UFL Cup: Global versus Loyola, Archers versus Stallions make for exciting semis clashes

The semifinals match-ups of the UFL Cup have been set, with Global FC pitted against the Loyola Meralco Sparks, and Stallions FC facing off against the Green Archers United. Both bouts will be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, November 13, as the most competitive cup in the UFL to date gets more and more exciting. The first semifinal sees the league’s top team Global meet third-ranked Loyola, in a clash between the best defense of the tournament and the best offense of any team still in the competition, respectively. Following that, the Stallions will face off against the Green Archers, as two of the most-improved teams over the break from league competition get pitted against each other. Both teams added five new players, and have seen off big teams in their group stage, as the Stallions hammered the current holders Air Force 5-1, while Green Archers drew with Kaya 0-0 in their group opener. No side is guaranteed a victory in the last four as teams put everything on the line to reach the final of the 2012 UFL Cup.

Global versus Loyola Global, the reigning league champs, have been tipped as the favorites for this year’s competition, but if they are to win the tournament, they will have to do it the hardest way possible. After defeating the league’s runner-up, Global will have to take down the third seeds if they want to go the distance. Loyola, meanwhile, have long been the UFL’s top-scorers. Last year’s golden boot winner in the league and 2011 UFL Cup, with twenty-three and twenty-five goals respectively, is also this year’s current top scorer, as Phil Younghusband tops the scoring charts with a more reserved nine goals. Mark Hartmann, the third top scorer in the league and the 2011 UFL Cup, is currently the third top scorer of this year's cup too, following his hat-trick against the Army, where he also got credited for assists on the other two goals of the Sparks. Simply put, if Loyola is going to be consistent in anything, it's scoring. The Sparks were runners-up last year in the UFL Cup, losing 2-0 to the Air Force after defeating Kaya 5-4 in the semis. That said, their line-up, which boasts of some of the highest profile players in the Philippines, is still hungry for success. Though they may boast of having some of the largest salaries in the UFL, the team has yet to make that final step and win silverware. After placing fourth in the Singapore Cup and coming close in the 2011 UFL league and cup, the Sparks are motivated and have a less-packed schedule to achieve success this time. We can expect goals in this clash, another game which could have been the Final, and another 4-3 thriller isn’t out of the question. With Global adding greater depth to the squad, with standout players like Demit Omphroy, Matthew Uy, and Denis Wolf, they may be favorites to edge the game, but the Sparks have seven new players of their own, including former Azkal Chad Gould to help in defense.   Loyola have a positive record against Global in recent matches too, after a controversial 4-3 win and a 1-1 draw in their two UFL games this season. Games between Global and Loyola are always tight and it will pit one of the best defenses in the Philippines, in Global, against the highest scoring club, in Loyola. Archers versus Stallions The Stallions have seen themselves evolve from second division runners-up, to dark horses, to genuine contenders in less than a year. Inter De Madrid loanees, Rufino Sanchez and Joaquin Garcia, have already made their mark in their debut competition for the Stallions, while Jason De Jong has added bite to their continental flair. The Stallions scored nineteen goals in their group, before being held to a 0-0 draw with General Trias. Their all-Korean opponents also held Global to the same scoreline in the group stage, and so the Stallions may have been fortunate to escape the lottery of the penalty shootout. They will now regroup to meet the Archers in the semis. Sanchez already has seven goals to his name but the Stallions aren’t relying on the new additions as they have plenty of attacking power. To be specific, eight different players for their side have gotten onto the scoresheet so far. The Stallions have more than an outside shot of winning the UFL Cup this year, and can underline their case to be recognized as one of the top clubs in the Philippines. The Archers, however, have seen their own football revival. After a fairly disappointing league campaign, finishing eighth and ahead of only the Army, by a single point, and the relegated Navy, the club managed to get Globe Telecom as a sponsor. That financial backing has since seen the club get linked to the likes of Chieffy Caligdong, a free agent once his Air Force contract runs out. After an unbeaten group stage, capped by topping Kaya at the head of the group on goal difference, the Archers drew 1-1 with Pachanga in the quarterfinals. Winning the shootout 4-3, they can be comforted by the fact that Pachanga beat Loyola in the group stage and they have become a tough side to beat. The Archers have added five players to their roster, and with Ayi Nii Aryee in midfield, their strikers, including joint-fourth top-scorer of the tournament Tating Pasilan, will have chances. Both semifinals have the potential to be great adverts for Philippine football. To be played on November 13 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, with tickets still free for fans, Philippine football aficionados will have more to cheer about as the UFL Cup heads into the semis.  - AMD, GMA News