South China Athletic Association executed a near-perfect gameplay and capitalized on a bruised and battered Global F.C., 6-1, in their opening game of the 2015 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
Australian Daniel McBreen opened the game with two early goals while Cameroonian striker Mahama Awal scored the same number of goals in the second half to bury the reigning United Football League champions.
McBreen, a 17-year journeyman, opened the game in the third minute by volleying a high kick from 10 yards against the defense of Global goalkeeper Patrick Deyto.
Deyto’s eager defense away from the goal proved to be futile, as McBreen’s looper bounced off the turf and went in the goal uncontested.
He then connected with a strike off a cross from Awal.
“No one wants a team that scores an early goal,” lamented Global head coach Dan Padernal. “That definitely changed the complexion of the game.”
Lo Kong Wai followed up with a goal off a rebound from Chan Siu Ki’s shot to give the Hong Kong-based squad a 3-0 edge in halftime.
In the second half, Chan Wai Ho scored on a sensational 20-yard free kick–a curveball that evaded Global’s defensive wall.
Awal then showed his wizardry, sinking two consecutive shots to finish his Tacloban-based opponents.
His first goal came from a three-man play, with Chan heading the ball to Philip Chan and the latter issuing a short pass to Awal.
The 23-year-old striker scored his second goal off the dribble.
“I think we played very well,” he said after the game. “Two goals off two assists… it reflect[ed] our preparation.”
Global scored its consolation point in the dying minutes of the game with a breakaway goal from reliever Michael Jonsson.
“Good strategy for them if they get the ball in the middle of the field and when they go to their counter attack,” remarked Padernal on South China’s play.
He said that Global still has to adjust with international play and emphasized the need for conditioning and effective planning.
They will next play against Pahang F.A. in Kuantan, Malaysia on March 11.
