Global, Pachanga dispute UFL semis

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Global disputes the first semifinal slot against newcomer Pachanga Saturday, even as Kaya Cignal and Nomads Auction Manila meet in another quarterfinal clash in the United Football League Cup at the University of Makati Stadium.

Global, a wildcard entry in the knockout phase, hopes to ride the momentum of its emphatic 3-nil win over Army in the round of 16 when it goes up against a tough Pachanga team in the 2 p.m. match.

Kaya, which has yet to lose in four matches in the tournament, also looks to continue its razor-sharp form against a formidable Nomads side in the 4 p.m. game. Both matches will be aired live by AKTV on IBC 13.

Reigning league champion Air Force Phoenix battles Green Archers United at 4 p.m. on Sunday in another quarterfinal match. The Loyola Meralco Sparks are scheduled to play their postponed match against Sunken Garden United at Nomads at 8 p.m. on Saturday night with the winner facing Stallions FC on Nov. 30.

While Global made the win against Army look so easy, Pachanga needed a 4-2 penalty shootout triumph to oust Navy in the round of 16.

 Kaya advanced to the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over Team Socceroos, while Nomads slipped past Pasargad, 1-0.

Pitch conditions remain a huge concern for Kaya coach Juan Cutillas, who expects another scrappy match against Nomads if the field becomes slippery and uneven just like in its match against Socceroos in the round of 16 last Sunday.

Kaya found difficulty executing its passing game against Socceroos but managed to survive thanks to goals by Masanari Omura and Nate Burkey.

“We can beat them (Nomads) in a good pitch but if we play in a bad pitch, I think it will still be anybody’s game,” said Cutillas, a former national team coach, referring to his team’s duel with last season’s second division champions.

Nomads boast of a solid defensive record as they have yet to concede a goal in four matches in the tournament. They managed to scrape past Pasargad, 1-0, to reach the quarterfinals.

Playing with newfound confidence and drive under coach Graeme MacKinnon, Global has made everyone forget that it struggled just to advance to the knockout stage with a superb performance against Army last Sunday.

Janrick Soriano, deployed as a striker in the absence of Misagh Bahadoran, scored two goals in the second half, after Izo El-Habbib struck in the 20th minute to power Global.

“I still think we have a lot of things to improve on, although we are playing much better now compared to the group stage,” said MacKinnon.