Global opens Singapore bid Wednesday night

HOPING to make up for a disappointing AFC Cup stint, United Football League champion Global seeks international glory this time in the Singapore Cup starting Wednesday night against Hougang United at Hougang Stadium.

As the only UFL side in the 16-team tournament, Global is hard-pressed to improve on last year’s performance when it bowed out in the first round.

Although still in contention in the UFL Cup and the league competition, Global fell short in the AFC Cup, failing to make it past the group stage.

But with quality players beefing up the side this time, hopes are high of Global duplicating the club’s best finish in 2013 when it reached the semifinals of the prestigious competition which is now on its 18th year.

“We’re hopeful that, with a stronger squad, we can make an impact in the tournament,” said Global owner Dan Palami. “There’s pressure to do well considering we are the only Philippine club in the competition.”

National team standouts Amani Aguinaldo, Daisuke Sato, Mark Hartmann and Misagh Bahadoran will be at the forefront for Global, who will be boosted by new signings Norio Suzuki, a J-League veteran, and former Loyola Meralco midfielder Matt Hartmann.

Hougang finished seventh in the S-League last season.