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Global FC shocks Yeedzin FC in AFC President’s Cup


Marwin Angeles (R) and the rest of Global had a smashing debut, getting a 5-0 victory. Anton Sheker

Cebu - It was an extremely humid Wednesday and Cebu City Sports Center’s Abellana Field was not at its finest. However, neither factor could stop Global FC's rampage, as the 2012 UFL league champs exploded for a 5-0 win against Yeedzin FC in the Philippine's debut in the AFC president's Cup.

First half

Jerry Barbaso, the easiest player to spot from anywhere in the stadium because of his afro, bore the captain’s armband for the game against the team from Bhutan.

Global was clearly the more enterprising team very early in the game, with the ball barely making it past its midfielders. Finally, an attempt was made by Yeedzin, but the best they could do was send the ball way over the crossbar.  

The Philippine side hastily fought back and a Jeffrey Christiaens throw-in found Patrick Reichelt’s head, allowing the Philippine side to draw first blood at the five-minute mark. Inexplicably though, the referee showed a yellow card to Carlie de Murga, supposedly for time wasting.

However, the rampage was on. Just four minutes later, de Murga received the ball from fellow Azkal Misagh Bahadoran and made it look easy with a shot from just inside the box.

At the 14 minute, Ben Starosta played marauder, pressing in all the way from the back line to beat the Yeedzin defenders and send the ball into the back of the net for a 3-0 tally.

Starosta is one of only two foreigners playing for Global in the President’s Cup, since there is a two-foreigners-per-team rule in the tournament. Global’s other foreign player is a new goal keeper, Ivorian Moussa Sanogo, who stepped in for the injured Ronald Sadia as first-choice keeper. Azkal Juani Guirado, who is not a stranger to Global FC’s line, having played for the club in the United Football League, is also suiting up for Global in the tournament.

Global was not quite done yet, and at the 20 minute, Bahadoran also sent the ball sailing into Yeedzin’s net. All-in-all, the tourney newcomers had made four goals in twenty minutes.

A free kick for the Bhutan club at the next minute was on target but was easily saved by Sanogo.

Compared to his other teammates, Denis Wolf, starting for Global for the first time in weeks, looked a little lost on the field, and already had a few offsides called on him.

Yeedzin looked to have pressed the panic button early, and made substitutes relatively early in the game, switching out two players at the 28-minute mark.

For Global, Marvin Angeles came on at the thirtieth for the already yellow card-toting de Murga.

An indirect free kick was awarded to Yeedzin on a chaotic play that could have resulted in an own goal for Global at the 39th minute.  With Yeedzin finally showing signs of life, Sanogo was forced to make a save immediately after the near-mishap. The Ivorian goalkeeper signaled the team to calm down and play on.

Global head coach Brian Reid was clearly upset on the sidelines, as Global’s play seemed to bog down approaching the end of the half. That said, the damage had already been done and it was 4-0 for Global when the action was paused.

The Cebu chapter of Global Force went all out to cheer on the Philippine representative to the tourney. Anton Sheker

Second half

Yeedzin came out playing a better at the start of the second half, moving the ball around with better communication on the field. Global was just too good though, even if they weren’t playing the way they had in the first 20 minutes of the game and looked like they were in a haze.

The squad from Bhutan got a couple more looks at the goal, but nothing very troubling for Global yet, as the game entered the 60th minute.

At the 65th minute, Global awoke from its stupor enough for a Marwin Angeles header off a corner taken by Christiaens, increasing their advantage to a whopping 5-0.

Just a couple of minutes later, Joshua Beloya, recently acquired from Bacolod’s Ceres FC, came on for the ineffective Wolf, who might still be nursing an injury. Global’s Azkals contingent made a good showing of themselves perhaps save for him.

Clearly, Yeedzin was outclassed by Global, but coach Reid still egged his players on until the final whistle, sometimes standing on his toes at the very edge of his box to scream out instructions.

“We didn’t think Global FC was going to be this tall," said Yeedzin head coach Kinley Dorji. “Not as tall as FC Dordoi or KRL, they are very good in the air.”

The second half of the game was so short on action, and one of the highlights was perhaps Juani Guirado waving to the Global Force while taking a short water break at the sidelines as the game neared the 86th minute of play.

Global Force is Global FC’s official group of supporters and their Cebu chapter is rabid. Guirado’s wave set them off to cheer for the other members of the team individually, even substitute Aaron Altiche and coach Reid.

Global Force entertained the crowd with their varied chants especially in the rather lackluster second half.

Azkals Coach Michael Weiss was also part of the crowd watching the Global-Yeedzin game.

After the game, coach Reid said he was “very happy with the result. considering we didn’t know the strengths and weaknesses of the opponents.”

He also had good words for the spectators: “We’re absolutely delighted by the support, the noise. Hopefully we get them again on Friday and Sunday.”

What's next?

Global FC will face Pakistan’s KRL FC in their next game, Friday at 7:30pm. Just prior to that, at 4:30pm, FC Dordoi will face Yeedzin FC. Both games will be played at the Cebu Sity Sports Center on May 10, 2013. - AMD, GMA News
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