A week adrift from their upset of League champions Ceres-La Salle FC, Manila Jeepney FC nosed out Forza FC, 2-0, to move to the quarterfinals of the 2015 United Football League (UFL) Cup, early Thursday evening, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
In the first half, both teams started to produce an attempt every time they had the ball. Manila Jeepney had a chance at the 13th minute, when Val Jurao stole the ball from the middle and found Eric Giganto on the right wing. However, opposing keeper Jaysan Galarrita was able to get to the ball before Giganto. In the following play, it was Giganto who saw captain-for-day Ngaly Epesso, only the latter’s shot sailed out.
However, a minute before the half-hour mark, Forza was called for a foul at the edge of the box, conceding a free kick to the home side. Arnel Amita sent a lovely pass into the box, which Joshua Mullero tapped into the goal mouth for the go-ahead goal. Despite the lead, Manila Jeepney kept on attacking the backline of the orange-shirts; nonetheless, the Alabang-based squad was able to fend off another point as the halftime whistle was blown.
At the second period, either team pushed for another goal. Three minutes from restart, Forza’s Ruben Bioumla had a chance to level the match; nevertheless, the deflected shot was gamely collected by custodian Michael Menzi. After this attempt, the teams traded muffed opportunities to score as their defense went to work. As the clock is about to expire, Forza had a chance to level the match, but Cristian Zubiri could not finish on his two attempts.
Winning the possession on the counterattack, the Los Manileños was rewarded with the insurance goal the 90th minute. Amita intercepted the ball from the middle third, weaved to the left wing, and fired his shot from outside the box to put the nail on the coffin. The match ended 2-0 in favor of Manila Jeepney, which pushed them into the quarterfinals.
Manila Jeepney FC will take on the winner of Loyola FC-Mendiola FC 1991 on Saturday, August 15.
