CPA 2022: Finals Match Preview 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara — Game Overview, a Final Showdown, and Quotes from Coach Yu Hoshide

It all comes down to this. Two clubs enter this fixture unbeaten, but only one can be crowned champion. Matchday 2 offered a preview of this particular matchup, but now the stakes are at their highest, and this one’s for all the marbles. The most heated rivalry in professional Philippine football takes center stage tomorrow night: Kaya FC-Iloilo versus United City FC in the Copa Paulino Alcantara Final.

In a thrilling 1-0 victory in the Semifinal, Iloilo punched their ticket through thanks to the late-game heroics of Daizo Horikoshi. The presumptive Golden Boot winner sunk Stallion Laguna FC in the 86th minute with a point-blank volley into the top right corner—the excitement of the finish carrying over to the week’s preparations, according to Head Coach Yu Hoshide.

“Of course, our motivation is here already and all of us are well prepared mentally, physically, and tactically. We are ready,” declared Hoshide.

Both sides have undergone notable changes since the 1-1 draw in March that was evenly matched in more ways than the final scoreline. It was a back and forth affair between two squads that prefer a possession-based playstyle, which led to an added layer of intensity, a hotly contested midfield, and higher pressing lines than what has been commonly seen in the Copa.

While it was a Game of the Year contender in its own right, it likely won’t be able to hold a candle to what’s in store in the upcoming Final.

“It’s really different meanings between the group stage and the Final, especially since we were not able to play against UCFC at all last year. We have been waiting for this time so long and everybody knows it’ll be a tough game!” Coach Hoshi stated.

Kaya have since integrated several key players that weren’t available for the last match, including the tempo-setting Oskari Kekkonen, the creative outlet Jesse Curran, the prolific attacker Jarvey Gayoso, and the midfield destroyer Patrick Arthur. Coach Yu will need to make some tough lineup decisions, having a breadth of quality options to choose from for his matchday squad.

“Of course, I am considering all players’ conditions, motivations, and experience in big games. Honestly, I have a good headache right now because all our players deserve to be in the starting lineup—we’ll see who I end up choosing,” he teased.

On the other hand, United City went through an entire ACL Group Stage campaign since the last encounter with Kaya. That level of game experience can’t be understated, given the same exposure to Asia’s top flight helped propel Iloilo to the Copa Title last year. Hoshide noted the advantage that seemingly gives their opponent, but affirms that his side won’t lose out in terms of cohesiveness and chemistry.

“The Champions League was a different level of game intensity and quality, more so since UCFC were able to get that experience two years in a row. However, we are growing every day and our bonds have just been getting stronger and stronger, and that’s a really big advantage for us.”

What has been an amazing Copa Paulino Alcantara ends tomorrow night, in one way or another. Additionally, the title secures qualification for next year’s AFC Cup and adds an extra layer of intrigue with the prospect of continental competition in the balance.

Between the presiding PFL title-holders and the defending Copa champions, winning here means settling the debate on which club reigns supreme in the Philippine football landscape. For Coach Yu Hoshide, this means everything.

“Winning the title is a gift, this is what I came here for. Since the end of January, we have been working so hard for this—including our management, PTs, coaching staff, and all the players, so we will fight for this as one team!”

We’ll be needing all the help we can get, so we’re calling on the whole Kaya Family to come to the PFF National Football Center in Carmona, Cavite and get behind the boys as they go for back-to-back Copa Titles! Kickoff’s at 8:30 PM, and you can also catch the Livestream at home on the PFL’s Facebook and YouTube pages!