Source : AKTV
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 Elhabbib 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 Elhabbib’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.
Philippine national football stars Carli de Murga and Phil Younghusband topped the list of individual honorees of the 2012 United Football League.
De Murga, who helped Global FC win the UFL Division One title, was awarded the Golden Ball trophy, the league’s equivalent to the Most Valuable Player award.
Azkals star striker Younghusband, who helped the Loyola Meralco Sparks to a third-place finish, won the Golden Boot award for finishing with the most goals in the tournament with 23.
Saba Garmaroudi of second-place Kaya FC won the Golden Glove trophy as the best goalkeeper in Division One.
Apart from winning the title, Global also added another piece of hardware to its collection with the Fair Play award.
Division Two champions Pachanga FC bagged several awards as well.
Freddy Gonzalez, Pachanga star and team owner, won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot trophies for the second division, while teammate Kenneth Dolloso won the Golden Glove.
Manila All-Japan, meanwhile, received the Fair Play trophy for Division Two.
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