Global, Stallion brace for key duel

GLOBAL flashed ruthless form in dumping regional qualifier M’lang, 10-0, Friday night to grab the early lead in Group B of the PFF Smart Club Championship at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Stallion also notched its first win at the expense of Erco Bro of Cebu, 5-1, in a warmup to a keenly awaited duel with Global.

A member of the Teknika side that ruled the tournament in 2011, Izzo El Habbib scored twice like Japanese midfielder Hikaru Minegishi as Global dominated the North Cotabato side.

The outcome was already sealed before halftime with Global firing four goals in the first 45 minutes.

Doctora back

Stallion drew inspiration from skipper Ruben Doctora who played his first game since undergoing knee surgery last June.

Doctora knocked the opening goal in the fourth minute, setting the tone for the rout by Stallion.

Landry Nguene struck twice for Stallion which also got goals from OJ Clarino and another from new signing Emmanuel Mbata.

Global got off to a fiery start with new recruit Masaki Yanagawa powering home a header off a corner kick in the fourth minute.

Dennis Villanueva, Raul Martinez and Mark Hartmann were also on target in the first half before Yu Hoshide and Satoshi Otomo sealed the rout with late goals.