Dynamic Herb Cebu FC finished their 2024 Philippines Football League (PFL) season on a high note with a comprehensive 5-1 win vs visitors Mendiola FC 1991 this Saturday afternoon at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex.
Not much was at stake in the match, as both sides had already secured their league positions ahead of the final matchday: Cebu in 2nd after a 2-1 defeat to Stallion a week ago, and Mendiola in 10th having gone 4 points clear of Tuloy previously.
Eager to bounce back from defeat last week which essentially ended their title hopes, the Gentle Giants looked to start strong. Rintaro Hama scored his tenth goal of the season to open proceedings for the hosts in the 12th minute with a low shot deflected into goal. Moments later, Hama had his cross diverted by Mendiola defender David Yeboah to his own net for an early two-goal advantage.
Mendiola’s reinforcements from the previous match kept their places in the lineup, with Jojie Grado still in net, new additions David Yeboah and Kame Hayato joined this week by Franck Behema at the back and Yohan Mbida up front had helped keep the scoreline 2-0 entering half-time.
The Gentle Giants piled on the misery to open the second period as Guytho Mijland connected on a Roberto Corsame Jr. through pass to slot home after 51 minutes. Mijland then notched his fifteenth assist of the season (behind only Stephan Schröck of One Taguig FC with 17) turned creator for Corsame who added another in the 53rd with a low finish.
Marius Kore then made it 5-0 for the hosts in the 72nd minute, leaping high from almost inside the six-yard box against the Mendiola defense to finish off a free kick delivery by Devrim Ali Yanik.
The Brave Men pulled one back through captain and leading goalscorer Hamed Hajimehdi, his set piece from just outside the penalty area hitting the top corner in the 79th minute to bump his goal tally to eight for the season.
By finishing in second, Dynamic Herb Cebu FC secured qualification to the group stage of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Two, following up an AFC Cup group stage appearance a year ago. Mendiola FC 1991 settled in tenth spot, but will be buoyed by six points in their last three matches ahead of an expected September kickoff for the new league season.
Future chemical engineer and longtime football fan, Dann’s passion for the beautiful game has grown from the Miracle in Hanoi days, and he has been a Manchester United fan since. With a keen interest in the analytics side of the sport, he runs his own blog CounterPressPH, and has been covering the local game with Eat Sleep Breathe Football.
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