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Global-South China AFC Cup notes and UAAP Football semis preview

Global FC and South China AA of Hong Kong. (Photo by Bob Guerrero)
Global FC and South China AA of Hong Kong. (Photo by Bob Guerrero)


Global loses 6-1 to South China AA of Hong Kong in the first match of the AFC Cup group stage on Wednesday. My thoughts.

The scoreline wasn't reflective of the nature of the game. Yes, the Hong Kongers were the better team, but the score suggests that Global were cowed all game long and just played defense. Anyone who watched the game knows that that was not the case.

Global made many forays into South China territory and had plenty of chances, just not as dangerous as the Hong Kong side's. I think 4-1 would have been a fairer scoreline.

South China counterattacked better and were more clever in front of goal. Mahama Awal was exceedingly quick, but I appreciated how all of the SC players snapped into offense mode so quickly during counters. Global couldn't match their transition play, and they paid for it dearly.

Chan Siu Ki made a terrific assist in the second half but I love the work he put in on the third goal. He was unmarked in front of goal when Awal centered to him. A defender closed him down so he dummied, letting the ball run to a team mate behind him who buried the shot past Patrick Deyto.

Who dummies on a pass RIGHT IN FRONT OF GOAL? Chan Siu Ki does. When Chan was involved in the goal in the second half, it just showed how Global was just tactically burned that night.

Chan missed a penalty for Hong Kong when the Azkals beat them on their home pitch two years ago. Maybe he feels some revenge now after a good night in Rizal Memorial.

This was a game of Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda for Global. Global was far from full strength. Apparently a bunch of key players who were hoped to be a part of this game and this competition were unable to participate. It seems there were administrative issues. I really don't know who is to blame. Matt Hartmann, who has just come over for Loyola, was at the game but was not cleared to play.

So many excellent Global players were in the stands in Global traveling shirts, like Satoshi Otomo, Izo Elhabbib, Hartmann, and Roland Sadia. No Hikaru Minegishi either. Curt Dizon unavailable too, maybe he is still struggling with fitness. No Yu Hoshide either, as he was not one of the chosen three foreigners.

Apparently the availability of some players was still up in the air until hours before kickoff. That must be tough, because training without knowing who could and could not play is certainly not ideal.

In that sense, Global were behind the eight ball even before the opening whistle. I hope they can play with a deeper lineup in succeeding matches in this competition. Their bench, with the exception of Michael Anthony Jonsson, has potential but is very inexperienced.

But Pinoy club football was a family for one night. Players, coaches, and team officials from Kaya, Loyola, GAU, Stallion and Team Socceroo were at the game. I spoke to Ali Go of Ceres after the game and he said had Ceres been in town and not in Bacolod, they would have watched too.

It was nice to see Pinoy club football rally behind one team just for one night. I hope it's like this for Global's next two home matches as well.

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UP and FEU. (Photo by Bob Guerrero)
UP and FEU. (Photo by Bob Guerrero)



UAAP Football semis set for Sunday.

The UAAP Season 77 mens football Final Four takes place on Sunday afternoon in Rizal Memorial with two mouth-watering matchups.

Ateneo and top seed De La Salle joust in the two pm game, then UP and FEU, last year's finalists, meet in the second semifinal right after.

Unlike previous years, there is no twice-to-beat advantage for the higher seeds. The semis will be one game, like the final.

The Blue Booters and the Archers drew both matches this season, so you know it will be close, But DLSU is full of confidence after going undefeated the entire season. Nathan Alquiros has been stelllar, but with striker Gelo Diamante still out with a broken clavicle, Chuck Uy and maybe even Christian Zubiri will have to step up.

Despite the two draws, Ateneo will still be the underdog as the fourth seed. They have more than a dozen rookies this season, but one of them, Julian Roxas, is an ROY candidate with four goals. Championship vets Mikko Mabanag, Emman Paredes and Cocoy Marcelino will have to lead the way.

UP come limping into the final four after a poor 3-0 loss to DLSU last week and a head-scratching 1-1 draw to bottom-feeder Adamson over the weekend. They will have their hands full against an FEU side that has scored over fifty goals this season, and is humming on offense. Even with Paolo Bugas still recovering from a knee injury (he played a few minutes in a game last week,) FEU is potent with Arnel Amita, Jhan Jhan Melliza, and Eric Giganto in form.

Either Melliza or UP's Jinggoy Valmayor will play their last UAAP game on Sunday. It will be sad to see one of these gunslingers depart from the top collegiate league in the nation.

Tough to say which one takes this. FEU, the defending champs, seem to be firing on all cylinders, but Anto Gonzales, UP's coach, is trying to bring the Maroons to a fifth straight final. UP beat FEU 3-1 in the first round then drew dramatically 3-3 in the second when Valmayor scored a free kick in the 93rd minute.

The semifinals winners play in a one-game clash for the title a week later at the same venue on March 8.

I'm hoping for big crowds for both games, especially the Eternal Rivalry in the first.

The matches will be aired live on ABS CBN Sports + Action, but I recommend watching it in the flesh in the stadium. The atmosphere should be buzzing if there is a big enough crowd.

Follow Bob on Twiter @PassionateFanPH.