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| Photo from PFL |
by Drew Malihan
MANILA - Don Bosco Garelli United enters the win column in the 2024 Philippines Football League in style as they upset a more favorable Mendiola FC 1991 side Saturday inside the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Ivorian forward Jules Koumoin made it even better for Garelli as he grabbed his first hat-trick of the season against a more established side.
Meanwhile, Mendiola played without Iranian forward Sayedsajad Mohebizadeh, who was put on the sidelines due to an injury.
Both teams were even in the first 21 minutes, until Jangobah Johnson made a run from a long ball pass, luring the keeper only to pass it to a cutting Koumoin who tapped the ball to the net.
James Dorego provided an assist in added time, dribbling the ball and then sending it to Koumoin who beat three defenders plus keeper Marc Pellejo to put Garelli up 2-0 before halftime.
Koumoin grabbed his hat-trick as Mendiola's attack was intercepted in the midfield, who quickly sent the ball to the running Ivorian who slotted the ball in the 49th minute.
The forward found himself in another attacking situation in the 55th minute, but this time passed it to a cutting John Tirado who kicked it to the right corner of the goal, giving Garelli a comfortable 4-0 lead, and the former Adamson player his first PFL goal.
Mendiola showed signs of life late in the second half, with forward Djohn Pusing converting a pass inside the box from Nicolai Abalos to get the Brave Men a goal back, 4-1, in the 77th minute.
Sylver Formento also found himself in the scoresheet as he heads Hamed Hadjimadi's free pick past Antonnie Cabra's guard to give Mendiola a late second goal.
Don Bosco Garelli will try to sustain their newfound momentum as they will take Loyola FC on April 27, while Mendiola will face Manila Digger on the same day, both inside the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
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