Kaya FC Makati gifts fans with first PFL home win

HEADING into its second home game in the Philippines Football League ( PFL) last Saturday, Kaya FC Makati was aiming to come up with a win after opening its bid in the newly formed national league with a draw. And the team delivered accordingly, beating visiting Davao Aguilas FC, 2- 0, at the University of Makati football field.

“Going into this game we’re really looking forward to our first three points on our home turf,” said Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida, whose wards were out on the field after a two-week break since playing their opener against Ceres-Negros FC also at home which ended in a 1-1 draw.

“Because we were given ample time to prepare for this match, everyone can play 100%. I think our advantage going into this game is we have players that can play different positions, and we’re playing on our home turf. The fans are our 12th man on the pitch,” the coach added.

Against the Aguilas, Kaya used a spirited effort in the opening half, punctuated by two goals to give itself a cushion which it will hold the rest of the way.

Jordan Mintah put Kaya to the board in the 16th minute before Adam Reed connected on a spot kick before the halftime break to help his team double its lead.

Davao, which now lost two straight after opening its campaign with a draw, tried to rally back but Kaya would not allow any comeback to happen en route to docking its first win in the PFL.

The victory improved Kaya to 1-1- 0 for four points, good for second place, as of Saturday, behind leagueleading Meralco Manila FC ( 3- 0- 0 and nine points), which kept its unblemished record intact after beating JPV Marikina FC in the other Saturday fixture, 1- 0.

Kaya will be back in action on Wednesday, May 24, taking on Global Cebu FC at 7 p.m.

Trailing Meralco and Kaya are third- running Global Cebu FC ( 1- 0- 0) and JPV Marikina FC ( 1- 0-2) with three points each. Global had a scheduled game yesterday against Stallion Laguna FC.

Ceres (0-1-0), Ilocos United FC (01-1) and Davao (0-1-2) have a point to show for so far while Stallion (0-0-1) is still to notch a point.

In the PFL, the eight- team field plays two rounds of home- and- away matches in the classification phase with the top four advancing to the next round.