Manila, Philippines — Kicking off Round 4, Kaya FC-Iloilo came out on top in a 3-2 shootout with the Azkals Development Team—vaulting themselves back into first place in the PFL Standings.  

Both teams took a patient approach to begin the match, neither side wanting to concede a goal in the early goings. Kaya unleashed a string of probing attacks, often playing the ball up the right flank due to ADT’s commitment to blocking the left.  

It was Jarvey Gayoso who found the opener in the 18th minute. Daizo Horikoshi who cut in a central area at the edge of the box, where he was fouled as he jumped to head a pass from Eric Giganto. The ball was successfully knocked into the path of former King Eagle, who didn’t let the play-on chance go to waste. 

Gayoso spun to his favored left foot, took a touch circling around his defender to find the proper angle, and delivered a controlled shot across the keeper to the far, low post. (1-0)

The periods immediately after a goal are some of the most dangerous, and the Young Azkals proved that to be true by drawing level just three minutes later in the 21st. A long diagonal ball to Pocholo Bugas down Iloilo’s right flank was chested down to Dennis Chung, who sliced his way into the box before crossing to Andres Aldguer for the equalizer. It was their only shot attempt of the first half. (1-1)

Kaya regrouped and fought to retake the lead, but ended up entering the halftime break with the score level. However, it didn’t take long at all for the tables to turn with the second period getting off to a perfect start. 

In the 46th minute of action, Jhan Melliza intercepted the ADT backline in their final third before driving deep enough to square the ball perfectly for the trailing Daizo. With the keeper rooted to his spot, it was an easy finish in a wide open net for the Kanagawa Speedster. (2-1)

Iloilo had all the momentum to start the second half, creating an avalanche of chances in the following minutes. Gayoso had a volley from the edge of the box that just missed wide left of the post, while Milad Behgandom’s strike from near the penalty spot slid wide left as well. 

Behgandom would instead find himself the set up man for Kaya’s third in the 55th minute. Jarvey played the part of the target man expertly corralling a high ball at midfield before laying it off to Milad at the center circle. 

ADT shifted right to cover Gayoso and Melliza, leaving Daizo with acres of space up the left. The Iranian midfielder threaded a perfect through pass to the Japanese winger, who went one-on-one with the keeper before punching in the insurance goal off the left crossbar and in—securing his brace. (3-1)

The red shirts weren’t done fighting, however. A 69th minute counter found its way to Bugas on the right inside Iloilo’s box. The winger faked left before firing with his right, snatching a goal back at the near post to cut the lead to one. (3-2) 

However, that would be as close as the game would get as Kaya asserted control for the rest of the match. Finishing with 64% possession, patient build up and veteran clock management saw Iloilo safely to the final whistle. The club’s fifth consecutive victory saw all three points secured and ownership of the top spot in the league table reclaimed. 

Starting Lineup:

CF: Gayoso

LMF: Horikoshi, CMF: Behgandom, CMF: Melliza, RMF: Giganto

DMF: Angeles

LB: Arboleda, CB: Rota, CB: Menzi, RB: Diano

GK: Banzon

Coach Yu Hoshide used three substitutions on the afternoon: 

• Jovin Bedic checked in for Jarvey Gayoso in the 66th minute.
• Arnel Amita relieved Eric Giganto in the 75th minute.  
• Dylan Nobiraki entered the game for Milad Behgandom in the 82nd minute.