Noel Marcaida Spearheads Massive 2019 for Kaya Noel Marcaida looks back at two years alongside Chris Greatwich, and the massive campaign that lies ahead.

2019 is set to be a massive year for Kaya FC–Iloilo. The club is gearing up for its return to the prestigious AFC Cup, and is looking ahead to the first ever season of the new Philippine Premier League. With the recent departure of Chris Greatwich, spearheading preparations for the busy year ahead is head coach Noel Marcaida.

Known for steering Pachanga Diliman to the UFL Cup final in 2013, the Masbate-born goalkeeping specialist joined Kaya in July of 2016 as the new goalkeeping coach and assistant to Chris Greatwich. Together the pair steered the club to a semi-final run in Philippines Football League in 2017, a runners-up finish in 2018, before delivering the Copa Paulino Alcantara trophy late last year and booking the team’s imminent return to the prestigious stage of Asian club football.

“Chris Greatwich, for me, he’s a genius guy. Once Chris Greatwich is committed, he will do everything. I think how he prepared showed in our last campaign. When it comes to motivating players, that’s one area that he’s very good at. The two years with him was a fun experience. I’m fortunate that I was given two years working with him. I wish him luck in his future coaching assignments. He has a bright future ahead of him,” Marcaida fondly remarked.

“I’m very excited. But at the same time it’s a challenge because this will be my first AFC tournament with a club. I’ve had experience in AFC competition with the Philippines’ U-19s, but the youth level is different compared to this club. I’m looking forward to it, but before looking too far ahead, we have to make sure to prepare well first. We’re just in the second training session of the year and we still have so much to do. We’ve already scheduled friendly games, so that will help us prepare for our first AFC Cup game in Laos (February 27 vs Lao Toyota),” said Marcaida.

“It’s a new year, a new challenge. This is the second AFC campaign for Kaya FC, but most of the players of the first campaign are no longer part of this second run. That’s one of the challenges that we have. These two months of preparation are really important for us,” he added.

Jaypee Merida of Ateneo’s Men’s and Women’s team will continue in his assistant coaching role for the club, with Yu Hoshide recently confirmed as the latest addition. The former midfielder for Global FC joins Kaya FC after a coaching spell with JPV Marikina. The Japanese tactician is known for his focus on technique and knowledge in football tactics, and is considered a major boost to the team’s coaching staff.

“Our main strength is still there. We still have [Robert Lopez] Mendy and our front guys there (Jovin Bedic and the returning Jordan Mintah). But we want to work more on playing a possession game, and work more on our build up play, while still maximizing our front guys,” said Marcaida. “Our new coach, Yu Hoshide can be one of the factors that really allows us to work on areas that will help us have a good result in the AFC.”

“While he (Yu) was still playing, you could see that he was a different level. His footballing IQ is high. In that area, he can really help a lot. Aside from his demands of a different level of playing, he’s also helpful when it comes to scouting opponents and match analysis in preparation for the AFC. Basically, having Yu and Jaypee Merida, I see huge potential in our coaching responsibility. Those two coaches you can really rely on them.”

Marcaida also welcomes recently retired first team goalkeeper, Ref Cuaresma, as the new goalkeeping coach. With a retooled staff, and a largely intact lineup from last year, Noel Marcaida hopes to lead Kaya FC–Iloilo to a memorable 2019.