The chess game at the upper reaches of the Global Premier Football League standing continued in the latest round as London City FC slipped four points clear following Union Buenos Aires‘s defeat at Emirates United. That result allowed Esportivo Rio to close the gap on their South American rivals.
With all sides off for five weeks, due to the upcoming GPFL Global Cup, everyone can take stock and prepare for the final charge, which begins in May. Can City maintain their pace? Will the South American duo hunt them down? Is someone going to emerge from the pack to challenge? Find out from May 15.
ROUND 26 ROUND-UP
London City did what they have so often done this season – push out to a solid lead then squeeze the life out of their opponents. This time is was Eternal Roma on the end of a City special, as first half goals from Jeroen De Rijck and Oscar Barbero handed the hosts a two goal lead at Wembley. City continued to look the most likely to score, but they played within themselves to see out what was a fairly comfortable result in the end.
No such liberties were able to be taken by Union Buenos Aires. Rasoul Pakdel‘s strike ten minutes after half time sealed an impressive, and well deserved, Emirates United win, and one that moved them into the top six. Union’s much vaunted attacking unit were shackled by United’s wily, hard-nosed defensive outfit on a frustrating afternoon for the visitors.
Esportivo Rio always looked the more likely side to win in their match against al-Qāhirah Stars, although the visitors late goal and sporadic forays kept the fans in the Maracana on edge. Top scorer, Rodrigo Machado, turned provider, laying on both goals for the Brazilians.
The stand-out individual performance came from Harbour City‘s Geert-Jan de Walle, who scored four before half time to demolish bottom side, Toronto Athletic. City were sublime during the first 45 minutes, while Athletic will have much to think about during the upcoming break.
There were a series of other tight matches as Olympia Munchen, Paris Metro and Johannesburg Rush all won to move themselves up the standings.
2 - 0Wembley Stadium, London LONDON CITY FC vs ETERNAL ROMA |
2 - 1Stade de France, Paris PARIS METROPOLE vs LA ICONS |
1 - 1Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai SHANGHAI PEARL vs CIUDAD DE MADRID |
2 - 1Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro ESPORTIVO RIO vs AL-QAHIRAH STARS |
2 - 2Japan National Stadium, Tokyo TOKYO YOKOHAMA UNITED vs MARINA BAY FLYERS |
1 - 1Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong HONG KONG TRADERS vs NEW YORK CAPITALS |
2 - 1FNB Stadium, Johannesburg JOHANNESBURG RUSH vs CONSTANTINOPLE FC |
0 - 4BMO Field, Toronto TORONTO ATHLETIC vs HARBOUR CITY |
2 - 0Allianz Arena, Munich OLYMPIA MUNCHEN vs CF AZTECA |
1 - 0Zayed Sports City Stadium, UAE EMIRATES UNITED vs UNION BUENOS AIRES |