Manila, Philippines — The 2022/23 season was kicked off by a thrilling match between Kaya FC-Iloilo and the Azkals Development Team, which went down to the wire and was ultimately decided by dramatic game-winner from Eric Giganto deep into stoppage time.
Iloilo’s starting lineup featured Jarvey Gayoso leading the way up top, backed by a midfield trio of Arnel Amita, Ryo Fujii, and Oskari Kekkonen. Captain Jovin Bedic and Jhanjhan Melliza lined up on the wings, while Marco Casambre and Fitch Arboleda made their return to the first eleven and slotted in behind them on the backline. Simone Rota and Mar Diano partnered up in the central defensive area, while Kenry Balobo received the starter nod between sticks for the season opener.
The match got off to a hectic start as the ADT made their presence felt in the early proceedings, pressing high from the get-go and forcing the more veteran side into a back and forth game for much of the first period.
Kaya slowly, but surely wrested control of the pace from the young Azkals as the half continued, eventually pinning the white shirts to their side of the field and attacking at their leisure. Gayoso and Fujii were especially attack-minded: the former provided a constant threat on counters and the latter—having kept his AFC Cup form—picked his spots expertly.
Jarvey galloped to and fro, keeping his defenders honest at all times but still managing to pounce in dangerous areas. The Iloilo frontline’s own high press resulted in a point-blank chance for the forward in the 29th minute, one that ADT goalkeeper Julian Schwarzer just managed to get in front of.
Ryo, on the other hand, repeatedly found space in between the lines to create shots for himself or for trailing teammates. In the 31st minute, the birthday celebrant dribbled past the backline before passing it back to Arnel for a low strike at the edge of the box. Unfortunately, that too found no joy as the keeper parried it away.
The second half began with Iloilo in control once more, aided in part by the Development Team giving up set piece after set piece through the early part of the period. Black shirts crowded ADT’s half with veteran ball movement supported by well-timed runs, leading to numerous chances that were somehow thwarted time and time again.
Bedic pounced for a volley from inside the penalty area in the 51st minute, but the keeper got a glove up and redirected it over the bar. Just three minutes later, the Captain lobbed a beauty for Melliza of all people for a header in stride, but the ball flew wide of the post. The 58th minute saw Casambre barrelling down the left flank before crossing it high towards the far post to Gayoso for another header, but that too was blocked by the Junior Azkals’ shot-stopper.
Eric Giganto found himself getting fed twice in the game’s late stages by Daizo Horikoshi, the two of them coming off the bench looking to get the team over the hump. Kanagawa found Maco at the end of a counter on a quick through pass into the box for a first-time strike in the 85th minute. They also connected on a beautiful build-up sequence with Shirmar Felongco up the left side, ending in a low strike by #9 from twelve yards away. Both, incredibly so, were turned away at the last second by the ADT keeper.
It was a tour de force, as Schwarzer racked up saves by the handful and almost singlehandedly forced a draw in the season opener. The young goalkeeper was an unyielding wall for 90 minutes, but it was in added time that Kaya finally broke through.
The 91st minute saw Horikoshi rolling past the touchline after putting the ball up into the six-yard box. Giganto skied for a glancing header, aimed at just the right spot where the keeper could only watch as the ball bounced past his glove and into the back of the net. (1-0)
Third time’s the charm, as the Daizo-Eric connection bore fruit in the nick of time to secure the first points of the 2022-23 season for the yellow and black.
Coach Yu Hoshide made four substitutions in the match, first sending in Daizo Horikoshi and recent returnee Marwin Angeles for Oskari Kekkonen and Jovin Bedic in the 61st minute. Shirmar Felongco relieved Marco Casambre in the 71st, and the match hero Eric Giganto checked in for Arnel Amita in the 81st.
Kaya FC-Iloilo will return in a week’s time to face Dynamic Herb Cebu FC, August 14 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
