Reigning United Football League champion Global came up with a performance to remember, holding Malaysian powerhouse Pahang to a scoreless draw Tuesday night and gain its first point in the AFC Cup at Stadium Darul Makmur in Pahang.
The Filipino side rode its luck, but it was its stout defending most of the way that left the Malaysians frustrated in their Group G clash.
Mark Hartmann and Richard Talaroc blew golden opportunities in each half, before Amani Aguinaldo was harshly sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card for time-wasting, forcing him to miss the match against Burma’s (Myanmar) Yadanarbon next week.
Still, it was an impressive result for the Filipinos, who were thrashed by Hong Kong’s South China, 1-6, in their debut at Rizal Memorial Stadium two weeks ago.
With only 15 players making the trip to Malaysia after a spate of injuries to key players, Global was left with a youthful roster with an average age of 22.
And with Ray Jonsson sustaining an injury while warming up, the odds were stacked against the Filipino side
Global proved disciplined defensively, while proving dangerous on counterattacks and set pieces.
Heroes like third-string goalkeeper Junjun Badelic emerged as Global more than held its own against Malaysia’s top teams.
“We’re happy and we showed that we can play at this level,” said Global’s stand-in coach Dan Padernal.