UFL: Global blanks Pasargad; Navy, Nomads tie

MANILA, Philippines – Ten-man Global bucked the absence of its key players and blanked newly promoted Pasargad, 2-0, Saturday for its first victory in the United Football League at the UMak field.

Cameroonian striker Alex Obiang scored from the penalty spot before assisting Ahmed Hwedi’s strike in the second half as Global, even without key players Angel Guirado and Carli de Murga, bounced back from a 1-2 defeat to Army last Sunday.

“It’s a good result,” said Global coach Graeme MacKinnon. “The important thing is we keep improving.”

Earlier, a gritty Navy Red Juice side held Nomads to a 1-1 tie for its first point of the season.

Former national team striker Marlon Pinero scored the equalizer in the 64th minute to cancel out Frenchman Toullec Loic’s opener at the stroke of halftime.

The result lifted Nomads on top of the table after earning a point from the draw, jacking up their total to four points from two matches.

A moment of indecision by Navy goalkeeper Tomas Talipan allowed Loic to pounce on an opening in the 45th minute.

But after Nomads wasted a couple of good chances, Navy made them pay as two of the most senior players in the league combined for the equalizer.

Loreto Kalalang, the 43-year-old defender, headed the ball into the area from the far post and the 40-year-old Pinero was quick to head it past Jeff Blake.

Nomads were unlucky not to have scored more as Phil Connoly was denied by the post twice and Nicholas Hacker also had a shot hit the bar in the second half.