Sudanese keys Global win vs Archers

MANILA, Philippines - Sudanese striker Izzeldin El Habib unleashed a brace as Global FC overpowered a Chieffy Caligdong-led Green Archers United-Globe, 5-1, to seize the solo lead in the First Division of the 2013 United Football League at the McKinley Hill grounds of the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

The win sent Global to the top with nine points on three victories with former co-leaders Stallion FC and a Phil and James Younghusband-led Loyola Meralco Sparks dropping to joint second with six points on two triumphs apiece.

Just four minutes after Carli de Murga rolled in an 11th minute goal, El Habib blasted away another to give the Global booters, the defending League champions and runners-up in last year’s Cup, an early 2-0 lead.

Christian Floriano Pasilan Jr. cut it to just a one-goal deficit by unleashing a 49th minute rocket but Global came through with an El Habib-sparked three-goal binge in the second half to turn a close contest to a rout.

El Habib made it a 3-1 advantage with his second goal on the 56th before Patrick Reichelt and Marvin Janner Angeles, both members of the Phl Azkals team, delivered their own goals on the 60th and 84th, respectively.

El Habib’s effort also put him on top with most number of goals with six, two ahead of teammate Pasilan and Stallion strikers Kim Hyo Il of Korea and Rufino Familiar Sanchez of Spain.

In contrast, Caligdong continued to struggle, staying scoreless this year since he transferred from Air Force to Green Archers United, which fell to its third straight defeat.

Nomads and an LBC-backed Kaya FC fought to a scoreless draw and stayed at joint fourth with three points on a win and a draw against a defeat.

Meanwhile, Stallion and Loyola, bunched at No. 2 with six points apiece, seek to join Global atop the heap as the two take on Army FC and Air Force FC at 5:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively, today at the McKinley Hill grounds.