The Azkals Development Team spoiled the debut of Stallion-Laguna after a late goal forced a 1-1 draw in the Copa Paulino Alcantara on Monday, April 11, 2022 at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.
Scott Woods’ free kick with three minutes before stoppage time enabled ADT to split a point with the Horsemen after an intense affair between the two teams that met in last year’s semifinals.
Leo Nogueira’s opener in the 19th minute in his debut appearance looked like it would be enough for Stallion to secure the maximum three points in its first match of the 2022 campaign.
But ADT found a break when Dennis Chung was fouled by Finn McDaniel from barely outside of the box to set up a free kick that saw Woods firing a left-footed box that beat Stallion keeper Hayeson Pepito.
ADT moved to third place in the seven-team table with four points, trailing leader United City by four and defending champion Kaya-Iloilo by three.
Stallion, which made significant roster changes during the transfer window, drew level on points with Mendiola FC 1991 to begin its cup stint.
In another cagey battle, it was Stallion which struck first when Nogueira, one of the club’s new signings, took advantage of the scramble between ADT keeper Enrico Mangaoang and two defenders in the middle of the box.
Nogueira came rushing and fired a shot that hit the back of the net to complete a counterattack by the Laguna outfit.
Oliver Bias started in his first ADT appearance this year and almost scored an equalizer early in the second half when his attempt rattled the woodwork.
Jaime Rosquillo had a pair of chances also but his pair of headers off a corner kick in both halves were not enough to find the mark.
Nogueira also tried to score a second goal but his long attempt was easily saved by Mangaoang.
Tensions nearly boiled over with over 20 minutes remaining when a pair of ADT players tried to confront Stallion’s Kainoa Bailey after a challenge on Marc Tobias, who was going for an attempt that went over the crossbar.
The result gave ADT some confidence going into its big matchup against Kaya on April 20 in the rematch of the Copa Final while Stallion will also play on the same day opposite Mendiola.