Loyola, Kaya battle to 3-3 draw; Pachanga nails 2nd win

Loyola Meralco salvaged a 3-3 draw with fierce rival Kaya in an ill-tempered United Football League clash that saw Sparks striker Phil Younghusband sent off before a huge Sunday night crowd at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Kaya striker Louis Clark and OJ Porteria cancelled out Younghusband’s opener and the second from Lee Joo-Young to forge a 2-2 deadlock at the break.

Jovin Bedic looked to have sealed the points for Kaya, but Anthony Putrus Schnell popped up to direct Lee’s free kick 14 minutes from time to give the Sparks a share of the spoils.

The result meant that Kaya, Loyola and Global all finished the first round with 19 points.

Ceres-La Salle remained on top with 21 points ahead of Stallion due to goal difference. Global is in third ahead of both Kaya and Loyola on goal difference.

The Sparks started brightly with Younghusband’s brilliant individual effort in the 13th minute breaking the deadlock, before Clark equalized in the 26th minute with a close-range strike after being released by Porteria’s cutback.

Younghusband was slapped with two quick yellow cards, reducing the Sparks to 10 men for the final hour of the game.

Reacting aggressively to a hit by Miguel Tanton on his brother, James, Younghusband was booked in the 28th minute. The Sparks striker got his marching orders two minutes later when he barged into Tanton with his head after a clumsy challenge from the Kaya midfielder in what was a continuation for the earlier incident.

The Sparks still proved dangerous without Younghusband as Lee restored Loyola’s lead in the 32nd minute with a composed finish, but Porteria’s pace and craftiness got Kaya back on level terms with a sweet strike from inside the box six minutes later.

Bedic latched unto Porteria’s cross to put Kaya ahead for the first time two minutes after the hour mark. And just when everyone though that Kaya would seal the points, Lee earned a free kick off a foul from Masa Omura on the right side.

Schnell peeled away from his defender on the set piece and slotted the ball at Nick O’Donnell’s near post in a thrilling end to the match.

Check out the match photos HERE.

This post-match is from the official website of the United Football League (UFL). You may read the full and original post-match report from the UFL here.

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