It was a scintillating match heading to the final buzzer, but Kaya Futbol Club Iloilo managed to outpoint archival Stallion-Laguna Football Club, 2-1, in the 2022 Philippines Football League at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Leading the assault for the Ilonggos, Daizo Horikoshi and Ilonggo Jhan Jesus Melliza scored a goal each in the opening half as they extended their lead at the top of the table with 27 points behind nine wins and two defeats.
Horikoshi drew first blood for Kaya-Iloilo in the eighth minute after a good header from a beautiful cross by Marco Casambre. It was then followed by a conversion that hit the top of the net.
With the sense of urgency, Stallion-Laguna tried to cut the deficit Kaya-Iloilo just before the halftime break via Kouichi Belgira’s strike.
Both teams got entangled on the ground, Kaya-Iloilo had a chance to widen the lead at the 66th minute after Fitch Arboleda was brought down by Stallion-Laguna’s Gabriel Silva but Robert Lopez Mendy misfired his penalty kick.
Kaya-Iloilo was hit with a huge blow at the 77th minute as Simone Rota was given a straight red card with a high boot at the expense of Stallion’s Alen Angeles but Stallion failed to take advantage of the situation.
According to Kaya-Iloilo Yu Hoshide, their third straight victory is a huge boost to the confidence of his wards as they hope to continue to widen their advantage on the top spot.
After losing, Stallion-Laguna remained in fourth place in the standings with 15 points on the back of five wins and four losses, behind Dynamic Herb Cebu and United City Football Club.IMT Sports
