Global ends Stallion’s unbeaten run
Drawing a little motivation from some bold words from the opposing coach, Global FC brought down Stallion Giligan's FC, 1-nil, in UFL action Saturday at the University of Makati pitch.
Izzo El-Habbib scored the lone goal of the match in the 58th minute that proved enough to clinch the full three points for Global while dealing Stallion its first loss of the tournament.
"We were motivated by Ernie Nierras last week, when he turned on national TV and said that there's only one team that can defeat Stallion, and that's his second team," said Global coach Graeme McKinnon. "No other team is gonna beat him. So for us, that was already the motivation to win the game today and really put the pressure on. So that's what we did."
In a highly physical match that threatened to get out of control at times, Global overcame Stallion's rough play and controlled the tempo for majority of the match. McKinnon singled out his four players who flew back from the Azkals' Middle East tour the night before the match for playing well despite the jet lag.
"My boys played well," said the veteran coach. "You look at the ones that just came back [Friday] night. They played three games in a week, and then played another game. Look at the effort they put in."
Misagh Bahadoran, Carli De Murga and the Guirado brothers Angel and Luis all played heavy minutes during the three friendlies. Additionally, Global keeper Paolo Pascual also joined the trip.
"We didn't make a change," McKinnon said of their game plan. "So long as we work in the areas that they're supposed to play and then look after them, that's what we have to do. If we had spread too far and we hadn't kept formation, then we would have given them space. But the way we played it, there was no space for them. They couldn't play their game."
"We needed to win because we've had some bad games. At least now, we've redeemed ourselves in the eyes of our supporters."
Both sides created few real chances in the first half, with Global going often to Bahadoran on the left flank and Stallion trying to counterattack a few times. The tide changed in favor of Global in the second half when El-Habbib made the most of a scramble in front of the Stallion goal and managed to flick the ball forward. It slowly rolled past a helpless Wilson Munoz and into the net to give Global the lead.
Stallion nearly equalized in the 66th minute after Ruben Doctora's strike from the right hit the far post and bounced away. El-Habbib nearly scored again in the 72nd, but his attempt from the center of the penalty box was just wide to the left.
Thing turned ugly in the 83rd minute when Bahadoran took a vicious elbow to the head and fell to the pitch. When the referee didn't stop play, the Fil-Iranian striker vehemently protested and pointed to his bloodied head. The blow was so strong that Bahadoran collapsed while being helped off the pitch for medical attention.
Bahadoran, Angel Guirado and El-Habbib formed a potent attacking trio for Global as they constantly put pressure on the Stallion defense. Yet while McKinnon was generally pleased with their attack, he said things can still get better.
"Yeah, and yet we still lacked that cutting edge. Alex (Obiang) had practiced very well during the week, but unfortunately he pulled a hamstring, so you could not see what he's really doing in that regard. We're still gonna make adjustments, but it's gonna be all right."
With the win, Global moved up to 12 points with four wins against two losses. Stallion remained at 13 points with a 4-1-1 win-draw-loss record. Loyola Meralco Sparks FC regained the top spot early Sunday evening with a 14-0 demolition of Philippine Navy Red Juice FC. The Sparks now have 15 points with five wins against one loss.
E-mail: sid_ventura@yahoo.com. Twitter: @Sid_Ventura.
