Global loses to S’pore, bows out of AFC Cup
MANILA – Stipe Plazibat proved to be the thorn on the side of Global Football Club as he led Home United to a come-from-behind 3-2 victory in the second leg of the 2017 AFC Cup zonal semifinals in Singapore.
Plazibat, who also denied Global a victory with his last- minute goal for a 2-2 draw in the first leg two weeks ago, uncorked two straight goals in the final three minutes to turn things around for the Singapore squad.
“I am disappointed because we were almost there but we came short,” said Global head coach Marjo Allado. “My players gave it all to win this game but it turned different when one of our players got a red card.”
This was the second straight year that Global, a two-time United Football League champion, failed to go beyond the AFC Cup zonal semifinals after its loss to Johor Darul Tazim of Malaysia last year.
With the Philippine squad holding on to a 2-1 advantage Tuesday night, Plazibat tied things up with a conversion i n the 89th minute. The Croatian import pushed the Singaporeans ahead with a buzzer-beating hit in the 92nd minute.
Global’s Kemy Agustien scored via penalty kick in the third minute, but Home United was quick to respond with a conversion by Song Ui Yong for a 1-1 score at the half.
The Philippine-based team regained the lead early in the second half with Shu Sasaki scoring on a header, but Global got a huge blow as Dennis Villanueva was sent off with a red card for a tackle.
Home United, which won the series with an aggregate score of 5-4, will wait for the winner between Ceres Negros Football Club and Johor Darul Tazim for the two-leg zonal finals./