NEWCOMER Maharlika Manila FC, banking on its substitutes, earned its first full points with a 2-1 win over Stallion Laguna yesterday in the Philippines Football League at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Jeremy Theuer, receiving a perfect pass from Charlie Beaton, scored past Nelson Gasic in the 75th minute that turned out the be Maharlika Manila’s winning moment.
Maharlika Manila rebounded from last week’s 0-1 loss to Kaya-Iloilo FC in the short, six-team competition brought to you by Qatar Airways and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board..
Stallion Laguna actually opened the scoring via Senegalese midfielder Ibrahim N’Dour’s 28th minute strike.
Maharlika Manila’s historic first goal was courtesy of Jose Montelibano, who converted off a MJ Libre assist in the 51st minute that equalized the match.
“Still no words to express how happy I am with the team performance,” said Maharlika Manila coach Roxy Dorlas.
“We had a good game against Kaya, we solved our problems and we were positive going into the match against Stallion,” he added.
Stallion-Laguna FC assistant coach Richard Leyble acknowledged that fatigue set in for his players in the second half, as Nathan Alquiros, Ricky Sendra and Abou Sy were all unavailable for the season opener.
“Without our three starters in our first 11 it was difficult for us,” Leyble said.
“We just have to avoid the same mistakes and how to sustain our fitness for the entire 90 minutes.”
