Kaya FC-Iloilo banked on a swift second half performance to dispatch Mendiola FC 1991, 6-1, and extend their lead in the Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways standings last Sunday 30 April 2023 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
The result saw Kaya go up to 49 points, five points ahead of Dynamic Herb Cebu FC with two games remaining in the season
Despite the five point gap, Kaya head coach Yu Hoshide is not resting on his laurels as the league goes on a break to support the Philippine Men’s Under-22 National Team that is competing in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
“We still have our motivation for the title,” said Kaya head coach Yu Hoshide. “That is really the key for us.”
Milad Behgandom opened the scoring in the 26th minute. A neat combination play between Fitch Arboleda and Dylan Nobiraki allowed the Iranian to get inside the penalty area and slot home from close range.
Mendiola’s defense prevailed for the rest of the first half, but Kaya found the answer in the second half scoring five goals.
Mar Diano made it 2-0 in the 68th minute with a volleyed effort from Daizo Horikoshi’s corner kick. Jhan Melliza joined in the party with a 73rd minute strike.
Eric Giganto scored the first of his two goals in the 80th minute, despite some confusion in the Mendiola defense. Kaya, however, allowed Mendiola to score two minutes later from Junior Sam as a show of fair play.
Substitute Jarvey Gayoso added gloss in the 88th minute before Giganto wrapped things up in the third minute of added time.