MANILA, Philippines — Powerhouse sides Global and Loyola Meralco collide for a finals berth Tuesday even as newly promoted Ceres-La Salle tries to sustain its remarkable run in the United Football League’s FA League Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Winners of the last three UFL tournaments, Global and Loyola renew their rivalry in the 4:45 p.m. kickoff before Ceres seeks the second finals berth against a formidable Pachanga Diliman side at 8:15 p.m.
Matches pitting Global and the Sparks have proven to be a spectacle in the past and Global’s Scottish coach, Leigh Manson, expects more of the same Tuesday night.
“It is a special rivalry,” said Manson. “They (the Sparks) were the favorites for the league title, the only team to defeat us convincingly.”
The Sparks, who won the UFL Cup last year, beat Global, 4-0, early this year before fading in the second round of the season.
But with former national team coach Simon McMenemy taking the helm, hopes are high that the Sparks can finally fulfill their potential.
“They know how to win,” said McMenemy of Global.
Strike partners for the Azkals in the 3-0 win over Nepal last Saturday, Global’s Mark Hartmann and Loyola’s Phil Younghusband find themselves on opposite sides this time.