Green Archers and Global Clinch Last Quarterfinal Spots

The Green Archers United celebrate after the goal by Floriano Pasilan jr. in their win
against Manila Jeepney FC 6-2 on Tuesday, November 21.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The Round of 16 was wrapped up on Thursday night, as Green Archers United and Global FC booked their spots in the Quarterfinals. Unlike Tuesday, there weren't to be any shocks, with both higher seeded clubs going through quite comfortably.

Green Archers certainly didn't leave room for any drama in their match, taking just six minutes to open the scoring. Gabriel Olowoyeye took advantage of some speculative defending from Manila Jeepney to fire home the first of eight goals in the match. Six minutes later, another defensive lapse allowed Arnie Pasinabo to bring a ball down with his chest inside the box before smashing in an unstoppable volley. Substitute Chieffy Caligdong added the third with a low shot that snuck under Juan Carlos Golez in goal.

Manila Jeepney gave the Archers a scare in the second half when Mamadou Sangare pegged one back shortly after the restart, but Floriano Pasilan Jr. restored the three-goal advantage just six minutes after. Christopher Arceo would reduce the deficit once more with a clinical looping header, but the Manila fightback came to a screeching halt when Jesse Martindale fired a rocket with his left foot from roughly 30 meters out. Miguel Garcia added gloss to the victory, starting and finishing a counter attack which Chieffy Caligdong was also heavily involved with.

Head coach Rodolfo Alicante was pleased with the performance, particularly with the team's ability to execute his wishes. "The game plan was to really put on the pressure in the first 15 minutes, that's why we scored early," he said after the match. United next face Ceres-La Salle in the quarters, a prospect that Man of the Match winner "Tating" Pasilan can't wait for. "Parang wala nang bukas pag naglaban kami (It's as if there will be no tomorrow when we face off)," he said.

Angel Guirado of Global FC tries to get past Philippine Navy's defense
at the UFL Round of 16 match on Tuesday, November 21.

In the second game of the night, Global were in complete control from start to finish against a hapless Navy side. Jeffrey Christaens opened the scoring just five minutes into the match, latching on to a Angel Guirado cross that had flashed across the opposition goal. Back-to-back Mark Hartmann goals soon followed. His first was a long range strike well outside the penalty box, with his second a tap in after a knockdown from Guirdado. Izzeldin El Habbib got in on the scoring party in the 32nd minute, gobbling up a loose ball in the box in clinical fashion.

Hartmann completed his hat-trick shortly after the break, capping off an exquisite counter-attack which involved a clever exchange of passes with Christaens. Jason De Jong added a sixth for Global less than ten minutes later. Playing a clever one-two at the edge of the area, he lobbed the return pass over the keeper in nonchalant fashion. Substitute Aaron Altiche fired in the seventh after some great work from Jerry Barbaso on the right flank, before Angel Guirado capped the night off with a low strike just before the final whistle.

Despite the lopsided win, it wasn't all rosy for Global though, as Christaens was forced off with a hamstring injury - a development that is a real concern for head coach Brian Reid. "[Losing] Jeffrey Christaens is a real blow for us. We'll have to assess it, but It doesn't look good," he said at the post-match press conference. Next up for Global is a massive game against the Loyola Meralco Sparks in the quarters, Mark Hartmann's former club. "Hopefully we'll beat them. I'll be playing against my brother, so should be afun game to watch."

Green Archers United 6-2 Manila Jeepney FC

Global FC 8-0 Navy FC

Official Press Release courtesy of the UFL (United Football League)