Utaka Back With A Brace; Saka’s Arsenal Zoom Into FA Cup Semis

A goal in each half from Nigerian forward Peter Utaka secured an excellent 2-0 win for Kyoto Sanga over Jubilo Iwata at the Sanga Stadium early on Sunday morning in Japan.

The former Super Eagles attacker broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark, and he added his and the game’s second minutes into the second half.

It’s Kyoto’s first win of the two-week-old J2 League after suffering a 1-0 loss at Renofa Yamaguchi during the season opener last weekend.

36-year-old Utaka, who last played for the Super Eagles in 2011, is rolling back the hands of time after netting 21 goals in 41 games last year for Ventforet Kofu also in the J2 League.

In the FA Cup quarter-finals, Bukayo Saka was once again in Arsenal’s starting lineup as the Gunners carved out a narrow 2-1 win at Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon.

Nicholas Pepe got the Londoners ahead from the penalty spot midway into the first-half after Alexandre Lacazette was tripped in the box.

But a mix-up between defenders Kolasinac and Mustafi allowed the hosts to equalize through McGoldrick with just a few minutes left at Bramall Lane.

But there was to be a final joy for the visitors when substitute Dani Ceballos restored their lead deep into injury time.

The on-loan Spaniard picked up a loose ball in the box and then coolly finished through goalkeeper Henderson’s legs to cap off a fine counter-attack for Arsenal.

It’s the second win in two games for Mikel Arteta’s side after notching a 2-0 victory at Southampton in the Premier League just three days ago, with this latest victory guaranteeing passage to the semifinals of the FA Cup.