Global Football Club kickstarted their 2017 AFC Cup run with a narrow 1-0 win over Myanmar club Magwe Football Club.
Misagh Bahadoran’s 39th minute goal was enough for the team clad in yellow to get the victory, tonight at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
“It was a good game but I think we need to be more calm in front of goal. It’s clear we can do better,” commented the man of the match Wesley Dos Santos
Global took a while to get going. The Dan Palami-owned club engaged in a midfield battle against Magwe. Chances were limited, as both teams cancelled each other out.
It was late in the half before Global even registered a chance on goal. Newly-signed forward Darryl Roberts unleashed a tame effort, which Magwe goalie Kyaw Zin Phyo easily caught. Global rarely troubled Phyo, though their own goalie, Patrick Deyto, also had a relatively easy period.
Come the 39th minute, though, the game surged to life. Misagh Bahadoran found himself at the right place and time in the Magwe box to capitalize on the ball, which ricocheted to his feet. Bahadoran made no mistake and directed the ball at the back of the net.
Global carried a 1-0 lead over Magwe at the break, although the home side had much to adjust in the dugout if they wanted to secure the victory.
Come the game’s resumption, it was Magwe who threatened to score that all-important second goal. The Burmese club won a freekick outside Global’s box, which was delivered by Nanda Kyaw. Maung Maung Soe was unmarked to head the ball, only for his shot to go over.
Bahadoran then had other sniffs at goal, but the skipper could only shoot over. Ultimately, Global did just enough to hold on for the win as the home side prevailed 1-0 against Magwa.
Up next for Global is an away game in Cambodia against Boeung Ket Angkor. The game shall be at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. Kickoff time is scheduled at 7:00 PM.
“I see today’s game and the condition of some of our team’s players is not good. About two weeks next game I think we will construct our team,” Toshiaki opined.
Global XI: Deyto, Hartmann, Mulders, Villanueva, Bahadoran, Aguinaldo, Minegishi, Agustien, Roberts, Dos Santos, Barbaso.
Magwe XI: Oulai, Nanda Kyaw, H. H. Aung, S.H. Aung, Mg Mg Soe, Ko Ko Naing, Kzin Lwin, K.Swar Lin, Sykka, K.zin Phyo, N. N. Kyaw
