Teknika reaches PFF Smart football final

MANILA—Teknika secured a hard-earned 2-nil victory over Pachanga Wednesday night to claim the last finals spot in the PFF Smart Club Championships at the University of Makati pitch.

Azkals striker Misagh Bahadoran and Sudanese forward Izzeldin El-Habbib scored in each half as the Teknika booters prevailed in a battle of NCR squads and reached the final opposite Smart San Beda.

Representing Rizal FA, Smart San Beda earlier clinched a slot in the home-and-away finals with a 2-1 nipping of Stallions of Iloilo.

Both games in the “home-and-away” finals will be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium with the first leg set on Saturday and the second match on Monday. The draw to determine the home team on Saturday was set late yesterday.

Teknika missed influential midfielder Robert Canedo and defender Valentine Kama due to suspension. But the team managed by Dan Palami had more than enough firepower to compensate for the duo’s absence.

Bahadoran, who played in both legs of the World Cup Qualifying clash against Kuwait, struck from 30 yards to open the scoring in the 13th minute, before El-Habbib put the outcome beyond doubt four minutes from time, beating Pachanga keeper Patrick Deyto on a one-on-one.

Teknika goalkeeper Kenneth Dolloso also stood out, foiling striker OJ Clarino late in the game when Pachanga tried to chase the game.

Pachanga’s Cameroonian defender Yves Ashine was sent off late in the game for hitting Bahadoran in the head late in injury time.

“We really worked on our defense the previous three days and this was crucial to our win,” said Teknika coach Franklin Muescan.