CPA 2022: Azkals Development Team Match Preview 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara — Game Overview, a Finals Rematch, and Quotes from Coach Yu Hoshide

Different yet familiar all the same, Kaya FC-Iloilo are set to face the Azkals Development Team in a much-awaited clash between last year’s Copa Paulino Alcantara finalists. While not an exact rematch due to personnel changes for both rosters, fans can look forward to seeing this experienced Iloilo side take on some of the best young talent the country has to offer.

Kaya are coming off a narrow 1-0 victory over Mendiola FC 1991, wherein Jhan Melliza came away the hero after slipping a goal through the stubborn low block. While the victory brought the club back to winning ways, Head Coach Yu Hoshide is concerned the lengthy periods in between matches has been a challenge for the squad.

“To be honest, it’s really difficult for the players to keep their motivation because, we play ADT nine days after the match with Mendiola,” he said. “But I know they’ll be getting up for this game as much as possible.”

Though the boys were able to create a multitude of scoring chances, they’ve yet to put a significant dent in the goal difference—and will be looking for a more decisive victory this time around.

“Mendiola were a really organized and disciplined team, so we had to learn how to break that deep block,” he added. “Our formation also changed during the first half, but that was what we expected so the players did really well to adjust. Still, we have to improve our quality in the attacking third even more.”

This year’s ADT have had mixed results so far in the competition, recording a win, a loss, and a draw in their first three fixtures. They most recently split points with Stallion Laguna on a late free kick equalizer from captain Scott Woods, one of several new faces called up to the team. While some players from last season’s Copa Finals side remain—like Oliver Bias, Dennis Chung, and Quincy Kammeraad—their roster has been retooled for the most part.

“There were more talented players last year, but their teamwork and organization are better this year,” Hoshide noted.

It’s safe to say that Kaya had a hand in the talent drain, having signed over a third of their starting lineup this past offseason. Program graduates Mar Diano and Jarvey Gayoso now rock Iloilo yellow, and so do current Philippines U-23 lynchpins Oskari Kekkonen and Sandro Reyes. Surely there will be more than a few curious to see how the latter pair particularly fare against their fellow national team members for the upcoming SEA Games in May.

With several matches already under their belts, both teams will be entering tomorrow’s game with more sharpness. Will ADT’s youth and pedigree force a back-and-forth contest like they did against Stallion, or will the overall experience of Kaya come out on top once again? Coach Hoshi’s looking to pull more out of his squad, calling for them to draw on last season’s trials and tribulations to regain the form earned from battling Asia’s very best.

“Recently, I’ve been asking the players to play like champions! Just like what we got to experience last year when we played in the Champions League: not always rushing, knowing when to go and when to relax. That’s what I’m expecting.”

The PFF National Football Center will once again be the venue for Wednesday’s Copa double-header, and we’d like to invite all Kaya fans to come down to Carmona and support the boys from the stands! Kickoff’s at 7:15 PM, and you can also catch the Livestream at home on the PFL’s Facebook and YouTube pages!