Stallion pips Global XI, lifts UFL Cup

Stallion cemented its place among the United Football League’s elite with a thrilling 2-1 victory over fancied Global in the UFL Cup finals Monday night at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Goals from homegrown star Ruben Doctora and Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez boosted the Iloilo-based side to its first major trophy since joining the league three years ago.

It was a stunning victory for Stallion as it defeated a Global side that already has two UFL crowns under its belt and fielded perhaps one of the league’s strongest lineups with five players who recently saw action in the Suzuki Cup.

“It’s a very important win for us because we also had to prove that our style of play can win it for us,” said Stallion coach Ernie Nierras, who is fresh from steering the national women’s team to the title in the LA Vikings Cup.

Stallion, which climbed from the second division last season, became the first team outside Air Force and Global to win a trophy since 2009, when the UFL was organized.

All the goals bore hallmarks of Stallion’s attacking strength with Doctora (24th minute) and Sanchez (61st) finishing off fine buildup plays that left the Global defense reeling.

Izo El-Habbib scored Global’s lone goal just seconds after the restart. Cedelf P. Tupas