UFL DIVISION 1: Stallion sinks Navy for lead

MANILA, Philippines — Proving its promotion to the first division was no fluke, Stallion Gilligans overwhelmed Navy Red Juice, 6-0, Sunday night to move on top of the United Football League on goal difference at the UMak field.

Korean striker Lee Joo-young produced a hat-trick as Stallion tore the Navy defense to shreds with slick passing and quick combination plays.

The convincing win pushed Stallion to the No. 1 spot, ahead of opening-day winners Kaya and Loyola Meralco, which held off Green Archers United, 3-2, Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Kaya nipped defending champion Air Force Phoenix, 1-0.

“We played a very good Navy team and it was closer than the scoreline indicated,” said Stallion manager Ernie Nierras. “We moved the ball well when they were pressing.”

Newcomer Park Bo-bae, who played for Busan in the K-League, also scored in his debut for Stallion with a left-footed effort in the 77th minute.

Yoon Byeong-jun and Jimmy Vergara also got on the scoresheet for Stallion, a squad is made up of Ilonggos and Korean students at the Central Philippine University in Iloilo.

Navy went down to 10 men in the 40th minute as Gerald Orcullo was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Yoon.

Lee put the outcome beyond doubt with a close-range strike five minutes into the second half.

Loyola, which was reduced to 10 men when Tako Yushioka was sent off in the 63rd minute, needed the heroics of goalkeeper Ref Cuaresma late in the game to preserve the win against Green Archers.

The Sparks took a 2-nil lead at halftime, thanks to two goals from Phil Younghusband, who volleyed home in the 33rd minute, before scoring again from the penalty spot in the 45th.

With Loyola ahead 3-0, Green Archers refused to go away with Arnie Pasinabo’s 67th-minute thunderbolt from the edge of the area and Reymond Villareal’s header five minutes later.