FC Meralco Manila solidified its hold on first place in the Philippines Football League with a 3-2 victory over Stallion Laguna FC at the Biñan Football Stadium last Saturday.
Connor Tacagni finally scored his first goals for the Sparks, while Tyler Matas completed the scoring for the visitors, who took advantage of the hosts being without their key offensive weapons in skipper Balot Doctora and key offensive weapon JhanJhan Melliza due to suspension.
FC Meralco Manila held on for a slim victory over a gutsy Stallion side on Saturday afternoon in the Biñan Football Stadium. Connor Tacagni opened his account for the club with two goals while Tyler Matas added another.
The early part of the match saw FC Meralco Manila take chances, with Jake Morallo forcing a save from Stallion GK Bitoy Rosalia. Morallo also had another shot on goal, but he sent it wide. It took them until the 28th minute to break the ice, as Tacagni received a great cross from Alvin Sarmiento and heads it past Rosalia from the left flank just inside the far post.
Meralco had the chance to double the lead three minutes later, but Rosalia diverted Simon Greatwich's volley onto the post. But it did not take long before the Sparks get their second goal, another Tacagni header off a cross, this time from Tahj Minniecon. Rosalia was unable to stop the former Red Booter's diving header that would give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
Stallion had their first good chance not long after that, with Nicolas Ferrer taking a shot just wide fresh from being inserted into the match as a substitute.
The second half was not really that different, with the visitors still getting their chances. Sarmiento was wide in his volley in the 54th minute. But Tyler Matas made it 3-0 Sparks shortly, converting a left-footed shot from fifteen yards out.
The hosts finally managed to break through in the 75th minute. New signing Kyung Joon Ko put the hosts on the board, poking one in after it takes a deflection. Fitch Arboleda would cap off scoring off an assist from Christian Nana in injury time, but time would run out on the comeback attempt, snapping their recent run of matches without a defeat.
Tacagni says, "I'm so happy because we all have been working hard. I've just been trying to work hard and trying to get into good areas."
Sparks head coach Aris Caslib acknowledges that Connor's strength is heading, noting that, "I've told him he could get a lot of chances off diagonal balls and they were delivered perfectly today."
The victory allows FC Meralco Manila to extend their hold on first place with 33 points, five points ahead of Global Cebu FC, which lost to JPV Marikina FC yesterday, 5-2.
Stallion Laguna FC remains in sixth with fourteen points.
Connor Tacagni finally scored his first goals for the Sparks, while Tyler Matas completed the scoring for the visitors, who took advantage of the hosts being without their key offensive weapons in skipper Balot Doctora and key offensive weapon JhanJhan Melliza due to suspension.
FC Meralco Manila held on for a slim victory over a gutsy Stallion side on Saturday afternoon in the Biñan Football Stadium. Connor Tacagni opened his account for the club with two goals while Tyler Matas added another.
The early part of the match saw FC Meralco Manila take chances, with Jake Morallo forcing a save from Stallion GK Bitoy Rosalia. Morallo also had another shot on goal, but he sent it wide. It took them until the 28th minute to break the ice, as Tacagni received a great cross from Alvin Sarmiento and heads it past Rosalia from the left flank just inside the far post.
Meralco had the chance to double the lead three minutes later, but Rosalia diverted Simon Greatwich's volley onto the post. But it did not take long before the Sparks get their second goal, another Tacagni header off a cross, this time from Tahj Minniecon. Rosalia was unable to stop the former Red Booter's diving header that would give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
Stallion had their first good chance not long after that, with Nicolas Ferrer taking a shot just wide fresh from being inserted into the match as a substitute.
The second half was not really that different, with the visitors still getting their chances. Sarmiento was wide in his volley in the 54th minute. But Tyler Matas made it 3-0 Sparks shortly, converting a left-footed shot from fifteen yards out.
The hosts finally managed to break through in the 75th minute. New signing Kyung Joon Ko put the hosts on the board, poking one in after it takes a deflection. Fitch Arboleda would cap off scoring off an assist from Christian Nana in injury time, but time would run out on the comeback attempt, snapping their recent run of matches without a defeat.
Tacagni says, "I'm so happy because we all have been working hard. I've just been trying to work hard and trying to get into good areas."
Sparks head coach Aris Caslib acknowledges that Connor's strength is heading, noting that, "I've told him he could get a lot of chances off diagonal balls and they were delivered perfectly today."
The victory allows FC Meralco Manila to extend their hold on first place with 33 points, five points ahead of Global Cebu FC, which lost to JPV Marikina FC yesterday, 5-2.
Stallion Laguna FC remains in sixth with fourteen points.
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