By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The opportunities were there for Kaya FC-Iloilo, they just failed to capitalize on them.
Facing a determined and defensive-minded Stallion Laguna squad, Kaya FC only managed to score one goal, ending the match in a disappointing draw, 1-1 in the 2019 Copa Paulino Alcantara Cup.
Kaya started the match with their usual breakneck pace, always eager to break that defensive pressure in the corners and middle-field to set up an attack.
As the match went on, Stallion’s defensive tenacity increased as they pressured the Kaya forwards to deflect the ball out of their possession.
Kaya had a solid attempt in the closing minutes of the 1st half when Mawin Angeles fired a beautiful pass to Jason Panhay but the timing was off and was saved by the keeper.
Five minutes before half time, Jovin Bedic had a header attempt for the first blood but again, was well-timed by Stallion’s keeper and prevented Kaya to score a goal in the half.
The Stallions carried that defensive pressure all the way into the second half that made it hard for Kaya to establish and set up an offensive play.
But 14 minutes after the half, Panhay surveyed the field well, outran the Stallion defenders and converted a shot off a Shirmar Felongco cross to finally score and take the lead, 1-0.
Boosted and fired up, Kaya was already eager to finish and ice the game by sending in their main gunner, Jordan Mintah, for Panhay.
But things didn’t go as Kaya had planned. Four minutes after the Mintah substitution, Masa Omura was whistled for a foul outside the box, leading to a Stallion free-kick which they converted courtesy of Kouichi Belgira that equalized the match.
Both teams looked to run out of gas in the remaining minutes and continued to trade defensive stops, ending the match in a draw.
With the outcome of the match, Kaya FC will face Mendiola FC 1991 in the semifinals.
