Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuantan: AFC Cup debutants Global FC earned their first-ever point in the continental competition after a goalless draw with Malaysia FA Cup winners Pahang FA at Stadium Darul Makmur on Wednesday.
Having lost heavily in their tournament opener last month to South China of Hong Kong, the side from the Philippines rebounded superbly from the setback to battle hard against their hosts who dominated for long spells.
But despite several chances falling to the likes of Gopinathan Ramachandra and Hafiz Kamal, Global FC held out and could have taken the lead themselves through the always-dangerous Mark Hartmann.
With South China winning 3-1 over Yadnarbon, the Hong Kong side’s lead on Group G extends to three points with Pahang next hosting the pacesetters.
Global, meanwhile, will travel to Myanmar minus Amani Aguinaldo who was dismissed late on in stoppage time against Pahang.
"We're very happy and we showed that we can play at this level," said Global coach Dan Padernal.
"It was tough for us because we only travelled with 15 players, and due to injuries we only had two subs, but the players refused to give up. The draw gives us confidence going forward in this tournament.
"It's even more difficult for us in the next game, but we will try to prepare well."
Global FC could have taken a shock lead in the opening 10 minutes as Hartmann’s free-kick caused havoc in the Pahang penalty area and defender Damion Stewart’s attempted clearance away from the attentions of Paolo Salenga saw the ball crash off his own crossbar.
Pahang did look to play their way back into the tie but rarely troubled Florencio Badelic in the Global goal.
At the other end, though, Hartmann again caused problems five minutes before the interval as he received the ball on the edge of the area after Dizon’s cut-back, and clipped his shot inches over the bar.
The hosts could have gone into the lead on the stroke of half-time but Mohammad Shafiqi’s hard-struck shot was answered by a firm save from Badelic at his near post.
After the break, Kamal had a golden chance to put the home side in front but the midfielder directed his header the wrong side of the back post after he had risen highest to meet Azidan Sarudin’s inviting free-kick from the left.
Pahang continued to pour forward in waves, though, and Ramachandra tricked his way into the six-yard-box only to be denied by more heroics from Badelic who blocked the shot away.
And with 13 minutes remaining, Ramachandra again missed out on breaking the deadlock. This time a flowing Pahang move culminated in Dickson Nwakaeme’s pass to the midfielder but he clipped his shot wide of the far-post when he looked favourite to score.
Global held out though, and even the sending off of defender Aguinaldo deep into added time for a second bookable offence could not break their resolve.
Photo: WSG