GLOBAL, a squad hitting top form at the right time, looks to collect the reward of a strong season as it battles powerhouse Loyola Meralco tonight in the United Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Leading by two points over the second-running Kaya side, Global needs just a draw in the 8 p.m. clash against the Sparks to give the Dan Palami-managed side its first UFL title and its second trophy since it bagged the UFL Cup in January last year.
Kaya earlier battles Stallion-Giligans at 6 p.m. needing a win plus a victory by the Sparks over Global later to pip the leader for the title.
A Global draw and a Kaya win would tie both teams, but the former would get the title due to a superior goal difference.
Global, with 41 points on 13 wins, two draws and two losses, is expected to cap its strong run by going all out against the Sparks, who looked on track last week until they went down to Air Force and were held to a draw by Nomads Auction Manila.
“We will not leave our fate to the result of other teams,” said Palami. “We want to end the season the right way and that is by winning against Loyola.”
The match will pit the stars of the national side against each other with Loyola standouts Phil and James Younghusband and Anto Gonzales battling Angel Guirado and Carli de Murga.
Global, undefeated in the last 13 matches, will miss winger Misagh Bahadoran because of suspension, after he was sent off in the 4-0 drubbing of Air Force.
The resurgence of Sudanese striker Izzo El-Habbib and Alex Obiang as well as the steady play of Japanese midfielder Yu Hoshide has been instrumental to Global’s rise in the season’s second half.
Kaya has been boosted by the return of captain Aly Borromeo, who has scored twice since returning from a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Pasargad scored four goals in the last seven minutes to rally past Army Fritz and Macziol, 6-3, and climb to fifth spot with 21 points.