Global rips Socceroo as Azkals coach Dooley keeps track

MANILA, Philippines — With newly installed national team coach Thomas Dooley watching from the bleachers, Azkals midfielder Mark Hartmann put on a dazzling performance by powering Global to an emphatic 9-0 victory over Socceroo Tuesday night at Emperador Stadium in Taguig.

Hartmann struck four goals to increase his tally to eight for the season as Global rolled to a fifth straight victory in six outings and stayed within striking distance of leader Loyola Meralco.

The Sparks later hammered out a 2-1 triumph over a depleted yet hard fighting Pachanga PLDT Home Fibr side to keep their four-point cushion at the top of the table. Goals from Joaco Canas and Freddie Gonzalez sealed the Sparks’ sixth win in seven matches.

Held to a shocking 3-3 draw by Socceroo last Saturday, the Sparks got off to a nightmarish start as Pachanga’s Nate Burkey slotted home the opening goal after a lovely 1-2 with Alu Kigbu in the eighth minute.

“We started off a little bit flat,” said Sparks coach Vince Santos.

“I’m happy that we were able to recover.” Canas equalized for the Sparks in the 25th minute when he struck with a volley.