In their second United Football League (UFL) Cup match, Green Archers United registered a convincing 6-0 triumph over Pasargad, Sunday evening at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
It was all Green Archers United at the start of the match. Just two minutes in, Reynald Villareal tested his luck from long range but Albert Llevares caught it without difficulty. A minute later, GAU scored courtesy of Floriano Pasilan Jr. The winger received Villareal’s tasty long ball before calmly chipping the ball into the net. The next great chance came at the ninth minute, still for Rodolfo Alicante’s side, with Daniel del Rio’s header sailing wide. Five minutes after, Jimuel Ariola connected with Pasilan but the latter’s attempt was tipped by Llevares. Green Archers United then won a penalty at the 16th minute. Manuel Jean-Philippe Brochant Chaffort located Robert Lopez Mendy who was fouled inside the box by Iyke Prince Ezenwa Ogochukwu, which results in a spot kick. A minute later, Chieffy Caligdong had no problems to make it a two-goal lead for the Division I outfit.
Aiming to retaliate, Pasargad looked to respond immediately but Emil Pellezer’s attempt was easily saved by GAU keeper Paolo Pascual at the 20th minute. It would have made the game more exciting, but instead, GAU’s Villareal surged forward to meet Lopez Mendy’s well-timed back-heeled pass to score the third unanswered goal of the game. Similar to the way they reacted to the second goal, Pasargad’s Michael Ebare forced a save from Pascual with 18 minutes to go in the first half. The game then slowed down, much to GAU’s favor as they saw out the first half with a seemingly unassailable 3-0 advantage.
After the restart, GAU continued to dominate the match. In doing so, they produced a couple of goals, both coming from Lopez Mendy. The Senegalese striker’s first goal came off a solo effort down the left wing before striking meticulously past the helpless Llevares nine minutes into the second half. Six minutes later, Lopez Mendy gathered the ball inside the box to make it five for the cruising Green Archers United squad who then did not make any chances until stoppage time. During that period, Pasargad created three chances involving Charles Ujam, Pellezer, and Laureno Vasquez III. Sadly for them, neither seriously bothered the relatively idle Pascual. Just as when the match is about to end, GAU found the back of the net for the sixth time when Chaffort guided a Lopez Mendy shot with his head to cap off their conquest of Pasargad at the second minute of added time.
“First game that we scored six goals, so this is good for us,” GAU Coach Rodolfo Alecante expressed with satisfaction. He also noted his team’s improvement on the both sides of the pitch, something they need to continue particularly in facing tougher opponents.
The win puts GAU momentarily in first place and will stay there should Ceres lose their game against Bright Star which is on going as of press time. Pasargad will remain in last place with the same number of points as Bright Star, although the latter has a better goal difference.
Green Archers United will play Philippine Army next week, May 17 at 4:00 in the afternoon. Meanwhile, Pasargad will look to end the points drought in facing Bright Star also on the same day, but at an earlier kick off at 1:45 pm.
