Stallions win UFL Cup in upset over Global

By Karl Decena

Penson Stallion Giligan’s toppled Global, 2-1, to win the United Football Cup Monday night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Team captain Ruben Doctora Jr. and Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez scored one goal apiece to upset League champion Global, whose roster is made up mostly of national team players made them the favorites to hoist the crown.
Stallion took the lead early, with Doctora scoring the match’s first goal at the 24th minute.
But Global quickly recovered in the counterattack as Sudanese striker Izzo Elhabib scored at the 26th minute to tie the score at 1-1 at halftime.
Sanchez then came out roaring after the break and blasted a goal at the 61st minute to bring the lead back to Stallion.
Global created several chances to score the equalizer late in the match, but shots by defender Juani Guirado and Elhabib in stoppage time failed to hit the back of the net.
The Cup title is the first UFL crown for Stallion, which made its Division One debut only last year.
In the first match, the Loyola Meralco Sparks routed Green Archers United, 4-1, to bag the third place of the UFL Cup.
Midfielder Mark Hartmann fired two goals, while star striker Phil Younghusband dished two assists and nailed one goal to propel the Sparks to victory.

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