Seung Seok, was involved in a misunderstanding with the team and therefore did not show up, but Ayi says he could return to the club.
Ujam, usually a striker, volunteered to play keeper and did so while wearing a blue bib. He made at least two decent stops.
ALSO READ: 5.4 million viewers watched PBA Finals Game 7.
Just one minute after Burkey's goal, Pasargad substitute Hamed Fateh beat PLDT Home Fibr keeper Kim Versales from an acute angle for what proved to be the winning goal.
Pachanga was mere millimeters from goals in the second half. In the 61st minute Reza Amirkhizan's free kick attempt caught the bottom of Ujam's crossbar and bounced down very near the line but the goal was not given.
Incredibly, ten minutes later Burkey did the exact same thing, seeing his attempt clang off the bar and once again near the goal line, but again no goal.
Pasargad advances to four points on the table but still in last place behind Team Socceroo. Home Fibr has now lost four matches on the trot and is languishing in seventh place at six points.
Patrick Reichelt signs with Ceres.
Azkal Patrick Reichelt has made the move from second tier in Thailand to second tier in the Philippines.
He informed me on Saturday that he will join Ceres, the SMART-PFF National champs and currently the third-place team in the UFL's second division. On Monday he moves to Bacolod permanently. It appears he goes to the Negros-based side in the UFL transfer window which will take place soon.
The Fil-German says he was impressed with Ceres' plans for the coming years, which include joining the national league and gaining promotion to the first division. Ceres will also play in the AFC President's Cup this year.
Reichelt says that he has heard plenty of positive feedback about the professionalism in the Ceres organization.
Previously the winger was with Singhtarua in the Thai second tier, which is called division one. Reichelt was released after the team got promoted to the Thai Premier League after last year's league season.
Reichelt's previous UFL stint was with Global.
Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.
