Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 20) – Mendiola FC 1991 and Stallion Laguna FC settled for a scoreless draw in the Copa Paulino Alcantara 2022 at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite on Wednesday.
Both squads notched a point in the seven-club league table, tied with two points apiece for fifth place. Stallion leads in goal difference with two draws while Mendiola has two draws and three losses.
In the first half, Mendiola was the more dominant team as Stephen Appiah and Jay-R Sandoval fired shots on target – but all went outside the net.
The Stallions controlled the momentum in the second half as they became aggressive in going for the strike against the defensive workhorses of the Mendiola squad.
As both teams were unlucky to capitalize the breakthrough goal of the match, the Ernie Nierras-mentored Stallion club began to assert its experience in stoppage time with Marwin Angeles almost nailing the strike with a close-range from the left side that just went off the mark.
Mendiola failed to get a clear goal opportunity in stoppage time but displayed their marked defense in holding off Stallion’s attack.
“We played really well, especially in the second half. Unfortunately, we failed to pick up the goal,” Stallion midfielder Oscar Delgado said after the game.
“Unfortunately, we missed a lot of chances,” lamented Mendiola’s Hamed Hajimahdi.
Stallion will next face Dynamic Herb Cebu FC in the latter’s first game on Monday while Mendiola’s upcoming match will also be against the Cebu-based club on May 2.
