Global blanks Erco-Bro, sails to PFF Smart semis

Matches today (Rizal Memorial Stadium)

4 p.m. – Stallion vs Loyola Meralco

7 p.m. – Global vs Ceres

MANILA, Philippines - Global FC rode on the blazing gun of Izzo El-Habib to demolish Erco-Bro FC of Cebu, 9-0, and cruise to the semifinals of the PFF Smart National Club Championship Tuesday night at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

El-Habib fired five goals against the hapless Cebu club to power Global to its second win against a draw for seven points and the No. 1 seed in Group B. Global, the reigning United Football League (UFL) titlist, renews its rivalry with nemesis Ceres-La Salle FC, the No. 2 team from Group A, in tonight’s semis.

Two-time defending champion Ceres has been the thorn on Global’s side, beating the latter each time they faced off in the tourney, including the finals of the 2013 edition, and repeating its mastery in the championship in the last UFL FA League Cup.

“We have to match Ceres’ motivation,” said Global coach Leigh Manson. “Global against Ceres is always a big game. It will be exciting.”

Iloilo’s Stallion FC clinched the second semis berth in Group B, also with seven points after a 10-1 drubbing of North Cotabato’s M’Lang FC. Stallion goes up against Loyola Meralco Sparks, the top seed from Group A, in the other Last-4 duel.

El-Habib opened the game with a hat-trick inside the first 18 minutes as Global immediately imposed its will against Erco. Skipper Misagh Bahadoran joined the fray with a 25th minute strike then Yu Hoshide sent his free kick to the back of the net for a 5-0 tear.

Sudanese El-Habib went on to score two more goals in the 63rd and 77th to complete his heroics. Mark Hartmann (65’) and John Kanayama (90’) rounded up Global’s scorers.