The Azkals Development Team barged into the winning column at the expense of Maharlika Manila FC, 4-0 in the first match of Saturday’s triple header at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. Man of the Match Stephan Schrock displayed his veteran leadership anew and even scored himself to highlight the easy win.
Andres Aldeguer got the scoring going in the 22nd minute as he took advantage of a slip by Lawrence Baguio to control the ball and pop it into the goal. The score held by halftime, 1-0, but the Azkals were not yet done.
Maharlika goalkeeper Vinci Valdez managed to swat away Chester Pabualan’s free kick but Dominic Tom as at the right place to grab the rebound and double the margin by the 50th minute. Schrock then notched his first goal of the season as the ball bounced off the crossbar only to find its way to his feet for the easy third goal in the 55th minute.
Pabualan finally got his goal as he managed to beat Valdez for the fourth goal in the 69th minute. Goalkeeper Julian Schwarzer also claimed his first clean sheet after drawing attention in their last-minute 1-0 defeat to Kaya FC Iloilo last August 7.
The Azkals levelled their record to a win and a loss for three points and stay in the middle of the seven-team table. Maharlika absorbed their third straight defeat.