UFL: Global stays on top, blanks Green Archers

MANILA, Philippines — Global leaned on a Mark Hartmann brace to crush Green Archers, 3-0, Thursday night and keep top spot in the United Football League at Emperador Stadium in Taguig.

Hartmann increased his tournament-leading goals this season to 21  with a clinical strike in each half as Global hiked its tally to 41 points, two ahead of Loyola Meralco, which dumped Socceroo, 3-1, in the earlier match.

Global and Loyola clash on Tuesday in a key duel that could decide the title race.

“I’m quite pleased with what we have accomplished so far,” said Global owner Dan Palami. “The game was a good takeoff point going to the next few games.”

Global dominated possession, but it wasn’t until the 33rd minute when it found the breakthrough.

It took a moment of brilliance from Hartmann who beat two defenders before firing a powerful strike past Patrick Deyto.

The Global striker latched unto a through ball from Curt Dizon to finish past Deyto anew at the hour mark to make it 2-0. Substitute Izzo El Habbib wrapped up the win with another clinical finish three minutes later.

Defender Samuel Bonney headed home from a corner kick in the 25th minute, before Matthew Hartmann and Joaco Canas found the back of the net in the second half for the Sparks who recovered from an early goal from Socceroo star Diego Barrera.