Loyola and Kaya Settle For A Point In Fiery Clash, Pachanga Snap Losing Skid

Despite a penalty kick and two shots that cannoned off the frame of the goal, nothing could separate Loyola Meralco Sparks and Kaya when they tangled in the UFL last Tuesday night at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill. The goalless draw saw Loyola finish their first round of fixtures with 20 points, four clear of nearest rivals Global and Kaya. In the day’s other match, Nate Burkey scored the solitary goal to give Pachanga PLDT Home Fibr a crucial win against Green Archers United Globe.

While the first-half proved to be a feeling out process for the two title contenders, the second period displayed a combination of skills and controversies that had fans on the edge of their seats. OJ Porteria was the standout performer on the evening, proving a real handful against a Loyola backline missing the services of the Measles-stricken Joaco Canas. The 19-year-old broke into the Loyola box in the 60th minute with a clever exchange at the edge of the area. But a strong challenge from center-back Yves Ashime put the striker off enough for goalkeeper Baba Sampana to make a crucial save.

Porteria needed to replace his boots after the incident and insisted he deserved a penalty on the play. ““He didn’t get the ball. He got my foot. It was clear because I kept the ball and had another chance to shoot,” he explained after the match.

The former DC United Youth player broke free again in the Loyola box 15 minutes from time, earning a penalty on this occasion as Simon Greatwich was adjudged to have gotten more man than ball on his challenge. Older brother Chris Greatwich thought he had Kaya in front when he struck his first attempt into the bottom left corner, but the referee said he had taken the penalty before the whistle. His second strike was thwarted by Sampana.

Kaya came close again with three minutes left. Richard Greer struck a free-kick onto the upright, with the effort ricocheting off the keeper on the way out. Loyola could’ve snatched all three points right at the death, but Phil Younghusband’s free-kick smacked the underside of the crossbar, with the subsequent rebound header going just over.

“I thought today we were the better side. We clearly out possessed the opposition,” said Kaya head coach David Perkovic after the game. “I was happy with our performance. I would’ve loved a goal, don’t get me wrong, but the next time we play them, I know who’s going to be confident – me and our boys.”

Missing key players on the night, and with stars Phil Younghusband and Lee Joo Young fit only for cameo roles, head coach Vince Santos was reasonably pleased with the result. “We’ll take it. We’re missing a lot of players, we had to make do with certain players playing in unfamiliar positions,” he said. “Considering what we had, I think we’re okay with a point.”

The Sparks will be without the services of Phil in their next match, as the striker was shown a red card after the final whistle for comments he made at the referee.

“Basically I told him ‘you don’t know the rules,’” said Younghusband in a rare public display of frustration. “How many times has a game been decided by the referee? Football is a competitive game. When you have two sides that really want to win and the referee’s deciding the game, it’s just so frustrating and so emotional.”

Read the full post-match report from the UFL here.

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