It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win.
FC Meralco Manila earned its fourth straight Philippines Football League win with an attritional result against Ilocos United Sunday night in Rizal Memorial. Curt Dizon's fourth goal of the campaign was the only score of the game.
Sans suspended captain Simon Greatwich and with Daniel Gadia playing with the U22 national team in the SEA Games, coach Aris Caslib turned to 36-year old veteran Anto Gonzales to plug the hole in defensive midfield. Milan Nikolic was also suspended for this match, meaning Neil Dorimon got the nod at left centerback in his place. Centerback Joaco Cañas was handed the Captain's armband.
Ilocos, on the other hand, were without English centerback Adam Mitter, which compelled Ian Gillan to use Selu Lozano in defense.
Manila began brightly with Dizon and Connor Tacagni testing Ilocos goalie Baba Sampana early.
But the home side were dealt a blow midway through the first half when Alvin Sarmiento hurt his hamstring, forcing Caslib to withdraw him in favor of Jake Morallo.
It appeared that it would be a goalless first half but Dizon had other ideas. In first-half stoppage time he collected a diagonal pass from Tahj Minniecon, outran Josh Reyes in the left flank and left-footed past Sampana for 1-0.
"It was a great ball from Tahj and I was lucky to finish it," said Dizon, who earned Man Of The Match honors."
In the second half the Sparks had a great chance to double the lead but Minniecon drove a first-time shot off a Tyler Matas delivery high.
Ashley Flores also shot wide left and Connor Tacagni picked up a yellow card that leaves him suspended for the Sparks' next game.
With thirteen minutes to go Joaco Cañas produced a turn and shot that narrowly missed the target.
Ilocos United surged forward for the remainder of the match but we're foiled by the staunch Meralco defense. At the final whistle Manila had achieved a third win against the Ilocanos this season, all by one-goal margins.
The result puts Manila on 39 points, ten points ahead of second and third-place Kaya and Global, who played to a goalless standoff in Cebu on Saturday.
"We're in the bottom of the table for a reason," said Gillan afterwards.
"But in every game opposing coaches keep on saying how difficult it is to play us."
"Ilocos plays tough football but we stepped up in the second half," said Caslib.
"Our defensive line stepped up but I was surprised by our (wasted) chances. We need to go back to the training pitch to work on our finishing."
Caslib also praised Morallo, Gonzales, and Ashley Flores for stepping up.
"Anto was like a machine out there," said Dizon in awe of the veteran' fitness and work rate.
"He was even running sprints after the game. His voice on the pitch was also a big asset."
Manila next plays JPV Marikina on Wednesday at 4pm. The match will be held in Rizal Memorial but the contest counts as a home game for JPV, as their home pitch is still under rehabilitation.
FC Meralco Manila earned its fourth straight Philippines Football League win with an attritional result against Ilocos United Sunday night in Rizal Memorial. Curt Dizon's fourth goal of the campaign was the only score of the game.
Sans suspended captain Simon Greatwich and with Daniel Gadia playing with the U22 national team in the SEA Games, coach Aris Caslib turned to 36-year old veteran Anto Gonzales to plug the hole in defensive midfield. Milan Nikolic was also suspended for this match, meaning Neil Dorimon got the nod at left centerback in his place. Centerback Joaco Cañas was handed the Captain's armband.
Ilocos, on the other hand, were without English centerback Adam Mitter, which compelled Ian Gillan to use Selu Lozano in defense.
Manila began brightly with Dizon and Connor Tacagni testing Ilocos goalie Baba Sampana early.
But the home side were dealt a blow midway through the first half when Alvin Sarmiento hurt his hamstring, forcing Caslib to withdraw him in favor of Jake Morallo.
It appeared that it would be a goalless first half but Dizon had other ideas. In first-half stoppage time he collected a diagonal pass from Tahj Minniecon, outran Josh Reyes in the left flank and left-footed past Sampana for 1-0.
"It was a great ball from Tahj and I was lucky to finish it," said Dizon, who earned Man Of The Match honors."
In the second half the Sparks had a great chance to double the lead but Minniecon drove a first-time shot off a Tyler Matas delivery high.
Ashley Flores also shot wide left and Connor Tacagni picked up a yellow card that leaves him suspended for the Sparks' next game.
With thirteen minutes to go Joaco Cañas produced a turn and shot that narrowly missed the target.
Ilocos United surged forward for the remainder of the match but we're foiled by the staunch Meralco defense. At the final whistle Manila had achieved a third win against the Ilocanos this season, all by one-goal margins.
The result puts Manila on 39 points, ten points ahead of second and third-place Kaya and Global, who played to a goalless standoff in Cebu on Saturday.
"We're in the bottom of the table for a reason," said Gillan afterwards.
"But in every game opposing coaches keep on saying how difficult it is to play us."
"Ilocos plays tough football but we stepped up in the second half," said Caslib.
"Our defensive line stepped up but I was surprised by our (wasted) chances. We need to go back to the training pitch to work on our finishing."
Caslib also praised Morallo, Gonzales, and Ashley Flores for stepping up.
"Anto was like a machine out there," said Dizon in awe of the veteran' fitness and work rate.
"He was even running sprints after the game. His voice on the pitch was also a big asset."
Manila next plays JPV Marikina on Wednesday at 4pm. The match will be held in Rizal Memorial but the contest counts as a home game for JPV, as their home pitch is still under rehabilitation.
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