Global staves off Steuble's missed penalty, dethrones Ceres

By Ivan Saldajeno

Global ends a series of heartbreaks against Ceres with a 3-1 PFF-Smart Club Championship semifinal win at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila City.

Substitute Dennis Villanueva drilled in the go-ahead goal for the reigning UFL champion late in the extra session, while Mark Hartmann later sealed the win as Global got a sigh of relief after newcomer Martin Steuble missed a penalty seconds into stoppage time in the second half.

Manny Ott quickly put Ceres, the erstwhile PFF-Smart Club Championship winner, on top in the second minute after he saw an opening and struck the ball home.

But Mark Hartmann answered in the 48th minute as he found an opening in Ceres' back line and shot the equalizer from just inside the box.

Ceres got good chances to steal the win midway to the second half as Oladipo Okunaiya made two attempts which Patrick Deyto both stopped.

Global, on the other hand, threatened with a left flank shot that Louie Casas cleared out beautifully.

However, Global conceded a penalty as Richard Talaroc fouled Patrick Reichelt inside the box with a minute left in regulation.

Steuble, who, according to Coach Ali Go prior to the game, was expected to play limited minutes off the bench in his first Philippine professional football match, took the penalty kick, but his free shot sailed over the bar, keeping Global in the game. It eventually ended 1-all after regulation.

Villanueva, who checked in just before the second added time, put Global up for good at the 112th minute as he fired a shot from the right side of the box that got past Casas.

Two minutes later, Hartmann completed the brace with another goal off a Global fastbreak to secure the victory.

Global will face Loyola in the final Saturday night. Earlier in the day, Ceres and Stallion dispute third place.

- See more at: http://www.dugout.ph/2015/01/global-staves-off-steubles-missed-penalty-dethrones-ceres.html#sthash.EZrmu1C7.dpuf

La Salle, Ateneo down separate foes to take 1-2 spots in UAAP football tournament

LA SALLE and Ateneo seized 1-2 position on the table after prevailing over separate foes on Thursday in the UAAP Season 77 football tournament at the FEU-Diliman pitch. Christian Zubiri netted a goal from a Nate Alquiros assist in the 10th minute as the Green Booters frustrated University of Santo Tomas, 1-0, while the Blue Eagles topped University of the East, 1-0, with Mikko Mabanag scoring from long range in the 19th minute. La Salle took the top spot with 19 points, a point clear of Ateneo, while University of the Philippines is running third with 17 points. In their second meeting in seven days, it was a testy encounter as both the Green Booters and the Growling Tigers went down to 10 men. La Salle's Jhoguev Ybanez was sent off in the sixth minute for punching a UST defender, while Tigers skipper Gino Clarino was dismissed in the 62th minute for his second yellow card of the game. "We were lucky for that early goal by Zubiri," said La Salle assistant mentor Alvin Ocampo, filling in for head coach Hans Smit who had a pressing commitment off the pitch. Up next for the Green Booters is a match with the Blue Eagles on Sunday. "We have to maintain our spot in the Top 2," said Ocampo. With its bid for a return to the Final Four slowly slipping away, UST remained in sixth place at nine points, five points behind joint fourth placers Far Eastern University and National University, who both have 14 points. The Red Warriors are virtually out of the running in the semifinals race as they stayed in seventh with four points. 

Read more at: http://www.spin.ph/football/news/la-salle-uaap-football-ateneo-christian-zubiri-nate-alquiros-jhoguev-ybanez-gino-clarino

Younghusband lifts Loyola over Stallion in extra time -

By Ivan Saldajeno

Loyola needed 30 more minutes before dispatching a gritty Stallion side, 2-1, to book the first PFF-Smart Club Championship final seat at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila City.

Phil Younghusband drilled the go-ahead goal for Loyola in the fifth minute of extra time.

Matthew Hartmann drew first blood for Loyola early in the first half.

But Simone Rota equalized later in the period as he struck from inside the box.

Both clubs failed to score in the second half, although Fitch Arboleda and Graham Caygill had good looks late in the period.

Sean Bateau, however, fouled Younghusband from just outside the box early in the extra period. Bateau, who incurred a yellow card earlier in the match, was sent off.

Younghusband, who took the free kick, bent the ball past the wall and Henri Fong for the eventual game-winner.

- See more at: http://www.dugout.ph/2015/01/younghusband-lifts-loyola-over-stallion.html#sthash.7pESlJAS.qoiKHkuh.dpuf

PFF Smart National Club Championship - Semifinals

SEMIFINALS THURSDAY

Rizal Memorial Stadium , Manila

4 PM : STALLION 1-2 AET LOYOLA

7 PM : GLOBAL 3-1 AET CERES

All Women's Futsal Cup

Mabuhay 8-side Futbol

7 Aside Football Tournament - Muntinlupa City

YouTube - PFF Smart Nat Club Championship : Loyola vs Kaya