MANILA, Philippines — With its national team stars in superb form, Global whipped defending champion Stallion, 5-1, Thursday night to keep in step with Loyola Meralco in the United Football League at Emperador Stadium in Taguig.
Expected to be called up for the Azkals’ two friendly matches next month, Misagh Bahadoran and Mark Hartmann fired two goals each, while Iranian striker Milad Behgandom was also on target for the Dan Palami-owned side that bounced back from a scoreless draw with Green Archers.
The win put Global at 19 points, just a point behind the league-leading Sparks at the end of the first of the three-round competition. Stallion remained at fourth spot with 11 points.
“We’re one point behind Loyola with a better goal difference, so everything is still in our hands,” said Global coach Leigh Manson. “I think that’s all any team wants, the ability to control their own destiny.”
Army-General Trias inflicted more misery on bottom team Pasargad with a 2-0 triumph.
An early strike from Boogie Margarse and a Shin Seok-jeon penalty in the second half lifted Army which now has 10 points in fifth spot.
Facing the team that denied them the services of Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez, Global came out in blistering form early.
Bahadoran headed in a Hartmann free kick in the third minute, before firing his second off a corner just before the half hour mark.
Simone Rota averted a shutout for Stallion just before halftime with a disputed goal.