Global stretches UFL lead

PACESETTER Global weathered a late Kaya fightback for a pulsating 3-2 victory Saturday that tightened its grip of top spot in the United Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Filipino-Japanese winger Pika Minegishi struck twice, after an Audie Menzi own goal, but goals from Kaya’s Junior Munoz and Robert Lopez Mendy set the stage for a thrilling finish under the rain.

The win pushed Global’s lead at the top to seven points ahead of Loyola Meralco, which has 30 points. Ceres-La Salle, which did not play this weekend due to its Singapore Cup semifinal match, is in third spot (29 points).

JP Voltes was held to a goalless draw by Stallion in the first match.

Nathan Alquiros bungled the two best chances for Stallion, while Nelson Gasic starred with a string of impressive saves for Voltes, which remained in fourth behind Ceres on goal difference.

Global and Kaya’s deadlock was broken after 11 minutes when Menzi deflected a Misagh Bahadoran cross into his own net after a breakdown in communication between Masa Omura and Kaya keeper Matthew Acton.

Minegishi grabbed the first of his two goals six minutes later, poking home a cross from Serge Kaole from close range to put Global 2-nil up.

Kaya pulled a goal back just before the break when Munoz directed Louis Clark’s cross into goal, before Minegishi restored the two-goal advantage with a sublime curling 30-yard strike in the 51st minute.

Minegishi’s goal gave Global another spring in its step, but coach Leigh Manson’s side was denied a legitimate fourth goal when OJ Clarino was adjudged offside despite Minegishi cutting the ball back to him before scoring.

Kaya finished the match on the ascendancy with Mendy scoring from close range after Clark’s effort was saved by Patrick Deyto.