Korean’s goal lifts Stallion past Nomads

MANILA, Philippines – Korean Lee Joo Young scored the game-winning goal as Stallion FC turned back a tough-defending Nomads FC, 1-0, to jump from third to second place behind current leader Global FC in the First Division of the United Football League at the McKinley Hill grounds in Taguig City Thursday night.

With the match appeared headed to a standoff after a scoreless first half, the Stallion booters made their move as Spanish striker Rufino Familiar Sanchez set up a rampaging Lee with a beautiful cross for that brilliant goal on the 57th minute.

It was all the Ernest Nierras-managed Stallion side needed to wrap up the win that sent it from No. 3 to No. 2 with 21 match points on seven victories against a single defeat, while leaving idle Loyola Meralco Sparks sliding from No. 2 down to No. 3 with 20 points on six wins against two draws.

The win also somehow eased the pain of a painful 0-1 defeat at the hands of Global last March 19.

Idle Global, managed by Phl Azkals team manager Dan Palami, leads everyone with 22 points on seven wins against a standoff.

In the other match, Christian Ayew unleashed a brace as Kaya FC shackled Air Force FC, 4-0, to climb to No. 4 with 12 points on three wins and the same number of deadlocks against two setbacks.

After Jose Elmer Porteria opened it up with an early seventh minute rocket, Ayew came into the picture and uncorked two goals in a hurry – one on the 46th and the other occurring 10 minutes later, to give Kaya a cushion.

Former Azkal Anton del Rosario finished the Airmen off with a goal late in regulation.