A 10-MAN Global side bucked a flat start to subdue JP Voltes, 1-0, Sunday night to advance to the United Football League Cup semifinals at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Substitute Arthur Kouassi made an instant impact, knocking in the game-winner in the 57th minute to send Global to an intriguing semifinal clash with Stallion tomorrow.
Global survived the dismissal of Omid Nazari late in the first half after the Fil-Iranian midfielder was slapped with two yellow cards in the space of two minutes.
“We lost a bit of momentum because of the long break,” said Global coach Leigh Manson.
Ceres-La Salle completed the semifinal cast with a 7-0 rout of Forza.
Bienvenido Marañon struck twice while Jeffrey Christiaens, Nate Burkey, Adrian Gallardo, Jalsor Soriano and Jayson Panhay, scored for Ceres, which faces fellow AFC Cup campaigner Kaya for a place in the finals.
The Ceres-Kaya clash will be a rematch of last year’s final won by Kaya via a penalty shootout.
Despite resting Manny Ott, Patrick Reichelt and Martin Steuble, Ceres proved it had depth and firepower with Marwin Angeles pulling the strings at midfield.
Christiaens opened the scoring with a fine volley in the 15th minute off a lofted pass from Juani Guirado.