Newly-promoted JP Voltes FC bucked an early conceded goal to pull through past Pasargad FC, 2-1, and advance to the quarterfinals of the 2015 United Football League (UFL) Cup, Tuesday evening, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
The visitors tried to score the first goal of the match as they attempted to send balls into their attacking third. However, two shots from captain Chihiro Noda, and Allan Auman Jr. could not find the back of the net. Pasargad then turned the game in their favor on the counterattack. The home side would then break the deadlock at the ensuing play.
After stopping JP Voltes’ attempt, Pasargad’s Fidelis Nnabuife broke free from the resistance of Tatsuya Nakamura and slotted the ball past keeper Nelson Gasic for the go-ahead goal. This is the last good spell from the home side as the visitors wrestled the control of the game soon after.
JP Voltes used their excellent passing inside the box to pluck an equalizer. Two early attempts by the home side’s Noda and Dominic del Rosario could not break the opposing final third. Four minutes after the breakthrough goal, Takashi Odawara found the back of the net. The tall midfielder found some space on the right flank and blasted the ball past opposing keeper Albert Llevares to level the match.
The away side then peppered the Pasargad backline to snatch the lead in the following minutes. After several missed opportunities from the forwards, JP Voltes finally got the go-ahead goal. At the 37th minute, Soichiro Tanaka collected a through pass from Noda at the middle and converted it. JP Voltes took the lead at the half, 2-1.
It was a deliberate second half as either team tried to get more goals on the board. Nnabuife tried to level the match back, but the burly forward could not get one past Gasic. The visitors, on the other hand, tried to push for more goals. At the 71st minute, a Pasargad foul was called inside the box, conceding a penalty to JP Voltes. Noda took the spot kick; nonetheless, Llevares tapped the ball out of danger, and the consequent retry went for nought. Voltes took hold of the final minutes and marched into the quarterfinals.
JP Voltes FC Head Coach Kyo Nagami expressed his mixed reviews regarding his team’s performance. The mentor stated that the team did not do well, but it was enough for them to move on to the Last Eight. Nagami shared his excitement on their next match against Kaya on Saturday, August 21. He said, “[It] will be a good experience for us.”
Green Archers United completes the Quarterfinals cast as their supposed match-up against Agila MSA FC was defaulted in their favor. Agila could not field the minimum number of players on time. GAU will take on Ceres-La Salle FC on Sunday, August 22.
