Kaya FC-Iloilo solidified their position at the top of the standings after a 3-0 win over fifth place Stallion Laguna FC in the Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways last Sunday at the Biñan Football Stadium.
Kaya have now collected their third straight win and re-establish their eight point lead over second placed Dynamic Herb Cebu, while Stallion Laguna remain pegged in fifth with 16 points.
““We’re still building up and we can still improve,” said Kaya head coach Yu Hoshide. “We have to win all games. We have to try our best all the time and raise the intensity of the training of the players.”
Javier Gayoso opened the proceedings for Kaya in the fourth minute. Daizo Horikoshi placed an inviting ball from the corner kick to find the forward, who finished from close range.
Kaya would add a second nine minutes later. From another corner, Eric Giganto shot from outside the box that was denied by Stallion’s defense, but the ball went to the path of Mar Diano, who slotted it past Hayeson Pepito.
“I was surprised with the path of the ball as it went in front of me, then I decided to send the shot in and claim my first goal for the club,” said Diano. “’I’m happy that I celebrated my goal with Jarvey (Gayoso) and told him ‘Yes partner, we did it!’”
Despite going two goals down, Stallion tried to mount a challenge to Kaya’s title charge. Second half chances from Abou Sy and Miguel Mendoza came close for Stallion, but missed their efforts.
Kaya would compound Stallion with a third goal in the second minute of added time. Off a counter-attack, Fitch Arboleda pulled the ball back for Jovin Bedic, who left it for Arnel Amita to fire home the dagger.
In the other match, Zachary Ford’s 30th minute strike handed Maharlika Manila’s first win of the season after a 1-0 win over Mendiola FC 1991 at the City of Imus Grandstand.
The win allowed Maharlika to go to four points on one win, one draw, and 13 losses, while Mendiola are just two points ahead in sixth with two wins and 13 losses.