Iloilo-native Jovin Bedic celebrates Masanari Omura’s late winner.
Kaya FC–Iloilo 2-1 Davao Aguilas
June 2, 2018
Iloilo Sports Complex
June 2, 2018; Iloilo — The rematch was nothing like the first encounter, but in the end, Kaya FC–Iloilo again walked away with all three points over the Davao Aguilas. Masanari Omura’s late winner sparked pandemonium at the Iloilo Sports Complex, and ensured Kaya returned to winning ways in the Philippines Football League.
“It was a long 90 minutes. It was really tough. I give all the credit to my players. They really worked hard from the start of the game until the last whistle,” said Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida. “The discipline of the players, and the hard work brought us this victory. And this victory is sweeter than the last time we beat Davao here. This is the type of game where players deserve to celebrate.”
Unlike in the first meeting between the two teams at the Iloilo Sports Complex, there was no flying start from the home side. Instead, the Davao Aguilas, playing their first match under their new head coach, dominated proceedings. Without Jordan MIntah (injury), Robert Lopez Mendy (suspension) and Alfred Osei (suspension), Kaya struggled to get going, particularly going forward.
Aside from an early low drive from Shirmar Felongco, who started the game in central midfield, the first half was mostly an exercise of defensive solidity by Kaya FC–Iloilo. In the 15th minute, Davao looked set to open the scoring. Matt Hartmann broke free on the left flank and chipped the onrushing Ref Cuaresma. But just as the ball was about to cross the line, Camelo Tacusalme flew in to clear. The rest of the period then became a series of long throws, corner kicks, and free kicks from Davao. The towering Aguilas, however, couldn’t find a way through. And after 45 minutes, the match remained scoreless.
“Kailangan yung timing sa apat naming depensa. Parati kaming nagco-communicate kung sino magco-cover, at kung sino yung kukuha ng tao. Communication talaga yung key,” said Man of the Match Camelo Tacusalme after the match. “Sobrang hirap. Ang tatangkad nila eh, especially sila James and Phil (Younghusband). Dun kami nahihirapan.
“Nagmo-motivate kami sa isa’t isa. Sinasabi namin, ‘Kaya natin ‘to, wag tayong susuko.’”
The second half was a different story. Iloilo emerged from the break determined to get on the ball more. And just eight minutes after the restart, Iloilo were ahead. On a counter attack, Jovin Bedic had the ball poked away at the edge of Davao’s box. The ball fell to Kenshiro Daniels, who fired a low rocket past Nick O’Donnel.
Davao threatened to equalize less than ten minutes later. From a free kick at the edge of Kaya’s box, Phil Younghusband curled a shot over the wall, but it was tipped over by Cuaresma. In the 74th minute, Iloilo’s defense was finally breached. Janrick Soriano had his pocket picked by Hartmann, who teed up James Younghusband for a header — his fourth goal against Kaya this season. The deadlock didn’t last long though.
From a wide free kick, Miguel Tanton drew a fine near-post stop from O’Donnel. From the resulting corner kick, O’donnel went up to challenge for the ball, but his touch took the ball goal bound, where Masanari Omura was waiting for the tap in. The Aguilas threw everything they had at Kaya in the remaining 13 minutes, but as was the case for the majority of the game, Iloilo’s defense held firm to take the gutsy win.
“It was all about the motivation of the players. It was about how much we wanted to win. Davao were dominant in this game, but because of our discipline and shape, and eagerness to really bounce back from our previous defeat, we were able to manage and get this sweet victory,” said Marcaida. “The atmosphere here in Iloilo, they know the game. They know when to cheer. That really gave our players a boost to play well.”
The victory took Kaya FC–Iloilo to 22 points after 11 matches, eight points clear of the third placed Aguilas, and three points behind leaders Ceres Negros, who have one game in hand.
