Reigning league champion Global hammered out a tough 3-0 victory over nine-man Laos Sunday night to advance to the semifinals of the UFL FA League Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Mark Hartmann struck a bullet of a volley in the ninth minute before Hikary Minegishi and Milad Behgandom scored in the second half as Global put away a stubborn Laos side made up mostly of former players of the UFL league titlists.
Laos was reduced to 10 men in the 50th minute after Bryan Gumela was sent off before former Global defender Carlos Tressor Guisso followed him to the showers in the 68th minute due to a second yellow card.
Still, Laos proved a tough team to crack until Global doubled the lead in the 72nd minute through Minegishi, whose low shot from close range finally beat Laos stopper Saba Garmaroudi.
Behgandom iced the win a minute before stoppage time by connecting from just inside the box after a series of passes that split the Laos defense again.
“It was a very tough match against a very determined Laos,” said Global owner Dan Palami. “Whenever seemingly friendly teams meet, it’s always rough. I think it got out of control a bit, but it’s something that happens.”
Bacolod side Ceres earlier clinched the first last-four berth with a 3-1 win over Stallion.
The semifinals is slated Nov. 4 at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium with the pairings to be determined last night.