Singapore Cup: Mixed fortunes for Philippine clubs heading into second leg of quarterfinals

With Global defeating Brunei DPMM 1-0 and Loyola losing 2-1 to Tanjong Pagar, it was mixed results for the Philippine clubs in the first legs of the Singapore Cup quarterfinals.

[Related: Sanchez strikes late, lifts Global FC past DPMM Brunei]

Wednesday, July 24, saw Global overcome Brunei DPMM 1-0 at the Jalan Besar Stadium after getting the better of their S-League opposition in the ninety minutes. But it was a goal in injury time that won it for them as Rufo Sanchez, officially on loan from Stallion, headed in Jeffrey Christiaens’ long free-kick with his back to goal in the 95th minute.

After several chances earlier in the game, it was a relief for Global, runners-up in the UFL, and debutants in the Singapore Cup, to take a lead into the second leg as they take charge of the tie ahead of the return game on Saturday, July 27, at Queenstown Stadium.

[Related: James Younghusband scores but Sparks still fall to Tanjong Pagar]

Drawing the harder assignment in current third-placed S-League team Tanjong Pagar, Loyola looked out of their quarterfinal in the opening 20 minutes, as Kamel Ramdani’s free-kick was headed in by Mansef Zenka in the sixth minute before Ismael Benhamed tucked in another Ramdani assist to double their lead in the 18th.
 
However with Singapore Cup experience from last year, where they placed fourth, Loyola pulled a goal back when James Younghusband volleyed in Matthew Hartmann’s free-kick in the 25th minute. Neither team could advance their position in the remaining minutes of the game however, setting up a difficult second leg for the Sparks who must turn over the one goal deficit in the next game.

The road for the Philippine teams

To reach the quarterfinals, Global defeated the defending champions, Warriors FC (known as the Singapore Armed Forces Football Club last year), while Loyola took down Harimau Muda B, Malaysia’s National U19 team playing in the S-League, to earn their spot.

And despite being rivals in the UFL, both Global and Loyola will be hoping that the other team also qualifies for the semifinals by beating their S-League opposition. In part, that will be because if Global and Loyola both qualify, they meet each other in the semifinals in an all-Filipino clash for the Singapore Cup.  

To be played in September, this would guarantee a Filipino team in the final in only the second year UFL teams have been competing in the competition. Boosting crowd attendance and showing that Filipino clubs can compete with more established teams in the region, it would be a huge boost for Philippine football.

The Singapore Cup has only been won by a foreign team once, in 2010, when Bangkok Glass defeated Tampines Rovers in the final. So Global and the Sparks will be looking for another flag to be flying in Singapore Cup history, with both teams having the ability to upset their S-League opponents.

Both their second legs will now be played at the Jalan Besar Stadium at 8pm, with Global first up and looking to see off Brunei DPMM on Saturday, July 27. Loyola, meanwhile, will face Tanjong Pagar the following day, Sunday, July 28 with the country behind them hoping they can turn around the 2-1 deficit. - AMD, GMA News