Pachanga, Loyola Meralco complete UFL semis cast

Matches on November 4 (Rizal Memorial Football Stadium):

5:15 p.m. – Loyola Meralco Sparks vs Global

8:15 p.m. – Ceres-La Salle vs Pachanga Diliman

MANILA, Philippines – Pachanga Diliman put an end to Manila All-Japan's fairy tale run while Loyola Meralco turned back bitter rivals Kaya FC with a pair of 2-1 victory to advance to the semifinals of the United Football League's FA League Cup at the Rizal Memorial pitch Monday night.

Lee Jeong Woo headed home a goal in the 10th minute of the first extra period that sealed the match while Phil Younghusband came through with a brace, including a rocket just five minutes into the second half that spelled the difference.

The win arranged Pachanga Diliman an interesting semifinal showdown with a dangerous Ceres while Loyola forged an intriguing duel with a souped-up Global in a pair of matches on Nov. 4 also at the Rizal grounds.

For Pachanga Diliman, it seeking its best performance in the first division.

“This is a good opportunity for Pachanga Diliman to be a famous club if we win the game. I will try to work really hard with the players,” said new head coach Yuki Matsuda. “The players have great heart so we will be ready.”

Loyola, meanwhile, is just trying to survive what has shaped up to be a tough schedule, including this one against Kaya where tempers flared after the match before cooler heads prevail.

“It was a really good game. It was always going to be difficult against Kaya. Their fans won’t let me talk now. Incredible fans, they won’t stop,” said Loyola coach Simon McMenemy, the former Azkals coach.

"I’m really impressed with the commitment from both sides. That was a really tough game for us, and we’re very proud to beat a team like Kaya," he added.

Behrouz Khoshgavar unleashed a free kick that gave Pachanga the early edge but Manila All-Japan, which defied overwhelming odds by gatecrashing into the quarterfinals, equalized following a sneaky header by Yugo Kobayashi on the 87th minute that forced extra time.

Enter Lee for the match-sealing goal.

Younghusband scored a penalty kick after Younousse Yaogo hacked Matthew Hartmann inside the box.

Diego Barrera then unloaded a long range strike just before the first half ended to knot the count at one apiece.

Then Younghusband blasted another goal that turned out the decisive rocket as none of the two could score from there.

McMenemy said they'll use the same game-plan against Global.

“It’s another tough game. It’s not going to be anything different, more of the same. They’re going to fight for everything. They have a little bit of a different shape. They know how to win. They’ve had a lot of success. So it’s going to be down to us to stop them. We’re keen and ready to go, we’re looking forward to it,” he said.