Manila, Philippines — It’s been raining goals in Rizal Memorial, but Kaya FC-Iloilo aren’t feeling cold at all. The defending champions extend the winning streak to three games with a 10-1 victory over Maharlika Taguig FC, once again scoring in the double digits.
Jarvey Gayoso got the ball rolling in the fifth minute of action when Shuto Komaki delivered an inswinging cross into the box, allowing the striker to head it in towards the far post. (0-1)
Jhan Melliza doubled the early lead in the 17th minute. Following a scramble for possession in front of Maharlika’s goal, Shuto managed to poke the ball to his fellow winger, who calmly slotted his strike in from the edge of the box. (0-2)
The Taguig-based outfit responded two minutes later. Switching play from one side to the other, the ball found its way to Lucas del Rosario on the left flank—whose shot curled in just beyond Walid Birrou’s reach, marking the first goal Kaya have conceded this season. (1-2)
Shuto Komaki responded just a minute later, snatching the goal back and extending the lead once more. After Jarvey’s ball into the box was spilled by the keeper, Komaki capitalized on his perfect positioning to loop his header in at the far corner. (1-3)
The Japanese winger scored once again in the 41st minute, set up by an incredible sequence of passes. Building up from the back, Yiyoung Park found Jhan Melliza on the right flank—who played the ball central to Jarvey Gayoso, who back-heeled it back to Melliza, who then lofted it forward to Kaishu Yamazaki.
The Japanese midfielder controlled the ball with his chest, juggled it with his right foot, and then played it behind him with his left foot—finding Shuto in space for the bottom corner finish. (1-4)
Jarvey Gayoso secured his brace in the 45th minute off a long ball forward from Marco Casambre. Utilizing his change of pace to bypass former Kaya player and Azkals star Anton del Rosario, Jarvey whipped the ball into the side netting from just inside the box. (1-5)
Shuto Komaki completed his hat-trick just before halftime, with Yiyoung Park’s grasscutter pass finding him up the left wing and setting up his driven strike towards goal—which took a deflection before finding the back of the net. (1-6)
Jhan Melliza resumed the goal fest after the break, punching in a cutback from Eric Esso with his non-dominant foot—securing his second of the night in the 47th minute. (1-7)
Kaya’s backline got in on the scoring action as well, with Marco Casambre stamping his name on the scoresheet in the 55th minute. Komaki spotted him on an overlapping run, and the defender went for goal himself—driving his shot in at the near post. (1-8)
The captain, Audie Menzi, joined in on the fun in the 58th minute, unleashing a powerful free kick that the Maharlika keeper couldn’t handle—the ball stinging his gloves and ricocheting in. (1-9)
Lastly, Eric Esso capped his tireless performance in midfield with a goal of his own. Intercepting an errant pass from the opposing back line, the Ghanaian drilled in a strike from beyond the box—threading between a defender’s legs on its way into the bottom corner. (1-10)
Despite their prolific goal output, Kaya FC-Iloilo currently trail Stallion Laguna FC in the league table on goal difference. The team will be looking to reclaim the top spot next Saturday when they face fellow undefeated side, One Taguig FC.
Starting Lineup:
LF: Komaki, ST: Gayoso, RF: Melliza
CM: Yamazaki, CDM: Park, CM: Esso
LB: Casambre, CB: Menzi©, CB: Saito, RB: Arboleda
GK: Birrou
Subs: Balobo, Bata, Swainston, Bedic, Angeles, Lee, Diano, Lopez Mendy, Konate, Romero
Coach Yu Hoshide used all five of his available substitutions:
- Mark Swainston and Robert Lopez Mendy checked in for Yiyoung Park and Jhan Melliza in the 58th minute.
- Jovin Bedic made his entrance alongside Kaya debutante Dokyung Lee, coming in for Kaishu Yamazaki and Shuto Komaki in the 71st minute.
- Lastly, Marwin Angeles checked in for Jarvey Gayoso in the 76th minute.
Assistant captain Fitch Arboleda was given a yellow card in the 83rd minute following a brief scuffle with Maharlika’s Victor Nkoa—from whom he received a late tackle from behind earlier in the game.
