UFL Week 4: Sparks fly as Stallion stumbles

AKTV/Jojo Lirio Jr.

The fourth week of the United Football League saw a change at the peak of the first division standings, with high-flying Stallion Giligans being stunned for the first time this season.

Saturday was a very busy day in the UFL, as all the first division clubs aside from Global and Green Archers United were in action. Nomads Auction Manila and Philippine Army Fritz and Macziol kicked off the action with a competitive 1-1 draw, before the Loyola Meralco Sparks continued their good run against Kaya, as both Younghusbands scored to earn a comfortable 2-0 win.

With Loyola going top of the table after its triumph, all eyes were on Stallion to regain its advantage as they faced a Pasargad side that has failed to win so far this season. Having already beaten the Sparks, Philippine Navy Redjuice and Philippine Air Force Phoenix to start the campaign, nobody expected that Stallion would drop its first points.

But frustrated by a determined Pasargad defense, Ernie Nierras’ side failed to find a breakthrough despite the opposition going down to ten men early in the second half when Miki Emaka was sent off. The match finished 0-0, ending Stallion’s perfect start and ensuring that Loyola remained at the pinnacle of the standings. The Sparks are two points ahead, albeit having played one game more.

Defending champions Air Force was in action in the evening’s earlier match, and the Airmen finally got their first win of the season as Ian Araneta scored two goals early in the second half to ensure Marlon Pinero’s 90th minute effort was nothing more than a consolation. The 2-1 victory gives a much needed boost to the struggling Air Force, especially as it managed the feat without their talismanic winger Chieffy Caligdong, who is out with a knee injury.

In the only Division One contest on Sunday, Green Archers United’s misfortune in the league resumed as it found itself on the losing side once again in a contest that saw six cards produced, two of which were red. Global keeper Etounai Sylvain was sent off in the 80th minute, but United barely had an opportunity to take advantage as Arvin Soliman followed suit shortly after when he stopped a goal-bound effort with his hand. The resulting penalty was slotted in by Azkal Carli de Murga, handing Global a hard fought 1-0 win that keeps them just three points from the top.

The fourth week showed no one is untouchable in the UFL and really put into perspective that this will be a very competitive next few months with plenty of twists and turns along the way. Who said the league couldn’t be exciting? I’m drooling at the possibilities, and it’s only begun.

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