Singapore Cup: Hartmann hat trick fires Global to s’finals

Mark  Hartmann rediscovered his scoring touch as Global overcame Geylang International, 4-1, in extra time Sunday night to reach the semifinals of the Singapore Cup at Bedok Stadium in Singapore.

Down 0-1 after the first leg, Global bounced back emphatically with Hartmann firing a hat trick that gave the 2014 UFL winner a 4-2 win on aggregate.

“I’m happy for the team and the players and the coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for not giving up after losing the first leg,” said Global owner Dan Palami. “We could have easily lost our composure but the team stayed strong.”

Global, which also reached the semifinals in 2013, faces the winner of the tie pitting S-League teams Aibirex Nigata and Balestier Khalsa next month.

Southeast Asian Games veteran Paolo Salenga also found the back of the net with a critical 80th-minute strike that forced extra time.

GLOBAL players celebrate teammate Mark Hartmann’s third goal against Geylang. CEDELF P. TUPAS

Global conceded an 87th-minute goal to Jozef Kaplan in the first leg at Jalan Besar Stadium  Thursday.

But the Filipino club quickly got back into the tie with Hartmann opening the scoring in the 20th minute. Hartmann picked up a loose pass from just outside the area before firing an unstoppable shot.

Geylang equalized—and led 2-1 on aggregate—thanks to a goal from Bruno Castanheira in the 75th minute.

But Salenga latched onto a long ball from Hartmann, before chipping past Yazid Yasin five minutes later to make it 2-2 on aggregate. Matt Hartmann and Salenga were both denied by the frame in stoppage time as the game reached extra time.

Global finally took the lead in the 110th minute with Hartmann firing a low left-foot effort. Then Hartmann sealed the win, blasting a shot into an empty net as Geylang desperately sent its men forward.