Stallion , five other teams slug it out in Cup quarterfinals

Karl Decena, InterAKTV

Six more teams fight for contention in the United Football Cup as the quarterfinals resume on Thursday.
Penson Stallion Giligan’s will look to end the surprising run of guest squad General Trias International FC at 7 p.m., while Philippine Army FC collides with the Loyola Meralco Sparks in the opening match at 5 p.m.
Both games will be played at the University of Makati and will be shown live on AKTV.
Meanwhile, Green Archers United Globe tangles with Pachanga FC at 8:30 p.m. at the Nomads Sports Club in the other quarterfinal match.
Group D winner Stallion aims to stop the hot run of the all-South Korean squad General Trias, which shocked the competition after finishing second in Group A behind League champion Global to advance to the knockout stages.
But Stallion coach Ernie Nierras, who also handles a number of South Koreans in his team, believes he can figure out how to beat General Trias.
“When I watch them play, I can basically tell what the players are gonna be doing,” said Nierras, who will lean on not just Koreans but other players such as Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez and Fil-Dutch national team member Jason de Jong. “We will not be intimidated on that side. We’re more international.”
Only the last Armed Forces squad in the competition, Philippine Army, runner-up of Group D, looks to prove that with its local talent, it can still compete in the league which has seen the influx of powerhouse football talent in the past years. The squad is expected to be led by veterans Nestorio Margarse Jr., Roel Gener and Ed Sacapaño, who are also members of the national team.
But the task won’t be easy as the Army takes on Group C winner Sparks, who boasts of Azkals stars Phil and James Younghusband, as well as former and current national team players such as Chad Gould, Anto Gonzales and Ref Cuaresma, among others.
Meanwhile, fans will see a battle of the league’s deadliest local strikers as Tating Pasilan will lead Group B winner Green Archers in their clash with former national team star Freddy Gonzalez and Group C runner-up Pachanga in the third quarterfinal match of the evening.
The winners of their respective matches will advance to the semifinals next week, where League champion Global already advanced after beating Kaya, 2-1, in extra time last Tuesday.

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