^

Sports

Inspired Younghusband sizzles as Loyola seizes solo second

Alder Almo - The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines -- Phil Younghusband led a big second half surge by Loyola Meralco to book a 4-1 victory over Pachanga Diliman Tuesday night at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill and helped the Sparks seized solo second in the United Football League. 

A day after his celebrity girlfriend Angel Locsin celebrated her birthday, an inspired Younghusband came away with a brace to move the Sparks nearer to the top of the league table. The Sparks now just trail league-leader Stallion-Sta. Lucia by just a single point, 26 to 27.

Younghusband's double came in succession that turned the close match into a one-sided affair. 

After he assisted Korean import Jeong Byeong Yeol in the 14th minute for a 1-nil Loyola Meralco advantage, Pachanga-Diliman was still in the match. But things turned sour for last season's second division champions when Ref Cuaresma saved a Jason Cunliffe penalty kick right before the halftime break.

Phil took over from there as the younger Younghusband connected in 52nd and 54th minute to give the Sparks a commanding 3-0 lead. Mark Hartmann, who fed Younghusband's second goal via header, added one more 10 minutes later to ice the contest. 

It was such a big hole that Pachanga couldn't climb out of it. They did manage to trim it down to 4-1 on OJ Clarino's goal 12 minutes before the injury time.  The loss hurt Pachanga's chances as they got stuck at fifth spot with 16 points on 5-1-5 win-draw-loss card. 

Younghusband's two-goal romp came after his four-goal outburst against the Phil. Army in their last win that enabled him to become the new league scoring leader with 12 goals. Hartmann is a close second with 11 while Stallion's Spanish recruit Rufo Sanchez trails the Sparks' 1-2 punch with nine. 

In the other match of the night, Green Archers United Globe leaned on Agbayami Olowoyeye's late goal to force a 3-3 draw against Kaya. (read related story here: http://www.philstar.com/sports/2013/04/24/934366/archers-spoil-kayas-greatwich-shot)

vuukle comment

AGBAYAMI OLOWOYEYE

ANGEL LOCSIN

EMPERADOR STADIUM

GREEN ARCHERS UNITED GLOBE

HARTMANN

JASON CUNLIFFE

JEONG BYEONG

LOYOLA MERALCO

PACHANGA DILIMAN

YOUNGHUSBAND

  • Latest
  • Trending
Latest
Latest
abtest
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with