Sparks blast Nomads, grab UFL top spot

LOYOLA Meralco drew strength from Curt Dizon and Alvaro Castiella to repulse Manila Nomads, 9-2, Sunday and gain top spot in the United Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Dizon, the former Filipino international, and Spanish striker Castiella knocked in three goals each while Phil Younghusband and Daniel Gadia were also on target for the Sparks, who increased their tally to 21 points for the No. 1 position, ahead of Global on goal difference.

An own goal from Fidelis Nnabuife in the fourth minute put the Sparks on course to their seventh win in eight games.

But conceding two goals in the second half when the outcome was already in the bag proved to be a cause of concern for Loyola coach Simon McMenemy.

“It was never going to be a question whether we won the game or not. It was just going to be more of can we keep going,” said Simon McMenemy. “I’m frustrated we didn’t get a clean sheet, but it’s always nice getting a lot of goal scorers.”

Ghanaian midfielder Stephen Appiah intercepted a weak pass outside the box and dribbled past two defenders to avert a shutout for Nomads in the 57th minute, before Nnabuife pulled another goal back for Nomads 15 minutes later.

Stallion nailed its fourth win of the season at the expense of stubborn Pasargad, 2-0.