UFL: Global FC forges duel with Army

MANILA, Philippines—Defending champion Global FC clinched one of the two wild-card berths and set up a duel with powerhouse Army at the start of the United Football League Cup knockout stage on Saturday.

Global finished its campaign in the “Group of Death” with four points on a win, a draw and a loss, but clinched one of the two wild-card slots for the two best third-placed teams after the group stage.

Army, which finished No. 2 overall with nine points and a plus-24 goal difference, will face Global, the No. 15 seed, in a match tentatively set Saturday.

Lions Meltique Beef downed Baguio FC, 2-1, Saturday night to also book its place in the next round as the No. 2 team in Group A, while Manhur and Sunken Garden, which played to a 2-2 draw Sunday, complete the last 16.

With the draw, Manhur took the No. 2 spot in Group G, ahead of Sunken Garden on goal difference.

Sunken Garden, though, seized the second wild-card berth and gained the No. 16 seeding, which puts them opposite top-ranked Loyola Meralco Sparks in the first knockout round.

Michael Tan and Barry Stewart Hui scored for Lions, who will take on No. 6 Green Archers United in the round of 16.

Two-time league champion Air Force, the third seed after the group stage, will clash with Manhur, while fourth-ranked Nomads takes on Pasargad.

Kaya Cignal wound up fifth to earn a showdown with No. 12 Team Socceroo, while No. 8 Stallions FC and No. 9 Dilliman Victory Liner are paired in another marquee match.

Pachanga, which topped Group C with seven points, tangles with Philippine Navy in the last knockout match.