No relief for listless Global in AFC Cup

Reigning United Football League champion Global continued to struggle in the AFC Cup as it fell to Yadanarbon of Myanmar, 0-2, Wednesday night at Mandalar Thiri Stadium in Mandalay.

Missing defensive anchor Amani Aguinaldo due to suspension, Global yielded two goals in the second half and dropped to last place in Group G with a single point from three matches.

South China of Hong Kong is on top of the group with nine points, with Pahang of Malaysia in second with four points. Yadanarbon has three points on a win and two losses.

The hosts broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half as Max Djawa surged forward inside the box and smashed the ball past Junjun Badelic.

Mark Hartmann bungled a golden opportunity to equalize late on when his free header was sent straight at Yadanarbon keeper Thiha Sithu.

Yadanarbon scored its second right before the full-time whistle when Win Htay Kyaw powered home a header after Badelic parried away the initial effort.

Despite the loss, Global remains on track in its bid to make the knockout stages. But the PH side needs to sweep its last three matches, starting with the home game against Yadanarbon on April 18 at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

South China dealt an opening-game defeat with an emphatic 6-1 decision last Feb. 25. The PH side then held Malaysian side Pahang, 0-0, in Kuantan, Malaysia, Wednesday last week.