17 March 2015

AFC Cup: Global goes for first win in Myanmar game

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo


FRESH from what its coach described as a “magnificent performance” in its last game, domestic club Global FC goes for a groundbreaking win in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup when it engages Yadanarbon FC in an away Group G match in Myanmar today.


Holding down powerhouse Malaysian side Pahang FA to a goalless draw in their matchup on March 11, reigning United Football League (UFL) champion Global tries to build on the momentum from said game and win over Yadanarbon in tonight’s match to get back into the thick of things of Asia’s second-level tournament for domestic clubs.

“The People’s Club” slumped to a 6-1 loss in the hands of Hong Kong club South China in its opening AFC Cup group game here at home last month before bouncing back admirably against Pahang.

“The first point and first clean sheet has been brought back to the Philippines,” Global coach Leigh Manson was quoted by the team’s Web site as saying, following his team’s impressive showing in Malaysia.

He went on to underscore how deserving they are to be playing in the AFC Cup, the lone Philippine side to do so this year.

“We deserve to be in the (AFC Cup). We are an Asian team and we can play at that level no question,” Mr. Manson said.

STICKING TO THE GAME PLAN
The Global coach said that key to their performance previously was how they stuck to their game plan and executed.

“We made sure we had to be clear with our game plan and the players followed it,” he said.

“That was a magnificent display of players playing in the UFL, of young Filipinos who can play internationally,” continued Mr. Manson, who is in the first year of serving as Global coach.

The team hopes to continue its fine form against Yadanarbon in the latter’s home turf, the Mandalarthiri Stadium in Mandalay, Myanmar.

Yadanarbon remains winless in two games so far, losing to Pahang, 3-2, on Feb. 25 and South China, 3-1, last week.

“We put ourselves in a chance to get back into the tournament. We have to take it one game at a time and that’s what we’ll do,” Mr. Manson said of his thoughts ahead of their game against Yadarnabon.

For collecting two yellow cards against Pahang, Global will miss the services of fiery young defender Amani Aguinaldo for today’s game.

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