Pachanga Diliman, Loyola advance to UFL semifinals

MANILA, Philippines - Pachanga Diliman put an end to Manila All-Japan’s fairy tale run while Loyola Meralco Sparks turned back rival Kaya FC with a pair of 2-1 wins to advance to the semifinals of the United Football League’s FA League Cup at the Rizal Memorial pitch Monday night.

Lee Jeong Woo headed home a goal in the 10th minute of the first extra period that sealed the match for Pachanga while Phil Younghusband came through with a brace, including a rocket just five minutes into the second half that carried Loyola Meralco to the victory.

The win set up Pachanga Diliman against Ceres while Loyola forged a duel with a souped-up Global side on Nov. 4, also at the Rizal grounds.

“This is a good opportunity for Pachanga Diliman to be a famous club if we win the game. I will try to work really hard with the players,” said new head coach Yuki Matsuda. “The players have great heart so we will be ready.”

Loyola, meanwhile, survived a highly physical match against Kaya where tempers flared up after the match.

“It was a really good game. It was always going to be difficult against Kaya. Their fans won’t let me talk now. Incredible fans, they won’t stop,” said Loyola coach Simon McMenemy, the former Azkals coach. 

“I’m really impressed with the commitment from both sides. That was a really tough game for us, and we’re very proud to beat a team like Kaya,” he added.

Behrouz Khoshgavar unleashed a free kick that gave Pachanga the early edge but Manila All-Japan, which defied odds to crash into the quarterfinals, equalized following a sneaky header by Yugo Kobayashi on the 87th minute that forced extra time.

But Lee put it to naught with a header.

Younghusband, meanwhile, scored a penalty kick after Younousse Yaogo hacked Matthew Hartmann inside the box.

Diego Barrera then unloaded a strike from way out just before the first half ended to knot the count at one.

Then Younghusband blasted another goal to clinch the win for Loyola.

McMenemy said they’ll use the same game-plan against Global.

“It’s another tough game. It’s not going to be anything different, more of the same. They’re going to fight for everything. They have a little bit of a different shape. They know how to win. They’ve had a lot of success. So it’s going to be down to us to stop them. We’re keen and ready to go, we’re looking forward to it,” he said.