Global wins sans coach; Stallion routs PSG in UFL

MANILA, Philippines – Defending United Football League (UFL) champion Global found a way to win despite without head coach Brian Reid as it scooted past Nomads, 2-1, Thursday night at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill, Taguig.

Team manager Dan Palami took over the coaching chores while Reid went home to Scotland to attend to a previous commitment.

Palami, who is also the Azkals team manager, guided Global to its second straight win by pouncing on a second-half lapse by Nomads.

Sudanese striker Izzo ElHabib came through with the tournament’s fastest goal just four minutes into the match to put Global up on board, 1-nil, in the opening half.

But Nomads surprisingly engaged Global to a toe-to-toe battle after that ElHabib early strike. Former Global player Fidelis Nnabuife came back to haunt his old team with the equalizer just before the halftime break.

“I know they are always a threat with their heft, but we shouldn’t have given that away,” Palami said. “Nobody took the initiative to take the second ball after the clearance that’s why they were given time to make that shot.”

Global recovered their bearings in the second half thanks to an own goal by substitute Bafio Magassa in the 50^th minute. Magassa, who should have started for Nomads if not for the Valentine’s Day traffic, accidentally headed home a goal while defending ElHabib at the mouth of Global's goal.

The costly error went down as the game’s biggest difference as Nomads fell down despite starting keeper Friso Klok’s superb saves in the latter part of the match.

Magassa had a chance to redeem himself when he found an opening off a free kick at the end of regulation but shot it wide.

Global got a piece of the lead tied with idle Loyola Meralco Sparks and reigning UFL Cup champion Stallion-Sta. Lucia, who blanked Pasargad, 4-nil, in the first match.

Korean import Kim Hyo Il completed a brace via penalty kicks while Spanish Rufo Sanchez and Brazilian-Japanese Daniel Matsunaga added one goal each for Stallion-Sta. Lucia’s second consecutive win.