UFL Cup semis: Kaya faces Ceres in finals rematch; Global to challenge Stallion

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Defending United Football League (UFL) Cup champion Kaya will battle league titlist Ceres-La Salle for a place in the UFL Cup finals on Wednesday (April 6), while former cup winners Global and Stallion square off in the other semifinal duel at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Although Global won the Cup in 2011, it hasn’t come close since losing to Stallion, 1-2, in the 2012 finals.
Both teams survived nervy moments before reaching the semifinal stage, with Stallion surviving Green Archers United, 3-2, last Saturday (April 2).
Global saw themselves reduced to 10 men after Omid Nazari was sent off in the 36th minute for a second bookable offense. The team relied on Arthur Kouassi to bail them out with a decisive goal after the break to seal a 1-0 win over JP Voltes.
“We lost momentum because of the long break and we have to work harder on the training ground for us to overcome Stallion which is a very good team,” said Global coach Leigh Manson.
The winners will contest the UFL Cup final on April 16. with the victor claiming at least a playoff berth for the 2017 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.

2015 Finals rematch

AFC Cup campaigners Kaya and Ceres will meet again for the first time since their memorable Cup final clash last August.
Ceres fought back from two goals down to force extra time action in last year’s finals, but Kaya ultimately prevailed on penalties after extra time.
Kaya reached this year's semifinal round with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Loyola Meralco Sparks, while Ceres demolished a youthful Forza side, 7-0.
“Kaya is a tough opponent and they are doing really good in the AFC Cup,” said Ceres winger Jeffrey Christiaens.
“We have to focus and we just have to play our game. And I think individually, we have the best players. We just have to show it as a team that we are better than them.”
Global and Stallion will figure in the first semifinal clash of the day at 5:15 p.m., while last year's finalists Kaya and Ceres will contest the second semifinal match at 8:15 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2016/04/05/UFL-Cup-Semifinals-Kaya-Ceres-Global-Stallion.html