Sparks blank Pachanga for 3rd straight victory

MANILA, Philippines—Finally finding their stride, the Loyola Meralco Sparks streaked to their third straight victory with a 4-0 whipping of Pachanga Diliman Sunday night in the United Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Sparks bared their attacking teeth, leading from the third minute as they hiked their total to nine points, a point off Global with a game in hand.

Skipper James Younghusband scored twice and assisted on Australian newcomer Tahj Minniecon’s opener in the third minute. Graham Caygill’s composed finish two minutes into the second half took the fight out of Pachanga which remained winless in three matches.

“He’s the captain and we expect nothing less,” Loyola coach Simon McMenemy said of Younghusband. “He leads by example. He runs until the last minute. We asked him to play a number of positions and he responded very well.”

Phil Younghusband missed his third straight match due to a hamstring injury, although the star striker is expected to return in time for the duel with Stallion on Saturday.

In the earlier kickoff, Green Archers United bucked the absence of veterans Chieffy Caligdong and Tating Pasilan in overwhelming Philippine Army, 3-0.

Stand-in skipper Boyet Canedo struck in the eighth minute for Green Archers, who wrapped up the victory thanks to late goals from Dani del Rio.

It was Green Archers’ first victory of the season, jacking up their tally to four points this season.

Minniecon tapped in a low cross from Younghusband on the left for the first goal, before providing the cross that Younghusband headed home just before halftime. To wrap up the one-sided triumph, the captain converted a penalty after Anthony Putrus-Schnell was brought down inside the box.