PFL: Seventh heaven for Mendiola as Mohebizadeh inks season's first hat trick

Photo from Pat Reyes / Who the heck are we?

by Drew Malihan

MANILA - Seven. goals.

Mendiola FC 1991 start their 2024 Philippines Football League campaign on a high note as they wallop Philippine Air Force FC inside the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Iranian newcomer Sajed Mohebizadeh had a debut match to remember as he recorded the first PFL hat trick for the season for Los Valientes Hijos.

Amir Aningalan opened the floodgates for Mendiola, scoring a header past Zaldy Abraham off from a set piece from Nicolai Abalos on the left side in the 10th minute.

Both teams tried to score off chances, but it was only until the 43rd minute that Mohebizadeh scored a header off a corner from compatriot Hamed Hajimahdi, capitalizing on PAF's feeble defense.

The score stayed at 2-0 until the 64th minute as Mohebizadeh and Hiromasa Ishikawa went for a one-two, with the former putting the ball past Abraham's guard for the third using the left foot.

Hajimahdi joined the goal fest as he scored in the 68th minute for Aningalan, while Ishikawa added one for himself off from another corner from the long-serving Mendiola player.

Mohebizadeh completed the perfect hat trick with Kenji Pusing setting him up for the goal, which he scored with his right foot in the 82nd minute.

Pusing meanwhile added to Mendiola's goal tally, with the 21-year-old scoring off an assist from Vincent Baido to end the game 7-0.

Air Foce will see familiar faces in the form as they take on Oner Taguig FC on April 13, while Mendiola will try to add another win against Davao Aguilas.

Follow him on X: @drew_corner