UFL: Army stuns Global, 2-1

By Joey Villar

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Army Fritz and Macziol played David in pulling the rug from under the Goliath in Global with a stunning 2-1 victory to jumpstart its campaign in the United Football League at the Nomads football pitch in Paranaque over the weekend.

Relan Bretana, a 25-year-old product of the country's center of football universe in Barotac Nueva, Iloilo, blasted in two goals, one in each half, to give the Army men enough cushion to weather Global's late, desperate attempt at turning things around.

The stunning win sent Army into the win column with three points alongside opening day winners LBC-backed Kaya and Loyola Meralco Sparks and Stallion Gilligan's FC and Nomads Auction Manila FC.

It also avenged Army's painful setback at the hands of the Dan Palami-owned Global, the runner-up in last year's edition, in the Round-of-16 of the Cup where the latter wound up third late last year.

Most importantly, the win gave the Armed Forces something to proud of as it made up for heartbreaking losses by Air Force Phoenix, the reigning Cup and League champion, to Kaya, 0-1, at the Rizal pitch Saturday and by Navy to Stallions, 0-6, at the UMak Sunday.

"I would like to thank our superiors for allowing us to give more time on training. It really helped us to focus on the league," said Army team captain and Azkals member Roel Gener in Filipino.

"I must also give credit to everyone for stepping up," he added.

Misagh Bahadoran, a Fil-Iranian striker, struck with his first goal after a long while, scoring on the 88th minute to close the gap but time just ran out on a Global side touted as one of the four clubs fancied to seriously contend for the league title like Air Force, Loyola and Kaya.

It didn't help that Azkals standout, Fil-Spanish Angel Guirado, who appeared in his first start with Global, was sent off following a red card for a dangerous challenge on Lawrence Badua on the 77th minute.

And not even a late goal by Bahadoran could stop Army from nailing the win from there.

"We pressured Angel (Guirado) all game, I think that's important," said Gener.

Global, a squad managed by Palami that is making its first Division One appearance after going unbeaten in the second division a couple of years ago, dominated possession almost all throughout the match but just didn't have an answer to Bretana.

Bretana opened up the scoring for Army with a 40th minute goal made possible after Meliton Pelayo dispossessed Global defender Jerry Barbaso and sent a whipping cross to the streaking Barotac-born striker for the beautiful finish.

Bretana buckled down to work five minutes into the second half as his blocked attempt was completely miscalculated by Global goalie Paolo Pascual before it found the back of the net for his second goal.

philstar