Dizon logs milestone as Meralco triumphs

Curt Dizon scored the first goal in the history of the Philippines Football League as Meralco Manila FC picked up a crucial away win by turning back Stallion Laguna, 5-1, on opening day Saturday at Biñan Football Stadium.

Australian winger Tahj Minniecon, defender Milan Nikolic and brothers Phil and James Younghusband were also on target for the Manila side, which took maximum points for top spot at the end of Match Day 1.

Dizon fired the opening goal in the ninth minute only for Stallion’s Japanese striker Ryota Ishikawa to equalize at the half hour mark.

Over at University of Makati Stadium, substitute Marwin Angeles canceled out Iain Ramsay’s early goal as Kaya Makati salvaged a point with a 1-1 draw against Ceres Negros.

Ramsay’s finish at the stroke of halftime put the Busmen on top, but the hosts equalized in the 69th minute when Angeles bundled home from close range after Ceres failed to clear its lines.

“The one point [against a team like Ceres] is very important to the morale of the team,” said Kaya coach Noel Marcaida.

Ramsay believes the Busmen showed character in picking up a point just three days after a tough away win against Singapore side Tampines Rovers in the AFC Cup.

“It’s always nice to score a goal but I would have been happy with the three points,” said Ramsay. “But we had a tough schedule and to play today, we had to show character and that’s exactly what we did.”