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Sorry, Home, but we’re going to the final, says Global

MANILA - The Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila holds some painful memories for Singapore. In November 2016, the national team players left the arena under a cloud, the headlights of their waiting bus highlighting the raindrops and the slump in their shoulders that told of a first-round elimination at the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup.

Global FC players celebrating after scoring against 2015 AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta'zim. The Philippines side beat the Malaysian Super League champions 3-2 in their return game after losing the first one 0-4. Photo: AFC.com

Global FC players celebrating after scoring against 2015 AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta'zim. The Philippines side beat the Malaysian Super League champions 3-2 in their return game after losing the first one 0-4. Photo: AFC.com

MANILA - The Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila holds some painful memories for Singapore. In November 2016, the national team players left the arena under a cloud, the headlights of their waiting bus highlighting the raindrops and the slump in their shoulders that told of a first-round elimination at the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup.

Home United will be in action in that crumbling but atmospheric venue in the downtown area of the Philippines capital on Tuesday (May 16) in the first leg of their AFC Cup Asean zone semi-finals with Global Cebu , and it would not be a surprise if the S-League club’s stars repeat the same mournful journey as the Lions from dressing room to transport. 

At least that is far as Mark Hartmann is concerned. The Philippines national team striker left Global in 2016 to sign for Geylang International, before moving onto Malaysian Super League side Sarawak.

“I think Global are favourites and should be,” Hartmann told TODAY. “For me, they are the stronger team. 

“When I was in Singapore, I played against Home. I like the way they play, they are are an attractive team that scores goals but also concedes goals. 

“It should be a good game but in the end, Global should get the job done.”

It is a reflection of the rising confidence in Philippine football these days. After all, Global have come a long way since their debut in the AFC Cup in 2015 when they were thrashed 6-1 at home by South China of Hong Kong. 

“That was quite a shock for us,” said Hartmann. “It was the first time we had played a team from another country and we were thrashed.” 

The lesson was absorbed quickly and Global almost made it out of the group. “We drew our last game but if we had won, then we would have gone through.”

The team returned this year and went two better, winning Group F by two points. This was impressive as not only did Global win all but one of their six games, they finished above Johor Darul Ta’zim, the Malaysian powerhouse that have not only won the last three domestic titles but also the 2015 AFC Cup.

“When I was there, we always tried to score as many goals as we could but the defence this year is looking solid,” said Hartmann. 

“There is Amani Aguinaldo who is becoming a really good defender, Wesley Santos is there too but the best part of the team this season is the midfield. There is Paul Mulders and he is looking really good.”

The Dutchman came up through the youth ranks at Ajax but despite now being 36, is still going strong. 

“He brings experience, but still has the legs and is physically in great shape. He dictates the play and also scores important goals. My brother is also in there and playing well.”

Matthew Hartmann, 27, is the elder of the two English-born brothers and is still there at the club.

“Things have been going really well,” said Matthew.

““We would like to see ourselves as favourites and we stand a big chance at home. Our target is to keep a clean sheet as we have not done that for four games. We will be aggressive and look to play our game from the beginning.”

That will not be easy given that Home won their group by five points ahead of Than Quang Ninh of Vietnam and Myanmar’s Yadanarbon. 

“We have been keeping an eye on the other groups and saw that Home went through easily,” said Matthew. 

“We know that they score a lot of goals and we will need to be ready. We will have to be at our best but we can get the job done.”

Philippines football has come a long way since 2010. Before then, the national team lost 19 out of 21 games in the Suzuki Cup. In 2010, the Azkals reached the semi-finals.

Clubs from the United Football League (UFL) have also been participating in the RHB Singapore Cup in recent years, and have been steadily getting further and further. In 2015, Global reached the semi-finals, and eventually finished fourth. Last year, Ceres FC also reached the semis, but finished one better in third spot.

Meanwhile, as of earlier this month, the UFL is no more.The past UFL was based in and around the Metro Manila area, a situation that was not ideal given that football is more popular in the provinces than in the capital. The country has just started its first nationwide professional league - the Philippines Football League. 

Global have been relocated to Cebu, and according to Matthew, it’s been so far so good. 

“Now it is regional, there are more fans. It is really good and while we have only played one game, it is definitely an improvement,” he said. 

“It is a much better set up, better foreigners are coming and the players are excited.”

The improvements are coming steadily but in the short term, what the country really wants is Asian success. 

As well as Global, Ceres of Bacolod City will face JDT and the two Philippines teams could meet in the Asean Zone final if they win their two-legged semi-final encounters.

Matthew believes Global will definitely takke one of the two slots in the final.

“We wish Ceres good luck. We have the easier draw, no disrespect to Home, but we have the better chance of going through,” said Matthew. 

“We believe we can do it and it will be massive for us and Philippines football if we do.”

 

Home's route to the AFC Cup Asean Zone semi-finals: lost 0-1 to Yadanarbon FC (MYA); bt Than Quang Ninh (VIE) 3-2; bt Than Quang Ninh 5-4; bt Yadanarbon FC 4-1. Finished top of group.

Global's route to the AFC Cup Asean Zone semi-finals: Bt Magwe FC (MYA) 1-0; bt Beoungket Angkor FC (CAM) 2-0; lost JDT (MSA) 0-4; bt JDT 3-2; bt Magwe 4-2, bt Beoungket 3-1. Finished top of group.

LIVE ON TV: Global FC v Home United (Tuesday, 7.30pm, Singtel Ch114 & StarHub Ch208)

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

TODAY Sports’ guest columnist John Duerden has been based in Asia for almost 20 years and covers the continental football scene for The New York Times, BBC Radio, The Guardian, FourFourTwo and World Soccer magazine.

 

 

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