Kaya FC-Makati rolls to third straight win; Ilocos United, Stallion Laguna draw
KAYA FC-Makati is once again on a roll, winning its third straight match in the Philippines Football League (PFL) after a 2-0 victory over JPV Marikina FC on Sunday at the University of Makati Stadium.
Banking on two second-half goals, Kaya blew the game open after being capped in the opening fold to book the win that thrust it to third spot in the standings of the newly created national football league.
Later in the day, Ilocos United FC and Stallion Laguna FC had their game stopped at halftime because of inclement weather with the score tied at 1-1.
Kaya started strong in its game against JPV, putting itself in solid scoring positions but only to be foiled by its opponent and settling for a goalless tie at the halftime break.
The Makati team, however, would continue to fight on and take it to JPV and was eventually rewarded with a goal by forward Jordan Mintah in the 60th minute to break the stalemate.
Now had the upper hand, Kaya kept the pressure on JPV thereafter.
Forward Robert Mendy broke through again for Kaya in the 80th minute from outside the box to take their lead to 2-0, an edge they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
The win was the third consecutive for Kaya, following victories over Stallion and Davao Aguilas FC, in that order, previously.
It now leapfrogged to third spot in the standings with a record of six wins, two draws and three losses and 20 points, three points down from league-leader FC Meralco Manila (72-1) and a point below second-running Global Cebu FC (6-3-2).
The loss, meanwhile, stretched for JPV it struggles that has seen fall from as high as second spot to now at fifth with a 6-0-4 record and 18 points.
“I’m very happy for the win. All the players performed well. They responded well to the plan before the game. Playing a tough team in JPV, and having a good result like this will really be a motivating factor for Kaya,” said head coach Noel Marcaida after their game.
Meanwhile, struggling teams Ilocos and Stallion saw a golden chance to book their first win in the PFL derailed by bad weather at halftime at the President Elpidio Quirino Stadium in Vigan City.
With PFL rules stating that games abandoned at halftime are already considered full time, Ilocos and United had to settle for a draw and got a point each.
The result left the two teams still winless with Stallion ( 0- 4-7) at seventh place with four points and Ilocos ( 0- 3-7) at the bottom with three points. —