Global Cebu beats Yangon

Global Cebu FC got a morale-boosting win in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup after beating Group G leader Yangon United FC, 2-1, last Tuesday night in the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

Just a week ago, Yangon United FC convincingly defeated Global Cebu FC, 3-0, in Yangon, Myanmar. The Cebuano side, however, made up for a sub-par outing in its first three matches by beating previously unbeaten Yangon United FC with two late goals from both of its strikers to log the club’s first victory in the AFC Cup.

“What’s important for us as of the moment is we won, we got the three points, and won back the confidence of the players,” said Global Cebu FC head coach Marjo Allado. “As for my two strikers, they finally found their rhythm because for the past three games they only had attempts but couldn’t put the ball in the net.” Trinidadian forward Darryl Roberts drew first blood in the 79th minute with a header inside the box coming off a free kick by Dominic del Rosario. Maung Maung Lwin hit the equalizer in the 90th minute after connecting a low-diving header from a cross by Kyi Lin.

When everyone thought that it was headed to another draw at home for Global Cebu FC, Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez was fouled by Ivorian defender Kekere Moukailou inside the box for a penalty shot in added time.

Sanchez took the shot and beat Yangon United FC goalkeeper for the clincher in the fifth minute of injury time.

“As I said in the last game, we had a mountain to climb. It’s not impossible, and everything is possible in football. We knew tonight coming into the game that we had to get the three points that was necessary. In the last five minutes of the game, we kept on pushing for that goal. We were a bit unlucky that we conceded (a goal) but at the end of the night the three points was necessary and it was important for our progress into the next game. Hopefully we can take this step forward and continue on our victorious run,” said Roberts.

The other Group G match between FLC Thanh Hoa and Bali United FC ended in a scoreless draw.