Manila, Philippines — Kaya FC-Iloilo’s five-game winning streak came to an end as United City FC handed them a 2-0 loss for their first defeat of the 2022 PFL Season.

Jarvey Gayoso lined up as the tip of the spear, flanked on the wings by Arnel Amita and Jhan Melliza. Daizo Horikoshi, Oskari Kekkonen, and Ryo Fujii manned the midfield; backed by the central duo of Captain Simone Rota and Carlyle Mitchell. Marco Casambre and Mar Diano slotted in as full-backs, and Quincy Kammeraad started between the sticks.

The intensity was turned up to the max right from the very start, both sides displaying a level of physicality and focus usually reserved for later in the match. Kaya progressed into the final third immediately following the opening whistle, but the pace quickly evened out for much of the first half.

Daizo Horikoshi was often the recipient of the final ball in Iloilo’s more successful attempts, but the speedster couldn’t find any joy from his thirty-yard try in the 17th minute. He and Jarvey Gayoso came very close on a quick counter in the 41st, but a lacking final pass back to the striker went straight to the gloves of UCFC keeper Anthony Pinthus.

The Japanese winger had another chance in added time after Arnel Amita lobbed a pass across the box to Jhanjhan Melliza. The La Paz native headed the ball back middle for Daizo, but the keeper just managed to beat him to the ball and deprive Kaya the opener.

The intensity held up through the halftime break, though Iloilo started to gain a possession advantage as United City began sitting deeper inside their own half. The yellow shirts steadily advanced, lured into black shirt territory and were made to pay for it dearly on the counter.

In the 57th minute with the backline scrambling after getting caught out of position, a newly substituted Pocholo Bugas made a curling run down the left side of the box and finished over Marco Casambre’s sliding tackle and Quincy Kammeraads outstretched gloves. (1-0)

Backs against the wall, Kaya went on full attack mode for the rest of the match—committing even more men forward as UCFC retreated into their low block. Jarvey Gayoso had back-to-back chances to equalize in the 64th minute, but his initial strike was deflected at the goal line; and his header on the ensuing corner missed wide right of the post.

Some fantastic build up in the 77th provided one of Iloilo’s best chances of the afternoon, with Marwin
Angeles finding a central Daizo Horikoshi who turned and released Jhan Melliza up the right flank. Following a brief exchange with Oskari Kekkonen that freed up space inside the penalty area, Jhanjhan slid the ball back for Robert Lopez Mendy—but his lefty first-time strike sailed cruelly over the crossbar.

Daizo displayed his quality once more in the 84th minute after receiving a quick pass from Robert just outside the box. Surrounded by three black shirts, he somehow created enough space for him to launch a missile—one that sadly went straight into Pinthus’ arms.

The deficit unfortunately doubled in the 87th minute following a long UCFC free kick turned nightmare. Quincy mishandled the ball once it came into his box, leaving the goal wide open for Hikaru Minegishi to tap it in. (2-0)

Iloilo pulled out all the stops and desperately tried for a consolation goal, but it just wasn’t their day and United City found great success defending and running the clock down. A pair of critical mistakes at a pair of crucial junctures sunk the team today, and there will be plenty to go over before the next game.

Coach Yu Hoshide made use of all five of his substitutions today, first sending in Eric Giganto for Arnel Amita in the 60th minute. Marwin Angeles and Robert Lopez Mendy checked in for Ryo Fujii and Marco Casambre in the 72nd, while Audie Menzi and Fitch Arboleda relieved Mar Diano and Jhan Melliza in the 79th. Jarvey Gayoso and Quincy Kammeraad both made their way into the referee’s book, the former for a late tackle in the 22nd and the latter for a delay of game penalty in the 25th.

Despite the loss, Kaya FC-Iloilo hold firm at the top of the table going into yet another bye week. Should the current schedule stand pat, the boys will return on Saturday, October 1st for a rematch with the Azkals Development Team.