Global rips Ceres, bags UFL Cup

GLOBAL wasted little time redeeming itself from last year’s disappointing season.

Skipper Misagh Bahadoran struck twice as Global stunned Ceres-La Salle, 3-1, to claim the United Football League Cup before a huge Saturday night crowd at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Matt Hartmann also found the back of the net as Global frustrated a Ceres side that looked invincible in the tournament’s early stages with its star-studded roster.

“We’re happy with winning the tournament especially against Ceres, which is on top of its group in the AFC Cup,” said Global CEO Dan Palami, whose squad also earned a berth in the 2017 AFC Cup. “It’s doubly special when you finally win something, but this is just one of the two titles we intend to win this year.”

Global finished second to Ceres in the league last year but was suspended in the UFL Cup for fielding an ineligible player. Coach Leigh Manson’s side also failed to make it past the knockout stage in its AFC Cup debut.

But the squad looked rejuvenated right from the start on Saturday.

Global pressed Ceres into mistakes with Bahadoran doing damage with his speed and clinical finishing. The Global skipper broke the deadlock in the 21st minute with a tap-in after Ceres goalkeeper Michael Casas spilled the ball.

Hartmann scored from a tight angle three minutes later after Bahadoran beat Juani Guirado to create the chance.

Ceres was denied a penalty in the 55th minute when Daisuke Sato blocked Patrick Reichelt’s header with his left hand. But as Ceres complained on the noncall, Bahadoran finished off a counterattack with a slick left-footed finish.

Ceres got a consolation goal through Nate Burkey’s 69th minute header.

Bahadoran was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.