Global Cebu FC looks to build on big win over Malaysian Johor Darul Ta’zim
GLOBAL CEBU FC willed itself back to the top of the standings of Group F in the 2017 AFC Cup on Wednesday night, defeating visiting Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), 3-2, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Banking on a strong showing in the opening half, Global established some cushion early with three successive goals in a span of eight minutes, and did just enough to bring the win home in the end amid a furious charge back by JDT.
The victory thrust Global to the top spot of Group F in group play of the region’s secondary club football tournament hosted by the Asian Football Confederation with a 3-0-1 record and good for nine points, up two points over JDT (2-1-1), which slipped down to second spot.
It is a situation that “The People’s Club” looks to build on with two games left in its schedule as it furthers its cause to the next round.
“The first half was a good performance for us. But in the second we did not do as good. Just the same we are happy to secure the three points we got in this victory,” said Global’s Japanese coach Toshiaki Imai after their win, which incidentally was a payback for the 4-0 romp they were dealt by JDT in the previous game.
“Our players need to continue to be aggressive. We must attack when the opportunity presents itself and pressure our opponents,” Mr. Imai added. Global and JDT went toe-to-toe in the first 20 minutes of the contest before the home team went on a scoring spree that proved to be the turning point of the contest.
Midfielder Dennis Villanueva started the scoring parade, finding the bottom of the net in the 27th minute which teammate Shu Sasaki added to five minutes later to extend their lead to 2-0.
Defender Amani Aguinaldo then joined the fray in the 35th minute to help Global mount a 3-0 advantage by halftime.
JDT, however, was not to bow down quietly, scoring its first goal of the match in the 49th minute care of forward Gabriel Guera.
The Malaysian team continued to press Global thereafter and narrowed its deficit some more with Mr. Guera scoring another goal in the 83rd minute.
That is the closest JDT would come though as Global would eventually hang on for the win.
Global next plays on April 19 against tailending Mangwe FC (0-2-2) of Myanmar in Yangon where it hopes to welcome back skipper Misagh Bahadoran who missed last Wednesday’s match because of knee injury.
“We are still not sure if Misagh will be back for our next game but we are hoping he will be available because he is one of our key players,” Mr. Imai said.
JDT, meanwhile, takes on third-running Beoungket Angkor FC (1-1-2) of Cambodia in Phnom Penh also on April 19.
In the AFC Cup, only the top three teams in the ASEAN groupings and the best second-ranked club advance to the next round. —