Hometown Hero Felongco’s Late Strike Keeps Kaya FC–Iloilo Unbeaten at Home
Kaya FC–Iloilo 1-1 Ceres Negros
Saturday | June 9, 2018
Iloilo Sports Complex
June 9, 2018; Iloilo — Iloilo-native Shirmar Felongco sparked pandemonium in the Iloilo Sports Complex, as his late goal ensured Kaya FC–Iloilo and Ceres Negros shared the spoils on Saturday afternoon in the Philippines Football Leagie. The 1-1 draw meant Kaya FC–Iloilo remain unbeaten in Iloilo after three matches.
“We’ll take this one point. We’re not perfect here anymore, but we’re unbeaten. And that’s the most important thing for me as coach of Kaya FC,” said Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida. “I’m very pleased with all the hard work that the players put in this game. I’m really happy.”
In front of a vibrant crowd of 1,875, the match got off to a nervous start for the hosts. Ceres Negros drew an early stop from Ref Cuaresma just seven minutes in from a free kick. But as the half wore on, the hosts started to find their feet, with captain Jovin Bedic and Marwin Angeles getting on the ball more. Nine minutes before the break, Kaya had a penalty shout turned down.
Shirmar Felongco’s strong volley had seemingly struck Martin Steuble’s arm after it hit his stomach, but the appeals were waved away. Not long after, Omid Nazari blatantly kicked out at Felongco after the two came together. Much to the frustration of the crowd, the Ceres midfielder only received a yellow.
The second half saw the hosts force Negros more on the back foot, but the visitors remained more threatening. Nazari skied a shot inside Kaya’s box, and Mike Ott headed a point blank attempt right into Cuaresma. Ten minutes from the final whistle, Nazari kicked out at Felongco once more, earning his second yellow card and his marching orders.
Despite going down to 10-men, Ceres drew a vital stop from Cuaresma from a free kick. Then on the 84th minute, Ott tapped in Patrick Reichelt’s rifled pass to stun the hosts. Instead of getting deflated, though, Iloilo came alive.
Just two minutes after, Felongco picked off an attempted back pass to the keeper and slotted in the equalizer, sparking madness in the stands. Right before the final whistle, Bedic connected on a free kick, but his header, and Masanari Omura’s follow up, were well stopped by Toni Doblas.
“Sobrang saya. First time ko maging Man of the Match, and first goal ko yun of the season,” said Shirmar Felongco, who put in an outstanding all-around performance in midfield. “Nag-stick kami sa game plan na sinabi ni coach. Nilaro lang talaga namin ang full 90 minutes. Bilog ang bola sa laro.”
(“I’m so happy. It’s my first time to be Man of the Match, and I got my first goal of the season,” said Shirmar Felongco, who put in an outstanding all-around performance in midfield. “We stuck to the game plan that coach laid out. We just played the whole 90 minutes. Nothing is certain in a game.”)
The result means the status quo remains at the top of the PFL standings, with Ceres Negros (29 points) six points ahead of second placed Kaya FC–Iloilo (23 points).
Kaya next play Global Cebu on Wednesday (June 13), at the Biñan Football Stadium.
