Loyola Meralco snaps Global's win streak with 1-1 draw

MANILA, Philippines -- The Younghusband brothers linked up late in the match to help Loyola Meralco Sparks snap Global's seven-game win streak with a 1-1 draw Tuesday night in the United Football League action at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill, Taguig.

Global appeared headed to win its eight straight when it held a 1-0 lead only to squander it in the end via penalty kick by Loyola star striker Phil Younghusband. 

Patrick Reichelt gave Global the early edge 10 minutes past the kick-off with a beauty of a header coming off a Jeffrey Christiaens assist.

What the fans hoped to be an offensively entertaining match turned into a defensive battle as both squads struggled to find the back of the net from that 10th minute mark. 

With the Sparks still missing the services of injured star Freddy Gonzales, Global zeroed in on Phil Younghusband and Mark Hartmann on defense.

James Younghusband stepped up on the offensive end and tried to take matters into his own hand. The older Younghusband was finally rewarded when he was tripped by Global's Nino Ochotorena inside the box heading into the final fifteen minutes of regulation. 

Phil calmly sank the penalty shot to equalize. The younger Younghusband almost won it for the Sparks but Phil blew the golden chance when his attempt off a corner kick from Hartmann sailed high above the crossbar with only two minutes left before the injury time. 

Despite the draw, Global remained on top of the table with 22 points on 7-1-0 win-draw-loss record while the Sparks kept the second spot with 20 points (6-2-0). 

In the first match, PSG blanked the Phil. Army, 4-0, to move to just solitary point behind joint fifth placers Kaya and Pachanga-Diliman. 

Emmanuel Mbata completed a brace while Jaham Taher and Younousse Yaogo added one goal each for PSG's second win in the tournament.