The Azkals Development Team capitalized on a questionable penalty in the second half to beat Maharlika-Manila, 5-0, Friday night in the Philippines Football League at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Jarvey Gayoso scored the opening goal off a penalty kick at the hour-mark before ADT added four more goals to win for the second straight time and solidify its hold on third spot in the six-team table.
But the match was best remembered before Gayoso’s opener when referee Rodney Leyble pointed at the spot after Chima Uzoka fell down while Maharlika defender David Fornea was clearing the ball inside the box.
Yrick Gallantes doubled the lead in the 64th, Uzoka scored twice before Gayoso completed a brace shortly before the final whistle.
“I think we are very flat in the first half. We had to readjust. We started to enjoy the possession a bit. A little bit fortunate with the penalty but then again, we probably should have had three or four penalties in the game,” said ADT coach Scott Cooper.
Cooper made some adjustments, prominently using Gayoso up front after scoring one of the goals in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Mendiola FC 1991.
ADT improved to six points after four matches, moving three clear of Maharlika which suffered its second straight defeat.
Maharlika, still in fourth with three points, has lost the last outings by a combined score of 15-0, including a 10-0 drubbing handed by league-leader United City FC.