Global and Kaya Set to Renew Rivalry in FA Charity Cup Final
League Champions Global overcame a 1st leg deficit, while Kaya built on their one-goal advantage in order to set up a mouthwatering encounter in the finals of the Football Alliance Charity Cup on Saturday. Both teams secured lopsided victories on Tuesday night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, relegating Loyola Meralco Sparks and Stallion Gilgan’s to contest third spot.
Thomas Taylor added to his hat-trick from the 1st leg with a clinical finish early in the second half, extending Kaya’s advantage to 5-3 on aggregate over the Sparks. Emmanuel Mbata added emphasis to the win, capitalizing on slack defending to add two more before the final whistle. Freddy Gonzalez came from the bench to score a consolation for coach Vince Santos’ side.
“Again our kids stepped up. I’m really really proud of them. I thought Loyola put us under a lot of pressure in the first half. The guys managed to hold on. When we came out in the second half Tommy (Taylor) was clinical with his finishing and settled the game down for us,” said Kaya General Manager Paul Tolentino, who manned the touchline in the absence of the suspended Chris Greatwich. “I think the group as a whole has really come together, and we’re really strong from the goalkeeper down to the striker. They’ve been challenged and tested as the games have come along and they’ve stepped up to every challenge, and I hope they can do it one more time on Saturday.”
With Kaya and Global progressing, it sets up a thrilling meeting between two teams that were neck and neck for the most part of the League campaign. The winner of the duel on Saturday, 6:45pm, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, will win P100,000 for their chosen charity. Kaya has been playing for the Payatas-based FairPlay For All Foundation, while Global selected Homeless World Cup – Team Philippines.
This post-match is from the official website of the United Football League (UFL). You may read the full and original post-match report from the UFL here.
