Kaya Futbol Club – Iloilo failed to use their own winning form as they were beaten by United City Football Club, 2-0 in the ongoing 2022 Philippines Football League at the PFF Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Playing like a well-oiled machine, Pocholo Bugas and Hikaru Minegishi scored a goal each in the second half as the four-time defending champions remained at second place with 13 points with four wins and a draw.
It was a scintillating match between top two teams. However, from a scoreless opening half, United City FC took a 1-0 advantage at the 57th minute mark with Bugas connecting from a fine finish off an assist by Tajikistani teammate Amirbek Juraboev.
The Ilonggos wanted to equalize the scoreboard but to no avail. United City FC was able to double its advantage as Minegishi scored on an open net after Kaya-Iloilo keeper Quincy Kammeraad failed to clear the free kick of Mark Hartmann in the 86th minute.
Suffering their first defeat, Kaya-Iloilo, the 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara winner, still tops the standings with 15 points with five wins and one defeat.
Meanwhile, Turkish forward Arda Cinkir went on a goal spree to steer Dynamic Herb-Cebu Football Club via 7-1 victory over cellar-dweller Mendiola 1991 Football Club.
Cinkir was on fire in the opening half as he knocked down headers in the fourth and 22nd minutes while connecting from close range in the 20th and 36th minutes, giving Dynamic Herb an impressive 6-0 lead at the half.
Jason Cordova and Chima Uzoka also converted a goal each in the 18th and 34th minutes, respectively, in the opening half for the Cebuano booters.
Japanese defender Ren Okuda tapped the ball home in the 50th minute to give Cebu its seventh goal before Mendiola got a consolation goal in the 67th minute courtesy of Cameroonian forward Junior Sam’s long-range strike.
Claiming the third spot, Dynamic Herb-Cebu collected 11 points behind three wins, two draws, and one loss, while Mendiola 1991 sits in sixth place with three points on the back of one win and four losses.IMT Sports
