Stallion XI, Pachanga turn back UFL foes

STALLION Sta. Lucia picked up where it left off in the United Football League Cup, downing a lethargic Green Archers Globe side, 3-1, Thursday night, even as Pachanga Diliman came up with a solid first division debut at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Goals from Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez, Prince Boley and Park Bo-bae and an otherwise drab display from the Archers gave the UFL Cup holders maximum points, putting them level with Global at second spot after two playdates.

Proving it deserved to be in the top-flight, Pachanga Diliman nipped an undermanned Kaya, 1-0, in a dull encounter that saw both teams struggle to create scoring chances.

A 28th minute penalty from Guamanian midfielder Jason Cunliffe turned out to be the game winner.

Ian Mariano was trying to latch unto a through ball from Boyet Canedo down the middle when Kaya defender Dario Dakic clipped him, leading to the penalty.

The absence of OJ Porteria and Chris Greatwich told heavily on Kaya as it could not break down the first division newcomers, whose midfield got a boost with the inclusion of former Loyola standout Anto Gonzales.

Porteria and Greatwich, who played for the national team against Myanmar Wednesday night, arrived minutes before kickoff, forcing coach Maor Rozen to bench them.

Kaya had a last-ditch effort for an equalizer thwarted in stoppage time when Allan Serna stopped Masa Omura’s goal-bound shot.