Loyola salvages draw with Kaya on late James Younghusband goal

AKTV file photo/Jojo Lirio Jr.

The Loyola Meralco Sparks looked dead in the water before snatching a point from the jaws of defeat against Kaya FC in United Football League action Saturday at University of Makati.

James Younghusband headed in a 94th minute goal to salvage the draw for the Sparks and dash the hopes of Kaya, which looked well on its way to getting the all-important three points. The draw meant that the two squads remained at the top of the table in points, but opened the door for idle Global FC to leapfrog them with a win this weekend.

The game was hyped as a battle of national players, with Azkals forward Nate Burkey opening the scoring for Kaya at the 21st minute. But Azkals star striker Phil Younghusband, the league’s leading scored, wouldn’t allow Loyola to go into the half with a deficit, scoring at the 42nd minute.

Lexton Moy, a midfielder for the national squad, gave Kaya a 2-1 advantage at the 61st minute. Kaya then kept Loyola at bay for most of the match, turning back repeated opportunities by the Sparks before James Younghusband found a crack in the defense to tie the match.

The draw spoiled the triumphant return of Azkals and Kaya captain Aly Borromeo, who checked into the match late in the second half. Borromeo is coming off a knee injury suffered in the UFL Cup competition last October.

In the earlier game, Pasargad FC shocked early-season leaders Stallion Giligan’s, 1-nil, on a sensational goal by Mohammed Ohadi at the 35th minute. The loss continued Stallion’s freefall from title contention after dominating the first few weeks of League play.

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