Global Cebu snatch PFL Finals Series first leg advantage

Pandemonium after Global scored a goal late.

Global Cebu FC claimed a 2-1 victory over FC Meralco Manila in the first leg of their Philippines Football League Finals Series matchup at the Rizal Memorial Football Field last Saturday night.

Global secured the advantage by scoring a couple of late goals. A Hikaru Minegeshi corner led to a Wesley Dos Santos header that went past Junjun Badelic in the 90th minute, which was then followed by a Minegeshi goal off a feed from Paolo Salenga three minutes later.

The Sparks did manage to score an essential away goal from the spot, thanks to a foul called on Darryl Regala inside the area against Tahj Minniecon. Minniecon would convert the penalty in the 61st minute, sending it towards the lower left side past Patrick Deyto.

The first half ended in a goalless deadlock, although FC Meralco Manila dominated proceedings, which included scoring opportunities from Joaco Canas and Simon Greatwich.

It even included a first half substitution, as Akbar Nawas replaced Paul Mulders with Paolo Bugas with around ten minutes remaining in the period.

However, the tide turned when Nawas inserted Paolo Salenga for Regala with eleven minutes remaining in the second half. His aggressive play inspired Global and eventually netted the two goals Global needed.

Nawas would share that the team need someone of the NU alum's caliber both on the starting XI and on the bench.

Minegeshi adds, "We were lucky, but we never gave up."

FC Meralco Manila head coach Aris Caslib felt the team lost the game in the last fifteen minutes, noting that they did not manage it well. He does think they can score as well as defend against Global in the second leg.

Notes: The Sparks started off the game wearing t-shirts in support of their Assistant General Manager Gino Aguda, whose father passed away on Thursday before the game. Global is playing both games at Rizal Memorial as a result of the unavailability of the Cebu City Sports Complex.