UFL Cup kickoff, matches on AKTV

MANILA—Score another goal for local football.

For the first time, the United Football League Cup will be covered by AKTV, TV5’s prime time sports block on IBC 13, when it kicks off on October 8 from 2 to 6:30 p.m.

Select games will also be aired Saturdays throughout the tournament that has lured a record field of 28 teams, featuring mainstays of the Philippine Azkals, expatriates and fresh talents from the provinces.

Defending champion Global FC and league titlist Philippine Air Force head the favored squads along with first division campaigners Kaya-Cignal FC, Loyola Meralco Sparks, and Philippine Army.

Also tagged as contenders in the eight-month event are Green Archers United FC and newly promoted Nomads.
High-profile Azkals Phil and James Younghusband will strut their stuff for Loyola Meralco while Angel Guirado will spearhead Global FC’s attack line.

Not to be outdone, Kaya has enlisted the services of Nationals Nate Burkey and Jason Sabio to further bolster a roster that already parades Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo and internationalists Anton del Rosario and Yannick Tuason.

The UFL Cup held its well-attended draw on Friday at the Edsa Shangri-La with the field divided into seven groups of four teams each.

Bracketed with the Nomads in Group A are Baguio FC, Union Internacional FC and Lions FC.

Loyola Meralco is in Group B with Internationale FC, Agila FC and Team Socceroo FC; while in Group C are Global FC, Pachanga FC, Stallions FC and Cebu Queen City FC.

Group D is composed of Kaya-Cignal, ABC Stars FC, Schwarz and Diliman Victory Liner FC; while Group E is made up of Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, Manila All-Japan FC and Laos FC.

The Green Archers United FC is bracketed in Group F with the Dolphins United FC, Pasargad FC and Forza FC.

Completing the cast is Group G comprised of Philippine Army, Manhur FC, Sunken Garden United FC and Garuda FC PH.