Archers, Voltes gain UFL quarterfinals

All the Green Archers had to do was show up at Rizal Memorial Stadium Wednesday even as newly promoted JP Voltes survived a stiff challenge from Pasargad before pulling out a 2-1 win as they completed the quarterfinal cast in the UFL Cup.

The Archers won by forfeiture over Agila in their Round of 16 clash to set up a showdown with reigning league champion Ceres-La Salle Friday.

Agila couldn’t muster enough players to take the field against Archers who reached the semifinals of the tournament last season.

JP Voltes nailed the final spot in the last eight, rallying from a goal down to bundle out the second division side and forge a duel with Kaya.

Pasargad opened the scoring through former Global striker Fidelis Nnabuife who struck in the 13th minute before Voltes came up with a strong finish to take the lead at the end of the first half.

Voltes Japanese striker Takashi Odawara rifled home a powerful shot from outside the box in the 18th minute for the equalizer before Soichiro Tanaka scored what turned out to be the winning goal eight minutes before halftime.

Voltes could have wrapped up the win earlier after Tatsuya Nakamura was fouled inside the Pasargad box. But Chihiro Noda’s penalty in the 72nd minute was stopped by Albert Llavares.