Sparks battle Pachanga XI

MANILA, Philippines - Loyola Meralco Sparks and Pachanga gun for berths in the knockout phase as the two take on Mendiola FC and Laos FC, respectively, today in the final playdate of the group stages of the United Football League Cup at the University of Makati field in Makati.

Tied at second behind Nomads at Group C with six points apiece on two victories and a defeat each, the Sparks and the Pachanga booters will be gunning for a win that will automatically send them to the playoff stage starting two weeks from now at the Rizal Memorial pitch.

Actually, a win by both Loyola and Pachanga will forge a three-way logjam at the Group C helm with Nomads with nine points each. But Loyola and Pachanga will advance because the two currently has higher goal differential with seven and three, respectively.

A draw and a loss will catapult Nomads, currently atop its bracket after finishing the elimination round with three wins and a defeat, straight into the playoffs.

Already making the next round were  Global FC and General Trias International FC in Group A, Green Archers United Globe and Kaya FC in Group B and Stallion Penson FC and Phl Army FC at Group D.

The club that will emerge the No. 1 seed in Group C will play Army at the UMak on Nov. 13 at the Rizal pitch while the No. 2 seed will clash with the Green Archers United Globe on the same day and venue.

The other quarterfinals pairings pit Kaya versus Global FC and Stallion Penson against Kaya FC.

The winners advance to the semifinals set Nov. 17 and eventually the finals on Nov. 19 both at the Rizal pitch.

Loyola is expected to draw strength from Phil Younghusband, who scored a tournament best 23 goals in the League early this year but has managed only three this Cup, and brother James when it takes on a Mendiola FC side that is tied with Laos at the Group C bottom with a point to spare.