PSG holds Kaya to 1-1 draw, secures spot in UFL top division

Manila, Philippines –  PSG squandered a one-goal edge but still survived to squeeze a crucial 1-1 draw against Kaya to secure their place in the first division play on Tuesday night in the United Football League action at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill, Taguig.

A left-footed shot from Reza Amirkhizan put the depleted PSG side first on board in the 41^st minute. The initial lead came as shocker as PSG were missing seven players to either suspensions or injuries including their starting keeper Reza Ataei.

Defender turned goalie Ricardo Padilla stood his ground with several fine saves as PSG survived an avalanche of Kaya attacks in the opening half.

Stung by that PSG first half goal, Kaya buckled down to work and created scoring chances early in the second half. But teen sensation OJ Porteria missed a couple of attempts as Kaya looked increasingly determined to nail the equalizer.

That goal did not come until Anton Ugarte came in to replace Eric Dagroh in the 65^th minute. Six minutes later after that substitution, Ugarte took a free kick that Masa Omura tried to head it home but rammed into PSG’s defensive wall.  Omura’s follow-up, however, was left unguarded as Kaya finally equalized.

Both teams struggled to find the game-changing goal and it turned worst for Kaya as Porteria got booked with a red card in the injury time that will cause him to miss their next match.

With the draw, PSG hiked their season total to 15 points, a nine-point advantage over current ninth place Phil. Air Force (6 points) and 11 points clear of deadlast Phil. Army (4 points).

The last placed club at the end of the season will be replaced by the second division champion Team Socceroo. The ninth placer of the first division will duke it out with the runner-up of the second division for the other slot.

The draw saw the end of Kaya’s two game roll including a huge 3-1 victory over the Loyola Meralco Sparks last May 15. The LBC-backed club, however, remained at fourth spot with 25 points.