UFL Cup Round of 16: Air Force Shocks Kaya FC, Loyola Thrash Cimarron FC

Loyola Meralco Sparks Striker Phil Younghusband was instrumental in their 10-nil
beating of Cimarron FC on Tuesday, November 19.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The UFL Cup is no stranger to dramatic upsets, and on Tuesday night another one was served in extra-time, much to the pain of Kaya FC. Newly relegated Philippine Air Force were extremely undermanned heading into the match, missing five key players who were suspended after their involvement in a fracas in their final group game against Stallion. Despite the odds stacked heavily against them, the Airmen battled heroically to earn one of the sweetest victories in their storied history.

Having won both the Cup and the League twice since the UFL's restructuring in 2009, Philippine Air Force is the most successful club in the modern-day UFL. This is why their fall to the Second Division after a lethargic recent League campaign was a painful pill to swallow for their supporters, and especially everyone involved with the team. Last night's match against Kaya, however, will have lifted the spirits, reminding everyone of Air Force's ability.

Soaking in the pressure for most of the match, the Airmen were happy to defend and wait for opportunities to present themselves. Danilo de Jong had the best chance to open the scoring for Kaya, but he fluffed his shot after being found all alone in front of goal. The miss would prove crucial, as Air Force took advantage in extra-time. Substitute Joebel Bermejo delivered a clever low ball to the near post from a free-kick, which Jimmy Vergara, who got in front of Janrick Soriano, touched on to beat Saba Garmaroudi in goal.

Kaya tried their best to find an equalizer in the final 15 minutes of the game, coming close on several occasions. In the end though, Man of the Match Kenneth Dolloso simply refused to be beaten in the Air Force goal. Vergara's first ever strike for the Airmen proved enough, with Air Force now going on to face the winner between Green Archers United and Manila Jeepney, who play on Thursday.

Later in the evening, the Loyola Meralco Sparks avoided any chance of an upset against Cimarron FC, opening the scoring in just four minutes. James Younghusband's expertly-taken free-kick set the tone, shortly before Yves de Luis' own goal doubled the Sparks' advantage. Matthew Hartmann's hat-trick of assists soon followed. The former national team player devastated Cimarron's right side in a blistering seven-minute spree. He first teed up Chad Gould for an easy header. Four minutes later he delivered a low ball for Lee Joo Young to gobble up. Shortly after, his deflected shot fell into the path of Phil Younghusband, who scored the first of his hat-trick. Before the half was finished, Loyola scored one of the goals of the season so far. Starting with Peter Fadrigalan at the back, Loyola made five one-touch passes, including two back-heels, before Gould cooly fired home inside the opposition box -- summing up the Sparks' dazzling team performance.

The second half was a mere exercise of more dominance for the number one seed. Phil Younghusband found the back of the net two more times, while James doubled his goal tally. Hartmann also scored, capping off an impressive performance for the left winger. The match, which ended 10-0, marked the fifth straight game that Loyola have won without conceding a single goal. Pachanga Diliman is next in line for coach Vince Santos' side.

Official Press Release courtesy of the UFL (United Football League)