Airmen, Kaya booters seize UFL lead

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Air Force Phoenix and Kaya FC hacked out a pair of 2-0 victories over Agila FC and Forza FC, respectively, to wrest the lead in their respective groups in the United Football League Cup at The Fields in Nuvali over the weekend.

Yanti Barsales and Randy Bela-Ong scored on the 14th and 84th minute, respectively, to help the Airmen snare a share of the Group D lead with Army Fritz and Macziol, which earlier shocked Stallion, 2-0, with three match points apiece.

The victory thus set in motion Air Force Phoenix’s title-retention bid after a remarkable, surprising run last season.

Kaya, which finished second to eventual League champion Global FC, leaned on a brace by Fil-Am Nate Burkey to turn back Forza FC that sent it atop Group B with four points.

The triumph more than made up for the LBC-backed Kaya booters’ 1-1 draw with the vastly improved Green Archers United in the Cup opener last week at the Rizal Memorial pitch.

Burkey’s pair of goals sent him atop the list with most number of goals with three, including one in Kaya’s only goal against the Archers the last time out.