By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The United City FC (former Ceres Negros-FC) dealt Kaya FC-Iloilo its first loss in the ongoing 2022 Philippines Football League (PFL), 2-0.
Aside from toppling the top team in the league, United City also halted Kaya FC’s five-game winning streak which was their best PFL start in franchise history.
It was already an expected highly physical clash between the two storied football franchises that resulted in a scoreless draw after 45 minutes of action.
Both clubs have chances to draw first blood in the first half but their tremendous defensive schemes disallowed any conversions despite several clean looks in the last 15 minutes entering the half.
However, 12 minutes after the second-half whistle, former Far Eastern University-Diliman superstar Pocholo Bugas delivered the first goal of the match for United City.
The quick striker found the back of the net after a precise through-ball assist from Amirbek Juraboev to break the deadlock.
United City then doubled its advantage in the 86th minute of the match after an unfortunate series of events for the Iloilo-based football team.
Kaya FC’s goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad lost total control of the ball after saving Mark Hartmann’s free kick.
After fumbling the ball possession, United City’s Pika Minegishi came at the right place in the most perfect time to tap the loose ball inside the penalty box to give his team a 2-0 edge.
Kaya FC attempted to mount a miracle comeback with only four minutes left in the match but never scored a single goal to increase their point tally.
With the win, United City improved their points tally to 13 and extended their wins to four with one draw while Kaya FC still sits as the league’s no. 1 team with 15 total points, five wins, and a loss.
