Global Cebu keeps AFC Cup KO stage hopes alive

Photo from AFC Cup Twitter account

Global Cebu secured its first win in the AFC Cup in dramatic fashion, nipping Group G leader Yangon United, 2-1, last Tuesday night at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez struck from the spot in the fifth minute of added time as the Filipino side grabbed maximum points to increase its tally to four with two matches remaining.

Global remained bottom of the group, behind Vietnamese side Thanh Hoa on goal difference, but the Filipinos’ hopes of reaching the next round are still alive especially if they sweep remaining matches against Thanh Hoa at home and Bali United away.

Yangon is still on top with nine points, while Bali is in second with five.

Only the top team in the group is guaranteed of a spot in knockout phase, but the best second placed team from among the three Southeast Asian groups will also reach the next round.

Daryl Roberts opened the scoring in the 79th minute, heading home off a free kick from Dom Del Rosario, but the visitors equalized in the 90tj minute through Muang Muang Lwin’s diving header.

But there was time for Global to grab the winner as Sanchez was fouled inside the area, before keeping his poise from the spot.