MANILA, Philippines – For coming through with a spectacular season in last year's United Football League, Global FC has earned a ticket in the AFC President's Cup 2013, considered the club version of the AFC Challenge Cup.
Global FC team manager Dan Palami, who also manages the Phl national football team or Azkals, bared the news through his Twitter account @dscpalami today.
"We are pleased to inform you that the organizing committee of the AFC President's Cup and Challenge Cup as well as the AFC's competitions committee have approved Global FC's participation in the AFC President's Cup 2013," Datu Alex Soosay said in a letter addressed to acting Phl Football Federation secretary-general Atty. Edwin Gastanes recently.
"We look forward to your club's participation and further information pertaining to the competition will be sent in due course," he added.
Palami said he's just excited for the chance to play in the AFC President's Cup, which holds its group stage from May 2 to 12 and the culminating final stage from Sept. 23-29 at still unspecified venues.
"Looking forward to Global FC's participation in the AFC President's Cup 2013," tweeted Palami. "I have yet to receive the guidelines. I'm just glad they approved our request."
Global earned a spot after it edged out in a tiebreak Kaya FC in the UFL last June and made the finals of the UFL Cup, where it absorbed a heartbreaking 1-2 defeat to eventual winner Stallion FC.
Aside from the Global, representing their countries in this year's edition are clubs from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan.