FC Meralco solidifies its hold atop the Philippines Football League on Wednesday afternoon, as the Sparks pulled off a 2-1 victory over Ceres-Negros FC at Pana-ad Stadium.
Curt Dizon and Simon Greatwich scored the goals for Meralco, inflicting the first loss for the Busmen in Bacolod this season. They took advantage of the absence of Manny Ott (suspension) and Stephan Schröck (family commitment) to avenge their 7-0 defeat in their previous meeting.
The Sparks had their chances in the first half, but the match remained scoreless heading into the break. It took them 54 minutes to break the ice in this one, as Dizon took a rebound and eased it past Roland Mueller from the left flank. He nearly had a chance to double things up five minutes later, but his chance sliced across the face of the goal. Meanwhile, Junjun Badelic kept things clean moments later, as he palmed a Kevin Ingreso attempt over the crossbar.
It took the visitors twenty more minutes before they could double their lead. Substitute Jinggoy Valmayor found Greatwich, who then fired a strike towards to the top corner to give themselves a 2-0 lead.
Ceres would pull one back in the 81st minute through Manuel Herrera' goal, but a chance at an equalizer was rebuffed due to Carlie de Murga misfiring his chance in the 86th minute.
The loss snaps an 11-game winning streak at the current home stadium of the national team for the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Champions. It also allows FC Meralco Manila to extend their reign over the Philippines Football League standings, toting an eight point lead over Kaya FC-Makati and Global Cebu FC.
Risto Vidakovic gave full credit to the Sparks, who also acknowledged that playing "three games in nine days is not easy."
Greatwich says, "There is a rich history here in Panaad. Ceres are strong at home, but we stayed strong and dug in. We pushed each other until the 93rd."
Ceres-Negros FC will now travel to Dushanbe to face Tajik side Istiqlol in the first leg of their AFC Cup Zonal Semifinal this coming Tuesday, while FC Meralco Manila will be hosting Ilocos United this Sunday night.
Curt Dizon and Simon Greatwich scored the goals for Meralco, inflicting the first loss for the Busmen in Bacolod this season. They took advantage of the absence of Manny Ott (suspension) and Stephan Schröck (family commitment) to avenge their 7-0 defeat in their previous meeting.
The Sparks had their chances in the first half, but the match remained scoreless heading into the break. It took them 54 minutes to break the ice in this one, as Dizon took a rebound and eased it past Roland Mueller from the left flank. He nearly had a chance to double things up five minutes later, but his chance sliced across the face of the goal. Meanwhile, Junjun Badelic kept things clean moments later, as he palmed a Kevin Ingreso attempt over the crossbar.
It took the visitors twenty more minutes before they could double their lead. Substitute Jinggoy Valmayor found Greatwich, who then fired a strike towards to the top corner to give themselves a 2-0 lead.
Ceres would pull one back in the 81st minute through Manuel Herrera' goal, but a chance at an equalizer was rebuffed due to Carlie de Murga misfiring his chance in the 86th minute.
The loss snaps an 11-game winning streak at the current home stadium of the national team for the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Champions. It also allows FC Meralco Manila to extend their reign over the Philippines Football League standings, toting an eight point lead over Kaya FC-Makati and Global Cebu FC.
Risto Vidakovic gave full credit to the Sparks, who also acknowledged that playing "three games in nine days is not easy."
Greatwich says, "There is a rich history here in Panaad. Ceres are strong at home, but we stayed strong and dug in. We pushed each other until the 93rd."
Ceres-Negros FC will now travel to Dushanbe to face Tajik side Istiqlol in the first leg of their AFC Cup Zonal Semifinal this coming Tuesday, while FC Meralco Manila will be hosting Ilocos United this Sunday night.
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