Kaya FC gets better of Davao in high-scoring, emotional game
KAYA FC-ILOILO bounced back from a previous loss in the Philippines Football League ( PFL), defeating Davao Aguilas FC, 4- 3, on Saturday in a high- scoring and emotionally charged match at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Fell to Davao, 3-1, in their earlier match on June 20, Kaya made sure not to bow down for a second straight time by playing with a sense of urgency and took the fight to the Aguilas at the onset.
Robert Lopez Mendy scored first for Kaya four minutes into the match, lifting Janrick Soriano’s long ball over the onrushing Davao goalkeeper.
The Aguilas though would equalize in the 25th minute thanks to Sung Min Kim.
But Kaya would seize control anew as the opening half drew to a close with Ghanaian midfielder Alfred Osei converting a free kick from Ronilo Bayan to a goal and giving his team a 2-1 advantage by halftime.
Mr. Lopez Mendy struck again for Kaya in the 62nd minute to make it a 3-1 lead but Davao would show resilience after, led by James Younghusband.
The long-time national team member racked two straight goals in the 77th and 90th minute to level the count at 3-3.
With a draw looming in stoppage time, Kaya made one lastditch effort to haul a win, and was rewarded accordingly as Mr. Osei found an opening to unleash a shot that got past the Davao defense in the 92nd minute, which proved to be the marginal goal that handed Kaya the win.
“The result shows how much we wanted that game. When they equalized, we were hungrier to get that goal again. The players really worked hard. They had that big heart in finishing the game and got the three points. I’m really proud of my boys,” said victorious Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida after their win.
The victory was the third for Kaya over Davao in five league matches in the PFL this season, with the two other games ending in a defeat and a draw.
Kaya now has 26 points from 14 games, good for second place to date, while Davao remains at 23 points after 16 outings for third.
Ceres-Negros FC continues to lead with 35 points in 15 matches. —