MANILA, Philippines - Global and Kaya clash today in a duel of title contenders in the quarterfinal round of the United Football League Cup at the University of Makati field in Makati.
Global and Kaya, which finished first and second, respectively, in the UFL League early this year, forged an early collision of the favorites after the former wound up on top of Group A with 10 points and the latter ended up at No. 2 in Group B.
The Global-Kaya showdown is set at 7 p.m.
The LBC-bankrolled Kaya booters actually finished tied for first with the Green Archers United FC with 10 points on three victories and a draw but the Hans-Smith mentored Archers had the better goal differential, 12-10, to clinch the top seeding.
Kaya defender Jason Sabio doesn’t mind facing Global, the reigning League champions, this early.
“Whether its Global or some other teams, the bottomline is we have to be prepared all the time,” said Sabio, who was accompanied by teammate Darren Hartmann in yesterday’s press briefing at the Kublai’s Rock in Magallanes, Makati City.
Meanwhile, the General Trias International-Stallion Penson quarters showdown, originally set tonight, has been moved to Thursday.
Stallion, a team handled by current Phl Malditas coach Ernest Nierras, topped Group D with nine points on three wins against a loss, which came at the hands of Phl Army FC, 0-2, at The Fields in Nuvali last Oct. 7.
They will be facing a General Trias team, composed mainly of Koreans including coach Kim Dong Il, which turned in a surprise runner-finish in Group A behind Global and ahead of Pasargad, Team Socceroo and Navy.
“General Trias is in the same position that we were last year when we came out of nowhere to make the quarterfinals,” said Nierras. “But we’re confident of our chances and with a complete line up, we’re ready to go.”
The winner of the Global-Kaya showdown will face the winner between Army, which finished second in Group D, and the victor of the No. 2 seed in Group C, which could be among Pasargad, Loyola Meralco Sparks or Pachanga, slated on Thursday also at the UMak.
The No. 1 seed of that bracket will go on to face Group B top seed Green Archers United-Globe FC also on Thursday.
The semis round is set on Nov. 13 while the finals is on Nov. 16 all at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex ground.
Group C will be decided by matches pitting Mendiola 1991 and Loyola and Pachanga and Laos at press time at the UMak.