Global Cebu FC yielded a narrow 1-0 loss against FLC Thanh Hoa in their first AFC Cup group match last Saturday 10 February 2018 at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Playing in a stadium that has been fogged the whole match, Global kept the game close with a 0-0 half-time scoreline, but the Vietnamese side were able to score in the 74th minute. Pape Faye converted with a header from the set piece to hand the three points to the Vietnamese team.
Despite earning their first loss in the tournament Global showed signs of resilience with skipper Patrick Deyto producing a couple of good saves to keep the scores close.
“Defensively we played a good game and it was unfortunate we lost,” said Global Cebu head coach Marjo Allado. “But it is not the end of the world for us. We still have five games to play.”
Global’s next AFC Cup match will be a home game against Indonesian side Bali United on 27 February 2018 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Ceres Negros FC begin their AFC Cup run on Tuesday 13 February 2018 against Cambodian side Boeung Ket Angkor.
Photo from the Asian Football Confederation