UFL Cup: Stallions shock Global to win UFL Cup

The Stallions came in as slight underdogs, but surprised a Global side filled with Azkals, Monday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, with a 2-1 win in the UFL Cup Final.

The Stallions took the lead early in the game as some intricate passing saw Jason De Jong find Balut Doctora inside the area, and he slid his shot past Roland Sadia to put his team in front.

Global equalized less than a minute later, restarting the game by hitting it long, as Izzo El Habbib got on the end of a cross to nod it past Wilson Munoz. The sides played out a fairly even first half before Stallions got in front in the second, breaking down the right to find Rufo Sanchez in the middle. He headed in to put his side in front as the Stallions closed the game out to dethrone Global and win UFL Cup glory.

First half

The game started quickly with some intricate passing on the best pitch the UFL has had at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Rufo Sanchez was sent through on goal early on and he lobbed Roland Sadia in Global’s goal but as the ball rebounded off the crossbar, the referee blew for offside.

Global then missed a long ball as Ruben Doctora raced through on goal but couldn’t quite reach it before Sadia got there and gathered it to safety. That said the reigning UFL champs didn’t heed the warnings, and moments later the Stallions took the lead through ‘Balut,’ as the striker, later named the ‘Golden Ball’ winner, or Most Valuable Player of the tournament, controlled a Jason De Jong through ball and slotted into the goal.

Global FC replied immediately, taking the center and hitting it long with Izzo El Habbib on the end of the cross to head past Munoz in goal putting the teams back on level terms.

El Habbib then almost put Global ahead, but directed his next shot straight at the Stallion keeper before Stallions’ top scorer, Rufo Sanchez, had a goal disallowed as he barged into Sadia from a cross and backheeled the loose ball into the goal, the referee blowing for the foul on the Global keeper.

Global tried to rally and Patrick Reichelt was lively on the right, dribbling to the byline and crossing for Demit Omphroy, but his header drifted wide and Munoz was able to gather it cleanly. The frustration began showing for Global as Omphroy then received the first yellow card of the game for dragging down his man, as the two tussled for the ball before the half-time whistle.

Second half

Jovanie Simpron opened the second half shooting wide before Global made the first change of the game, bringing in Alex Obbiang for Demit Omphroy, hoping that he’d repeat his goalscoring form from the semifinals, where he opened the scoring against Loyola.

Yet Stallions were the ones looking dangerous on the counter as Pi Yong Jae found space on the right to cross in for Rufo Sanchez, unmarked in the center, and the striker on loan scored his eighth goal of the competition.

Global almost rallied with another immediate reply, with Juani Guirado’s long ball finding Patrick Reichelt on the right. The winger cut inside, but shot straight at Munoz. Global continued to press forward with Jeffrey Christiaens crossing into the box and the ball pinballing for a moment, before Izzo lashed over from the penalty spot.

Some intricate passing saw Christiaens integral to the Global attack again, the converted wingback picking out Carli De Murga, but the ball over the top was just too close to the goalkeeper who claimed it.

Marwin Angeles then replaced Carli De Murga as Global looked to change the game and Izzo almost equalized in spectacular fashion as Christiaens headed a cross to the striker who chested the ball before attempting a bicycle kick, though the ball just went narrowly over the bar.

Patrick Reichelt was then sent free on the right and cut inside again, but Joaquin Canas, the other Spanish loannee of Stallions, blocked the shot before heading away under heavy pressure from El Habbib.

Stallions made a change of their own as OJ Clarino was brought into the game, and the teenager almost had an immediate impact, being sent through on the right before Jerry Barbaso chased back and put in a well-timed last minute tackle. Global then had their best chance to equalize as Juani Guirado got forward to latch onto Izzo El Habbib’s flick on header, but from the left, he blasted just over the bar.

It was the last action the Global defender would see as he was subbed for Kevin Capolei with Global making their last roll of the dice, but Izzo El Habbib headed the last chance into Munoz’s grateful hands as the Stallions closed out the game to win the UFL Cup.

Stallions as challengers

The Stallions become only the third team to win the UFL Cup as Global failed to tie the Air Force on two titles. They also showed their class with quality passing and movement, sticking to their usual game plan despite facing pre-tournament favorites Global.

The win shows the Stallions will be challengers in the upcoming league competition too, as they move to solidify their top four status and win the league for the first time. Stallions goalkeeper Wilson Munoz won the Golden Glove award while Doctora’s MVP award puts him within a shout of an international call-up.

After starting as a colt in the Second Division, and then growing into a dark horse in the First Division, Stallions FC are now fully-formed, capping 2012 by claiming the UFL Cup. - AMD, GMA News