Manila, Philippines — Kaya FC-Iloilo added a final gem to their crown on coronation day: a 3-1 victory over Stallion Laguna FC in front of a sea of supporters in the stands.
Tamon Horikoshi got the ball rolling in the 35th minute, heading in the opener past Stallion’s Deyto off of a fantastic cross from Fitch Arboleda. (1-0)
That would remain the scoreline until 58 minutes into the second half, when the blue shirts turned the tables off a corner set piece. Laguna’s Placito got free inside the Iloilo box and returned the favor, heading in the equalizer past Zach Banzon’s outstretched gloves. (1-1)
Coach Yu Hoshide immediately turned to his bench to remedy the situation, and their impact was felt right away. Kaya took back control of the pace; and eventually, the game as well.
Building up from the back, Dylan Nobiraki sent a through ball to Jovin Bedic who played a perfect one-touch pass to Jhan Melliza. Splitting the two opposing center backs, the La Paz native turned on the jets and snatched the lead back with a smooth bottom-corner finish in the 65th minute. (2-1)
Jarvey Gayoso sealed the deal in the 84th minute. Milad Behgandom played a similar central through pass to the striker inside the box, where Jarvey somehow managed to tap-dance his way through multiple tackles before punching in Iloilo’s third of the afternoon. (3-1)
Starting Lineup:
CF: Bedic
LMF: D. Horikoshi, CMF: Nobiraki, CMF: Melliza, RMF: T. Horikoshi
DMF: Angeles
LB: Arboleda, CB: Rota, CB: Menzi, RB: Diano
GK: Banzon
Subs: Behgandom, Gayoso, Amita, Giganto, Casambre, Tacusalme
Coach Yu Hoshide used all five available substitutions on the afternoon:
- Arnel Amita checked in for Marwin Angeles in the 59th minute.
- Jarvey Gayoso and Milad Behgandom relieved Jovin Bedic and Tamon Horikoshi in the 70th minute.
- Lastly, Camelo Tacusalme and Eric Giganto checked in for Jhan Melliza and Simone Rota in the 85th minute.
The yellow card Tamon Horikoshi picked up in the 10th minute due to a late tackle was Kaya’s only booking in this game.
Not long after the final whistle, the festivities began in earnest celebrating Kaya as the current kings of Philippine football. A magical way to end this historic run, the momentum of which they’ll be looking to carry into the Copa Paulino Alcantara later this year.
