They’ve done it, Kaya FC-Iloilo are the Copa Paulino Alcantara Champions once again! They’ve made good on their offseason promise to the fans, bringing the Cup back home to Iloilo. Kenshiro Daniels’ scrappy goal in the 47th minute gave Kaya the lead, and stellar defending from everyone secured the 1-0 victory in the Finals rematch with the Azkals Development Team.
The youngsters had the ball more in the early goings, but that was more or less by design. Kaya started the match sitting deeper than they normally do, waiting until ADT crossed into their half before pressing and harassing the ball carriers. Quick counters were launched following dispossession, before quickly retreating back to their original defensive position.
This stalled the Azkals’ attack for the most part, but even when they were able to penetrate Iloilo’s final third, they were swallowed up by Carlyle Mitchell and rest of the backline. Forwards would sniff the 18-yard box only to be surrounded by two or more black shirts at once.
Eventually, the possession advantage evened out between the two sides as Kaya began to settle in and build up themselves. The centerbacks took their time swinging the ball from one side to another before picking out passes. In this regard, Iloilo displayed more patience than their opponents by waiting for windows through the midfield to open up rather than relying too heavily on the long ball down the flank.
In the 27th minute, the lights shut off all of a sudden and the stream was cut short. A power outage hit the PFF National Training Center and delayed the game for several minutes. Thankfully the power came back on, they were able to get the broadcast back up and running, and the coaches convened and agreed to play out the rest of the first half.
The sudden break in action, as the teams came out the gates in frantic fashion. The rest of the half was an end-to-end affair with counters flying in both directions, one of which took place in the 41st minute and presented Kaya their best chance of the period.
ADT were able to work the ball deep into Iloilo territory—but Daizo Horikoshi intercepted a pass, beat two guys on the dribble, and raced up the right flank. The winger picked out Jovin Bedic in front who found himself one-on-one with the keeper. The Captain tried to lift the ball up and over him, but ADT’s own captain Mar Diano chased it down and cleared it over his head before it could cross the goal line.
The barrage of attacks would continue past the halftime break, and the tide of the match shifted Iloilo’s way two minutes in. Far up the right side with limited passing options, Simone Rota hoisted the ball high into ADT’s box. Daniels got knocked over while battling for position with Diano near the far post, but managed to stick a foot out and gently flick the ball past the keeper and into the net.
Reviewing the footage after the game, the ball may have instead made contact with the defender’s foot before ricocheting in for an own goal. Nevertheless, Kenshiro was credited with the score and Rota was credited with the looping assist. It was something created from nothing, but made possible by Kaya’s relentless attacking to start the second half.
They kept up the aggression and went for a second goal to ice the game, but eventually Iloilo went back to the gameplan and focused their efforts on defense. ADT did whatever they could to try and get through their disciplined structure, but time and time again they shut the gates on the developmental Azkals. Passes in were met by steady clearances, and the rare shooting chance would miss wide and give Mike Casas little to worry about.
Reverting back to the movement and strategy of the opening minutes, they rode out the pressure and increasingly desperate attacks. Their opponents dominated possession towards the end, but it never felt like Iloilo were in any real danger. The difference in experience made itself clear as tempers flared and the match slowly turned more scrappy and physical—ADT struggled to get anything going while Kaya’s defense was steadfast and got the job done.
Shirmar Felongco checked in for Marwin Angeles in the 61st minute, Arnel Amita came in for Masanari Omura in the 79th, and Jhan-jhan Melliza relieved goal scorer Kenshiro Daniels in the 88th. Daizo Horikoshi received a yellow card for simulation in the 76th, while Dylan de Bruycker got booked twice in the 44th and 92nd. He was sent off moments before the final whistle blew, but at that point it was too little too late to make a difference.
It was a short but sweet run, but the Copa is back home where it belongs. Kaya FC-Iloilo close out 2021 as the best club in Philippine football, returning to the mountaintop with the silverware to prove it. The Campeones will return soon for the 2022 PFL Season, and even sooner for the climb back up to the AFC Champions League.
