Manila, Philippines — Group A’s top of the table clash ended in victory for Kaya FC-Iloilo, whose six goalscorers put up an 8-0 scoreline over Club de Fútbol Manila.
Ricki Sendra opened the scoring in the 12th minute, once again fulfilling the role of set piece target man. Jhan Melliza’s inswinging corner found the Argentinian at the far post, his header glancing off the keeper’s gloves into the top left corner. (1-0)
Jarvey Gayoso joined the party next, finding the back of the net on a header of his own in the 44th. Sendra was on the giving end this time, sending a high cross from the right flank that the King Eagle nodded in. (2-0)
Daizo Horikoshi pushed the first half lead to three in added time, capitalizing in front of goal in the 46th. Manila’s Lance Bencio spilled a high looping ball, Jarvey poked it away, and Daizo cleaned up the mess. (3-0)
The Kanagawa Speedster would complete his brace in the second period, once again connecting with Gayoso in the 56th. With a one-touch pass flicked perfectly into his path, Daizo slid the ball past the keeper to reopen Kaya’s floodgates. (4-0)
Arnel Amita followed that up in less than a minute, receiving a headed down ball from Horikoshi in a central area in the 57th. #10 took a beat, and launched a missile into the upper right corner from 30 yards out. (5-0)
Abou Sy came off the bench and added to his goal tally in the 84th. After getting the ball back on a short corner, Horikoshi curled a cross into the box for his fellow scoring leader to rise up and head in. (6-0)
Amita picked up goal number 7 in the 89th, finding himself on the receiving end of an Abou assist. Following some stellar build up on the right, the striker headed the ball to Nano in the box—managing to stay onside and flick his second past the keeper. (7-0)
Justin Baas placed the icing on the cake and recorded another assist for Daizo in the 90th. Like Arnel earlier in the game, Justin sent in a screamer from 30 yards out that curled beautifully into the bottom right corner. (8-0)
The PFL champs are 4/4 in Copa action, the squad recording 35 goals so far in the competition. With one game left in the group stage, Kaya FC-Iloilo find themselves in the driver’s seat of Group A—two points clear of the dethroned CF Manila.
Starting Lineup: 4-3-3
LW: Horikoshi, ST: Gayoso, RW: Giganto
CM: Swainston, CDM: Sendra, CM: Baas
LB: Melliza, CB: Saito, CB: Menzi©, RB: Diano
GK: Kammeraad
Subs: Bandeken, Balobo, Bata, Tacusalme, Rota, Arboleda, Romero, Angeles, Amita, Bedic, Sy, Lopez Mendy
Coach Colum Curtis utilized six substitutions this evening:
- At halftime, Fitch Arboleda, Marwin Angeles, Arnel Amita, and Simone Rota checked in for Jhan Melliza, Ricki Sendra, Eric Giganto, and Mark Swainston.
- Abou Sy came in for Mar Diano in the 67th minute.
- Lastly, Robert Lopez Mendy replaced Jarvey Gayoso in the 85th.
