Izzeldin Elhabib struck twice as One Taguig FC cameaway with a 3-1 win over local rivals Maharlika Taguig FC in Wednesday’s Philippines Football League clash at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
The win saw One Taguig go up to sixth place with 15 points, level on points with United City FC and Manila Digger FC, while Maharlika remained in ninth with nine points.
One Taguig gained the upper hand after 22 minutes with two quick goals from Yannick Tuason in the 22nd minute and Elhabib mere minutes later.
Gael Basana had the opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 34th minute, but saw his denied by the cross bar. However, Maharlika would go on to score a minute later as Junior Mailly struck past the on rushing Lance Bencio.
Tuazon and Elhabib combined to restore One Taguig’s two goal advantage in the 40th minute. Naoto Hiraishi launched a cross into the path of Tuazon, which was denied by Mamadou Sene, but the Sudanese forward was there to slot home the rebound.
Substitute Misagh Bahadoran almost gifted One Taguig a fourth goal in the 58th minute but his header from Hiraishi went wide.
Maharlika also came close to scoring in the 64th minute as Soufianne Bouazzaoui wrested the ball away from Arnel Amita, allowing Basana to burst into space, but Bencio was quick to deny the forward the chance.