Global booters ground Airmen, reclaim lead

MANILA, Philippines - Global FC achieved what Loyola Meralco Sparks FC had failed to do, beating Air Force Phoenix, 4-0, to regain the solo lead and build a cushion in the race for the First Division title in the United Football League at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The victory, their 13th against two draws and two losses, hiked the Global booters’ points total to 41, moving past idle Kaya FC, which has 39 points on a 12-3-2 (win-draw-loss) record.

Sudanese striker Izzeldin Elhabbib came through with a pair of goals in both halves to help secure the win for Global, which will be needing just a draw against Loyola Meralco Sparks FC on Tuesday, also at the Rizal pitch, to nail the First Division crown.

Alex Obiang opened things up with an 11th minute goal and after that brace by Elhabbib, Patrick Reichelt put the game away with a 72nd minute rocket.

Kaya FC can actually snatch the crown if it could beat Stallion Gilligan’s FC also on Tuesday and hope that Global FC loses to Loyola.

A win by Kaya and a draw between Global and Loyola will forge a two-way tie for the lead between Kaya and Global but the latter would clinch the championship with a bigger goal difference.

The Sparks were actually eliminated out of title contention following their 2-2 draw against Nomads Auction Manila last Friday night as they slid to third with 36 points on an 11-3-3 slate.

Loyola led the match, 2-1, on goals by Mark Hartmann and Jeong Byeong Yeol but a late goal by Steven Borrill helped Nomads, which drew a goal from David Denison on the 54th minute, forced the standoff.