Pasargad takes first win versus Pachanga; Global, GAU draw

BY MYKE MIRAVITE

MANILA, Philippines - Pasargad FC ended their six-game winless skid as they notched their first triumph of the season at the expense of Pachanga - Diliman PLDT Home Fibr FC, 2-1, while Green Archers United held down Global FC to a scoreless draw in the United Football League on Saturday night, February 15 at the Emperador Stadium in Taguig City.

Even with the win, PSG remains in the relegation zone taking just four points so far off a 1-1-5 record but they edge closer to the rest of the teams finally shedding its tag as the only winless squad in this year so far.

First-half goals from Belinga Blanchard and Hamed Fateh were enough for Pasargad to subdue Pachanga as they bounced back from a 1-2 loss to reigning UFL champions Stallion FC in their last assignment.

After Pachanga threatened to open the scoring in the early goings of the game, the Iranian midfielder Blanchard came out of nowhere as he found the net first 20 minutes into the game to send Pasargad to an early 1-nil lead.

PSG's night did not go without a hitch as the in-form Nate Burkey increased his season tally anew, netting in a 42nd goal that restored parity in the game.

After being shown a yellow just in the 34th, Fateh more than made up for his booking as he scored the go-ahead goal barely a minute after Burkey's equalizer to enter the break with a one-goal cushion.

Burkey almost scored another equalizer in the 71st minute, coming close to scoring a brace but his shot just rattled the crossbar.

Figo El Habib will miss Pasargad's next game after he was slapped with a straight red card in the 85th minute but PSG held on for the rest of the match to finally take home the full three points for the first time this season.

It will be the fifth loss for seventh place Pachanga in seven games, having won the other two for a 2-0-5 record.

Global, Green Archers draw

Despite coming off huge wins in their respective last outings, Green Archers United and Global FC, meanwhile, could only settle with a scoreless draw in the night's main show.

GAU, though, will be flattered by the scoreline as Global entered the game with all guns ablaze but Leigh Manson's squad could not hit the mark to only settle for one point after 90 minutes.

Global, which beat Team Socceroo by nine goals earlier this week, almost went one goal up just moments before halftime but Misagh Bahadoran's strike was scratched off after the officials called him for handball.

Global was the more enterprising squad tonight as they put the Green Archers on the backfoot for most of the game but Patrick Deyto made the right stops to keep his team in the game.

Jovanie Simpron had a rare chance for Green Archers as he tried to drill in Jun Soo Park's neat cross but Roland Sadia was there between the sticks to block the shot and save the day for Global.

GAU overtakes Army - GTI for fifth in the table with seven points off a 1-4-2 slate while Global remains second at 5-1-1 for 16 points. -

 Rappler.com