Green Archers, Global complete UFL Cup quarterfinal cast

MANILA, Philippines – Division I squads Global FC and Green Archers United completed the quarterfinal cast as the United Football League Cup competition nears its conclusion with familiar names still on board.

Propelled by two early goals in the first 12 minutes, GAU marched on to the last 8 after thumping Manila Jeepney in the curtain-raiser, 6-2 as Global sent home Navy, 8-nil in the second game, Thursday, November 21 at the Emperador Stadium in Taguig City. 

Green Archers United 6, Manila Jeepney 2 

Plagued by errors in their backline, Manila Jeepney conceded two quick goals as Agbayomi Olowoyeye opened up the scoring just 7 minutes from kickoff while Arnie Pasinabo found the net 5 minutes later to give Green Archers United an early 2-0 advantage. 

Manila Jeepney – a guest team bank-rolled by the City Government of Manila – tried to even the playing field with several attempts on goal but Chieffy Caligdong, entering the game in the 37^th minute as a substitute, made it 3-0 for the Division I side courtesy of a neat strike from just outside the box that stunned the Manila Jeepney goalkeeper.

Mamadou Sangare shocked GAU after the restart as he pulled one back for Manila Jeepney as Chris Arceo scored another in the 68^th but the Caligdong-led squad proved to be too tough for them as Tating Pasilan, Jesse Martindale and Miguel Garcia each scored in the second half to formally end Manila Jeepney’s maiden journey in the UFL Cup.

With the win, Green Archers United set up a date with reigning PFF Clubs Champions Ceres FC in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, November 25.

Global 8, Navy 0 

After being relegated to Division II two seasons ago, Philippine Navy once again met tournament second-seed Global FC but it ended up with the usual result, with the 2012 League champs demolishing them, 8-nil.

Global FC’s new acquisition Mark Hartmann needed no time for adjustments as he completed a hat trick to send his new team to the quarterfinals against his former squad Loyola Meralco Sparks on Tuesday.

Wearing black laces on their arms as tribute to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), Global FC – which traces its roots to hard-hit Tacloban City – displayed their full arsenal against lowly Navy as Hartmann’s fellow Azkals Jeff Christiaens, Jason de Jong, Jerry Barbaso and Angel Guirado scored a goal each with Sudanese striker Izzo El Habbib adding another for an 8-0 blanking of the Division II sixth-placer.

Air Force, Loyola also in the last 8

Philippine Air Force meanwhile returned to the quarterfinals after a 1-0 shocker over crowd-darlings Kaya FC while the Loyola Meralco Sparks lived up to its billing by walloping Cimarron FC, 10-0 last Tuesday, November 19.

After finishing 10^th in the last league competition for an automatic relegation, Jimmy Vergara powered Air Force to a big upset of Kaya as he banked in the lone goal of the game at the 104^th minute in extra time. 

Kaya, who wasted several opportunities in regulation, then tried to even the scoring but Air Force keeper Kenneth Dolloso held on to book a quarterfinal ticket and in an attempt to reclaim the Cup trophy which they won in 2011.

Loyola, on the other hand, has been steamrolling the competition thus far, increasing their goal difference to +72 with their latest win against Diliman-based Cimarron FC and conceding no goal yet in their 5 Cup games.

Phil Younghusband bagged a hat trick while Chad Gould and James Younghusband each scored a brace to power Loyola to a yet another lopsided win.

Reigning League and Cup champion Stallion FC, fellow Division I side Pachanga Diliman FC, Ceres and Union Internacional Manila have earlier secured their slots in the last 8. -Rappler.com