Global extends win run to five; Sparks keep lead

MANILA, Philippines - Mark Hartmann came away with four goals as Global whipped Team Socceroo, 9-0, to extend its win run to five even as Loyola Meralco Sparks edged Pachanga PLDT Home Fibr, 2-1, to stay on top in the First Division of the United Football League at the Emperador Stadium Tuesday night.

Milad Behgandom turned in Ben Starosta’s cross, scoring the first of his brace right in the fifth minute. Shortly after Hartmann completed a sensational hat-trick in a seven-minute stretch, Starosta scored on an easy header. A minute later, Hartmann scored another goal before rifling in from the edge of the Socceroo box for his fourth and an impressive eight-goal feat in the last three matches.

Global stayed at second with 15 points from six matches while Team Socceroo, which held Loyola to a 3-3 draw three days ago, remained at eighth with five points from eight games.

Loyola Meralco Sparks bucked an early deficit to repulse Pachanga in the other match. Pachanga’s Nate Burkey found the back of the net less than 10 minutes into the game but the league leaders pounced on their rival’s sloppy defense to bounce back.

Joaco Canas’ volley from a corner kick in the 25th minute tied the match before Freddy Gonzalez sneaked from behind the Pachanga backline to score what turned out to be the winner four minutes later.