Football
Global draws Loyola to annex 2012 UFL championship over Kaya
AKTV file photo/Mark Dimalanta
A 1-1 draw against the Loyola Meralco Sparks was enough for Global FC to take home the 2012 United Football League title in a thrilling nightcap to Championship Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Both teams struggled to score to begin the match, failing to take advantage of their chances at goal to end the first half scoreless.
The frustration carried on to the second half as Global midfielder Angel Guirado was docked a yellow card after slamming the ball on a non-call.
But Sudanese striker Izo Elhabib provided the heroics Global needed to hoist the crown, sinking a high-looping header that hit the back of the net at the 65th minute to give his team a 1-0 lead.
Loyola immediately countered Elhabib’s huge play, with Byeong Yeol Jeong scoring the equalizer at the 76th minute.
Global still had opportunities at goal, but headers from David Basa and Alex Obiang failed to hit the net. Still, the draw was not enough to keep Global from bringing home the title.
Global finished tied with second-place Kaya FC with 42 points, but won the title with a plus-32 goal. Kaya, which defeated Penson Stallion Giligan’s earlier in the night, finished with a differential of plus-13.
