UFL: Green Archers, Army settle for 1-1 draw

MANILA, Philippines – Green Archers United-Globe leaned on Jesus Joaquin Melliza's second half goal as it salvaged a 1-1 draw with Phl Army FC in First Division action of the United Football League at the McKinley Hill grounds in Taguig City Saturday night.

Down by a goal, 0-1, after Meliton Pelayo pierced through its defense with an 11th minute rocket, the Archers calmly and patiently waited for their chance and when it came, Melliza quickly took advantage with that sensational equalizer.

It was enough to give Green Archers United a draw, which was equivalent to a point, that kept it at seventh place with four points on a win and a standoff against three losses while the Armymen nailed their first point of the season after four losses in row to get out of the bottom.

In Second Division action, Manila All-Japan shocked Phl Navy FC, 2-1, to zoom to joint sixth with Dolphins United FC with six points apiece on two wins against three defeats.

Yuki and Yohei Tanaka struck with goals in a hurry and came through it in just a seven-minute span starting on the 65th minute to give the Manila All-Japan side a comfortable 2-0 cushion going into the final stretch.

But the Navymen, who were relegated to the Second Division after a poor, forgettable performance in the First Division last season, didn't give up though and fought their way back with that Michael Jay Fernandez goal late in regulation that cut it to just 1-2 deficit.

It turned out to be Navy's last show of resistance as it couldn't score from there to fall to a share of eighth with Laos FC with four points apiece.