Mendiola FC 1991 prevailed as 1-0 winners over Mendiola FC 1991 in a tightly contested match this Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, with the lone goal coming from Iranian forward Sajed Mohebizadeh in the 76th minute.
With the result, Maharlika absorbed their third straight defeat but remained 9th in the league, while the Brave Men strung two wins in a row for the first time this season to solidify their hold on the 10th spot.
The Brave Men fielded a retooled lineup in time for the July window, with the likes of Jay Shaun Soberano, Melvic Pitogo, and Khaled Khalifa starting straight away, as well as the defensive duo of David Yeboah and Kame Hayato. Maharlika meanwhile stuck to their usual guns for this match.
Mendiola’s new players did come in handy, as Pitogo linked up with skipper Hamed Hajimehdi and Mohebizadeh to create trouble for the Maharlika defense early on. On the other end, Hayato made a crucial tackle to deny Junior Mailly who was bearing down on goal, while their new keeper Jojie Grado tipped over an Emmanuel Otuyemi free kick that looked destined for the back of the net.
Mohebizadeh threatened to score just before the halftime whistle, having beaten Maharlika keeper Mamadou Sene but the side from Taguig was able to scramble the ball to safety to keep the match scoreless after 45 minutes.
Both sides exchanged chances to start the second period, with Hajimehdi coming close on a few dangerous-looking free kicks in the 61st and 63rd minute. Maharlika had their best chances through Lucas del Rosario, whose shot hit the side netting in the 58th minute, and his interception led to a Gael Basana shot inside the penalty area with 70 minutes played.
Los Hijos Valientes eventually found the towering Mohebizadeh with a cross from deep, who then finished the move with a half-volley past the hands of Sene.
Both sides will cap off their 2024 PFL campaigns next Saturday with tough assignments, as Maharlika Taguig plays United City FC at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, while Mendiola FC 1991 goes down south for a clash against the Gentle Giants of Dynamic Herb Cebu.
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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