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Global Cebu elated to create history after a stunning JDT setback

Amani Aguinaldo finally got his revenge on Hazwan Bakri, thanks to his Global Cebu teammate Dennis Villanueva.
By Kevin Estrada

MANILA -- On a night that few will remember, this will be Global Cebu's most defining moment in their history of participating in AFC competitions.

This was the sentiment shared from everyone in the club, moments after the Queen City booters shocked the former AFC Cup titlists in Johor Darul Ta'zim at the Rizal Memorial Wednesday night.

Manager Toshiaki Imai, their composure got them through the chaotic second half when the Southern Tigers got back to the game on Gabi Guerra's brace

"I think our players need more experience in concentration at the start of the second half. We need more aggressive play," the Japanese said at the post-match conference, as he bared that he hoped that Misagh Bahadoran could be back for the final two Group F fixtures.

Global chief executive Dan Palami thinks their shocking of the Malaysian champs can be counted as one of the biggest in the history of the club.

"It's good to know that we actually we're able to match up with one of the best in Southeast Asia," Palami said, adding that they buck the absence their talismanic number nine due to injury.

"It's an added pressure, but that also motivated them to step up and do better. It's not just an eleven-man team, so players on the bench have to be ready," he added.

Being deprived of a healthy MCL on his left knee did not deter Bahadoran to motivate his teammates in proving that they can defend the home turf without him.

"One of the most important thing that happen today is that we show them that they cannot take points easily from us in our home," said the club captain who is hopeful that he will come back in the away reverse tie at Myanmar's Magwe in a fortnight

Goalscoring centre-back Amani Aguinaldo felt relieved that he finally get his well deserved revenge on Hazwan Bakri in their return fixture with their statement win.

"Si Dennis [Villanueva] yung bumawi sa kanya [Bakri] nung yellow card kanina," he said in jest, but he thought that Gabi and Gonzalo Cabrera were the most threatening attackers for the Southern Tigers

"Winning is the best drive a team can get to move on to the next few games. Our hunger was shown in our performance today," Aguinaldo quoted.

Follow him on Twitter: @KevinLEstrada