Green Archers stall Kaya; Stallion scores

MANILA, Philippines - The Green Archers United Globe came away with a 2-0 victory over Kaya FC, dampening the latter’s hopes of catching up the leaders in the final stretch of the United Football League at the Emperador Stadium at McKinley Hill in Taguig City last Tuesday.

The fifth-placed Green Archers combined solid defense with blazing counter-attacks to stifle and stun the embattled title hopefuls with Robert Lopez Mendy delivering the goals in both halves.

Earlier, Stallion Giligan shrugged off Team Socceroo, 2-0.

“I think we were able to execute 90 percent of our game plan. When we played low, Kaya found it difficult. It’s as if they didn’t know what to do with the ball. Whether they played long or through the middle, we took the ball from them. That’s the type of game we want to play. Against strong teams we have to counter-attack, we can’t go head to head,” said coach Rodolfo Alicante.

Mendy delivered the first goal 10 minutes before half-time, converting on a lob that sailed over the onrushing keeper Manuel Saubach.

Twenty minutes into the second half, the Senegalese frontman struck again, firing in Jovanie Simpron’s cutback. Except for one save from Patrick Deyto in the first half, when Christian Ayew almost volleyed in the game’s opener, the Green Archers controlled the match in the final half.

“Firstly I’d like to congratulate the Archers. They had a game plan, they stuck to it, and it worked for them today. For us it was always going to be a difficult match because of the number of players,” said Kaya coach David Perkovic.

Kaya, with four matches remaining, can fall 10 points behind Global if the league leaders win against Philippine Army-GTI at resumption of action today.

With the win, the Green Archers improved to 30 points, just five behind fourth placed Stallion.

Jose Luis Lozano scored a stunner from 30 meters out to start the scoring for Stallion Giligan. A fumble from Socceroo keeper Roland Cabaniero allowed Joevic Albino a tap in late in the match for that 2-0 romp.