Loyola blanks Global to reach UFL Cup Final Four

MANILA, Philippines – In its bid to end years of waiting for a major title, the Loyola Meralco Sparks sent a strong message to the rest of the tournament after trouncing Global FC, 2-0, to enter the 2013 UFL Cup semifinals last Tuesday, November 26 at the Emperador Stadium in Taguig.

Second half goals from Phil Younghusband and Matthew Hartmann proved to be just enough for the Sparks to avenge their 2012 UFL Cup semis loss to Global and inch closer to their first major championship in the UFL.

Loyola – which came close to winning the Cup two years ago, only to be blanked by Air Force in the final – continued to steamroll this year’s competition, increasing their goal difference to +74 and are yet to concede a goal since Day 1.

It was an even but physical affair in the first half between the two titanic sides as neither team found the net in the first 45 minutes.

But Younghusband, who entered the game just before halftime as a sub, put Global’s defense to the sword in the second half and was rewarded with a 58th minute goal when he placed the ball in the bottom corner off a clever Chad Gould pass.

Hartmann – whose brother Mark left Loyola to join Global in the offseason – doubled the Sparks lead in the 76th minute as he magnificently struck the ball on a counter that went over Global keeper Roland Sadia.

Coach Brian Reid’s boys then tried to get back in the game in the final 10 minutes but Baba Sampana had a spectacular night in front of goal for Loyola, thwarting last ditch efforts from Angel Guirado and Izzo El Habib.

With the win, the Sparks have set up a date with fellow Division I side Green Archers United in the semifinals on December 3. – Rappler.com