Prolific Phil lead Sparks over Nomads

MANILA, Philippines - AFC Challenge Cup Golden Boot winner Phil Younghusband scored his 10th goal of the season as Loyola Meralco Sparks overpowered Nomads Auction Manila, 5-0, to force a three-way tie for the lead in the First Division of the United Football League at the University of Makati field over the weekend.

Younghusband, who keyed the Azkals’ historic third place finish in the AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal recently, scored on the 38th minute, one of the five goals turned in by the Sparks to join idle Kaya FC and Global FC at the helm with 18 points apiece on six wins against a loss.

David Cortina opened scoring for Loyola with a fifth minute goal with Mark Johnson booting in 20 minutes later before Younghusband made it a comfortable 3-0 advantage going into halftime.

Randy Musters and Mark Hartmann finished off the Nomads with goals on the 53rd and 91st minute, respectively.

Younghusband’s 10th goal kept him on top of the list of players with most goals scored ahead of brother and teammate James and Stallion Gilligan’s FC’s Korean striker Lee Joo Young with seven apiece. Another Loyola teammate Hartmann and Air Force Phoenix’s Ian Arantea have six each.

Nomads fell to a share of eighth with Pasargad FC, which pulled off a 3-2 win over Army Fritz and Macziol FC last Sunday, with five points apiece after picking up their fourth defeat against a triumph and two draws.

In the only other First Division match, Green Archers United drew strength from a spectacular four-goal performance by Christian Floriano Pasilan Jr. to likewise rout the Navy Red Juice side, 5-0.

After Jesus Joaquin Melliza scored on the second minute, Pasilan went on attack mode and scored four in a row, the first two in the first half that gave the Archers a 3-0 halftime lead and the other two in the second to cap the Navymen’s domination.