UFL: Global claims FA Charity Cup by downing Kaya
2014 is turning out to be a vintage year for Global FC.
On a wet Saturday evening in front of a large and boisterous crowd at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, the UFL league champs added yet another piece of silverware to their haul for this year; the United Football League's Football Alliance Charity Cup.
A 3-1 victory over Kaya in the final match of the six-team competition means Leigh Manson's men need only the upcoming UFL Cup to complete the UFL Triple Crown for this year.
Global got a pair of goals from Mark Hartmann and one from Izzo Elhabbib to defeat Kaya, who finished the match with nine men after Emmanuel Mbata and Thomas Taylor were sent off for multiple yellow cards.
18-year old Fil-Aussie John Kanayama was a surprising hero for Global. The left winger from Sydney played a part in the first two goals.
“I was having a bit of a shocker (bad game) until that point then the coach had a word with me, so I had to pick things up” said the youngster who played in Global's U19 squad during the UFL youths season.
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Kaya began the game brighter with several early chances from Joven Bedic and Diego Barrera.
But in spite of the continued Kaya pressure it was Global who got on the scoresheet first shortly before the half. Kanayama beat Kaya's Janrick Soriano on the left side of the goalline and delivered a perfect low ball to an unmarked Mark Hartmann, who tapped in from mere feet away.
Three minutes into the second half Global had doubled their advantage. Once again Kanayama slithered around Soriano, outfoxing him on the left flank off a long looping ball then offloading to Elhabbib, who faked out a defender before depositing the ball in the right corner.
Soriano usually plays as an impact sub in attack for Kaya but was pressed into service as a right back, perhaps due to the unavailability of Kaya's veteran defenders Aly Borromeo and Anton Del Rosario.
Soon after the hour mark the game turned ugly when referee Rey Ritaga called for a penalty when Emmanuel Mbata was adjudged to have made a foul in the box. Mbata was also given a yellow card for the infraction, and after some pushing, shoving and general nastiness after, Mbata was shown a second yellow card and a red. The Nigerian charged at Global's Amani Aguinaldo after the red and had to be restrained by Global goalie Roland Dely Sadia. Aguinaldo was also handed a yellow card after Ritaga consulted with fourth official Michael Barajas.
The ensuing Mark Hartmann penalty shot was saved well by Nick O'Donnell but the rebound fell to the Global star and he slotted it in for 3-0.
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Then minutes later Kaya interim playing coach Chris Greatwich called his own number in relief of Nocnoc Cruz at left back, with the Azkal going into the midfield as Kaya threw caution to the wind with what looked like a 3-4-2 formation.
But whatever slim hopes Kaya had of getting back into the match were dashed when Thomas Taylor slammed down the ball onto the turf with his hands after a foul was called on him, earning him a second yellow and thus a red card. Kaya therefore went down to nine men. It was a sorry end to the Australian's campaign after he was so brilliant in the semifinal against Loyola, scoring four goals over two legs.
Greatwich speared in a goal in the 81st minute off a Bedic assist. But it was too little, too late.
Kaya extend their five year title drought. They last lifted a UFL trophy in 2009 when they won the league. Kaya's chairman, Santi Araneta, made a rare appearance at a game but he was unable to see his team win.
Global on the other hand have now taken a second trophy of the year after coming up empty in 2013.
The Charity Cup was contested between the top six sides of the UFL league's first division. The third to sixth-placed teams played in two-legged quarterfinals with the winners meeting the top two sides, Loyola and Global in two-legged semifinal ties.
Global overturned a 2-1 deficit to defeat Stallion via a 4-2 aggregate score and reach the final while Kaya overwhelmed Loyola 7-4 over two legs in their final four matchup.
The winning team was supposed to win the top prize of P100,000 and donate it to a charity of their choice, but before the match Global and Kaya decided to call a “saver” on the prize and split the cash 50-50. Global's charity was the Philippine Homeless World Cup team while Kaya gave their share to Fair Play For All Foundation, which runs Payatas FC and the Philippine Street Child World Cup team.
The competition turned out to be a bit of a showcase for the teams' young players. Global started Kanayama and also gave minutes to Marco Casambre and Mark Winhoffer. Kaya started teenager Cruz in defense.
The UFL will take a break until September, when UFL Cup begins after the PFF Peace Cup.
Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.
