Stallion FC and JP Voltes FC posted contrasting wins, even as Green Archers United FC registered a victory without having kicked a ball, to close out the weekend matches of the 2016 United Football League, Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
In the second scheduled match of the day, JP Voltes FC bamboozled Forza FC, with the match practically over at halftime. The surprise package of the tournament so far plucked 7 goals in the first half, with two players scoring hattricks. J Baguioro and Takumi Uesato scored thrice for JP Voltes FC, while Kevin Skinker added another one before halftime.
Forza made some adjustments in the second half and controlled the first few minutes of the period. The visitors deservedly got a goal in the 56th minute as Hayato Aoki pulled one back from a breakaway.
Despite some fresh legs on for both sides, neither team added to the tally. Ultimately, JP Voltes went back into the winning column in convincing fashion.
After two straight losses, Stallion FC concluded the day’s matches with a “lucky” win over battle-worn Kaya FC, 1-0, thanks to a Ruben Doctora strike at the 25th minute.
“We were hoping Kaya was tired, and they were. Fortunately for us, it took a while for them to get going,” said Stallion FC Head Coach Ernie Nierras.
Stallion took advantage of the situation as they constantly probedKaya’s backline, with Doctora piling up the pressure on top, while Simone Rota sending long balls into their attacking third. After several attempts from the counter attack, Doctora stole the ball off Kaya’s Masa Omura and blasted the ball past goalkeeper Miguel Acton for the game’s one and only goal.
Kaya were not devoid of chances, but their usual potent strikers Robert Lopez-Mendy and Louis Clark were off form. Stallion center backs David Basa and Joshua Groemen displayed tremendous defense throughout the match, earning them praise from their mentor Nierras.
“They [Basa and Groemen] played well. [For Groemen,] this is a good game for him to mature,” Nierras remarked.
The insertion of Kenshiro Daniels in the middle added some vigor to the Kaya attack in the second half. Nonetheless, Stallion keeper Roland Sadia also helped stifle the shots from the yellow-shirts. Not even Aly Borromeo playing up top could change the game, and Stallion finally ended their losing streak with a tight win.
“The most important thing is that we won. It was a hard-fought game,” Nierras commented.
Earlier, Laos FC had forfeited their match in favor of Green Archers United FC. As a result, GAU won the game by default, 3-0. The UFL management are expected to mete sanctions and fines against Laos FC.
