Kaya FC officially ended their stint in Makati with a resounding victory, dispatching of Stallion Laguna, 4-1, at the University of Makati. Jordan Mintah’s brace, and goals from Jovin Bedic and Jalsor Soriano powered the home side to a first half blitz that Stallion never recovered from.
“Winning our game here is the perfect sendoff.” said Noel Marcaida. “The players’ hard work decided the game as early as the first half.”
“Winning here in UMak means a lot to us, especially today. Going into this game we really wanted to get those three points so we could finish our time here in Makati on a high,” he added.
After losing 3-1 in Biñan just a week prior, Kaya FC–Iloilo was eager to bounce back in the immediate rematch against Stallion. With five changes to the starting lineup, and a change to a 4-4-2 formation, the hosts looked menacing right from the first whistle.
Within four minutes Kaya was ahead. From the right flank, Janrick Soriano’s deep cross found Jovin Bedic all alone at the far post for the easy tap in. The lead was doubled on the 18th minute from a Miguel Tanton free kick. Alfred Osei got ahead of his marker and flicked an effort goal wards. The shot went straight to the goalkeeper, who could only deflect the ball onto the upright and back in front of goal. Jordan Mintah was on hand to accept the gift and make it 2-0.
On the half hour mark, Jalsor Soriano showcased a piece of attacking brilliance. Racing down the left flank in support of Connor Tacagni, the left back ran onto Connor’s flick, touched it past one defender, pushed past a second, then poked it through for Kaya’s third.
Right before half-time, Mintah added his second in delightful fashion. Tanton launched a high long ball in behind the Stallion defense, which Jordan expertly cushioned with his chest, then gently lifted over the onrushing keeper.
“It’s teamwork. This game meant a lot [to us]. We decided to finish the game in the first half so we could relax in the second. There was a lot of pressure coming out here, after losing 3-1 against them in their home. We decided to go all out and finish the game in the first half,” said Man of the Match Jordan Mintah.
Laguna managed to get one back early in the second half through Carlo Polli, but a dramatic comeback wasn’t on the cards, as Kaya nullified Stallion’s efforts.
“In the first half, my players were waiting for the ball to bounce, unlike in the second half, they just went after it,” rued Stallion head coach Ernie Nierras. “We won the second half 1-0. We lost the first half 4-0 because we weren’t ready to just go – Kaya was. That’s the only difference.”
The victory pushed Kaya FC–Iloilo to seven points after five outings, keeping Stallion Laguna at three points after the same number of games. It also ensured the Makati chapter of Kaya’s journey closed in impressive fashion. The club officially completes its transition as Iloilo’s football club on May 2 (4pm), with a match against Global Cebu at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
