Kaya FC–Iloilo Take Home Maximum Points from Laguna
Stallion Laguna 0-2 Kaya FC–Iloilo
Biñan Football Stadium
29 May 2019 — Kaya FC–Iloilo blanked Stallion Laguna on Wednesday afternoon at the Biñan Football Stadium, giving them back-to-back wins to start the 2019 Philippines Football League season.
Having watched the hosts manage an impressive draw against Ceres Negros over the weekend, Kaya came out aggressively to stifle Stallion’s transitions. Halfway through the opening period, the pressure paid off.
Connor Tacagni nicked the ball away on the right flank and raced towards the end line. He cut the ball back for Darryl Roberts, who was chopped down inside the box. Jovin Bedic stepped up to take the penalty and buried the ball in the top right corner to put the visitors ahead.
Stallion started getting back into the match as the break drew closer, making Jalsor Soriano’s forced withdrawal less than ideal for Kaya. Just as the half was coming to an end, Mike Casas pulled off a fine stop to deny OJ Clarino’s curling effort.
Laguna grew in confidence in the second half. Within ten minutes after the restart, Nathan Alquiros forced Casas into another save. The hosts came close again in the 70th minute, but Melliza could only steer Fitch Arboleda’s low cross wide of the target.
Iloilo dug deep to keep the hosts out in the end game, and with two minutes remaining, Jordan Mintah cemented the victory with a precise finish from outside Stallion’s box.
“From the first minute, my players showed that they had that desire to get the three points,” said Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida. “Playing Stallion in there home is not easy. But we came with a plan to stop their quick attacks and I’m happy that our preparations were successful.”
Goalkeeper Mike Casas, reinstated in the starting lineup after being left out in the PFL opener, was named Man of the Match for his efforts in keeping Stallion scoreless.
“It’s a long season and I hope we keep this winning streak going. We’ll be looking for another clean sheet in the next match, that’s very important for us,” he said.
The result keeps Kaya FC–Iloilo atop the PFL standings with a perfect six points after two outings. The club next faces Global Cebu on June 15.
