CARMONA, CAVITE – United City delivered a big scare on Halloween night by torturing Mendiola 1991, 6-0, at the resumption of the 2020 Philippines Football League (PFL) brought to you by Qatar Airways from the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center. Bienvenido Maranon presided over the rout with a hat trick in the first half as UCFC zoomed to the early league leadership with their second win in a row.
Maranon opened his season account by heading in a free kick by captain Stephan Schrock in the 12th minute. He followed it up with a power strike that slipped on the gloves of goalkeeper Dini Ouattara and going through his legs to double their lead in in the 25th minute.
Not to be outdone, Robert Lopez Mendy banged in a header off an assist from Hikaru Minegishi in the 38th minute to pull away, 3-0. Lopez Mendy then fished a penalty from a prone Ouattara who grabbed his foot with Maranon dutifully slotting in the penalty kick just before halftime.
By the second half, Lopez Mendy continued from where he left off and was taken down inside the penalty by JRV Malayo that led to Mike Ott converting the penalty kick for his second goal of the season at 52nd minute. Coach Frank Muescan began to bring in his substitutes as Lopez Mendy headed in the final goal off a rebound on the crossbar of Maranon’s attempt in the 58th minute.
Mendiola tried their best to salvage a consolation goal but UCFC’s defense remained airtight. Coach Dan Padernal pulled out Ouattara in the 76th minute and reserve goalkeeper Kenry Balobo did a good job of not allowing any further goals as his UCFC counterpart Anthony Pinthus tallied his second straight clean sheet.
Up next for United City is an interest match up against rejuvenated Maharlika Manila on Tuesday (November 3) starting at 8:00 PM. Mendiola will face the Azkals Development Team in the day’s opener at 9:00 AM.
Servinio's Sports Etc. 