Behgandom stars in Global's big win

MANILA, Philippines -- Iranian striker Milad Behgandom came through with an early hat-trick as he carried Global FC to a one-sided 7-0 victory over listless Pasargad to solidify its grip of the top spot in the First Division of the United Football League at the Emperador Stadium Saturday night.

Back in the starting line up for the first time in the last three matches, Behgandom responded by firing three goals in the first 20 minutes including one in the 10-second mark, which went to the league record books as the fastest goal scored in a game.

Those goals were enough to set the tone for the ghastly rout and send Global well-perched at the helm with 37 points, a clear four points ahead of former leader Loyola Meralco Sparks with 33.

Behgandom got his first rocket straight from the kickoff that Fil-Brit Mark Hartmann followed with looping shot that connected on the 19th minute.

Not yet contented, Behgandom came through with a pair of goals in a hurry to complete the hat-trick while zapping the fight out of Pasargad.

The other goal scorers for Global were Diasuke Sato, Charles Petty and Jeffrey Christaens, all coming in the second half.

In the other match, Kaya rallied from a goal deficit in the first half and eked out a 4-2 win over Team Socceroo on second half goals on Pablo Rodriguez and Kenshiro Daniels to hike its total to 30, seven off the pace and just three from second-running Loyola.

Christian Ayew opened the scoring for the LBC-bankrolled Kaya side but Lee Jeong Woo knotted the count with a penalty kick before giving Team Socceroo a 2-1 advantage.
It was Team Socceroo's last show of force as Azkals standout Anton del Rosario leveled up the score with a rocket just before the halftime break and Rodriguez and Daniels delivering the clinchers.