By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines�Stallions FC, more fluid in its attacking game early on, stunned defending champion Global FC, 3-2, at the start of the United Football League Cup Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Francis Gustilo and Jovanie Simpron put the all-Ilonggo side on top, 2-0, at halftime before Ruben Doctora appeared to have put the outcome beyond doubt with his 54th-minute strike.
But Global, galvanized by the entry of substitute Janrick Soriano, struck back in the 66th minute thanks to Remi Sery, before Izo El-Habbib made it close six minutes from time.
In the first UFL match aired live on national television, Global was denied of an equalizer in controversial fashion in second-half injury time when Japanese midfielder Yu Hoshide slid in to meet Soriano�s cross in front of goal only for the linesman to flag him offside.
Still, it was a remarkable result for Stallions, who came into the game as heavy underdogs after Global upgraded its lineup during the offseason with the acquisition of Hoshide and Angel Guirado.
The Fil-Spanish striker didn�t play because of an injured ankle he sustained in the Philippine Azkals� 0-2 loss to Singapore in an international friendly Friday night.
�It (the win) means a lot considering we are in the Group of Death,� said Stallions coach Ernie Nierras, whose team is also bracketed with powerhouse Pachanga and dangerous Queen City Cebu United.
Looking to avenge their 1-nil loss to Global in the quarterfinals last season, Stallions got off to a bright start with Gustilo finding the back of the net with a shot from near the halfline in the 10th minute.
Simpron broke through the Global defense in the 44th minute to double the lead, before Doctora added to Stallions� tally by following up his saved shot nine minutes into the second half.
Soriano�s introduction in the 60th minute sparked the Global attack and his menacing runs on the left flank created the opportunity for Sery to volley past Wilson Munoz.
El-Habbib headed home a cross from the right six minutes from time.
�We were still lucky because if they had 10 more minutes, they would have equalized,� said Nierras.
inquirer.net
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Stallion FC XI : Albor, Braga, Cordova, Doctora Jr. (C), Escoltero, Gustilo, Hugo, Italia, Martinez Jr., Munoz (GK), Simpron
GLOBAL XI: Ayi, Bahadoran, Barbaso, Basa, Izzo Elhabbib, Espinosa, Guizo, Yushide, Kama, Pascual, Seri
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