UFL: Kaya blanks Global to boost title bid, Ceres picks up De Murga
Recap of Wednesday's lone UFL Division One encounter at Emperador Stadium
Kaya strengthened their title bid with a hard fought 1-0 victory over archrivals Global thanks to a hard-nosed defense and a sparkling evening by their young Azkals.
But on Wednesday the only goal belonged to a familiar face for David Perkovic's crew; Eddie Mallari. The veteran made a somewhat rare start for Kaya at right wing and rewarded his coach's faith with a strike in the tenth minute.
A cross from left back Kenshiro Daniels pinged off Porteria and fell to Mallari. His first attempt was blocked but it rebounded to him and he pumped it past Global keeper Roland Sadia. That ignited celebrations for half of the large crowd of several hundred fans at the Empy.
Then Kaya's defense, marshaled by Masanari Omura and backstopped by keeper Nick O'Donnell, did the rest, thwarting everything Global could throw at them.
In the 40th minute Global's Mark Hartmann nearly leveled when he struck the near post with a free kick attempt. Then just before the half O'Donnell denied Hartmann's shot from outside the box.
The second half opened up with chances from Hartmann and Global winger Misagh Bahadoran, plus attempts from Greatwich, Daniels, and Porteria.
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But the turning point came in the 71st minute when Global substitute Milad Behgandom released a wicked close-range shot that looked very much like an equalizer. But O'Donnell met the effort with a fine reflex save to preserve the scoreline. Moments later in the ensuing play, O'Donnell snuffed out a subsequent try from the Iranian.
Global coach Leigh Manson threw the kitchen sink at Kaya in the latter part of the second half with an aggressive 4-3-3 formation that at times even looked like a 3-3-4. But the defense of Omura, Alfred Osei, Anton Del Rosario, and Drew Liauw did just enough as attempts from Charley Pettys, Jeff Christiaens, Bahadoran, and Ben Starosta failed to test O'Donnell.
Afterwards, Perkovic was effusive in his praise for his goalie.
“What a performance by Nick. Unbelievable, fantastic. He was outstanding.”
The Aussie coach also gave credit to his back four.
“To keep a clean sheet on Global says a lot about our defense.”
Manson, in contrast, took partial blame for the defeat, ruing his decision to start without the in-form Behgandom in a 4-4-2 and instead pack the center of the park with five mids.
“I should have kept a winning formation going” said the Scot. “That was a mistake.”
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Kaya now advances to 19 points from nine matches. If they win again they tie Global for second place. Global has already played ten times. Loyola is atop the standings with 26 markers.
The result avenges a 2-1 Kaya loss to Global last January 18.
Daniels, Porteria, Drew Liauw and O'Donnell are all called up for either one or both of the upcoming March friendlies for the Azkals. Kaya veterans Anton Del Rosario and Chris Greatwich also won the favor of new coach Thomas Dooley.
OTHER NOTES: This match was originally scheduled for Thursday but was pushed back a day by the league because both teams have plenty of players called up to the Azkals. The national team flies to Malaysia on Thursday for Saturday's match with the Harimau Malaya. Thursday's game between Pachanga PLDT Home Fibr and Team Socceroo kicks off at 8pm and is also the lone match of the evening…. Kaya FC Director Phil Hagedorn spent most of the first half and part of the second half standing with the Kaya Ultras in the West stand. The Ultras engaged the Global Force in a game-long cheering contest that really added to the atmosphere in the game... Azkals Martin Steuble and Rob Gier were seen taking in the game at the grandstand.
Carlie De Murga joins Ceres
Global and Azkals standout Carlie De Murga is headed to Division Two side Ceres. He confirmed this on Wednesday. The league has a transfer window that lasts all through March.
De Murga had been out of commission thanks to a knee injury for months. The Filipino-Spaniard, who played everything from central mid to right back to goalkeeper for the Azkals and for Global, joins another former Global star, Patrick Reichelt, in Ali Rojas' side.
Carlie has begun training with Ceres but it is not known when he can see action again.
“I thank coach Ali and the Ceres management for making this happen” said de Murga via Facebook chat.
“I also thank everyone in Global for two beautiful years. Special thanks to (team owner) Dan Palami for taking care of me.”
De Murga also gave credit to his friends Max Chua and Cathy Nazareno of Mac2 Group Management for advising him in his decision.
Ceres was expected to easily gain promotion from the second tier but at the moment they lie second in the ridiculously tight Division 2 table, two off league-leaders Jeepney, although Ceres does have a game in hand.
A total of ten clubs are within six points of Jeepney. Even Nomads and Dolphins can entertain title hopes.
Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.
