Union, Pachanga post wins in UFL

MANILA, Philippines – Union Internacional Manila and Pachanga Diliman pulled off contrasting victories as it barged into the quarterfinals of the United Football League Cup at the Emperador Stadium Tuesday night.

Shayan Jafaru Dastjerdi lived up to his moniker "Super Shayan" and unleashed a hat-trick in a spectacular 20-minute span in the second half to power the Union booters to a 4-1 win over General Trias International.

Pachanga Diliman, for its part, outgunned Forza in the penalty shootout, 0-0 (4-3 penalty), to likewise advance to the next round.

The triumphs arranged Union a quarters duel with the winner of the match pitting Ceres-La Salle-Bacolod against Agila FC while Pachanga Diliman clashes with the victor of the showdown between Loyola and Cimarron.

After a scoreless first half, Dastjerdi took charge and unloaded three goals in a hurry starting on the 55th minute when he blasted away with a shot just outside the box after he was found from a corner kick.

He followed it up three minutes later as he extricated his way past two defenders and fired home from a distance his second goal of the match.

General Trias scored one back a few minutes later but Dastjerdi struck anew with a lightning, long-range free kick to complete the hat-trick.

With the match all but wrapped up, Muhamed Hassan put on the finishing touches to seal Union's quarterfinal spot.

Meanwhile, the UFL will donate all the proceeds of the ticket sales for the 2013/14 UFL Cup to victims of super Thypoon Yolanda.

"We have also initiated a collection drive as part of the relief efforts in cooperation with LBC Foundation.  We will be accepting donations (in-kind only) during UFL Cup matches and we would like to request that all clubs inform their players, staff, families and fans about this endeavor," said the UFL in a statement.

The league encourages the donation of the following essential items needed for the relief efforts like bottled water, non-perishable food, medicines (anti-tetanus, anti-leptospirosis, anti-diarheal, etc.), blankets, tents, fresh clothes, tarpaulins and sleeping mats among others.