Resurgent Airmen pip UIM, gain semifinals

AIR FORCE sustained its magical run in the United Football League Cup by nipping Union Internacionale Manila, 1-0, in extra time Thursday night to reach the semifinals at Emperador Stadium.

Jimmy Vergara Jr. struck with a close-range left-footed volley in the 117th minute as the resilient Airmen, the four-time champions who were relegated to the second division at the end of last season, forged a semifinal clash with Pachanga Diliman, which scored a thrilling 5-3 win over defending champion Stallion.

As one of the lowest seeded teams to enter the Round of 16, the resurgent Airmen were given little chance to advance.

The Airmen, whose members have been actively involved in relief operations at Villamor Air Base after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” struck early this month, also missed several key players to suspension, including veteran Joebel Bermejo.

Vergara scored a late match-winner to stun fourth-seed Kaya, 1-0, in the Round of 16, before replicating his heroics against the souped-up second division side in the quarterfinals.

Pachanga capitalized on set-piece situations to score three of its five goals and put an end to Stallion’s dominance of the league.

Defender Andrew Santiago bagged a brace, while Osseynou Diop, Reza Amirkhizan and Ariel Zerrudo also found the back of the net for the former second-division champions.

Pachanga took a 2-0 lead after just seven minutes, but Stallion equalized through OJ Clarino and Junior Muñoz.

Amirkhizan struck a curling free kick just minutes after halftime, before Santiago grabbed another off a corner kick to help seal the outcome.