Stallion downs Air Force, stays unscathed
STALLION delivered a fine attacking display in whipping former champion Air Force, 7-2, Thursday night to stay unscathed in the United Football League at the Emperador Stadium.
Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez knocked in four goals and Lee Joo-young contributed a brace as Stallion moved up to second —level with leader Global on points with 15, but behind on goal defense.
Sanchez frolicked against a fragile Air Force defense, finding the back of the net twice in the first half, before completing a sensational performance with a couple more in the last 45 minutes.
Stallion came into the game on the back of a couple of narrow victories. But with Sanchez in lethal form, the UFL Cup champions came through with a breakout performance that served notice of their title ambitions.
Wasting little time, Sanchez fired a header past Kenneth Dolloso in the 11th minute to open the scoring. He doubled the edge after nine minutes with a precise shot to the bottom corner after a lofted pass from Marjo Allado.
Lee was on target in the 29th minute with a close-range strike, before Ian Araneta gave Air Force a lifeline with a 36th-minute penalty following a foul on Vince Braga inside the area.
Stallion entered halftime with a 4-1 lead after another Lee strike from the right.
Sanchez fired another low shot from the edge of the area in the 56th minute for Stallions’ fifth goal, before assisting on Ruben Doctora’s close-range strike four minutes later.
Sanchez then struck from a tight angle as Stallion finished the match on the ascendancy.
