Kaya Women’s Continue Their Run of Dominance With their revenge win over Hiraya FC, the ladies advance to the 7's Semifinals.
The Kaya FC–Iloilo Women’s Team successfully booked their spot in the AIA 7’s Football League semifinals in spectacular fashion on Sunday night, as they fired six unanswered goals past Hiraya Stallion. With the victory, Kaya not only secured their place in the final four, but also exacted a measure of revenge against a side that denied them the championship back in 2019.
“Masaya kasi na talo kami last time sa Hiraya sa championship last season, so parang motivation naming bumawi, and mag move on to the semifinals,” said San Carlos City standout Bhebe Lemoran, who bagged two goals and an assist in the first half.
“Sabi ko before kami mag-start na, ‘Assume this is your last game, so kailangan all out na,’” said head coach Let Dimzon, a message that was taken to heart by the players that took the field at the McKinley Hill Stadium.
From the get-go, Kaya were determined to take the initiative and set the tempo. That quick start was quickly converted into an opener through a Lemoran snapshot from distance. The goalscorer then turned provider for her former fellow UST teammate Shela Cadag, who doubled the lead. Before the half-time whistle blew, the pair exchanged roles, with Shelah feeding Bhebe for a close range finish.
Kaya emerged from the break with a fresh set of players, but without losing any momentum. It wasn’t long before Irish Navaja converted Marigen Ariel’s pass to make it four. Then, Tessa Bernardo poked in a finish from close range to add to the tally, before Elissa Rivas capped off the night with the icing on what was a fine display of free-flowing, attacking football.
“I think kung same quality of play ang ipakita namin next week, mas maganda ang magiging result sa semifinals,” said a happy Dimzon after the match.
“Madami kaming pinakitang passing para maka-score, hindi lang individual goals, so sana magkaroon lang ng continuation for next week,” Lemoran added.
The Kaya FC–Iloilo women’s team will be in action again in the coming Sunday, with their semifinal opponent to be announced soon.