New-Look Army GTI Start Campaign In Style, Green Archers Draw Again

16 January Results:
Army GTI 4-0 Team Socceroo
Green Archers United 1-1 PSG

The new partnership of Philippine Army and General Trias International is likely to shake up the United Football League’s First Division after romping to a 4-0 victory over Team Socceroo in their debut. Bolstered with a strong Korean contingent, the team looked completely different from the side that barely escaped relegation last year.

With numerous players unavailable for the League due to conflicts with Armed Forces duty and certain individuals being discharged, Army were in dire need of support. This prompted UFL Cup veterans, General Trias, to approach the club regarding a partnership. The deal would see GTI handle the team’s financial problems, and provide key players in areas where the side was lacking. With approval from Army’s commanding officer, the deal was made official.

Organized and unrelenting as expected, but with creativity and swiftness in attack now as well, Army GTI were simply too much for Team Socceroo, who slump to their second straight defeat. The towering Song Woo started the rout, tapping in a square ball 14 minutes into the match. Seok Jeon Shin added the second ten minutes later from a well taken free-kick. Half-time gave Socceroo some respite, but in the 75th minute, Lauren Bedua (pictured above) added to their misery by capping off a stunning counter attack. Nam Gi Won fired home the final nail in the coffin two minutes from time, heading in from six yards out with minimal pressure from a corner kick.

“Nag click lahat ng posisyon,” said Army assistant coach Ricky Cain regarding his new-look roster. “We’ll keep looking for the win sa susunod naming mga laban.”

Last year’s Second Division champions have found settling into the top tier quite difficult, losing their first two games, while conceding six goals without scoring any of their own.

In the second match of the day, PSG were denied a winning start to the 2014 League by Green Archers United’s Reynald Villareal’s 70th minute header. The exciting contest was the perfect example of a game of two halves, as PSG dominated proceedings in the opening period, only to have their backs against the wall in the second.

“That was our worst start to a game,” said United coach Rodolfo Alicante. “We had four or five players who were off today. In the second half we changed a lot of things and we played better.” Simon Bayemeg’s incredible volley from way outside the box gave PSG the advantage halfway through the first period — a just reward for their enterprising play.

PSG keeper Russel Pierson, and United shot stopper Patrick Deyto both made spectacular saves in the closing stages of the match to keep the scoreline level after 90 minutes. The result means Green Archers have drawn their first two matches, with PSG debuting in the League with a well earned point.

18 January Matches:
13:45 Navy FC v Manila Jeepney (Second Division)
16:00 Agila FC v Manila All-Japan (Second Division)
18:15 Army GTI v Loyola Meralco Sparks
20:30 Kaya FC v Global FC

Source: http://www.ufl.ph