JAPANESE winger Shu Sasaki bagged a brace as Global Cebu blanked Ilocos United, 3-0, even as Davao Aguilas and Stallion Laguna battled to a goalless draw in the Philippines Football League held over the weekend.
Sasaki scored his two goals in a five-minute span at Quirino Stadium in Vigan, after Paul Mulders opened the scoring from the penalty spot as Global moved up to third by improving to 10 points in five matches.
It was Global’s third victory of the season and it came at a time when the club was going through a rough patch after defeats to Home United of Singapore in the AFC Cup and Ceres-Negros two weeks ago.
Coach Marjo Allado got the response he needed from his wards with Mulders slotting home a penalty past Ilocos goalkeeper Baba Sampana in the 23rd minute, before Sasaki found the back of the net in the 25th and 30th minutes.
“It’s a good result for us,” said Allado, whose side claimed only its first clean sheet of the season.
“We played well in the first half, but credit to Ilocos because they also made it difficult for us in the second half. We needed this win.”
Over at Biñan Football Stadium, Stallion and Davao remained in search of a first win after both sides failed to find the back of the net in searing conditions.
The best chance of the match fell to Davao’s Serbian target man Nikiola Grubjesic, who fired a penalty straight at the crossbar in the 79th minute.
The result meant Davao remained in sixth spot with a point, while Stallion is still languishing in last place in the eight-team competition.
Games Tomorrow
(Davao Del Norte Sports Complex, Tagum)
4 p.m. – Davao Aguilas vs Meralco Manila
(Quirino Stadium)
7 p.m. – Ilocos United vs JPV Marikina
