FC Meralco Manila seals PFL top-two finish

Tahj Minniecon at work.

JPV Marikina FC's hopes to crash the Finals Series party of the Philippines Football League are almost sealed shut, as FC Meralco Manila snatches a 1-0 victory at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium this past Tuesday afternoon.

The lone score of the match came off an own goal by JPV's Dapal Unabia in the second half, amidst all the efforts for both sides to break through.

JPV saw J Baguioro's attempt in the 14th minute flutter over the bar, while Sparks skipper Simon Greatwich had one of his shots on goal sent directly towards Nelson Gasic for the latter to easily save four minutes later.

The Sparks arguably had their best chance of the afternoon midway into the first half, as a Tahj Minniecon corner led to a Joaco Cañas header that hits the right post. Greatwich, Daniel Gadia,  Minniecon, and Connor Tacagni would have their own respective opportunities in the first half, but were unable to convert.

The second half started out much like the first, as both sides were rebuffed of scoring chances. Tacagni's attempt on goal was denied by Gasic, while Takashi Odawara's shot went off to the left in the 54th minute.

One minute later, the goal finally happened, as a Minniecon cross bounced off Unabia's leg and into the net.

The visitors would try their best to find an equalizer, getting thenselves into a set piece situation in the 77th minute, but the Kouichi Belgira free kick was punched away by Ace Villanueva.

The hosts also had their own chances, but both Greatwich's and Minniecon's attempts went wide. Meanwhile, Gasic smothered another Tacagni attempt on goal.

By earning this win, FC Meralco Manila now has 54 points in 25 matches, guaranteeing itself a top-two finish heading into the Finals Series. It also extends their gap atop the PFL to seven points against Kaya FC-Makati and nine points against Ceres-Negros FC, who will be their next scheduled opponent. The Sparks will be headed to Bacolod to face the Busmen on November 5.

The loss pegs JPV at 28 points with four matches remaining, and with Global Cebu FC already at 40 points in 24 matches, all the latter needs to clinch the last available Finals Series berth is to secure a point from its remaining schedule.

Notes:
Jun Badelic sat out the match due to a sore shoulder, thus the spot start for Villanueva. And with Milan Nikolic suspended, Neil Dorimon stepped in to fill his shoes.

Lee Jeong Min was booked during the match, which will force him to be sidelined against Ceres-Negros this weekend.


Minniecon on the match: "I think we played well tactically in the first half. In the second, we let them into the game... Going into the playoffs, we have stuff to eliminate if we are to go further... We are creating chances but our problem is being confident in front of goal and putting the chances away..."

FC Meralco Manila head coach Aris Caslib on the Sparks' perceived scoring issues: "Our lack of scoring will not be a problem... On transitions and set plays we can deliver. We are trying to involve more players in attack. At the end of the day one goal is good enough to win a match."

JPV Marikina FC head coach Dan Padernal on the match: "Our finishing was not there."

Padernal on the team's schedule: "Four games in two weeks is a bit tiring. But thank you to my players for their effort, even though we can't finish in the top 4."