Yangon FC sends Global Cebu FC on the brink with easy win

MANILA, Philippines — Struggling Global Cebu FC suffered a 0-3 loss to Myanmar side Yangon United and found itself in a deep hole in the AFC Cup group play Wednesday night at Thuwunna Stadium in the Burmese capital.

Sekou Sylla, who used to play for Global, was the biggest thorn on the Cebu-based squad, netting twice in the second half to put the game beyond his former team’s reach.

The loss, Global’s second in three outings in Group G, endangered the bid of the Filipino outfit as it only had only a point to show at the halfway point of the group stage. 

Yangon cemented its top standing with nine points on a perfect 3-for-3, leading four-pointer Bali United and No. 3 Thanh Hoa (three points). The group winner is assured of a stint in the Asean zonal semis while the No. 2 must emerge as the best runner-up in the zone to advance.

“We really need to score goals and if we want to advance, we need to win all our remaining games,” said Global coach Marjo Allado, whose team will take on Yangon again on Tuesday at Rizal Memorial Stadium at the start of second round of group action.

The Cebu booters actually had chances to draw first blood against Yangon but Dominic del Rosario’s attempt hit the goal and Darryl Roberts couldn’t consummate on his shot.

The home side broke through in first half stoppage time with Maung Maung Lwin sending his free kick over the defensive wall, beating Global custodian Patrick Deyto, and into the bottom corner. Yangon turned to Sylla for the coup de grace in the second half. Three minutes after restart, Sylla made good on Lwin’s cross with a header that doubled the lead then continued his heroics with another strike at the 57th.