Iloilo, Philippines — Kaya FC-Iloilo emerged victorious against United City FC, defeating their rivals 2-1 in their first home game in three years. The boys put on a show for an Iloilo crowd that showed up in force, treating them to one of the most exciting and most drama-filled matches of the 2022-23 PFL Season.
Kenry Balobo received his fourth consecutive start between the sticks, supporting the centerback duo of Audie Menzi and Camelo Tacusalme, who wore the captain’s armband to start this match. Marco Casambre and Mar Vincent Diano completed the backline: featuring on the left and right, respectively. Ryo Fujii, Arnel Amita, and Jhan Melliza formed Kaya’s midfield, while Daizo Horikoshi and Eric Giganto lined up on the left and right wings. Leading the charge up top was Robert Lopez Mendy.
Right as the game’s tension reached a fever pitch, it was the elusive and supremely crafty Arnel Amita who opened the scoring in the 34th minute. Slicing his way in from the right side of the penalty area, the midfielder’s initial lefty strike was deflected by UCFC’s Robertson. The ball fell to Eric Giganto on the right wing who sent it back into the box to Nano, who was somehow left completely unmarked.
With three defenders converging on him at once, Arnel cut outside to his right foot and created just enough room for a shot. Strong and low, his strike took a deflection from Lyngbo that popped it up and over Pinthus and into the back of the net. Amita’s opening goal was simply magical. (1-0)
Of course, United City weren’t the type to take a deficit lying down, so they started attacking Iloilo’s flanks more aggressively. Kaya were able to stave off several dangerous possessions in open play, but it was during set pieces that the back shirts looked most threatening.
UCFC eventually got their fortuitous call in added time when Minigeshi’s cross caught Audie Menzi’s arm and set up a Daniels’ penalty kick—the former Kaya player leveled the score in the 45th minute. (1-1)
The match intensity sparked anew following the halftime break, but it was Kaya who steadily mounted pressure on the UCFC final third—nipping counterattacks in the bud and winning 50/50 balls in midfield. When their opponents started sitting deeper in their own half, passing lanes began opening up until a breakthrough finally occurred in the 78th minute.
Play was reversed to Mar Diano on the right flank, who pushed forward deep into enemy territory before pulling back. The right-back played a pass to Ryo Fujii inside the box, who evaded pressure by cutting towards the endline. The playmaker then squared the ball in low for Jarvey Gayoso at the near post, where the striker stretched out his left boot to tap it past Pinthus to give Kaya the lead. (2-1)
That appeared to be the deciding goal as the match approached the end of regulation, but no one could’ve foreseen the drama that would unfold in additional time.
Fitch Arboleda made a crucial interception inside the UCFC half and released Jovin Bedic up the right side for a quick counter in the 91st minute. The captain took two touches and crossed the ball towards the six-yard box for Jarvey Gayoso—who struck it clean into the roof of the net for what would’ve been the nail in the coffin, if not for the linesman calling him offside.
United City, on the other hand, looked to have snatched a goal back at the death to split the points in Iloilo. Hartmann’s free kick in the 95th minute curled beautifully into the box and drew Kenry Balobo off his line and into the press of bodies near the far post. Custodio’s header struck home and had the black shirts raising their arms in celebration, before transitioning to utter frustration—learning that Sendra was called for a foul for his excessive contact with Kenry in the scrum.
The final whistle blew not long after, and Kaya FC-Iloilo walked away the victors in what was one of the most memorable matches this season.
Coach Yu Hoshide used four of five available substitutions on the afternoon:
- Jarvey Gayoso and Marwin Angeles checked in for Robert Lopez Mendy and Eric Giganto in the 60th minute.
- Jovin Bedic relieved Arnel Amita in the 70th minute.
- Lastly, Fitch Arboleda replaced Jhan Melliza in the 87th minute.
Jovin and Fitch made their way into the referee’s book, both receiving yellow cards in added time.
This match concludes Iloilo’s schedule for the year as well as Round 2 of the Philippines Football League season. Stay tuned to our socials for the rest of the schedule when it drops, and see you all in 2023!
