Nightmare at Biñan for Kaya FC–Iloilo
May 20, 2018; Biñan, Laguna — When it rains it pours. Riding high on four straight Philippines Football League wins, Kaya FC–Iloilo came crashing down in dramatic fashion against Global Cebu on Wednesday afternoon. The visitors ended the match with nine men at the Biñan Football Stadium, in a 3-1 defeat to bottom of the table Global Cebu.
The opening 45 minutes gave no indication of the rollercoaster that was in store for Iloilo. Despite a missed penalty by Robert Lopez Mendy early in the half, Kaya were in control against Global, and looking threatening. Then, in added time of the first half, everything changed.
On a dangerous breakaway, Iloilo’s Lopez Mendy was forcibly chopped down, earning a free kick in front of Global’s box. The Senegalese striker took exception to the challenge, though, and responded by putting his hands on Lee Jeong-Min’s face. The Korean was given a yellow card for his cynical tackle, but Robert was subsequently handed a straight red.
Although with a man less, Kaya still managed to go in front. Miguel Tanton forced a great save from Patrick Deyto on the resulting free kick, handing Iloilo a corner kick. From that set piece, Tanton’s delivery was guided in by center back Masanari Omura, giving the visitors the advantage at the break. The lead, however, didn’t last long.
On the hour mark, Jordan Jarvis powered in a far post header from a corner kick. Kaya’s setback was compounded when Alfred Osei was sent off for an apparent elbow to Daniel Gadia. The Ghanaian midfielder’s dismissal left the team struggling to cope with Global’s renewed vigor.
Within six minutes of the red card, Daryl Roberts punished Iloilo on the break with a well-taken header in transition. Jinggoy Valmayor then sealed the result seven minutes from time, burying a one-on-one from a breakaway.
“After performing really well in the previous games that we had, it’s disappointing, and the result is unacceptable for us. Global just played their game, that’s the way I see it. They had a plan to really frustrate us, especially our midfielders. They were successful in that. But for me, if the game finished 11 v 11, it would have been a different story,” said Noel Marcaida.
The victory was Global Cebu’s first of the season after six outings in the PFL. The result snapped a four-game winning streak for Kaya, who will be without the services of both Lopez Mendy and Osei in their next match on June 2, in Iloilo, versus the Davao Aguilas.
