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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Great game. Gustillo's goal was just perfect. Looking forward to see more fantastic goals this season. I hope AKTV will feature weekly highlights to entice more casual fans to watch it live or on the TV. Feature each club's star players para makilala at maka-creat ng mga fans. Supportahan na natin!
ReplyDeleteSa mga tao dito na gustong makakita ng local player sa Azkals, mas dapat manood at sumoporta dahil dito mahasa, madevelop, tumaas ng level at makilala sila. Kung hindi lalago ang league, hopeless tayo makakita ng maraming local sa Philippine Team dahil maging dependent pa rin tayo sa foreign based players. Kung hindi kayo susuporta, hangang salita lng kayo at dapat tawagin na talangka, at dapat tumahimik na lng.
I hope Jason De Jong, Chad Gould, De Ocampo, Portiera will follow some of his teammates and sign with one of the clubs (much better on the weaker teams) to help in the development of football here. They have already helped in the development by playing for the country but they can surely help more if they will help the league get to the next level.
ReplyDeletego stallions!
ReplyDelete"I hope Jason De Jong, Chad Gould, De Ocampo, Portiera will follow some of his teammates and sign with one of the clubs (much better on the weaker teams) to help in the development of football here. They have already helped in the development by playing for the country but they can surely help more if they will help the league get to the next level."
ReplyDeleteWhat would be in it for them?? Money isn't great and career wise it's more than a few steps backwards.
You want the level of the local to improve significantly? Getting a few decent players to play in the league is barely anything. That comment of yours has been said a few times before and as just like before, it's quite boneheaded.
You want the level of the local to improve significantly? Getting a few decent players to play in the league is barely anything. That comment of yours has been said a few times before and as just like before, it's quite boneheaded.
ReplyDeleteToo pessimistic. We wont go nowhere with this kind of thinking.
Go Iloilo Stallions! I hope the games will be played nationwide or in the homecourt of any teams, so that football will be promoted more. Visayas & Mindanao have a potential in this sport. It should not only be focused in NCR. Iloilo Sports Complex & Panaad are capable to host the game. When no one mind the game of football, Ilonggos maintain the passion. Congratulations to the Stallions for the opening game - upsetting the defending champion. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PURE BREED ILONGGOS!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope when the Philippines build a football stadium, it will be named "Paulino Alcantara Stadium" a tribute to the greatest Ilonggo player. He was the first Filipino or maybe the first Asian to play in the European league. One of the greatest football players - scoring 357 goals in 357 games with FC Barcelona & still the record holder of the club until today. It was not broken by Messi or Ronaldinho.
ReplyDeletePlease search in youtube or wikipedia (Paulino Alcantara). Go! go! go! Ilonggos!
MAYABANG TALAGA NG MGA ILONGGO!!!
ReplyDeleteNAG SA SUGGEST LANG PO PARA MA PROMOTE YUNG FOOTBALL SA BUONG PILIPINAS. WAG MONG EH GENERALIZED YUNG BUONG ILONGGO RACE. ILONGGOS IN BACOLOD ARE DIFFERENT FROM ILONGGOS IN PANAY ISLAND. KUNG MAG COMMENT KA LANG MAN AT MAGSABI NG MASAMA, BETTER NA TUMAHIMIK KA NALANG.
ReplyDelete