Elhabib’s hat-trick powers Global over Forza

MANILA, Philippines – Global FC leaned on Sudan's Izo Elhabib's hat-trick as it stamped its class on Forza FC, 4-0, to seize the Group D lead in the United Football League Cup at the Emperador Stadium in Taguig City Thursday night.

Elhabib opened up the scoring after converting on a header off a beautiful delivery from Angel Guirado, one of the Azkals who suited for the match, on the 12th minute. Mark Hartmann then struck 10 minutes later to give the Dan Palami-managed booters a 2-0 halftime lead.

The Sudanese striker then unleashed a pair of rockets spanning just two minutes starting on the 50th to give Global its second straight victory and six match points, which was good enough for the solo lead in their bracket.

The most anxious moment for Global, a strong semifinal finisher in the Singapore Cup a few months back, came when Misagh Bahadoran had to be carried out on a stretcher following an injury in the first half.

Bahadoran is being evaluated and will go some tests to know the extent of his injury at press time.

The setback sent Forza, which stunned last season's Division II champion Team Socceroo, 2-0, in its first outing, down to second spot with three points.

General Trias International posted its first win by downing Team Socceroo, 2-0, to move a goal differential away from Forza also with three points.

Team Socceroo fell at the bottom of its four-team bracket after absorbing a second straight defeat.

Shink Seok Jeon and Critituto Pino accounted for General Trias' pair of goals.