UFL: Army and Green Archers battle to 1-1 stalemate
TAGUIG CITY- One team took a step away from the relegation zone last Saturday night at the Emperador Stadium. Their opponents remain close to it.
Army picked up their first point of the UFL league against a Green Archers United Globe side team that couldn't translate second-half dominance into more than one score.
The result gives United four points from five games, for seventh place in the league. Army is second from bottom with one point and if the season ended today, would be in a two-legged relegation playoff with the Division 2 second-placer.
Thanks to the result, only one team, Air Force, has yet to gain a point in league play and is currently holding up the table in the automatic relegation spot. The Airmen do, however, have at least a match in hand on all the other clubs.
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The soldiers went ahead in the eleventh minute thanks to a lovely left-footed strike from Meliton Pelayo off a pass from the left flank from Roel Gener.
Gener had been the recipient of an excellent diagonal ball from Yok Becite.
Second-half sub Jonjon Melliza tapped in an equalizer from close range in the 57th minute after good work from Tating Pasilan and Chieffy Caligdong.
Eleven minutes from time the Archers side of the gallery were up in arms after Army's Wilson de la Cruz dislodged the ball from a streaking Pasilan inside the penalty box from behind.
In spite of the howls of protest, referee Rodney Leyble didn't blow his whistle and award a spot kick.
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He explained afterwards that de la Cruz's challenge was all ball and thus was not a foul, even though it is understood by many that FIFA stipulates that any challenge from behind is a foul.
The Archers were generally the more enterprising of the sides, with several chances that went begging.
In the 18th minute Caligdong served up a sweet free kick that flew just high of Ed Sacapaño's crossbar.
Seven minutes later de la Cruz cleared a shot from Dodz Pasinabo off the goal line and seven minutes before the half United's Shag Shapay Johnson unspooled a long-range screamer that was mere centimeters over the bar.
The introduction of Melliza after the half spurred on the Archers, who grabbed the lion's share of the opportunities.
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After the leveler, United saw shots from Melliza, Pasilan, and Dan Ito either miss the mark or go straight at Sacapaño.
Ito was brought on in the 73rd minute for Johnson and two minutes later could have sealed the three points for his club when he collected a perfect center from Pasinabo.
But the Japanese veteran's nerve failed him and he hooked it wide left.
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Three minutes later Melliza could have notched another goal but his volley off a pass from Dodong Villareal was well-stopped by Sacapaño.
Melliza had two more late chances but sent the first to the keeper then headed wide in the 90th.
“In the second half we controlled the game. The problem was the finishing and the quality of the second pass. We need to have more composure” said United coach Dolfo Alicante.
The Green Archers did, however, get a good 60 minute start from Tommy Escoltero at left back. The veteran outfoxed his markers on several occasions and did pull off some effective passes. He was eventually relieved by Ronnie Aguisanda.
Next up for the Archers is a Saturday clash against another struggling club, Pasargad. PSG has just hired former Kaya mentor Kale Alvarez to lead the squad.
OTHER NOTES: New Kaya coach David Perkovic was in attendance taking notes, as was Kaya mid Chris Greatwich. Perkovic, an Australian, recently coached Aussie side Fraser Park FC. Kaya squares off with Army on Tuesday... I was on the business end of some good-natured ribbing from Greatwich over my choice of attire, an Arsenal Highbury Victory T-shirt. Greatwich is no fan of the Gunners since he supports their north London rivals Tottenham.... UFL officials have informed me that some informal settlers near the Emperador are asking P300 before balls kicked into their neighborhood are returned. There have also been reports of verbal threats to ballboys trying to get balls back.... Mel Macasaet, Chieffy's manager, was at the game. His Azkals Sports Cafe opens near the Empy very soon. Rumors that a certain Football broadcaster, sportswriter, and semi-unretired singer will perform there during UFL play dates have been swirling, but cannot be independently verified.
Follow Bob on Twitter @bhobg333.
