Guirado caps Global's win over Nomads

MANILA, Philippines - Global FC drew strength from the return of leader Angel Guirado as it smashed Nomads Auction Manila, 5-1, to move to a share of second spot in the United Football League at the Nomads field in Parañaque City.

After engineering the first half onslaught to put Global 4-0 up, Guirado, back from suspension after being tossed out for a red card during a shock 1-2 defeat to Army Fritz & Macziol last Jan. 15, joined the scoring parade with a 54th minute goal that capped the lopsided victory.

It was Global’s second straight win starting with a 2-0 bashing of Pasargad FC a week ago when Guirado served out the automatic one-game suspension. Global joined LBC-backed Kaya – which was playing Navy Red Juice at press time for the solo lead – and Loyola Meralco Sparks at No. 2 with six points each.

And now Guirado, one of the more popular members of the Azkals headed by brothers Phil and James Younghusband, is back.

Midfielder William Espinosa opened up the scoring with a goal just two minutes gone in the match and after half an hour, the goals came in succession thanks to Abdalla Ahmed Hwedi (31’), Carlos de Murga (41’) and captain Badrelin Elhabbib (45’).

The Nomads, which fell to their first loss to remain in the middle of the pack with four points, averted an embarrassing shutout, thanks to Steven Borril’s goal on the 62nd minute when the game was already decided.

Earlier, Pasargad leaned on Charlie Sutcliffe’s equalizing goal on the 62nd minute to escape with a 1-1 draw with the Hans Smith-mentored Green Archers United to nail down its first point.

The Archers, also winless after two previous outings, were on their way to snaring their first triumph after Shag Shapay Johnson gave them a 1-0 lead on the 53rd minute, until Sutcliffe struck.