Carmona, Cavite — On a rainy evening at the PFF National Football Center, Kaya FC-Iloilo prevailed 1-0 over Stallion Laguna FC in their Semifinal bout. Daizo Horikoshi was undoubtedly the hero of the match for his late-game heroics, smashing in a volley at the 86-minute mark to send his team through to the Copa Paulino Alcantara Final.
Stallion started the muddy contest with their usual approach, sitting deep and putting a heavy emphasis on maintaining defensive shape. They used the weather to their advantage, locking down the middle passing lanes and disrupting Kaya’s build up with physical pressing.
Iloilo dictated the pace throughout the match but were made to work that much harder for every chance. The boys took what was available to them on long balls and flank forays, but unlike the first meeting earlier in the tournament, Laguna were set in their low block and left fewer gaps to exploit.
Most of the first half chances came through set pieces, which have been a reliable source of goals for Kaya over the course of the tournament. In the 22nd minute, Jhan Melliza’s inswinging free kick connected with Jarvey Gayoso for a header, but Kenneth James got his gloves on the attempt. Mar Diano corralled the rebound and hit it on the half volley, but was cruelly turned away by the crossbar. The ball fell to Robert Lopez Mendy for yet another shot on goal, but the Stallion keeper managed to clear it away.
The match was locked in a stalemate between the Iloilo offense and the Laguna defense, but the yellow and black steadily pulled away in several categories: including possession, shots, shots on target, and corners earned. The boys were constantly sending numbers forward on the attack, but were still able to drop back to contain the odd counter that came their way.
Progressing into the second half, Jovin Bedic returned to his Captain duties after a stellar SEA Games campaign to try and open up the middle of the pitch. However, the pink shirts held firm and found a way to withstand chance after chance after chance. The game was looking like it would be heading into extra time, but the Kanagawa Rocket had other plans in mind.
The Copa’s leading scorer continued his run of form in dramatic fashion, capitalizing on a crucial mistake inside the Stallion box. In the 86th minute, Patrick Arthur sent a long ball to Jhanjhan who headed it high into the penalty area. Defender Matthew Nierras tried to head it away but ended up flicking back into the path of Daizo, the speedster never let the ball touch the ground and sent it screaming into the top right corner. After all that hard work in the rain and mud, Horikoshi slid onto his knees towards the crowd in celebration of one of the most iconic goals in club history.
Stallion went hunting for another miracle equalizer in the match’s dying minutes but were unable to get a shot off before the final whistle blew. The margin was close, but Kaya secured the all-important lead and are heading for the Copa Finals for the fourth year in a row.
Coach Yu Hoshide made three personnel changes on the night—bringing in Bedic for Jarvey Gayoso in the 59th minute, Arnel Amita for Ryo Fujii in the 81st, and Oskari Kekkonen for Melliza in the 91st to help usher the game to its end. Jovin and Jesse Curran both earned the referee’s ire in this game, receiving yellow cards in the 67th and the 75th minutes respectively.
The stage is now set for a grand finale, a clash between the reigning PFL title-winners versus the defending Copa Paulino Alcantara champions. Kaya FC-Iloilo face United City FC once more for all the marbles, the Copa Final takes place on Sunday, May 22 at 7:45 PM!
