Striker Phil Younghusband notched a hatrick after returning from knee injury and led the charge for Loyola Meralco Sparks who waylaid Agila MSA, 11-0, and soared to joint second place at the 2016 United Football League, Wednesday, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
The Sparks ruled the pitch from the get-go and frequent incursions into the opponent’s final third resulted to looks at the goal. Nonetheless, stood its ground and denied the black-shirts a breakthrough goal.
At the 19th minute, Phil Younghusband received a lob pass from Alvaro Castiella, and chested the ball in. The goal, however, was disallowed and the former was booked for a handball call. The potent striker would get his first goal upon returning 17 minutes after the caution.
Agila’s Martin Weidmar challenged James Younghusband’s run into the penalty area, and was called for a foul, conceding a penalty to the Sparks. Phil Younghusband fird the consequent spot kick into the roof of the goal and over Benito Rosalia Jr. and Loyola took the 1-0 lead.
Seconds after, Phil Younghusband doubled his tally and the Loyola advantage. Elder brother James found the striker to his side and laid off a pass towards the latter, who tapped the ball into the goal. Phil Younghusband eventually completed his hat trick before the halftime whistle was sounded. This time, he found some space to shoot and blasted a powerful strike for his and his team’s third.
After another slow start, the flood gates eventually opened for the Sparks. As they have shown all match long, Loyola Meralco flexed their muscles on offense with incessant pressure. James Younghusband his own first goal at the 52nd minute with a shot off a very tight opening. The midfielder then added another one at the hour-mark. This time, he drove all the way inside the box and latched from close range against Agila’s substitute keeper Kenneth James.
Akira Miyayama doubled the halftime lead at the 68th minute. The Japanese was unmarked inside the box and punished the defense with a grounder to join the scoring parade. Phil Younghusband almost scored another goal at the 71st minute, but James was there to collect the ball. The goalkeeper, however, spilled the ball and the substitute Jinggoy Valmayor guided the ball into the box to raise the lead to seven. The former UP Fighting Maroons captain then took his second of the match at the 84th minute.
Five minutes from fulltime, Miyayama registered a brace off a wonderful volley finish off a Phil Younghusband cross, before completing his own hat trick almost three minutes after. At the 88th minute, reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player Daniel Gadia then sealed the comprehensive win for the Loyola Meralco Sparks with his maiden goal for the club.
Loyola’s Head Coach Simon McMenemy was pleased of how his squad performed in this dominant win. He said, “It shows our depth. It shows that players can play off the bench.”
McMenemy noted the performances of his starters and also his substitutes, particularly Valmayor and Gadia. The mentor, however, would give his Man of the Match distinction to defender Ian Clarino, who debuted for the club at center back. McMenemy remarked, “I would give it to Ian. He was not tested, but he did not commit any mistakes either.”
Highlights (courtesy of Smile8)
Loyola Meralco Sparks FC tries to continue its upward run when they face off with struggling Forza FC at 1:45pm on Saturday, June 18. Agila MSA FC battles Green Archers United FC next Wednesday, June 22 at 4:00pm.
Photos by Mark Cristino/UFL Images
