United City FC drew goals from its three new signings before completing a 4-0 win over Maharlika-Manila to begin the club’s campaign Thursday, March 24 in the Copa Paulino Alcantara at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.
South African defender Alan Robertson, Argentinian Ricky Sendra and national U-23 mainstay Ivan Ouano all found the back of the net in the first half as United City came away with the maximum three points.
Pika Minegishi accounted for the other goal which came during the second half to complete UCFC’s return to the domestic scene after skipping last year’s Copa.
The win also came before United City faces defending champion Kaya-Iloilo on Monday in a battle between the country’s representatives in AFC competitions and a possible preview of the Copa finale.
Robertson broke the ice in the 23rd minute with a header before Sendra made it 2-0 in the 26th off a cross from the right by Simen Lyngbo.
Ouano found the mark as well, taking advantage of Curt Dizon’s through ball before firing a low attempt past Maharlika’s Cameroonian keeper Henri Bandeken in the 44th.
Minegishi, one of the holdovers in United City’s 2020 Philippines Football League title run, secured the final scoreline in the 73rd with a tight-angled shot that hit the roof of the net.
Maharlika wrapped up a stretch of three matches in the competition’s first two weeks that resulted in one win which came against Mendiola FC 1991 three days ago and two defeats, the other at the hands of Kaya last March 14.
The club won’t return until April 25 against the Azkals Development Team.