STALLION Laguna FC lost to Bali United, 5-2, on Wednesday in its first game in the AFC Cup at the Binan Football Stadium.
Ilija Spasojevic spoiled Stallion’s debut on the continental stage with a brace during the high-scoring affair.
Stallion was down 2-1 at the half following a furious exchange of goals that saw Spasojevic score in the 27th, Ngong Sam Stephen get Stallion on the board in the 29th, and Haudi Abdullah slot in the go-ahead goal in the 33rd.
Mohammed Rashid and Rahmat manufactured a goal in the 53rd and 69th respectively, and Spasovejic made his second goal in the 69th.
Abraham Placito headed a corner kick in the 88th for Stallion.
Stallion had two missed scoring opportunities with Miguel Mendoza’s penalty kick saved by the ‘keeper and Sam’s shot on injury time late in the match going wide.
Stallion made it to the AFC Cup for the very first time by virtue of finishing third in the Philippines Football League season.
“Nobody expected us to be here,” said Stallion coach Ernie Nierras. “You guys saw that we were fighting. We have two sure goals that we would have scored and we had injuries in the middle. We could have done better, but you know we won’t stop fighting."
Stallion chief eyes PFF presidency
Nierras later revealed during the postmatch press conference that Stallion chairman Filbert Alquiros will run for the presidency in the Philippine Football Federation elections in November.
Alquiros will look to take over PFF’s top post from Mariano ‘Nonong’ Araneta, who is no longer eligible to run for another term.
“Filbert is taking the next step. We need to do more for Philippine football not just for the national team level, but he also wants it for the whole Philippines,” said Nierras.
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