By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Kaya FC-Iloilo continued its undefeated streak in the ongoing Philippines Football League (PFL) after crushing Mendiola FC 1991, 6-1, last April 30, 2023, held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
After a thrilling 1-1 draw finish against Visayan rival squad Dynamic Herb Cebu FC last April 25, 2023, the Ilonggo booters finally regained their offensive rhythm and displayed one of their highest-scoring matches of the PFL season against Mendiola FC.
Known to be a defensive-oriented squad since joining the PFL, the Mendiola squad’s patience paid off dividends after limiting Kaya FC to a scoreless start in the first 25 minutes of action.
However, Milad Behgandom drew the first blood for the Ilonggos after sending the ball into the net courtesy of the great awareness of Dylan Nobiraki.
Mendiola then went back to their tight defensive schemes that shut Kaya FC’s scoring in the next 40 minutes of the match.
When Kaya FC needed a spark to clinch the momentum again, youngster Mar Diano stepped up in the most perfect time to add another goal in the 68th minute.
Diano’s goal was generated after Daizo Horikoshi fired a perfect corner kick inside Mendiola’s penalty area who just caught the ball and gathered for a powerful swing kick.
Iloilo then fully took control of the game as Jhan Melliza extended the lead to 3-0 after a follow-up goal in the 74th minute.
Mendiola was able to steal one goal in hopes of a resilient comeback but conversions from Eric Giganto and Jovin Bedic closed the show for the Ilonggo booters.
With the huge win, Kaya FC is still the PFL’s no. 1 team with a 16-3 win-loss record built from 49 points.
Meanwhile, their main rivals, the Dynamic Herb Cebu, sits at the no.2 spot with 44 total points in 14 matches played.