Global ready for the PFL after making AFC Cup history anew

Imai-san, Mulders and Global Cebu spoke to the media just a couple of minutes after they clinch group F.
By Kevin Estrada

MANILA -- Global Cebu was all smiles as they look forward to the Philippines Football League after creating another huge milestone in the AFC Cup when they won Group F last night.

This was shared by everyone just hours after smothering Cambodian side Boeung Ket Angkor, where they are now preparing for the inaugural PFL season in which they will face JPV Marikina away on Sunday.

"We have the first game of the PFL on Sunday. The players are very tired today and it will not be an easy opening game," gaffer Toshiaki Imai said in the post-match conference.

Man of the match Paul Mulders was delighted to play a huge part in sweeping their Indochinese counterparts and he admitted that the emotions almost got to their minds and nearly blowing a 2-0 halftime lead at the restart.

"I don't know. I think we didn't kept our positions,"
the 36 year-old veteran said about almost losing their cool at the start of the second half, but was glad that Darryl Roberts sealed their Group F win at the last minute.

Club chair Dan Palami described their win as an ugly despite the result, but he hopes to play better in the ASEAN Zone semifinal.

"I'm happy with the result, but we could have done better," the railway tycoon quoted, adding that they only have four days to prepare in adjusting from the internationa game to the PFL.

"It really remains to be seen, I'm worried about how JPV being active for several months. I think we have a lot of time to adjust and reorient the boys to how we want to play domestically," Palami added, as he bared some acquisitions in order to be in full strength.

Patrick Deyto was glad to have finally exorcised the ghosts of painful elimination in the group stage two years ago by winning their group, in which he captained the side in the past 4 games in Misagh Bahadoran's place.

"To be honest, it's easy to bring these guys out because they are playing good and talented. Credit to everybody in taking part in all of six games so they are deserving to go through," Deyto said.

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