Manila, Philippines — For the second year in a row, Kaya FC-Iloilo and Stallion Laguna FC go head-to-head in the Copa Paulino Alcantara Semifinals. The first leg went the way of the yellow & black following a 2-1 victory on Saturday night. 

Neither side was able to get ahead of the other as the two PFL outfits battled it out in the first half, but it was Iloilo who steadily piled on the pressure and the chances.

It was Arnel Amita who broke through the stalemate in the 59th minute. Jhan Melliza’s in-curling corner popped up in the direction of Simone Rota, who held his position and headed the ball down to the six-yard box. Moving in the defense’s blind spot like a magician, Nano was left unmarked as he tapped in the semifinal opener. (1-0)

Momentum fully on Kaya’s side, Justin Baas doubled the lead in the 62nd minute. The ball found Daizo Horikoshi on the right wing, who played a one-touch pass to the midfielder near the edge of the Stallion box. What followed was nothing short of spectacular, as the recent Azkals call-up struck with the outside of his boot and curled his shot perfectly in the top left corner. (2-0)

Far from out of the fight, Laguna managed to pull a goal back in the 70th minute courtesy of Yuta Nomura. Former Kaya man Shirmar Felongco broke free down the right flank and fired in a cross for the Japanese forward, who managed to get his boot to the ball and turn it in. (2-1)  

Like one would expect in a clash between these two teams, the quality of play and the level of physicality were taken up a notch from what fans have seen so far this Copa. Kaya FC-Iloilo are in the driver’s seat having gone up a goal on aggregate, and must now switch gears for their upcoming away AFC Champions League fixture later this week.  

Starting Lineup: 

LF: Bedic, ST: Amita, RF: Horikoshi

LWB: Melliza, CM: Baas, CM: Sendra, RWB: Arboleda©

CB: Rota, CB: Menzi, CB: Diano

GK: Kammeraad

Subs: Balobo, Bandeken, Saito, Tacusalme, Swainston, Angeles, Giganto, Casambre, Lopez Mendy, Gayoso, Dizon, Romero

Coach Colum Curtis used five substitutions on the afternoon: 

• Jarvey Gayoso and Curt Dizon checked in for Arne Amita and Jovin Bedic in the 67th minute.
• Marwin Angeles and Marco Casambre came in for Justin Baas and Simone Rota in the 75th. 
• Lastly, Eric Giganto replaced Fitch Arboleda in the 91st.. 

Both the co-captain and the head coach made their way into the referee’s book, Arboleda getting his yellow in the 85th and Coach Curtis receiving his in the 93rd.