Defending champion Global FC and back-to-back league titlist Air Force headline the roster of teams seeing action in what is seen as a slam-bang United Football League Cup kicking off Oct. 8 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and he Uniersity of Makati pitch.
Global, which emerged as a force in the league last season, will go for back-to-back crowns in what is expected to be the most competitive Cup since Football Alliance started running the tournament three years ago.
So far, 28 teams have signed up for the Cup, which also dangles slots to the first division next season. The draw is slated Sept. 16.
Exciting changes have marked the buildup to the season with the league set to seal a P150 million television deal with TV5 that will pave the way for the live airing of UFL matches and teams beefing up the squads in anticipation of a tough season ahead.
Global, which lost only once in 20 matches in a remarkable campaign last season, isn't expected to have it easy this year, despite the inclusion of new players like Filipino-Spanish striker Angel Guirado in the team.
The squad managed by Dan Palami has two titles already in 2011, claiming the Cup with a thrilling 3-2 win over Air Force in the final and the National Club Championship crown.
The Airmen, who bagged the league title by nipping Global on points on the final day of the season last June, will lead the host of challengers to Global's reign.
Kaya FC, which strengthened its lineup during the off-season with the inclusion of national players Jason Sabio and Nate Burkey, is also tipped to do well after skipping the competition last year.
Loyola FC, which is expected to have brothers Phil and James Younghusband in its fold, will also be a force to reckon with, along with other first division sides Green Archers, Navy and Army, which also boasts of several national players in its lineup.
Newly-promoted first division side Nomads is also joining the Cup. Nomads reached the quarterfinals of the Cup last season.
Also entered are second division teams Stallions, Pasargad, Dolphins, Union Internacionale Manila, Lions FC, Sunken Garden and Japan FC.
Among the new teams seeing action in the Cup, Pachanga seems to have the pedigree, having made the quarterfinals of the National Club Championships recently.
Also joining are Garuda, Forza, ABC Stars, Baguio, MFC, Manhur, Soccerroo, Atelier, Loyola 2, Laos, Schwarz and Manila Sudanese, which also reached the quarterfinals of the Cup last year.
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So aside from Iranian(Pasargad), UK(Nomads), and Japanese(Japan FC) themed teams in the UFL, we now have Indonesian(Garuda), Laotian(Laos FC), Australian(Socceroos), Sudanese(Manila Sudanese, is that North Sudan or the recently proclaimed nation of South Sudan) and possibly Italian(Forza) teams as well in the UFL Cup. UFL should stand for United Nations Football League. (-:
ReplyDeleteLaos FC is not a Laotian club. lol.
ReplyDeleteLaos FC is managed by Dan Palami. Most Laos FC players are from Leyte.
ReplyDeleteMost of the Forza players are black guys.
ReplyDeleteSocceroos is fielding brazilians
ReplyDeleteManhur is fielding players mostly from Dumaguete
ReplyDeleteABC Stars is from Naga City.
ReplyDeleteI was saying that it was a themed team event representing other nations. I saw the pics of the players on facebook although Nomad seems to consist mostly of players from the UK. It is nice to see though that we have Brazilians in the league.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember mentioning Manhur or ABC stars in my comments, so why was that mentioned. I like the fact that regional teams are sending players to the league though, but hopefully someday they can play at home in their own stadiums, in a nationwide professional league with their city or province as their name rather than representing a foreign nation.
ReplyDeleteIn fact if the UFL have to use foreign themed names for their teams especially for those with players from a particular region, wouldn't it be better to name it like Real Manila, or Forza Cebu or Sporting Bacolod for instance rather than a foreign nation.
ReplyDelete"In fact if the UFL have to use foreign themed names for their teams"
ReplyDeleteYou think it's the UFL that's naming these teams?? lol! They don't have anything to do with it. They just sent out come-join-the-ufl invites and at the end of the day its these teams that ended up joining.
But ya I agree. Too many random teams with random names. But at the same time, that's what you're gonna get when you try to expand the competition by literally inviting any team to join.
I never said that it is the UFL who named the teams, although it is within their power to set guidelines if it wants. All I am saying is that those teams with strong regional representation and even owners from that area, should be encouraged to have their provinces or city's name on the team, as this will encourage fans of those areas to support the team and engender rivalries. Having football themed names like Real Manila, Cebu United or Forza Bacolod will also add an element of authenticity to the team especially for the fans who follow professional football leagues in Europe and elsewhere.
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