James Younghusband's header derails Stallion's coronation

MANILA, Philippines – The Loyola Meralco Sparks played the spoiler’s role to the hilt to pave the way for an exciting finish to the United Football League season when they forced Stallion-Sta. Lucia to a 1-1 draw on a rainy Tuesday night at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill, Taguig.

Needing a win in their last match of the season to crown themselves as the new champion, the Stallions appeared ready to march to the coronation night. But James Younghusband and Ref Cuaresma refused to cooperate as they willed an undermanned Loyola side to the comeback that opened the back door for Global to retain their crown.

Korean Lee Joo Young pounced on the Sparks decimated by the absence of Chad Gould, Mark Hartmann, Simon Greatwhich, Rodrigue Nembot, Park Min Ho and Freddy Gonzales to either injuries, suspensions or to U-23 national team duties early on.

Young put the Stallions nearer to the crown when he hit the go-ahead goal inside the box at the 18^th minute.  But the early momentum was washed away by the heavy rains, which prompted the match officials to momentarily halt the match at the 37^th minute mark.

Upon resumption of play, a rejuvenated Loyola side kept pressuring the Stallions’ defense. The Sparks’ patience paid off when Younghusband headed home a free kick by Matt Hartman just before the halftime break.

The second half saw the best game of Cuaresma.

The back-up Azkals keeper denied waves of Stallions attack with spectacular saves including three from Rufo Sanchez, who failed to add more to his league-leading 18 goals.    

The disappointing result left the Stallions at the mercy of Global’s last two opponents – Kaya and Phil. Army – to hand them the crown.  

Global earlier had the inside track to retain their crown until the Sparks started to play spoiler handing them a 0-2 defeat last week.  Now for them to steal the crown from the Stallions, Global does not only need to sweep their remaining two matches but win big to overhaul the five-goal difference.

The Sparks wound up third for the second straight year.

In the first match, Green Archers United-Globe finished the season strong with their fifth win in their last six matches blasting a hapless Nomads side to end up sixth in the league table.

Nomads, meanwhile, wound up with 13 points and could be dragged to the relegation zone if the Phil. Army could sweep their last three matches.