Global FC (PHI) vs Brunei DPMM
(May 31, Saturday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
Written by: Kenneth Ho
A tantalising clash is set to await spectators at Jalan Besar as the two sides at the top of their respective leagues meet in the preliminary rounds of the 2014 RHB Singapore Cup.
Seven points clear of their nearest opponents in Philippines’ top-flight league, Global are well poised to claim the United Football League title with five games to go.
Brunei DPMM are doing well in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League too, as they currently are perched above the likes of Warriors FC and Tampines Rovers.
Things could be tough for the Bruneian side though, as they come in to this game on the back of a demoralising 1-0 defeat by fellow title-challengers Warriors FC.
On the other hand, Global last tasted defeat in February, at the hands of Kaya in their own domestic league. Since then, they have gone a nine-game unbeaten run, while scoring an astonishing 43 goals along the way.
Though Global have been scoring freely, it is improbable they will have it as easy against DPMM as they do to their domestic counterparts.
DPMM currently have the meanest defence in the league, with only seven goals conceded so far. Marshalled by the ever-dependable Boris Raspudic, Global’s frontline will have a tough time breaking through their opponents’ defence.
Global was involved in the tournament last year as well, and had a good run till the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual runner-ups Tanjong Pagar.
However, their hopes of going on a similar good run this year will have taken a beating, as they will be missing several key players.
Amani Aguinaldo, Jason De Jong, Daisuke Sato have all reported for international duty with Philippines due to the AFC Challenge Cup final against Palestine on 30 May in Maldives, with the winner qualifying for the 2015 Australia Asian Cup
While Global did triumphed over DPMM last year en-route to the semi-finals, they are now missing Carli De Murga and Rufino Sanchez who both scored against the Bruneian side in the quarter finals last year to propel the Filipino side past DPMM after a two-legged 5-4 aggregate win.
Global FC’s Squad for 2014 RHB Singapore Cup
Goalkeepers: Florencio Badelic Jr., Paolo Pascual.
Defenders: Amani Aguinaldo, Jerry Barbaso, Jeffrey Christaens, Neil Bacolod Dorimon, Nino Ochotorena, Charles Pettys, German Rodriguez (Mexico), Richard Pitogo Talaro Jr.
Midfielders: Aaron Altiche, Misagh Bahadoran, Jason De Jong, Curt Dizon, Yu Hoshide (Japan), John Kanayama, Raul Martinez (Mexico), John Regis, Daisuke Sato.
Forwards: Angel Guirado, Mark Hartmann, Hardy Pinto Moreira (Portugal), Reuben Raya Rivera Silitonga, Izzeldin Elzaki Ibrahim Elhabib (Sudan)
SLEAGUE.COM