Football
Nomads force draw, dampens Loyola’s UFL title hopes further
AKTV file photo/Toto Gamboa
The Loyola Meralco Sparks suffered yet another painful blow to their fading title hopes, yielding a last-minute goal to settle for a 2-2 draw against Nomads Auction Manila in United Football League action Friday night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
After taking a 2-1 lead courtesy of a Phil Younghusband goal at the 70th minute, the Sparks looked on its way to bouncing back from a heartbreaking 2-1 loss against Philippine Air Force Phoenix last Wednesday, a defeat that dimmed Loyola’s title hopes.
But the heroics of Steven Borrill spoiled what would have been an impending Sparks victory as he blasted a goal at the 90th minute to tie the match.
Forward Mark Hartmann also scored for Loyola at the 48th minute, while David Denison scored on a penalty at the 54th minute to provide the first goal for Nomads.
The draw put the Sparks in an almost improbable scenario to bag the Division One crown, as they failed to get past the third spot with 36 points behind Kaya, who has 39 points, and Global, who has 38 points.
To win the crown, Loyola needs to win its last match of the season against Global on June 26, and hope that Kaya and Global both drop their remaining games.
