Global turns back Loyola Meralco, nails 1st finals berth

MANILA, Philippines -- Global relied on late goals by substitutes Edgar Briones and Izzo El Habbib as it turned back Loyola Meralco Sparks, 2-1, to book the first finals berth in the United Football League's FA League Cup at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Tuesday night.

Briones cashed in on Spanish defender Joaco Canas' failure to settle Sudanese El Habbib's header by heading home the first goal of the match himself on the 85th minute of regulation play.

Mark Hartmann then set up El Habbib for dagger of the goal on the third minute of added time.

Loyola's Phil Younghusband then scored on a penalty kick to cut their deficit to a goal a play later but the Sparks didn't have enough time to level the score, sealing the win for Global side.

"We're a little bit tired but happy we won," said Global's Scottish coach Leigh Manson.

Champions of the last three UFL tournaments, the Global-Loyola match was reeking with subplots after Loyola won the UFL Cup last year and beat Global, 4-0, early this year.

"Loyola is a tough side, we're glad we won against a great team," said Manson.

Global will thus play the winner of the other semis match pitting Ceres-La Salle Bacolod and Pachanga Diliman, which was being played at press time, on Thursday at the same newly renovated Rizal pitch.