Vergara propels Air Force anew to enter UFL Cup semis

MANILA, Philippines – They may have been relegated to Division II for the upcoming season but Philippine Air Force showed why they are the winningest squad in the country after getting past Union Internacional Manila, 1-0 in the UFL Cup Quarterfinals Thursday, November 28 at the Emperador Stadium in Taguig City.

With penalty shootout looming, Jimmy Vergara – the hero for PAF in their Last 16 win over Kaya – once again banked in the winner as he struck the ball magnificently, hitting the bar and bouncing into the net in the 117th minute to power his squad back to the Cup semifinals.

Just a week after upsetting fan-favorite Kaya FC, Philippine Air Force proved they still have gas left in the midst of foreign additions and big-name signings happening all over the league.

True enough, it was Union who threatened to score the opening goal in the early goings as Jeremy Theuer, Shayan Jafaridastjerdi, and Fidelis Nnabuife had several chances but Kenneth Dolloso continued his fine form in front of the goal as he thwarted every UIM attempt and keep Air Force in the game.

As expected, it was a rough match between two of the most physical teams in the tournament as Glenn Bulaquina and Jafaridastjerdi were booked within the first half hour of the game.

Both teams then traded jabs in the second half as Vergara and Nnabuife came close to scoring for their respective sides but Dolloso and Paolo Pascual came out big in front of the sticks to keep the game scoreless in regulation.

Union, wanting to make their mark in the UFL after closely missing playing in the Division I, entered extra time on offensive mode but Air Force held on despite the yellow cards issued on Francis Gustillo and Ian Araneta in the 103rd and 104th minute respectively.

With the clock ticking away, Vergara found himself open on the counterattack, volleying the ball over Pascual that hit the bar first then bounced into the net for the winning goal of the game that propelled Air Force to a semifinals date against the winner of the Stallion-Pachanga Diliman quarterfinal tiff.

But Air Force’s happy ending was spoiled just a minute later when Gustillo – who just came from a suspension – received his second yellow, causing him to miss out the semifinals.

PAF will continue its hunt for a third UFL Cup title in the semifinals happening on December 3 at the Emperador Stadium. – Rappler.com