Global skipper Misagh Bahadoran marveled at his club’s historic victory Tuesday night in the AFC Champions League.
But with an even tougher challenge waiting for the Filipino club in Australia on Tuesday, Bahadoran called on his teammates to immediately shift their focus on targeting another upset, this time against A-League side Brisbane Roar in the second preliminary round of the continent’s top club competition.
Bahadoran scored the second goal after assisting on Ahamd Azzawi’s opener as Global dismissed Singapore side Tampines Rovers in their debut at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
“I’m so happy to be part of this biggest victory ever by a Philippine football club,” the Azkals star added. “It’s just amazing. But it doesn’t stop here. We have to focus on our next match in Australia.”
More than settling an old score against the Singaporeans, who beat them twice last year in Singapore, Global moved within two wins from reaching the main draw of the competition. But a loss to Brisbane, bannered by Australian national team star Tommy Oar, would send the Filipinos back to the second-tier AFC Cup. A win however paves the way for a titanic clash with Chinese Super League powerhouse Shanghai Shenhua on Feb. 7.