Football
Pink and Black Attack: Stallion dominates Archers, back on top of UFL
AKTV/Jojo Lirio Jr.
Stallion Giligan’s FC was back to its winning ways, dismantling Green Archers United, 5-2, Saturday in United Football League action at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The win, the team’s fourth in five matches, gave Stallion its spot back at the top of the UFL standings, with 13 points. The idle Loyola Meralco Sparks dropped back to second place.
Stallion, an Iloilo-based XI backstopped by talented Korean expatriates, dominated the match with crisp, one-touch passing, even as the Archers were able to score two goals, both on counterattacks by skipper Floriano Pasilan off hook-ups with longtime strike partner Arnie Pasinabo.
Jovanie Simpron, starting in the place of Stallion skipper Reuben Doctora Jr. who was called up to the national team, scored a brace, while league top scorer Lee Joo-Young, Bervic Italia, and Pi Yong Jae also scored.
Stallion was looking to bounce back after being forced to a surprise nil-nil draw last week by lightweight Pasargad. After the match, Stallion managing coach Ernie Nierras pointed to Pasargad’s commitment to do anything just to prevent his squad from scoring, with their opponents completely forsaking their offense.
It wasn’t a problem against the Archers, which tried to stand toe-to-toe against Stallion.
After the match, Nierras complimented the Archers for the way they played.
“My hats off to GAU for showing UFL fans what true football is all about,” he wrote on the Green Archers United Facebook page. “You always play to win, and that is what will set you apart from the other teams. You are our toughest opponent to date! I am a fan of GAU!”
In Saturday’s other match, Pachanga turned back a strong challenge from Cebu Queen City United to win, 1-0, and keep its stranglehold on the top spot in Division Two.
Freddie Gonzales, a former national player, headed in a sensational goal early in the second half in tough contest.
