United City FC (UCFC) had an impressive start in its campaign in the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara after a 4-0 beating of Maharlika Manila FC on March 24 at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Training Center in Carmona, Rizal.
Despite losing almost half of its squad last season, which includes stars like Bienvenido Marañon and Stephan Schrock, UCFC still looked very
dominant.
UCFC fielded seven of its 11 new signings as starters in Thursday night’s game, wherein three of the newcomers scored three of UCFC’s four goals.
South African defender Alan Robertson hit the opening goal with a header in the 22nd minute. Argentinian midfielder Ricki Sendra, who played for Dynamic Herb Cebu FC, scored the second goal in the 26th minute, coming off a cross pass by another new signing, Simen Lyngbo.
Cebuano striker Ivan Ouano hit the back of the net with UCFC’s third goal inside the box from a through pass by Curt Dizon in the 43rd minute.
Winger Hikaru Minegishi scored UCFC’s final goal in the 73rd minute.
UCFC surged to the top with three points following the win and is just ahead of rival Kaya FC-Iloilo on goal difference. Maharlika Manila dropped to third place, also with three points but behind on the goal difference.
UCFC faces Kaya FC-Iloilo next on March 28, while Azkals Development Team takes on Mendiola FC 1991 on the same day.