UFL: Kaya downs Army, Sparks spank Nomads.
Match reports from Tuesday's action in the Emperador Stadium.
Kaya 3, Army 0
Kaya may just be hitting its stride in this UFL League.
More goals from Sean Iliff and Ohjay Porteria saw them tie Janrick Soriano for the Kaya team goalscoring lead with two apiece.
But the tie was broken when Soriano scored, controversially, to get his nose in front once again with three goals.
Army was incensed that assistant referee Ronaldo Yurag did not raise his flag on the play since Soriano apparently came from an offside position according to some impartial observers.
That prompted defender Rodrigo Betita to first kick the ball at Yurag, which earned him a yellow card. Then, to the shock of the Empy crowd and viewers at home, the Army veteran kicked Yurag in his left leg.
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That earned him a straight red from main referee Ariel Montaña and will likely mean a suspension and/or a fine from the league.
Kaya picked up their second win of the league with their biggest output of the season. It was a perfect start for new coach David Perkovic.
Army was unimaginative in defeat, with plenty of ineffective long-ball play. But that didn't stop them from having some real chances.
Seven minutes from half Roel Gener lobbed the ball off a volley over the defense towards the goal but Saba Sadeghi Garmaroudi made a sensational diving stop.
In the 43rd minute Kaya went ahead when Army gave the ball away cheaply in the middle of the park. Kaya launched a counterattack with Eric Dagroh free in the right flank.
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Dagroh released a beautiful cross that Iliff blasted past Ed Sacapano for 1-0.
At the half Perkovic took out Antonio Ugarte and brought in Nico Bolzico, who was back in the lineup after a long absence. That allowed Bolzico to join Masa Omura in central defense, freeing up Dario Dakic to operate in his preferred central midfield role.
In the 54th Sacapano made a terrific diving save of his own off a free kick from Sean Iliff.
But in the 63rd minute Porteria outwitted Army defender Eduardo Gempisaw and rifled a shot into the top corner for 2-0.
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Soriano's final score came moments after he had hit the post in the 90th minute. He has now scored three times as a late Kaya substitute this season.
Perkovic was happy with the win, but he passed the credit on to others.
“I just had my first training with the team yesterday. Chris (Greatwich) ran most things (tonight). I just had minor points. Chris and the staff can take most of the credit.”
“In the first half we lacked shape and structure. I balanced the team and that was the start of us dominating in the second half.”
OTHER NOTES: Kaya unveiled their new red uniforms with the logo of their new sponsor, Chinese automaker Jinbei.... Betita's case is similar to that of Archer Elle Cagayanan, who kicked Dakic in a previous game. The league has yet to rule on a punishment for that incident.... Anton Del Rosario was at the game in street clothes but left early on to go to the wake of an uncle.
Loyola Meralco Sparks 5, Nomads Manila 0.
Loyola and Nomads entered the game as third and fourth in the league table. It appears the difference between the two places is a yawning chasm.
After dropping points against Kaya, the Sparks got their league campaign back on track with a big rout.
Nomads were strangely sluggish to begin the game but held on until the 38th minute when Mark Hartmann expertly steered in a free kick past Nomads custodian Friso Klok.
Three minutes later centerback Chad Gould volleyed brilliantly home to make it 2-0.
“That's my Beach Soccer (background)” said Gould with a smile.
The former Azkal has played for England in Beach Soccer, where volleys and overhead kicks are common.
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Hartmann doubled his total in the 65th with a flick from an acute angle, and four minutes later substitute Simon Greatwich made it 4-0 when Klok was unable to stop his close-range effort.
Phil Younghusband put even more gloss in the scoreline with his 90th minute goal off an assist from Greatwich.
“The boys followed the game plan of playing possession Football” said assistant coach Gil Talavera, who coached the game in the absence of head coach Vince Santos.
“After the first and second goals, nag-relax na at lahat gumagalaw.”
The Sparks also got a heady performance from keeper Ref Cuaresma, who palmed away Steve Borill's free kick with a diving save fifteen minutes before time.
Sparks Park Min Ho and Jeong Yeong-beol were a constant threat all game long as well.
Loyola now goes to the top of the table with 16 points, but Global and Stallion, at 15 points, have a game in hand each.
OTHER NOTES: Injured Sparks forward Freddy Gonzalez was at the game in crutches.... Ateneo's Mikko Mabanag was at the game. It has been reported by UFL Media head Rick Olivares that the diminutive winger was picked up by Nomads in the add-drop window and will play with them soon. His Blue Booters mates Nick O'Donnell and Carlo Liay also watched Tuesday's play and will join Kaya. The other big transfer: Stallion Jason De Jong getting loaned to Global.
Follow Bob on Twitter @bhobg333.
