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Global blanks Boeung Ket to go top of the group

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Paul Mulders became the man for Global this time, as he got a brace to put the reigning national champs on top of Group F. (file photo)
By Kevin Estrada

Reigning Philippine champions Global go on top of ASEAN Zone's Group F, after a routine blanking away at Cambodian titlists Boeung Ket Angkor to start their two-week tour of mainland Southeast Asia in their AFC Cup campaign.

Toshiaki Imai's men silenced the partisan Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium, courtesy of veteran midfielder Paul Mulders who bagged a brace for a 2-0 win, scoring on each half to give them maximum points for the second game in a row.

The former Azkal rocked the Cambodian capital with his thunderous shot to the top left corner that grounded Sou Yaty on his line to give them the upperhand just five minutes into the game.

With a pretty even affair, the C-League champs also tried to keep in step with Global, but Patrick Deyto stood big in most of those instances, capping off his clean sheet with a double denial on Rous Samoeun in the 26th minute to keep the 1-0 score at the half.

All hope for a comeback by the hosts went up in smoke in the 65th minute, when Mulders completed his brace by slotting it to the bottom left corner after Shu Sasaki was tripped by Sun Sovanrithy.

For both Imai and Misagh Bahadoran, the win was important for them in the build up to their biggest match in Group F with another away trip next week, this time to 2015 titlists Johor Darul Ta'zim and to the loud Larkin Stadium which fills up to 30.000 people on matchday.

"We only had sixteen players today and I only had a few options. Starters were very tired, but I am very happy with the result," said the Japanese gaffer who was still wary of the quality of the Malaysian powerhouse despite only getting a draw away at Myanmar's Magwe.

Opening day match-winner Bahadoran was checked for most of the match, but was all praises for his side.

"The team did a very good job. Our early goal changed everything and we took advantage of that. This win is very important for us. We wish them good luck against Magwe, and from here we will go try to get three points in Malaysia," Bahadoran said.

Follow him on Twitter: @KevinLEstrada