Ceres still on top; Kaya, Global advance

Stephan Schrock sustained his superb form as Ceres-La Salle nipped Green Archers side, 3-2, Saturday night to firm up its hold of top spot in Group B, while Kaya and Global also advanced to the knockout phase of the United Football League Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Fil-German midfielder found the back of the net for the third straight game, powering the Bacolod side to its fourth consecutive win to jack up its tally to 12 points while pinning a second defeat on Archers.

Global overcame Loyola Meralco, 2-0, in another key Group B clash, while Kaya notched a third straight win at the expense of JP Voltes, 4-0.

Stallion virtually clinched top spot in Group A with a 9-1 demolition of Forza Sunday night, while Pasargad kept its hopes of progressing to the quarterfinals alive with a 4-0 triumph over Manila Nomads.

Despite the loss, Forza still completed the cast in the knockout stage in Group A, after Laos and Agila battled to a 1-1 stalemate.

Jordan Mintah fired four goals, while Joshua Beloya, Balot Doctora, Jay Soberano, Yannick Tuason and Jim Ashley Flores also found the back of the net for Stallion, which has a perfect 12 points.

Ivorian striker Arthur Kouassi and Fil-Iranian midfielder Omid Nazari struck in each half as Global warmed up for its tiff with Ceres this Thursday.

Kouassi’s header off a corner kick put Global in front three minutes before the break against a Loyola side still missing top striker Phil Younghusband. Nazari doubled the lead eight minutes after the restart with a precise shot to the bottom corner.

“Its a very satisfying night with the win, the clean sheet and giving some game time to the younger players,” said Global coach Leigh Manson.