Global crushes Stallion, zooms in on league-leading Loyola

MANILA, Philippines – Global FC came through with an imposing effort as it sent defending champion Stallion FC to its knees with an emphatic 5-1 victory to close in on leader Loyola Meralco Sparks in the First Division of the United Football League at the Emperador Stadium Thursday night.

Mark Hartmann came through with the best performance as he scored a brace while assisting on two more goals to send the Dan Palami-managed Global side up to solo second place with 19 points, or just a point behind the league-leading Sparks with 20 points.

Misagh Bahadoran, a member of the Philippine Azkals, also had a double while Milad Behgandom delivered the only other strike for the Global booters, who ended their first round campaign within striking distance of Loyola.

The win sent Global back to its feet after a subpar effort in a scoreless draw with Green Archers United-Globe last week.

For Stallion, the reigning titlist, it suffered its third defeat against three wins and a couple of draws that dealt a big blow to its title-retention chances.

Bahadoran headed home the first goal off a free kick from Hartmann right on the third minute before making it a brace after unleashing a rocket from close range on the 30th.

Hartmann then assisted Behgandom, who scored on a header five minutes later, giving Global a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Stallion responded as Simone Rota, who has been called up to suit up for the national squad, unloaded a strike to give his team its first goal of the match while slicing its deficit down to just two goals.

And then it was Hartmann's turn to shine in the second half as the Fil-Brit striker came through with a double of his own, the first a right-footed goal off a nice, crafty pass from Behgandom on the 64th and another in added time when he hit a rocket also in close range.

"We played a lot better in the second half," said Global coach Leigh Manson.