Global crushes Army 9-1, zoom in on top spot

MANILA, Philippines – Global FC went into hitting parade as it whitewashed a Phl Army-General Trias International side with a merciless 9-1 victory to close in on leader Loyola Meralco Sparks in the First Division of the United Football League at the Emperador Stadium in Taguig City Thursday night.

Jason de Jong, who replaced Ben Starosta as team captain recently, led the carnage as he scored a brace and assisted on one of his team's goal barrage to give Global the full three points that hiked its total to 28, one behind Loyola with 29.

It was a statement win for Global, which recently made a drastic roster change after dropping several high-profile players, including former skipper Starosta and Marwin and Marvin Angeles.

"I feel like we're stronger and that we're getting stronger as we get to know each other," said Global coach Leigh Manson. "I know we conceded a goal in the last minute, we're not happy about that.

"But I thought overall the squad performed well and there was a moment in the second half I felt we were absolutely unstoppable," he added.

Sudanese strike Izo El Habbib likewise came through with a double in his first start of the season, scoring his squad's first two goals on the 11th and 32nd minute to get the scoring parade started.

Fil-Brit Mark Hartmann joined the fray as he came off the bench to unleash a pair of rockets in the second half to lead everyone with goals scored with 14.

Newly acquired Napoleon Bustillo, picked up from Stallion, came on as a substitute and made his debut with Global memorable with a goal.

Azkals standout Jeffrey Christaens and Charles Pettys accounted for the other two goals of Global.

The new-look Global also drew impressive performances from new signings Curt Dizon and Daisuke Sato, who impressed with their strong plays on the wings, and Mexicans German Rodriguez and Raul Martinez, who held their fort as center-back and center-midfield, respectively.

It appeared Global will post a shutout until Korean Dae Han Kang spoiled the latter's cruel intention and scored in the second half stoppage time to give Army-GTI its only goal of the match.

So impressed was de Jong after the rout that he likened his team's play to those in the AFC Champions League.

"I think if (Daisuke) Sato and Curt (Dizon) keep going like this we can definitely move up to that standard, that's what we really want," said de Jong.

In the other match, Diego Barrera showed up his former team with an effort to remember as he unloaded a hat-trick to power Team Socceroo to a shock, come-from-behind 4-3 win over defending league champion Stallion Gilligan's FC.