UFL Cup: heroics from Phil YH, Chieffy, power Sparks and Archers to semis
Recaps of Tuesday's Quarterfinals matches in Emperador Stadium
Loyola Meralco Sparks 2, Global 0
“I like having a trump card coming off the bench” said Loyola coach Vince Santos. On Tuesday night, he had a true Ace of Spades in substitute Phil Younghusband.
Coming off a week where he missed three training sessions because of injury, Phil began the eagerly-awaited quarters clash with Global on the pine, with Boyet Cañedo starting instead.
But in the 34th minute the Philippines' all-time leading scorer in Internationals came in for Cañedo, and a minute before the hour mark, scored the game's opening goal.
Chad Gould, playing striker from the right flank on the play, centered to Younghusband, who one-timed the pass from just outside the box into the low left corner, past Global keeper Roland Dely Sadia's hands.
The score ignited celebrations among the Sparks fans in the bleachers and as Phil ran to join them, found referee Ariel Montaña in his way. To everyone's surprise, he gave the main referee a hug and lifted him off the pitch.
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“He was in my way and I got caught up in the emotion” explained Phil afterwards. Montaña gave him a yellow card, since contact with a referee is generally not allowed.
Global tried to equalize, with Ben Starosta shooting at Sparks netminder Baba Sampana two minutes later.
Erstwhile Spark Mark Hartmann could have leveled in the 67th minute, but his header, off a fine cross from Izo Elhabbib, drifted wide of Sampana's post.
Then nine minutes later, it was the other Hartmann, older brother Matt, who took the limelight and slammed the door on Global.
With Global chasing the game and playing with just three defenders, the elder Hartmann picked up a long vertical ball on the left flank, outfoxed Amani Aguinaldo, then, from outside the box, unleashed a fearsome left-footed volley that roared past Sadia then dipped below the crossbar for 2-0.
“I couldn't enjoy it too much since Mark was on the other side” admitted Matt after the game.
Shortly before the final whistle Sampana produced a terrific reaction save on a close range attempt from Elhabbib that sealed the clean sheet. Loyola has yet to concede a goal in this year's Cup.
“We didn't allow their playmakers too much time on the ball” offered Santos as an explanation for his team's inspired performance.
Phil Younghusband was thankful to his teammates after the game, saying “this year we are a lot closer. Everyone wants to fight for each other more.”
Global exit the cup in disappointing fashion, unable to finish chances and perhaps too affected by injuries to Carlie de Murga (knee) and Jeffrey Christiaens (hamstring.)
“They (Loyola) wanted the game more and they deserved to win” said Global boss Dan Palami. “They were the better team tonight.”
Loyola now plays Green Archers in the semis on Tuesday, December 3.
Green Archers United Globe 2, Ceres La Salle 1.
It was just another day in the office for Chieffy Caligdong. Another equalizing goal, another stunning last-minute game-winner. Another chapter in an illustrious career filled with magical moments.
With the game seemingly headed for extra time at 1-1 and with two minutes of second-half stoppage already played, Caligdong whipped out another classic piece of Footballing alchemy to drive his team into the UFL Cup semis for the second year in a row.
The winger collected a long pass from Robert Lopez-Mendy in the box, danced around a static Park Guen Hyong, then with his “weaker” right foot, tucked the ball into the low right corner past Ceres netminder Hyoun Jae Hun. 2-1. Game over.
“Kung hindi dahil sa team mates ko, di mangyayari ang goal na yan. It was a team goal” said the Azkals co-captain afterwards.
Ceres took the lead in the 28th minute when Jayson Panhay's free kick from the right flank somehow slithered between the legs of GAU keeper Patrick Deyto. It was one of the most shocking goalkeeping errors from the Azkal ever seen in the UFL.
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Deyto did rebound in the second half, with a fine 1v1 stop on Angelo Marasigan and another excellent save on Yoon Byeong Jun eight minutes from time.
Caligdong equalized in the 33rd , exploiting some lax marking to hammer a right footed shot that glanced off a Ceres defender's head and over Hyoun's mitts into the goal.
The result was redemption for GAU defender Boiboi Fernandez, who was ineffective against Manila Jeepney in the round-of-16 as a wingback, but in his natural centerback slot, shone for Archers against Ceres.
But there is one concern going into Tuesday's semi for coach Dolfo Alicante: Lopez-Mendy will not be available thanks to a red card after his second yellow in the match.
After his game-winning assist to Caligdong, Lopez-Mendy removed his shirt in celebration. Already on a yellow card, Lopez-Mendy then received a second one from referee Deck Pacana, equaling a red.
“We really need Mendy” lamented Alicante. “(playing without him against Loyola) will be a big adjustment for us.”
U23 Azkals to play in benefit game in Singapore.
Dan Palami has confirmed that the national U23 team, denied entry into the SEA Games by the Philippine Olympic Committee's bizarre qualification requirements, may get to play after all, albeit just a friendly.
Palami says that plane tickets have already been booked for the match in Singapore against the city-state's U23 squad. Reports say the match is scheduled for December 1 in Hougang stadium, with proceeds going to Yolanda typhoon victims.
With the UAAP Football season underway and with the UFL Cup also in its final stages, one wonders how coach Brian Reid will be able to rustle up a team. But according to Palami, the PFF has written to the UAAP asking the league to request that schools release their players for the game.
Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.
