Global FC grabs solo lead in UFL with 3-0 shutout of Pachanga

By Karlo Sacamos

THE view from the top seems hardly pleasing for Global FC.
The powerhouse side finally grabbed the solo lead in the United Football League, but left the Emperador Stadium wanting more despite a scoring a 3-0 shutout of Pachanga-PLDT Home Fibr on Tuesday night.
Global leaned on a solid first half where the the Azkals-loaded squad scored all its goals, before fending off a tough stand from its victims in the final 45 minutes.
“We actually feel disappointed with the way we played,” admitted Global coach Leigh Manson, whose team is coming off two nine-goal outputs. “That shows the standard we are trying to reach.”
Still, the end result merited celebration as Global dislodged Loyola Meralco on top by gaining a two-point advantage.
“We certainly prefer where we are today than where we were yesterday, but it’s too early to be thinking about whether we’re champions or not,” Manson said.
Izzo El-Habib fired a brace, while Jeffrey Christiaens added a goal and an assist for Global.
Christiaens opened the scoring three minutes into the gap with a chip shot that went past goalkeeper Steve Yambou, before El-Habib, in only his third start of the season, doubled the lead with a strike of a deflected Mark Hartmann cross in the 28^th minute.
Nine minutes later, the Sudanese striker converted a Christiaens cross to give Global a commanding lead.
Global conjured more chances that were thwarted by the Pachanga defense after the restart.
“Yung positive is we really stepped up in the second half,” said Pachanga coach Noel Marcaida, whose team was in the final game of a tough four-game schedule where it faced the top teams in the league. “We really showed ano talagang capability mayroon yung Pachanga.”

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