Global Cebu looks to snatch AFC Cup win in Singapore
UNABLE to complete the job on home soil in the first leg of its Asian Football Confederation Cup ASEAN Zonal Semifinals, Philippine club Global Cebu FC looks to a better ending in the second leg today against Home United FC in Singapore.
Held to a 2-2 draw following a last- second goal from Home United at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium (RMFS) on May 16, Global tries to finish on top of things in its away match to advance to the zonal finals of the region’s secondary club football tournament hosted by the AFC.
Playing in front of the hometown fans in the first leg, Global had control of the game for much of the contest.
Forward Darryl Roberts put the home team on the board first with a goal in the 15th minute but Home United pulled even in the 33rd minute with midfielder Adam Swandi finding the bottom of the net.
Global defender Amani Aguinaldo would give back the lead to Global in the 52nd minute with a strike from close range.
Unfortunately for Mr. Aguinaldo and Global, he was sent off 25 minutes later following consecutive yellow cards in the 71st and 76th minute. The red card left him unavailable for today’s match.
Despite the departure of their defender and being reduced to 10 men, Global managed to stay in control of the game and was seemingly on its way to bagging the key win.
But substitute Stipe Plazibat and Home United, however, had other plans, making full use of the four-minute stoppage time with the forward scoring on a last-gasp strike that sent Global and the local fans that trek to the RMFS in utter disbelief.
“We had a lot of good chances in the game but Home United played well in the end. We should have won the game. We are frustrated about the result but it’s over now and we just have to move on,” said interim Global coach Marjo Allado in the postgame press conference.
“It’s not the end for us. We still have the second leg to look forward to. We are going to focus on it and remain optimistic,” he added.
On the part Home United, it said it knows it is in better position playing at home following the 2-2 draw it was able to hack out in the first leg but is fully aware that it has to be on top of its game if it is to dispatch Global.
“Yeah, this win is big because we head back home and play in front of our fans. I think we are a strong team at home and we don’t lose much there. This win is a big motivation as we play for the second leg,” said Home United manager Aidil Shahrin.
“[But] I don’t look at the two away goals. Our aim for the next game is to win. It’s not safe to play the draw. Anything can happen in football so we will go for a win nothing less,” he added, referring to the two away goals they scored in the first leg which gave them a good cushion and could well be the difference for them to advance.
The Global- Home United second-leg match will be shown live over FOX Sports beginning at 8 p.m.