By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Kaya FC-Iloilo is off to a fantastic start in the new season of the Philippines Football League after blanking their old-time rival squad United City FC, 2-0, on April 7, 2024, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
United City FC, formerly known as the Ceres-Negros Football Club, made its return to the PFL stage after halting its football operations temporarily due to financial concerns. However, the prestigious squad received a rude welcome in the country’s professional league as the rolling Kaya FC meant all business and managed to keep them scoreless in the entire game.
Fresh off a stellar run during the Copa Paulino Alcantara Cup, the Iloilo-based team picked up where they left off and dictated the pace of the match from the get-go.
Newly-acquired striker Eric Esso immediately stunned the Rizal Memorial Stadium after finding the back of the net with just three minutes in in the opening half.
All thanks to the great vision of Robert Lopez Mendy who sent in the sweet pass to Esso inside the penalty area that put Kaya FC on board with a slim 1-0 advantage.
Despite trailing by 0-1 early in the game, the former PFL champions showed poise and deployed the much-needed adjustments defensively that slowed down Kaya in the next 15 minutes of the first half.
When Kaya FC needed someone to create a spark, Ilonggo striker Jhan Melliza answered the call and provided several opportunities for Iloilo to double their lead but his goal attempts were waived off, allowing United City to hang on with just a point to chase heading into the next half.
All hell then broke loose in the next 45 minutes of action as Kaya FC ramped up their intensity and doubled their aggression on the offensive end.
Everything then paid off in the last nine minutes of the match as Melliza finally converted a goal to help Kaya FC secure the 2-0 victory.
With the win, Kaya FC just capped off its opening night with a solid performance and is looking to maintain its undefeated record on April 13, 2024, against Garelli United FC.
