Philippine Air Force FC claimed a 2-0 win in the Armed Forces derby over rivlas Philippine Army FC in their first top of the flight encounter in years in Sunday’s opening PFL fixture at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Philippine Air Force not only secured three points but also established themselves as the top Armed Forces team this season, leaving Philippine Army to reflect on a challenging derby defeat.
The match was heated early on, and it was Air Force who broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. Debutant Kenneth Lecoto scored with a tap-in past Army goalkeeper John Kent Delariarte in the 44th minute.
Jed Delariarte doubled Air Force’s lead with a well-placed right-footed curler, securing the victory and lifting the Airmen two places in the league standings.
Things turned on its head as Army’s frustrations boiled over in stoppage time with Winger John Celiz shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Jan Bernard, leaving Army to finish the game with ten men.