Meralco Manila blanks Davao Aguilas

James Younghusband fired his third goal of the season as Meralco Manila blanked Davao Aguilas, 2-0, to keep its perfect record in the 2017 Philippines Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Sparks skipper pounced on scramble inside the box, poking home the insurance goal in the 70th minute as Meralco nailed its fourth straight victory for 12 points.

Curt Dizon, the league’s first ever scorer, gave Meralco the lead in the sixth minute with a close range strike off a cross from defender Joaco Cañas.

The Sparks’ early goal roused the Aguilas into action with Gerald Layumas, Dylan De Bruycker, and Omar Khan all testing Ace Villanueva on the Meralco goal.

On the other end, Milan Nikolic and Tahj Minniecon kept Davao keeper Marko Trkulja busy with a couple of efforts just before halftime.

Younghusband poked in Manila’s second goal after the Davao defense failed to clear inside the area, before the Sparks hung on to keep their second straight clean sheet.

The Sparks found themselves on top of the table regardless of the result of the Sunday matches heading into the international break.

“Davao played well,” said Meralco coach Aris Caslib. “We were fortunate in the small moments of the game.”

Davao coach Gary Phillips feels his side is still a work in progress.

“We are missing that little quality,” said Phillips, after the Aguilas suffered a third straight defeat. “We have young players who are still learning the game but we need to learn more quickly.”