Maharlika Manila scored two goals in the second half in pulling off a stunning come-from-behind 2-1 upset of debuting Stallion-Laguna FC yesterday in Day 2 of the Philippines Football League at the PFF National Training Center field in Carmona, Cavite.
Down 0-1 at the break, the charges of coach Roxy Dorlas came charging back in the last 45 minutes to net two goals from substitute Jose Montelibano in the 52nd minute and Jeremy Theuer, who volleyed in the 74th minute.
Smarting from a 0-1 loss to Kaya-Iloilo FC last Wednesday, Maharlika remained in the hunt in the six-team, single-round series sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation and presented by Qatar Airways.
Senegalese midfielder Ibrahim N’Dour knocked in the opening goal for Stallion-Laguna with a clinical finish inside the box in the 28th minute.
But, with three starters missing, Stallion faded in the second half allowing Maharlika to get back into the match.
Cameroonian goalkeeper Henri Bandeken had another stellar outing at the net and was named Man of the Match.
“Words cannot express how happy I feel about this victory,” said Dorlas after his team showed its resiliency after falling behind in the first half against one of the league’s fancied sides.
“One of the things that (team owner) Anton del Rosario told us when we formed this squad was to produce positive results and gain the respect of the big clubs and this is what we did today,” he added.
Stallion-Laguna FC assistant coach Richard Leyble acknowledged that fatigue set in for his players in the second half but praised his rivals for the way they never gave up when they fell behind.
“Without our three starters in our first 11 it was difficult for us,” Leyble said as Nathan Alquiros, Ricky Sendra and Abou Sy were all unavailable for the match.
“We just have to avoid the same mistakes and how to sustain our fitness for the entire 90 minutes.”