Global upends Ceres; Kaya snaps winless spell

Matthew Hartmann struck in the first half as Global Cebu made a triumphant homecoming at the expense of fierce rival Ceres Negros, 1-0, on Wednesday night and move up to third in the Philippines Football League at Cebu City Sports Center.

Playing its first match at home, Global also drew a solid game from goalkeeper Patrick Deyto, who produced a string of saves to preserve a clean sheet and lift the Cebu side to a fifth win in eight matches.

Hartmann scored in the 43rd minute, curling the ball home from a difficult angle and catching Ceres substitute goalkeeper Michael Casas off his line.

The second edition of the Visayas Clasico also had its share of controversy with Ceres complaining on Tuesday about the conditions of the pitch.
The Cebu Football Association and Global only had three weeks to prepare the field, which had some uneven areas without grass.

“It was very important because we got all three points,” said Global Cebu FC head coach Marjo Allado, whose side avenged a 0-1 defeat last month at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod.

“These players never want to let down the fans. We focused on the game, not on the field.”

Still, the match drew a league record 5,350 fans.

Ceres goalkeeper Roland Muller was also sent off in the 12th minute for a challenge on Sekou Sylla, who was also given a straight red after the incident.

Over at Biñan Football Stadium, Kaya FC Makati snapped a three-match winless run with a 3-1 win over Stallion Laguna.

The result meant Global moved up to third with 17 points, while Kaya jumped to fourth with 14 points. Ceres fell to fifth with 13 points, while Stallion is still in seventh with three points.