#global fc

Keen to make amends after crashing out of the AFC Champions League, reigning UFL champions Global FC kicked off its 2017 AFC Cup campaign with a straightforward 1-0 victory in Manila against tournament debutants Magwe FC of Myanmar. Misagh Bahadoran scored the solitary goal in the 39th minute from a sublime Matthew Hartmann cross, and Global didn’t look back en route to their first win of the tournament. Here are five thoughts from the game. 1. Much better AFC Cup start for Global FC Photo from Addison Tan Two years ago, Global were famously thrashed in their AFC Cup debut in 2015. Fast forward to 2017, the ‘People’s Club’ made a perfect start to the tournament with a win against the Burmese Cup champions at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. Having also played in the AFC Champions League preliminary stages, Global banked on its experience to repulse a physical Magwe side, who largely left Patrick Deyto untroubled all evening. Global paraded three new players in their lineup, with Brazilian central defender Wesley dos Santos, former Swansea City midfielder Kemy Agustien and Trinidad and Tobago striker Darryl Roberts making their debuts, and all three provided strong performances for the Philippine champions. Three points are in the bag, and Global FC now focus their attention to the next two games away from home, against Beoungket Angkor in Phnom Penh, and the mighty JDT in Johor. 2. MOTM dos Santos forms a good partnership with Amani Photo from Addison Tan Strong and physical, Wesley dos Santos impressed in his debut in the heart of the defense, en route to a Man of the Match performance for Global FC. A rather shaky start in the opening minute saw Global FC on the back foot right from kickoff, but as the game progressed, the Brazilian and his defensive partners gradually grew in confidence. Against a very robust and physical Magwe side, dos Santos rose to the challenge and formed a solid partnership with Amani Aguinaldo. The presence of dos Santos makes up for the departure of Milan Nikolic, and allows Global to field Dennis Villanueva and Paul Mulders in their normal positions. 3. Against better opposition, Global needs to take its chances Global controlled possession for majority of the game, but they were met with a stubborn Magwe side content to sit back and pack the middle of the field with blue shirts. After Misagh’s goal opened up the game, Magwe had no recourse but to go and try to get something from this game, which meant Global had chances to kill the game off. Perhaps the lack of quality games has dulled the team’s cutting edge in front of goal, as quick passing combinations could only see Global half-threaten Magwe’s goal. On the other end, Magwe hardly threatened Patrick Deyto, but stiffer opposition down the road will mean that Global need to take their chances if they harbor any chance of progression to the knockout stages. 4. Global’s left flank does plenty of damage Photo from Addison Tan Usually placed as a defensive midfielder, Matthew Hartmann was deployed in the left side of a back four, and he played the role of the modern foraging fullback to perfection. Linking well with Pika Minegishi, Hartmann tormented delivered crosses from the left, and it was his cross in the 39th minute that found Misagh Bahadoran who duly delivered the only goal of the game. Could his performances for club lead to a long overdue Azkals’ call up? 5. Fans starved of football action The official attendance at the Rizal Memorial Stadium might be only 456 people, but current PFL players, coaches and staff and a smattering of fans on complimentary tickets meant that the actual number of fans in the stadium was slightly higher. From the heights of 2011-13, football in the Philippines has slowly and surely been in a decline, but evenings like these remind us of the attraction of the beautiful game. In years past, night games and lit floodlights at Rizal Memorial featured packed stands filled with fans sporting banners of support. It is hoped that fans do their share to bring back the sport to those heady levels, which may seem like a lifetime ago. It is what Philippine football deserve, and badly need now. Ryan Fenix is InterAksyon.com’s resident football analyst. His football column Rampaging Fullback appears exclusively on the site. He runs the football blog The Prawn Sandwich Brigade, covers football for Sports5, writes for ESPN FC, and serves as a FIFA Ballon d’Or juror. He is also a huge tennis fan. You can follow him on Twitter. http://j.mp/2lIDTAx

Global FC photo Philippine club football history was made yet again as defending UFL champions Global FC notched a 2-0 victory against S.League side Tampines Rovers in the first preliminary round of the 2017 AFC Champions League. Second half goals from new boy Ahamd Azzawi and captain Misagh Bahadoran sealed Global’s win in Manila, as they now have the distinction of being the first club from the Philippines to play in Asia’s top club football competition. Here are five thoughts from the game. 1. History yet again, for Philippine football After watching bitter title rivals Ceres Negros and Kaya FC progress to the knockout stages of the AFC Cup last season, Global did one better by being the first Filipino club team to play in the AFC Champions League, albeit in the preliminary rounds. Team owner Dan Palami always sets the bar high for his team, and after being the first Filipino club to play in the AFC Cup in 2015, Global FC became the first to play in the prestigious Champions League, where the likes of Asian powerhouses Guangzhou Evergrande, Al-Ain and Al-Ahli regularly ply their trade. 2. Global’s new signings made an impact Omid Nazari (Melaka United) and Milan Nikolic (Loyola Meralco Sparks) were some of the names that left in the offseason, but Global have strengthened their squad by the addition of Paul Mulders (Ceres), Ahamd Azzari and Shu Sasaki. And the trio proved themselves worthy of donning Global’s yellow and blue colors with a winning performance on the field. Mulders, usually a midfielder by trade, was slotted to the heart of the Global defense to partner with Amani Aguinaldo, and he acquitted himself with an assured display. Shu Sasaki provided energy from the flanks, but it was Azzawi who stole the show with a goal and an assist to cap off an excellent Global performance. 3. Misagh Bahadoran is still the main man Kept largely quiet in the first half, Bahadoran sprung to life in the second half as he embarked on his trademark runs to trouble Tampines Rovers. Against the evergreen duo of Mustafic Fahrudin and Daniel Bennett, Bahadoran was starved of service in the first 45 minutes. In the second half, this was immediately rectified as his teammates looked to feed the speedy Global captain, and the team duly produced more cutting edge as a result. Where Misagh Bahadoran goes, Global FC goes as well. 4. Brisbane Roar next With participation in the 2017 AFC Cup secured, Global could be forgiven for going to the Champions League with a ‘nothing-to-lose’ attitude. But it is certainly not every day that teams get to play at this stage, and Global duly took the opportunity with both hands as they attacked from the onset against a pedestrian Tampines side hit by several key player departures in the offseason. Global FC dominated large parts of the game, and Tampines were kept especially quiet in the last 45 minutes, save for a late Khairul Amri penalty in the 88th minute which was parried away to safety by Patrick Deyto. A trip to Brisbane, Australia is next for Global FC in its quest for participation to the group stages of the AFC Champions League. While some may consider that a pipe dream, it won’t matter to Global FC, a team that was formed fifteen years ago by friends playing essentially weekend football. They have come this far, and will have everything to gain. 5. News of PH football’s demise greatly exaggerated Poor attendances in the recently concluded Suzuki Cup in Manila and the 2016 UFL season had some pundits ring the death knell for Philippine football. But even just for one night, fans of Global FC and Philippine football proved the naysayers wrong as one thousand strong fans packed the central main grandstand to lend their voices of support. Rizal Memorial Stadium was decked in Global Yellow and fans starved of live football for two months were treated to a show by the men in yellow. The flames of domestic football may not have been burning as brightly as before, but it is still glowing, even if at times barely flickering. Fans, with the help of Global’s victory, are needed to keep the flame burning. Ryan Fenix is InterAksyon.com’s resident football analyst. His football column Rampaging Fullback appears exclusively on the site. He runs the football blog The Prawn Sandwich Brigade, covers football for Sports5, writes for ESPN FC, and serves as a FIFA Ballon d’Or juror. He is also a huge tennis fan. You can follow him on Twitter. http://j.mp/2k6U3DD

Global FC

UFL photo Global and Ceres-La Salle kept their 1-2 positions at the end of the first round of the United Football League competition after a thrilling 3-3 draw on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Stadium. Ivan Petrovic and Misagh Bahadoran put Global 2-0 up after 25 minutes, before Adrian Gallardo pulled a goal back for Ceres at the stroke of halftime. After Hikaru Minegishi restored Global’s two-goal cushion at the hour-mark, Gallardo and Bienvenido Maranon scored in the 77th and 78th minutes, respectively, setting the stage for a thrilling finish. Both teams settled for a point in the end as Global kept its unbeaten start halfway into the season despite finishing the game with 10 men after Jerry Barbaso was sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time. Coach Leigh Manson’s side has 31 points, three ahead of Ceres at the end of the first round. “We’re still at the top of the table and if we can repeat what we have done, we’ll be champions,” said Manson. “Obviously, we’re disappointed to have lost a 3-1 lead. We’d like to see out the last 20 minutes, but I think, again Ceres and Global showed how different they are from the rest of the teams.” Ceres coach Ali Go hailed his side’s fighting spirit. “Global is always a hard team to play against they always give their everything and see their best games against us,” said Go. “It’s frustrating that we make silly mistakes against them. But we never gave up from two goals down. Global proved devastating on the counterattack with Bahadoran leading the charge. The skipper played a 1-2 with Petrovic, before the Serbian fired his close-range shot into the roof of the net for the first goal. Bahadoran placed his shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-0, before Ceres had a penalty appeal waived when Patrick Deyto brought down Maranon inside the box. Ceres was unlucky not to score minutes later when Manny Ott’s corner found Gallardo inside the box only for the Spanish striker to head his effort to the crossbar. Gallardo trimmed the gap with a well-taken strike, after Martin Steuble looked like he got away with a foul on Milan Nikolic who was chasing the Spanish striker. Minegishi made it 3-1 for Global following up a saved effort after Bahadoran and substitute Omid Nazari combined on the right on another counter-attack. Ceres got back in the thick of the fight when Gallardo beat Deyto from just outside the box, before Maranon fired another well-placed strike to equalize. Earlier, Stallion finished the first round in sixth spot after a 1-1 draw with Green Archers United while Nomads picked up its third win with a 4-0 demolition of Pasargad. Stallion substitute Jim Ashley Flores’ early strike in the second half was cancelled out by Jess Melliza’s effort. The league takes a break next weekend with the staging of UFL All-Star weekend that will be highlighted by the match pitting the UFL All-Stars against Australian League side Perth Glory also at Rizal Memorial Stadium. http://j.mp/2a9RVai

S.League photo Philippine clubs Ceres-La Salle FC and Global FC both advanced to the next round of the 2016 Singapore Cup after notching victories in their respective preliminary round matches over the weekend. Ceres scored a 3-1 victory over Garena Young Lions, while Global pulled off a 5-nil rout of Nagaworld FC in the knockout stages at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The triumphs pushed both Ceres, which is coming off an exit in the AFC Cup, and Global, a veteran in the Singapore Cup, into the quarterfinals. After taking a lead off a Stephan Schrock goal in the first half, Ceres needed additional time to finish off Garena which nailed a game-tying conversion at the 87th minute to tie things up at 1-all. But Kim Sang Min and Schrock both found the back of the net at the 99th and 100th minute to hand Ceres the win. Unlike Ceres, Global breezed through Nagaworld after a breakaway in the first half which saw the UFL squad grab a comfortable 3-nil cushion. In the two-leg quarterfinals, Ceres will take on Brunei DPMM FC, while Global will tangle with Tampines Rovers FC. The Singapore Cup is an invitational tournament featuring teams from Southeast Asia and local clubs from the S.League. http://j.mp/1PbCKM4

With its attack clicking from start to finish, JP Voltes and Global came away with convincing victories Saturday to gain a share of top spot in the 2016 United Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium. Voltes got a brace from Takumi Uesato and substitute Alen Angeles in a 5-0 beating of Manila Nomads for its second straight victory, while Global, flashing the depth of its squad, coasted to an 8-0 victory over Laos. With the wins, Voltes and Global now have six points with the Japanese-flavored side just ahead of the reigning UFL Cup champions on goal difference, having beaten Pasargad, 6-0, last Saturday. “We scored five goals but we still missed a lot of chances,” said JP Voltes skipper Yu Hoshide. “It’s difficult for us since we are still growing as a team, but we want to challenge the bigger clubs in this league.” The team that Voltes will be facing on Thursday also delivered a comprehensive victory as Global got another brace from in-form striker Misagh Bahadoran, while OJ Clarino, Hikaru Minegishi, Paolo Bugas, Mark Winhoffer and Omid Nazari also found the back of the net for coach Leigh Manson’s side. An own goal from Laos defender Michael Atienza, under pressure from Bahadoran, set the tone for the rout. Carrying its fine form from the UFL Cup, Global followed up its 4-2 drubbing of Stallion with a stellar performance against an out-of-sorts Laos side, which only had one substitute on the bench. Global started brightly with Bahadoran forcing an own goal from Atienza in the fifth minute before the skipper found the back of the net two minutes later with another stylish finish. The best of Global’s goals came two minutes before the break when Bahadoran took Matthew Hartmann’s curling ball from midfield first time with a controlled volley past Felipe Tripulca. Bugas scored just seconds after coming on with a tap-in from close range in the 69th minute and Winhoffer bagged his first goal for the club with a composed finish in the 75th minute. Nazari got his goal from the penalty spot in the first minute of second-half stoppage time after Minegishi, who created most of Global’s chances also joined the scoresheet in the 71st minute. Manson was delighted at the way his team responded in the second half. “We were quite disjointed in the first half,” Manson said. “We were holding ball to long, we played slowly, but in the second half, the tempo sped up. With Dennis (Villanueva)playing at centerback, the balls came out quicker out of the back.” Manson also hailed the contributions of youngsters like Andreas Esweinn and Winhoffer who made an impact in the second half. “We got a clean sheet, but what I was really pleased about was giving a chance to our younger players and seeing them play better than expected,” said Manson. http://j.mp/1s4kV7S

UFL photo UFL Cup champion Global picked up from where it left off by drubbing Stallion, 4-2, Sunday night to start its league campaign on a winning note while Forza held Green Archers to a 1-1 stalemate at Rizal Memorial Stadium. Captain Misagh Bahadoran, the Golden Ball winner of the Cup, continued his amazing form with a brace, while new signing Hikaru Minegishi was also on target as Global began its campaign to regain the title it last won two years ago in style. New signing Ivan Petrovic forced an own goal from new Stallion goalkeeper Roland Sadia in the second half. Stallion suffered its second straight loss to Global this season, but coach Ernie Nierras side showed plenty of fight pulling a goal back before halftime through Balot Doctora before Simone Rota scored a late consolation from the penalty spot. “It’s my best start to the league,” said Global coach Leigh Manson, who lost his first match in charge two years ago to Loyola and drawing with Green Archers to start its campaign last year. “It’s absolutely brilliant to start the league not paying catch up.” Manila Nomads Club also collected three points with a forfeiture victory over MSA Agila, but it was Forza that delivered the result of the day after a 1-1 draw with sister club, Green Archers United. Forza, with midfielder Nicholas Ferrer pulling the strings, held its own for majority of the first half as Archers misfired and responded when its opponents took the lead early in the second half. Archers paraded some of their new signings, but they struggled to make their mark on the game. Jimuel Arriola broke the deadlock five minutes after the break, but Hayato Aoki equalised nine minutes later as Forza picked up a precious point. With some of its biggest rivals picking up full three points over the weekend, the reigning Cup champions were also under pressure to kickstart their quest on a positive note. It took only nine minutes for Manson’s side to break the deadlock with Bahadoran creating space for himself to test former Global goalkeeper Roland Sadia on the Stallion goal. The rebound fell kindly to Minegishi who tapped the ball home to make it 1-nil. Bahadoran doubled the advantage two minutes later with an exquisite finish. The skipper controlled the ball over the top, before chipping the ball past Sadia leaving Stallion stunned. Stallion had started the game aggressively, pressing high and closing down Global, but the 2013 champions had no answer to Bahadoran’s fine form. Doctora trimmed the deficit in the 33rd minute by rounding out Global goalkeeper Patrick Deyto after latching unto a well weighted ball from Fitch Arboleda, but the two-goal advantage was restored when Sadia helped Petrovic’s inswinging corner kick past the line, before Bahadoran fired home a left footed strike in the 77th minute after a swift change in direction with his first touch. Charley Pettys made his return to Global, but the defender conceded the penalty that Rota converted late on. Still, it hardly mattered for Global as it sustained its impressive run this season. “We want to keep the ball rolling,” said Manson. “Stallion is a quick and aggressive team and we shouldn’t have allowed that one ball down the middle to beat us, but overall three points is vital because we’re keeping pace with Kaya and Loyola.” http://j.mp/1rMjPNY

Mark Marte of Smile 8 Photography Global FC returned to its old championship ways after romping Ceres-La Salle FC, 3-1, to take the 2016 UFL Cup title Saturday night at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. Misagh Bahadoran came up with a brace after goals at the 21st and 56th minutes. Matt Hartmann also scored at the 24th minute to complete Global’s rout. Ceres’ only goal came from Nate Burkey at the 69th minute. Bahadoran turned out to be a double winner after capturing the tournament’s Golden Ball award. Global players Amani Aguinaldo and Patrick Deyto also went home with the Best Defender and Best Goalkeeper titles. Kaya FC’s Miguel Tanton was hailed as Best Midfielder. His teammate Robert Lopez Mendy won the Golden Boot Award. http://j.mp/23P7mWX