UFL: Tougher Round of 16
The top clubs of the United Football League (UFL) that clinched spots in the UFL Cup’s Round of 16 are united in saying that anything can happen in the win-or-go-home stage.
The UFL Cup’s Round of 16 stage starts on Tuesday with either Forza FC or Union Internacional Manila FC (UIM) facing Pachanga at 5 p.m. at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill in Taguig City.
Head Coach Ernie Nierras of defending champion Stallion Football Club, Global FC’s Mark Malcampo, Kaya FC mentor David Perkovic and Loyola Meralco Sparks goalkeeper Ref Cuaresma all expressed that it will be a wide-open race for the 2013 UFL Cup.
“Every team is preparing and you need to bring you’re A-game. We’re hoping that none of our players get suspensions or ridiculous cards. There should be no room for error, one mistake and you’re going home,” said Nierras. “It will be anybody’s ball game since these are the top clubs in the UFL.”
Nierras guided Stallion to the UFL Cup by beating Global, 2-1, then clinched the league crown after compiling 48 points.
Malacampo, meanwhile, said they know the caliber of the 15 other teams. “We are confident but we respect our opponents. It is improper to take them lightly.”
Kaya’s Perkovic added that he expected the big clubs to vie for the Cup. “Now, any team can pull off an upset. Anything can happen in 90 minutes since the round of 16 is a different stage.”
Cuaresma said don’t count Loyola Meralco out as they are hungry to finally clinch the title after falling short the past five years.
“We changed our roster and strengthened our team. It is now a matter of playing more cohesively and with consistency,” said Cuaresma. “We are ready for the task at hand. We’ve been preparing and studying our
opponents. It will be tough playing against every team that we will be facing.”
He added that Global, Stallion, and Kaya are expected to march into the Last Eight. “But don’t count Cebu Queen City United FC, UIM FC, General Trias International FC, and Ceres La Salle FC.”
The UFL Cup’s Round of 16 stage starts on Tuesday with either Forza FC or Union Internacional Manila FC (UIM) facing Pachanga at 5 p.m. at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill in Taguig City.
Head Coach Ernie Nierras of defending champion Stallion Football Club, Global FC’s Mark Malcampo, Kaya FC mentor David Perkovic and Loyola Meralco Sparks goalkeeper Ref Cuaresma all expressed that it will be a wide-open race for the 2013 UFL Cup.
“Every team is preparing and you need to bring you’re A-game. We’re hoping that none of our players get suspensions or ridiculous cards. There should be no room for error, one mistake and you’re going home,” said Nierras. “It will be anybody’s ball game since these are the top clubs in the UFL.”
Nierras guided Stallion to the UFL Cup by beating Global, 2-1, then clinched the league crown after compiling 48 points.
Malacampo, meanwhile, said they know the caliber of the 15 other teams. “We are confident but we respect our opponents. It is improper to take them lightly.”
Kaya’s Perkovic added that he expected the big clubs to vie for the Cup. “Now, any team can pull off an upset. Anything can happen in 90 minutes since the round of 16 is a different stage.”
Cuaresma said don’t count Loyola Meralco out as they are hungry to finally clinch the title after falling short the past five years.
“We changed our roster and strengthened our team. It is now a matter of playing more cohesively and with consistency,” said Cuaresma. “We are ready for the task at hand. We’ve been preparing and studying our
opponents. It will be tough playing against every team that we will be facing.”
He added that Global, Stallion, and Kaya are expected to march into the Last Eight. “But don’t count Cebu Queen City United FC, UIM FC, General Trias International FC, and Ceres La Salle FC.”
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