MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Spanish Carlos de Murga came through with a late goal as Global FC nipped the rugged Green Archers United, 1-0, to move up to third place in the First Division of the United Football League at the Nomads Sports Club in Parañaque City last Sunday.
With the match heading to a scoreless draw, the 23-year-old De Murga, who joined the Azkals last year after playing right back for third division Racing Club Portuense in Spain, took over with a rocket-like draw on the 85th minute that proved enough to record their third win against two losses.
The victory actually tied Global with LBC- backed Kaya FC with nine points apiece but the former gained the third spot on goal differential with five against the latter’s one.
Loyola Meralco Sparks, led by Phil and James Younghusband, show the way with 12 points, highlighted by their 2-0 triumph over the Kaya booters last Saturday.
Stallion Gilligan’s FC, on the other hand, slid to No. 2 with 10 points after it conceded a 0-0 standoff to Pasargad, also last Sunday.
It was another heartbreaking defeat by the Hans Smith-mentored Archers, who remained at the bottom of the 10-team first division field alongside Navy Red Juice with just a point on a draw, which came against Pasargad, 1-1, last Jan. 29, and two setbacks to Loyola, 2-3, and Kaya, 1-2.
Global’s Etounai Jerome Sylvain and Green Archers United’s Arvin Jay Soliman were ejected in a highly physical contest after being slapped with red cards on the 80th and 84th minute, respectively.
A total of four yellow cards were also slapped on Global’s William Espinosa (33’), Agbayomi Gabriel Olowoyeye (14’), Christian Floriano Pasilan, Jr. (33’) and Nikko Paolo Villa (87’).