MANILA, Philippines - Loyola Meralco Sparks went to Phil Younghusband while Green Archers United-Globe leaned on Chieffy Caligdong’s heroics as they disposed of Global FC and Ceres-La Salle FC, respectively, to seal a semifinal showdown in the United Football League Cup at the Emperador Stadium in Taguig City Tuesday night.
Younghusband bucked a knee injury as he came off the bench to deliver a goal and an assist to Matthew Hartmann as the Sparks posted a 2-0 victory over the Global side in their quarterfinal duel.
Caligdong, a former Air Force mainstay and now a Globe endorser, came through with a brace as the Archers fought back from an early one-goal deficit to eke out a pulsating 2-1 triumph over the Bacolod City-based Ceres side.
The pair of victories set up an interesting duel between Loyola and GAU on Dec. 3, also at the Emperador pitch.
The other quarterfinal matches pit Phl Air Force against Union Internacional Manila and Stallion FC versus Pachanga Diliman FC tonight at the same venue, which will be telecast live on IBC 13 along with the Dec. 3 semis matches.
Robert Canedo started in place of Younghusband after knee concerns forced Loyola coach Vince Santos to sit out his star player but the Sparks never really got into the rhythm.
But Younghusband entered into the fray and scored on the 13th minute of the second half on a low strike on the left post from a return pass from Chad Gould.
It sparked a frantic celebration that saw Younghusband overcome by emotion and carry referee Ariel Montana which netted him a yellow card.
“I probably shouldn’t have done it, he (Montana) was in the way and I got caught up in the emotion,†said Younghusband.
Moments later, Younghusband starred anew as he looped a pass over Global’s backline defense and straight into a streaking Hartmann who volleyed a goal on the 76th that sealed the win for Loyola.
Like Younghusband, fellow Azkals hotshot Caligdong likewise produced a brilliant performance as he blasted the equalizer on the 33rd or five minutes after Jayson Panhay gave Ceres, the reigning Smart PFF National Club champions, the early upperhand.
Caligdong then delivered the match winner on the second minute of injury time.