CEBU CITY—The campaign of Filipino side Global in the AFC President’s Cup came to a devastating end Sunday night, but the reigning United Football League champions, proud and defiant, believed it will not be the last time they will be vying for honors at the continental stage.
Two-time champion Dordoi Bishkek dealt Global a humbling 6-1 defeat in their last Group B match at Cebu City Sports Center, sending the Kyrgyzstan side to the final round of the tournament in December along with KRL of Pakistan.
With only three points from three matches, Global—the first Filipino side to compete in the tournament—finished third and got the boot together with winless Yeedzin of Bhutan.
“This will not be the last time we will play here and the next time we play here, I think we will be so much better, having learned lessons from this tournament,” said Global owner Dan Palami.
Facing what practically was the Kyrgyzstan national side in Dordoi, which has 17 internationalists in their squad, Global did get off to a magical start with Carli de Murga firing home the opener from the edge of the area in the ninth minute.
Unlike in its 0-2 loss to KRL, Global looked much more threatening going forward with attackers quicker with their movements and incisive with their passing.
“I don’t think we are that far away from this level,” said Palami.
All the work on the attack went for naught for Global as Dordoi, aided by the shaky goalkeeping of Global recruit Moussa Sanogo, settled down and finished the match with all guns blazing.
Sanogo, an Ivorian keeper picked ahead by coach Brian Reid over Ed Sacapano in all three matches, was caught out of position several times and couldn’t cope with what should be routine catches in his area.
And as if his shortcomings in defending the post were not enough, Sanogo had the 4,500-strong crowd as well as his teammates in disbelief when he dribbled all the way to the final third in the second half, leaving his goal exposed. Sacapano replaced him minutes later.
By the time Sanogo had left, Global was already down 1-3.
“One thing I am sure of is that this is his last game for Global,” said Reid of Sanogo, who had solid credentials coming in but turned out to be a dud.