Reigning league champion Global launched its campaign in style, thumping Pasargad, 3-1, last night at the start of the United Football League Cup competition at Rizal Memorial field.
First half goals from Sudanese forward Izo El-Habbib and Carli de Murga and an early second-half strike by Misagh Bahadoran ensured a flying start for the strengthened Global side in Group A.
Pasargad’s Iranian forward Masood Shedidih scored on a sensational strike in the second half to avert the shutout at 3-1. But De Murga moved up to midfield and Global regained control.
Flaunting the strength of its lineup, Global unveiled new recruits Denis Wolf and Matthew Uy in the starting eleven.
De Murga was fielded as a makeshift central defender, while Bahadoran started on the left wing with Patrick Reichelt occupying the right flank.
Bahadoran found Wolf in space on the left, and the Fil-German crossed for El-Habbib to tuck home in the far post in the 15th minute.
De Murga doubled the lead in the 39th minute as he was quickest to react and headed home after El-Habbib’s free kick hit the crossbar.
Bahadoran put the outcome beyond doubt with a fine run down the middle, before firing low past Kenneth Dolloso. The Pasargad defense was backtracking, giving Bahadoran space to shoot and make it 3-nil.