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Global 4, Air Force 0. The tide has turned.

Global FC fashioned out a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Philippine Air Force Phoenix last Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. The win has them poised to capture their first UFL Division 1 title. My observations:

Izo Elhabbib continues to terrorize defenses. Izo is an elite striker, period. In the first half he pounced on an error by Air Force keeper Tats Mercado to grab Global's second, then off a super ball from David Basa in the second period, nodded home another. Elhabbib is now second only to Phil Younghusband in division one with 12 strikes, tied with Loyola's Mark Hartmann. He can beat you with the ball at his feet or by towering over defenses and heading home.

Global are in the catbird seat for a first top flight league title. The win vaults them to first in the standings at 41 points. Loyola, who plays Global on Tuesday in the final game for both, are at 36 and have been eliminated. It's been a nightmare week for the Sparks after they lost to Air Force and then conceded a late equalizer to draw Nomads Auction Manila last Friday. Kaya plays Stallion on Tuesday before the Loyola-Global match. At 39 points, only a win gives them a chance. If they do beat Stallion on Tuesday, the second match will be an epic encounter, with Global gunning for a win while the entire Kaya Nation cheers for Loyola to play the role of the spoiler. If Kaya beats Stallion and Global and Loyola draw, Global wins the crown on Goal Difference.

It was a desultory effort by Air Force. The Airmen should have been brimming with confidence after shocking Loyola 2-1 last Wednesday. Instead they were listless and flat. Global bossed them in the midfield badly. Air Force lacks a creative force in their spine, with their best player, Chieffy Caligdong operating in the wings. Caligdong was shifted from left to right in the second half but it made no difference. Global's defense was resolute. Ian Araneta was suspended for accumulated yellows, and the team seemed to miss his presence. Juven Benitez got a start instead. The 21-year-old shows a lot of potential, according to Air Force coach Brax Bracamonte, but he was pretty much invisible versus Global. The Air Force passing was woefully off, with balls sailing above their targets more often than not. Martin Doctora, the Airmen's tallest player, seems to have fallen out of favor with the coaching staff, as he was unused. In his absence, Elhabib scored a header. Tats Mercado is looking sluggish in goal. Is it time to go with the younger Irl Tomodos and try to develop him? Tomodos finished the game after the fourth goal.

Air Force faces a very uncertain future. Caligdong is departing. Jezurel Tonog, Yanti Barsales, Martin Doctora, and Tats Mercado are all in sight of 40 years old, or past it. Randy Bela-ong, Joebel Bermejo are not getting any younger either. The only major addition next year will be Neckson Leonora, a defender. Brax told me before kickoff that Leonora might play left back or take Chieffy's slot at left wing. But should he put him at center back instead? The Santa Barbara, Iloilo, native brings badly needed height to the squad. Perhaps he will be needed to neutralize the aerial advantage other teams have over the Airmen. Air Force will need to develop Benitez up top and give Glenn Bulaquina valuable experience in defense. The two-time defending champions are up against a tough new landscape in Pinoy football. They will need to scrap and fight just to stay out of the drop zone.

Misagh Bahadoran's season is over in rather strange fashion. The Azkal nicknamed "Hollywood" was shown a red card last Saturday, meaning he will miss Tuesday's clash with Loyola. After Izo Elhabbib scored his first goal and started celebrating, Misagh said he shouted "pa-cute." Apparently he was within earshot of an assistant referee, who did not hear the "t" in "cute" and thought he was being cursed at. Out comes the red card from ref Reynald Emnas. Bahadoran protested vehemently, but to no avail, and he was banished to the stands. The weirdest part about all of this? Bahadoran wasn't even in the game. He was on the bench in a bib. I hope to talk to the officiating crew to get their side.

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.