Manila, Philippines — Kaya FC-Iloilo faced down a tenacious defense from the University of the Philippines, one that proved capable of holding the PFL champs to their lowest goal total so far this Copa. However, the team’s strikers lived up to their job descriptions—finding the back of the net for a 3-0 result in the Quarterfinal First Leg.
Jarvey Gayoso displayed his scoring instincts to grab the opener in the 14th minute. A lobbed pass from Marwin Angeles was rebuffed by the UP backline, but the clearance was shallow and the ball fell perfectly for King Eagle in the box—half-volley buried into the back of the net. (1-0)
The Fighting Maroons rallied together, putting up a wall around their goal and shutting Kaya out for a large stretch of the game. UP’s Erick Cachuela was tremendous, despite the keeper facing 26 shots on the afternoon—16 on target—he and his defense managed to keep themselves in the game.
Gayoso would finally give Kaya breathing space in the 53rd minute. After Daizo Horikoshi’s direct free kick was saved at the far post, Jarvey rose up to head in the second ball for his second goal to complete his brace. (2-0)
With the elevated tension and physicality of a cup quarter final, fouls were drawn and tempers flared. UP Captain Marc Tobias was sent off with a red card following a scuffle brought about by a studs-up challenge on Mar Diano, leaving the Maroons with 10 men in the latter part of the second half.
Robert Lopez Mendy added an insurance goal late in the day, stepping up with the second unit to put the game away. Positioned at the edge of the box, Curt Dizon took a clever touch that played the striker through on goal for a simple, clinical finish. (3-0)
Next up, Kaya FC-Iloilo travel to South Korea to face Incheon United FC in the AFC Champions League Group Stage.
Starting Lineup:
LF: Horikoshi, ST: Gayoso, RF: Amita
LWB: Melliza, CM: Angeles, CM: Baas, RWB: Arboleda©
CB: Tacusalme, CB: Menzi, CB: Diano
GK: Kammeraad
Subs: Bandeken, Swainston, Bedic, Giganto. Casambre, Lopez Mendy, Dizon, Sendra, Romero, Sy
Coach Colum Curtis made five personnel changes on the afternoon:
- Simone Rota checking into the game at halftime for Audie Menzi.
- Mark Swainston, Robert Lopez Mendy, Curt Dizon, and Abou Sy replaced Marwin Angeles, Arnel Amita, Jarvey Gayoso, and Daizo Horikoshi in the 76th minute.
- Lastly, Eric Giganto came in for Mar Diano in the 80th.
Jarvey Gayoso picked up a yellow card in the 8th minute after getting entangled with Marc Tobias.
