Football
Global burns Azkals on penalties to win Bacolod tuneup tourney
Global FC in UFL action. AKTV file photo/Mark Dimalanta
United Football League title contenders Global FC edged the Philippine national men’s football on penalties to win the Azkals’ training camp four-team tournament Sunday at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod.
Goalkeeper Jerome Etoundi saved Azkal Jason Sabio’s last shot in the shootout to give Global a 9-8 win on penalties.
With the match knotted at 1-1 at halftime, midfielder Abdalla Ahmed Hwedi scored a goal at the 62nd minute to give Global a 2-1 lead.
The Azkals’ hopes of tying the match dimmed after Angel Guirado got his second yellow card of the match at the 85th minute. But veteran Ian Araneta pulled off a last minute shocker, blasting a goal in the 89th minute to bring the final into a penalty shootout.
The two teams faced in the final after the Azkals clinched a 1-0 win over Ceres FC, while Global battered the Azkals Under-22 team, 4-0, on Saturday.
Earlier, the Azkals Under-22 team settled for third place in the tournament after thumping Ceres, 2-0.
The mini tournament is part of the preparations of the national football team in its upcoming FIFA international friendly matches, which will affect the Philippines’ world ranking that currently sits at 148th.
The Azkals will face Malaysia on June 1, Indonesia on June 5 and Guam on June 12.
