Philippines Football League (PFL) club Global Cebu FC clinched runners up finish in the RHB Singapore Cup after yielding to Albirex Niigata 1-3 on penalties (2-2 after extra-time) last Saturday 25 November 2017 at the Jalan Besar Stadium, Sigapore.
Global Cebu was the first Filipino club to reach the final in the annual RHB Singapore Cup. It has been a regular invitee clubs in the competition, in addition to other PFL clubs such as Ceres Negros FC in 2017, and FC Meralco Manila in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Albirex opened the scoring in the 31st minute after a Tsubasa Sano goal. Wesley Dos Santos restored parity in the 47th minute with a timely header to force extra time.
Kento Nagasaki put Albirex ahead once more in extra time, but Paolo Salenga produced another equalizer in the 109th minute to force a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Albirex showed composure to win the cup, 3-1 after Dos Santos, Darrly Roberts, and Salenga missed their spot kicks. Hikaru Minegishi scored the solitary penalty.
PFF officials hailed Global Cebu’s achievement of runner up finish in the RHB Singapore Cup 2017. “We congratulate Global Cebu FC in their RHB Singapore Cup campaign,” said PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “May their successful run to the final serve to inspire other clubs and players in the country.”
Global Cebu now set their sights in the Philippines Football League trophy as one of the four clubs to compete in the PFL Finals Series ending 16 December 2017.
Photo from S.League
