Phil fires five as Meralco destroys Laos

In this file photo, Phil Younghusband spearheaded Loyola Meralco’s demolition of Socceroos with seven goals in just one match. Photo by Fritz Gerald Dalida

PHIL Younghusband exploded for five goals as Loyola Meralco overwhelmed Laos, 13-2, Sunday to stay within striking distance of leader Global in the United Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Keeping his hot scoring streak going, Younghusband scored twice, one from the spot, in the first 25 minutes to set the tone for the rout.

The Sparks also got two goals each from James Younghusband, Alvaro Castiella and Curt Dizon, while Kouichi Belgira was also on the scoresheet.

The victory allowed Loyola to pull level with Ceres-La Salle at second spot with 18 points, just three behind leader Global FC.

JP Voltes climbed to fifth spot with a 5-0 drubbing of MSA Agila, while Green Archers United fought back from two goals down in the second half to pip Manila Nomads, 4-3.

Takashi Odawara returned from a month-long injury layoff with a brace to match the output of Takumi Uesato, before Yu Hoshide completed the rout with an 87th minute strike for Voltes, which now has 13 points.

Given up for dead after Stephen Appiah buried a penalty in the 54th minute to give Nomads a 3-1 lead, Archers rallied in style with Iranian midfielder Hussein Doustdarsefidmazgi scoring in the 64th minute, before Alvin Sarmiento equalized 12 minutes later. A William Ebanda penalty in the 85th turned out to be the match-winning goal for Archers.