Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: Rufo Sanchez’s last-gasp penalty gave Global Cebu a dramatic 2-1 victory over Group G leaders Yangon United of Myanmar at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Tuesday as the side from the Philippines claimed their first win in the 2018 AFC Cup.
After losing 3-0 in Yangon last week, the hosts started well but the table-toppers came back strongly and Global ‘keeper Patrick Deyto was forced into saves from Maung Maung Lwin and Pyae Phyo Zaw.
Global’s Wesley dos Santos then drew Sann Sat Naing into a save low to his left after connecting with Dominic Del Rosario’s cross shortly before the 30-minute mark.
Aee Soe’s attempt from distance early in the second was saved by Deyto, who got down low to his left before Maung Maung Lwin was also denied by the custodian soon after.
The hosts then took the lead with 11 minutes remaining when Del Rosario’s free-kick from the right was headed home by Darryl Roberts for his first goal of the tournament.
Just as it seemed Global were going to get their first victory of the campaign, Maung Maung Lwin dived low to head Kyi Lin's cross from the right past Deyto to seemingly claim a 1-1 draw as the game entered added time.
But there was still time for an even more dramatic twist at the death when Global were awarded a penalty after Sanchez was upended by Kekere Moukailou in the box, before the Spaniard picked himself up and coolly slotted home the winner.
Yangon remain five points clear at the top of the standings and will advance to the knockout rounds with a home victory over Bali United in four weeks’ time, while Global host Vietnam’s FLC Thanh Hoa and will now be eyeing a second-placed finish.