Global Cebu nips Geylang in shootout

MANILA, Philippines - Keeper Patrick Deyto delivered in the crunch as Global Cebu beat Geylang International on penalties, 3-2, after a thrilling 4-4 tie over 120 minutes to advance to the next round of the RHB Singapore Cup Wednesday night at Jalan Besar Stadium.

Deyto stopped Faritz Hameed and Ricardo Sendrato to keep Geylang at bay during the shootout while Darryl Roberts, Wesley Dos Santos and Paolo Bugas took care of business from the spot as Global gave newly appointed coach Akbar Nawas a rousing debut.

The pulsating victory set the People’s Club up for quarterfinal showdown with Cambodian club Beoungket Angkor, which earlier turned back S-League side Warriors FC, 4-1.

“It was a quality result and my heart was pumping fast throughout the whole game. We tried hard and this game today went in our favor,” said Nawas.

The Cebu-based booters appeared headed for an easy victory when they led, 4-2, at the 75th minute mark. But Geylang squeezed in two late goals, including the equalizer at the 90th minute, to force extra time, which also ended in a stalemate.

“It was depressing to concede in the last minute but still to win on penalties, it was definitely amazing,” said Nawas.

Global somehow made up for the unexpected exit of fellow Philippine club Ceres Negros, which fell to a 0-1 ambush at the hands of Hougang Tuesday night.