Loyola Meralco regains UFL lead in emotional win

By Alder Almo

MANILA, Philippines – The Loyola Meralco Sparks got back at their first round tormentor Stallion Giligan's. More importantly, they regained the lead in the 2012 United Football League.
The Sparks leaned on the Younghusband brothers to fashion out a 3-nil victory over the undermanned Stallions in another emotionally charged match that drew 10 yellow and two red cards at the University of Makati football field today.
James Younghusband completed a brace – in the 10th and 78th minutes – while his brother Phil sneaked in a goal in the 29th minute to avenge Loyola's 1-4 loss to Stallion in their first encounter where the latter got his first ever red card in his UFL career.
It was one of the rare times that James outscored his more offense-minded brother.
The win pushed Loyola back on top of the table with 31 points, barely ahead of idle Global, which has 30 points.
Already without key players Ruben Doctora, Seong Kab and Park Bo Bae, who served out their suspension for red cards incurred in their last match against Kaya, Stallion was further decimated when its goalie Wilson Munoz and Yeul Woo Nam were tossed out with red cards.
The heated match turned ugly toward the last minute of the injury time when one of the Stallion coaching staff went after linesman Gary Sorio for a disputed offside call.
Action will resume tomorrow at the same venue, with the Green Archers United taking on Pasargad at 2 p.m. followed by Kaya-Phil. Navy match at 4 pm. In the nightcap, Global will seek to regain the lead against Nomads.

Philstar