Greatwich exploits lift Kaya side

MANILA, Philippines - Chris Greatwich unleashed a brace as Kaya FC brought down Loyola Meralco Sparks, 3-1, to blow some life to its flickering title hopes in the First Division of the United Football League at the McKinley Hill grounds in Taguig City Tuesday night.

Greatwich, a former member of the Phl Azkals team, scored a double, one on the 20th minute that gave Kaya, which is being bankrolled by LBC, the early edge and the other on the 57th that sealed it for them.

The win was Kaya’s fifth against a league-high six draw and three losses for total of 21 match points, good for fifth place or just a point behind PachangaDiliman FC, which got stuck at No. 4 with 22 points.

After Greatwhich opened up the scoring, fellow Fil-Brit Phil Younghusband, instrumental in helping the Azkals qualify in the Asian Cup in Maldives next year, knotted it by unloading a brilliant goal on the 34th to knot it at one apiece.

But Anton del Rosario, another former Azkals standout, rolled in a goal of his own right before the first half ended to give Kaya a 2-1 lead at halftime.

Enter Greatwich for that dagger goal in the second half that helped zapped the last fight out of Loyola, fell to No. 3 with 32 points after absorbing its second defeat against 10 victories and two standoffs.

Global FC zoomed past Loyola at No. 2 after it smashed PachangaDiliman, 3-0, with 34 points on 11 wins and a deadlock against a defeat. 

Sudanese striker Izzo El Habib came through big on the 53rd when he drilled in the match’s first goal and then Marwin Janver Angeles followed it up by connecting on the 83rd for a two-goal cushion.

Global sealed the win after an own-goal by PachangaDiliman on the third minute of injury team.

Meanwhile, Stallion FC seeks to fortify its grip of the top spot as it clashes with Air Force FC at 7:30 p.m. while PSG FC and Nomads FC collide in the first game at 5:15 p.m. also at the McKinley Hill grounds.