Kaya FC-Iloilo came away with a 2-0 win over the Azkals Development Team, with Daizo Horikoshi and Simone Rota scoring the opening goals for the 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara. Coach Yu Hoshide’s squad debuted a new formation featuring three central defenders, which proved effective in containing any and all attacks from the opposition. Kaya surges into the lead in Group B, celebrating the night of Philippine football’s return with a victory.
From the opening whistle, things were off to the races. Both teams were amped up in the beginning but clearly needed time to shake off their respective rust. Sloppy passing met high pressing, which led to several quick counters going both ways.
Eventually, the frantic pace slowed down to a manageable level as Kaya’s backline settled into the match. Carlyle Mitchell made several crucial stops in the opening minutes, clearing dangerous possessions and perfectly reading a through pass or three. His anchoring presence helped keep the defense disciplined and stable, allowing them to calmly deal with the press and build through the back patiently.
Things began to click midway through the first half, as Iloilo’s midfield began to connect their passes through to ADT’s final third—particularly on the left flank. Fitch Arboleda, Jhan Melliza, and Kenshiro Daniels were each able to send in crosses from the left side of the box, but just missed the runners cutting in.
Adjustments were made during the halftime break, and Iloilo kept on the offensive with a super high press of their own. ADT managed to clamp down on the passing lanes through the middle, so Kaya instead utilized the long ball to stretch the field and continue to attack the flanks.
In the 54th minute, their relentless pressure finally found joy with Daizo Horikoshi scoring his first ever goal for the yellow and black. Audie Menzi came up and collected a shallow clearance, shook off his man down the left side before sending in a low cross through a crowded box and into the path of the wide open winger who slotted it in.
Kaya doubled their lead in the 71st minute courtesy of veteran defender Simone Rota, whose chance came from a free kick that ADT were again unable to fully clear. The ball was headed for the endline before Jovin Bedic chased it down and sent it back into the box, where it ricocheted off of Audie into the path of Simone for the finish.
The Azkals turned up their aggressiveness following the two goals, but Iloilo’s new back five rotation proved up to the task of keeping their opponents from truly testing the keeper. Tempers flared and legs started cramping up, but Zach Banzon got to keep a clean sheet as Kaya secured all three points in their opening fixture.
To start the second half, Dylan de Bruycker and Masanari Omura checked in for Fitch Arboleda and Marwin Angeles. Ryo Fujii subbed in for Jhan Melliza at the 61’ minute mark, Shirmar Felongco in for Arnel Amita at 72’, and Eric Giganto in for Jovin Bedic at 86’. This match marks Ryo’s first ever match on Philippine soil, as well as Fitch and Jhan-jhan’s domestic debut in a Kaya uniform. As for bookings, Shirmar received a yellow in 90th minute following a particularly hard tackle.
While getting accustomed to the new formation, the team did well keeping up their defensive intensity. After settling in and seizing control of the pace in the first half, the attack was afforded the time it needed to figure things out. Curiously enough, while the new tactic sought to give additional support to the backline, it so happened that two center-backs (Audie & Simone) came through on the other side of the field and directly contributed to the goals scored tonight.
Taking maximum points to start to this year’s Cup competition, Kaya FC-Iloilo will look to keep their perfect start going when they face Mendiola FC 1991 on Wednesday.
