Green Archers rout Dolphins, near q’finals

MATCHES TODAY (University of Makati)

7 p.m.—Laos vs Loyola Meralco

9 p.m.—Socceroo vs General Trias

Explosive on attack, Green Archers United dumped Dolphins, 7-2, Wednesday night to close in on a quarterfinal berth in the United Football League Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Substitute Jess Melliza scored two goals, while skipper Tating Pasilan, Arnie Pasinabo, Ayi Nii Aryee, Nikko Villa and Ronnie Aguisanda also found the back of the net in a torrid show of firepower for the Archers, who moved up to second in Group B.

While fellow first division side Kaya toiled to beat second division team Diliman, 1-0, to move on the cusp of making the last eight, the Archers hardly experienced trouble against Dolphins with their fluid attack.

Pasinabo opened the scoring with a clinical finish in the 15th minute, showing good control in front of goal after picking up a cross from Pasilan, who doubled the lead 9 minutes later with a deflected effort.

The Archers picked up from where they left off in the first half with Ronnie Aguisanda firing a long-range effort into the back of the net a minute into the second half, before Melliza and Villa got in on the scoring act off the bench.

Ayi scored with a 35-yard rocket that found the top corner leaving Dolphins keeper Bernard Lelis helpless.

Dolphins, however, exposed the Archers’ defensive frailties with Romnick Echin pulling a goal back in the 72nd minute from a free kick at the top of the penalty box. Cedelf P. Tupas