Global boots Nomads from Smart Nat’l Club Championships

Global boots Nomads from Smart Nat’l Club Championships

by rick olivares

Global turned on the jets in the second half of play to boot Nomads out of the PFF Smart National Club Championships following a 2-1 win last Sunday, January 13, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Both clubs appeared sluggish in the first half no doubt because of the long holiday season. However it was Global that looked more menacing on offense as Izzo ElHabbib was denied on goal twice by the airtight Nomads defense.

Nomads’ offense sputtered when forward and leading scorer Steven Borrill left the match early in the first half following a leg injury. Already missing midfielder Phil Connolly who is also recuperating from an injury, Nomads didn’t have much going on save for the occasional forays of new acquisition, Fidelis Nnabuife, who suited up for Global during the recent UFL Cup.

Global, with new Scottish head coach Brian Reid patrolling the touchline for his first match on Philippine soil, reorganized its offense following a scoreless first half. Spying an opportunity in the 71^st minute, Reid had right back Jerry Barbaso make a forward pass to speedy midfielder Patrick Reichelt whose one-touch pass found ElHabbib up front. The Sudanese striker’s deft flick found Reichelt on the overlap who dribbled some before launching a cross inside the box. Global’s first shot was denied before Carli De Murga fired away from outside the box to an empty net as Nomads keeper Friso Klok inexplicably rushed out.

In the 82^nd minute, Global left winger Jeffrey Christiaens tried to find a teammate inside the box with a corner kick but to the horror of Nomads and their new Scottish coach John Jofre, defender Sam Fogg mistakenly headed it in for an own goal to make it 2-0.

The gaffe was costly because in the second minute of stoppage time, Nomads newcomer Bafio Magassa scored on a penalty after a handball inside the box by Global defender Ange Guisso.

Nomads tried to mount one last attack but their lack of a coherent midfield meant that their sortie fizzled out as Global emerged a 2-1 winner.

Said Reid who once played as a defender for noted Scottish club Rangers and English side Blackpool in a 19-year career: “I am pleased but I don’t think the quality of the game was as good as I liked. I’ve only had them for three days and I think they’re rusty because of the holidays. They’ll certainly improve when I work with them on a daily basis. I think it’s a soft penalty (Magassa’s goal off a penalty) but the game could have been more comfortable for us.”

“It’s a costly own goal,” lamented Nomads’ Phil Connolly who was at the match to cheer for his teammates. “But we’ve got new players and a new system of play. It’s not a bad loss especially to a team like Global. Hopefully, we can make our adjustments and be healthy in time for the UFL.”

By virtue of its 2-1 win, Global will be playing Visayas powerhouse Ceres, who earlier last Sunday, knocked out newly crowned UFL Cup champions Stallion with a 2-1 win, in the win-or-go-home quarterfinals at 4pm of January 19 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Celtic, er, Nomads, during last Sunday's Smart National Club Championships. The color must have been an eyesore for former Rangers defender and current Global head coach Brian Reid.