Ten-man Global-Cebu conceded a goal right at the death to settle for a 2-all tie with Singaporean side Home United in the first leg of their AFC Cup ASEAN zonal semifinals held Tuesday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Substitute Stipe Plazibat headed the equalizer from a set piece that allowed Home United to avoid defeat but also two away goals heading into the return match on May 30 at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
Plazibat’s goal proved to be a heartbreaker for Global, which blew a pair of one-goal leads while losing top defender Amani Aguinaldo for two yellow cards in the second half.
Aguinaldo won’t see action in the second leg, making Global’s bid to advance to the ASEAN zonal finals more difficult than ever.
Global, now coached by Marjo Allado following the departure of Japanese mentor Imai Toshiaki, took the early lead in the 15th minute when Trinidadian Darryl Roberts scored a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Home drew level 18 minutes later on a close-range shot by Adan Swandi, but Aguinaldo fired a right-footed shot into the roof of the net, restoring Global’s lead at 2-1 in the 52nd.
