Mendiola and Stallion Grinds Into a Stalemate, A Show of Strength and Fitness
A new matchday is upon us as Mendiola FC 1991 took on one of the more experienced sides in Stallion Laguna FC. Both teams had the chance to get the better of the other as they both come off from a decent form.
The only question as we await the opening whistle is who would come out on top?
Mendiola took the initiative in the first minute, but the attempt was saved.
Stallion took the ball immediately to the other side with an attempt of their own.
Just a few minutes in and it seemed that Mendiola wanted to take the fight to Stallion Laguna, utilizing their wingers' speed.
A foul was called against Stallion in the 5th minute, but the resulting effort only led to a poor attempt at goal with an intercepted low pass.
Mendiola's pressure led to the first corner of the game in the 7th minute, but that too didn't create any chances.
A hard challenge leads to a foul on Alassane Wade. He had to step aside for a quick recovery before returning to the field.
Stallion found it hard to make it past the middle third as Mendiola put up a credible defense. A Free kick was given in the 11th minute for Stallion from the half-line, but this didn't lead to much.
Mendiola lost the ball from the Stallion's third, and with a well-weighted pass allowed Stallion to penetrate the final third. But the attack fizzled out after Stallion's #12 tried to wrestle the ball off of Wade but drew a foul instead in the 13th minute.
The momentum swayed toward Stallion Laguna as they now start pressing Mendiola harder.
Sam Junior found himself in an opportune position as he was able to take the ball inside the box for a shot, but a Stallion player got in the way. The ensuing corner led to a turnover in possession.
A foul close to Mendiola's goal in the 20th minute as Gyles Encabo was taken down. The free-kick was close enough for a goal, and a low effort was almost converted, but Mendiola was equal to that chance.
A pair of corner kicks in favor of Stallion Laguna only led to near chances, but Stallion kept the pressure on Mendiola's final third in the 22nd minute.
A quick counter from Mendiola with Stephen Appiah at the tip of the spear, but it was blocked and sent wide. The following corner didn't do any damage as well. This was in the 24th minute.
Mendiola seemed to have found themselves in a great position to score, but a great effort from Stallion skipper Matthew Nierras putting a foot in to block the shot in the 25th minute.
Appiah was once again given a golden opportunity in the 29th minute after getting the better of two defenders just at the edge of the box, but the shot just went wide.
An early substitution by Stallion looked to shake things up. Darwin Regala steps in for Gyles Encabo in the 31st minute.
Another hard challenge forces Mendiola down to 10 men temporarily as Wade is sidelined. He comes back about a minute after.
A corner kick in the 36th minute was won by Mendiola, but the effort just ends up in the keeper's hands.
Stallion Laguna wins a corner in the 38th, but it was also cleared out.
Pepito's hands have been instrumental for Stallion's game as he made another save in the 39th.
Finn McDaniel was gifted a nicely placed high ball in front of the box, but the defenders made sure it won't lead to anything more in the 42's minute.
A the free-kick in the 44th. Dela Pena almost had it.
A yellow was issued at stoppage time for Dimitry Limbo following a strong tackle against Hamed Hadjimahdi, but this would be part of the last sequence of actions in the first half.
We go into the break all square.
Stallion Laguna almost had the early initiative as they played a beautiful pass only for the striker to miss the kick.
Sam Junior was already ahead of the defensive line and was in the open around the 48th minute, but it was judged offside.
5 minutes into the 2nd half and Mendiola is the more disturbed of the two defenses. The pressure is against them as Stallion kept the ball in their half.
It wasn't long though as Sam Junior found space ahead on the flanks, leading to an intercepted cross.
Stephen Appiah, this time, gave Stallions a scare as a great run into the box had to be harassed by multiple defenders in the 57th minute.
Ashley Flores was on his knees in the 62nd minute after a hard knock. Stallion Laguna had to put the ball out for fair play.
Yannick Tuazon had one of the best chances in the game as he directed the ball goalward when none of the defenders could clear it from inside the box. But that effort would not amount to much.
65th minutes in and Marwin Angeles won a free kick for Stallion in a great spot outside the box. The freekick led to a miss that almost allowed their opponents to complete a good counter.
A series of corners for Mendiola led to near threatening passes, but they were not able to find their way into the box in the 74th minute.
Sam Junior almost found the net after letting off a shot while unguarded in the flanks in the 77th minute.
But in just a minute after, Mendiola had to defend a corner against them. Mike Asiong was the hero again as it almost floated in.
Flores almost had an ideal chance with a lovely placed through ball into the box. But it was hoofed away by a Stallion player in the 84th minute.
Five minutes remaining in regulation and both sides still haven't found each other's goal, but this doesn't stop both from trying. The match had been end-to-end even at this point.
Tuazon caught the post in stoppage time almost putting his Laguna-side up, which led to loud sighs from the crowd.
With that, Stallion Laguna puts intense pressure against Mendiola in the dying last minute of stoppage. A last corner was allowed, but a lackluster cross puts the proceedings to a close.
Mendiola keeping another clean sheet, while Stallion remains unbeaten in their campaign.
The game was intense and did not lack action despite lacking the goals.
The draw seemed a fair reflection of a well-contested game.
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