www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rampaging-fullback-five-things-we-learned-from-global-fcs-afc-cup-campaignHere are five things we learned from Philippine football’s first foray to the AFC Cup:
1.) Global could have fielded a stronger line-up
The occasion had Izo Elhabib’s name written all over it.
With time running down Global’s AFC Cup campaign and the team desperately needing a goal, most people would not bet against the Sudanese grabbing the goal against a tiring Pahang defense.
Instead, Izo Elhabib and the likes of Yu Hoshide and Roland Sadia could only watch helplessly from the stands, unable to help the team –- all because of paperwork that was not submitted in time.
Matt Hartmann, signed from Loyola specifically for the AFC Cup, was also unable to play and was the best paid cheerleader on the team.
The new low came in the away match to Yadanarbon of Myanmar, where there were only two players on the subs bench that day -– one being goalkeeper Patrick Deyto.
Team President Dan Palami admits to the team’s shortcomings.: “We just need to make sure that for the federation and the clubs, to be more professional in the approach especially in these kinds of tournaments because they are very strict.”
“I think it is a lesson learned both by the club and the federation and I think this is good for others who will be following Global FC, because I’m sure this is a lesson that we’ll ensure that these things won’t happen again.”
2.) Poor start hit Global
It was supposed to be Global’s coming of age party at home in the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium; instead it was Hong Kong’s South China who celebrated as they blew out Global 6-1 in Manila.
There are numerous ways to start a campaign, but conceding at home after two minutes couldn’t be the best way to start your AFC Cup debut.
Perhaps it was a case of first game jitters, but it was a debilitating start for the UFL Champions whose league form subsequently took a similar hit as they went on to play a winless month of March (3 losses and 1 draw), while scoring zero goals in the process.
As Global’s AFC Cup campaign came to a close, Dan Palami admitted some mistakes, especially in the early stages of the tournament.
“We finally learned how to play at the level of this particular tournament,” he said.
“We were too aggressive in the first game, and that is the reason why we were made to pay for it by South China, but in our next games we were more realistic with the resources that we had, and played to our strengths.”
3.) Global can play toe to toe with the teams in the region
World Sport Group photo
World Sport Group photo
The lopsided losses against South China aside, Global proved it can compete with the other teams in Group G.
The away draw to Pahang – with one outfield player on the subs bench — was the most creditable performance of the team, as it gave Global its very first point of the tournament and galvanized the team into believing that qualification is possible.
The unfortunate loss to Yadanarbon away could have been avoided had Global had a full line-up at its disposal. The subsequent 4-1 victory against the same team in the reverse fixture attests to that.
Coach Leigh Manson said before the tournament that the AFC Cup was ‘new ground’ for any Filipino club. Given the resources at their disposal, Global performed well, even with a chance of progressing to the knockout stages until the very last second.
Palami enthuses: “We’ll have to use the line-up that we had. But even then, tonight’s game (vs. Pahang) should have been a defining moment. Everything was in the balance in this game, all we needed was one goal.”
“We tried to minimize all these mistakes and that is the reason why in the sixth game, we were still in the fight. I mean, not all of the clubs were in there (with a chance, at the last game of the group stages), so we’re happy to have had a chance.”
4.) Young guns come to fore
With Global’s stars unavailable for the tournament, it was the perfect opportunity for the team’s youngsters to shine – and they took their chance when presented.
The names Jun Badelic, Richard Talaroc, Paolo Bugas, John Kanayama, and Paolo Salenga may not ring a bell even to most local fans embedded in the game, but the AFC Cup gave them a chance to show the world what they got.
The youthful Badelic, third choice behind Patrick Deyto and Roland Sadia in Global’s pecking order, stepped up when needed and held Pahang FA to a goalless draw in Pahang.
If there is one positive development from this campaign, it is that Global were able to utilize and give tremendous experience to these youngsters, who will undoubtedly be part of Global’s footballing future.
5.) On the field, Global represented the Philippines well
UFL file photo
UFL file photo
Contrary to what opposing UFL fans might think, Global FC represented the Philippines in the AFC Cup. On the field, they did the country proud.
Off the field, some will argue and perhaps with good reason, that Global could have represented the country and the UFL better with improved handling of the behind the scenes situation, notably in the player registration.
However, on the pitch, Global left it all out there and had nothing to be ashamed of. It is a testament to the quality of “The People’s Club” that Pahang FA came to Manila to play ultra-defensive football with only the intention of getting the draw and nothing more.
Palami rues: “We could have been the first Filipino club to be in the second round of an Asian competition.”
The Global head honcho however, remains upbeat: “(This) means we’ll just have to do it next year.”