Davao Aguilas FC narrowly edged out a determined Manila Digger FC, 1-0, in a heated matchday filled with squandered chances, flaring tempers, careless challenges resulting in yellow cards, and a controversial straight red card, Sunday evening, April 21, at the University of Makati Field.
Another set-piece goal secured the three points for the Aguilas as a whipped cross from Omae So found center-back Shoma Sato outmuscling his markers and heading the ball past Digger keeper Yuya Kuriyama, with the Japanese connection providing the lone goal of the contest in the 28th minute.
However, the match could easily be remembered as one of the most heated encounters early in this PFL season, with six players receiving yellow cards—two for Aguilas and four for Manila Digger—highlighting the feistiness of both teams as they struggled to maintain midfield control with their physicality and tenacity, which only served to inflame tensions both on and off the pitch.
The Sato goal marked the first shot on target for the entire match, as both teams vied to outsmart each other in midfield during the first half. Davao marked the Digger midfield to prevent passes to their wingers, while Digger sought to exploit their physical attributes to break through Davao’s high defensive line.
Ibrahima N’dour, the lone goalscorer in last week’s win against Mendiola, almost secured a second goal for Davao just minutes after the opener as he capitalized on a poor back pass, forcing a one-on-one with the goalkeeper before Kuriyama made a save and collected the rebound in the 30th minute.
Manila Digger, coming off two narrow wins against Army and Maharlika Taguig in their first two PFL fixtures, made adjustments at halftime, including bringing on their 1.94-meter striker, Salifu Jatta, in an attempt to find an equalizer. Jatta nearly made an instant impact, but his first shot was safely gathered by Davao goalkeeper Dini Outtara.
Misfortune struck for Davao in the 68th minute as Omae So, who provided the earlier assist, was sent off after what seemed like a harmless challenge to Digger substitute Earl Pinero in an aerial duel, reducing the Aguilas to 10 men.
Despite being a man down, Aguilas continued to push for the insurance goal in the final minutes, with swift counters that were not capitalized on by OJ Clarino and Ibrahima N’dour in stoppage time, before the referee blew the final whistle to confirm the Aguilas’ victory.
Aber Ruzgal’s men will continue to play at UMak for their next fixture against bottom-of-the-table Manila Montet FC, with the expected kickoff time set for 3:00 PM on April 28, Sunday, while Manila Digger FC will aim to bounce back in their game against Mendiola FC on April 27, Saturday, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, kicking off at 8:00 PM.
