CPA 2022: Mendiola FC 1991 Match Preview 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara — Game Overview, Double Draws, and Quotes from Coach Yu Hoshide

Matchday Three is upon us, with Kaya FC-Iloilo set to face the resurgent Mendiola FC 1991. The two sides are coming off hotly contested fixtures against United City FC, wherein both teams drew against the current Philippines Football League title-holders. In order to build on their respective performances, winning all three points would be vital towards climbing the Copa standings.

With a game in hand on the Manila-based club, Iloilo are ahead by three points and currently sit in second on the table. However, there’s still a path for Kaya to pull ahead and finish in first thanks to Mendiola holding the leaders UCFC to a 0-0 draw last week.

After getting stunned in their opener by Maharlika’s 2-1 comeback and subsequently getting ran off the pitch 4-0 by the ADT, Mendiola seemingly rounded into form in their third match. In a display of defensive discipline, they effectively executed their low block to hold the Champs scoreless and earn their first point of the season.

“It’ll be a tough game against Mendiola. They are a really organized and tough team so we need to have the same motivation and intensity as the last game with UCFC,” said Coach Yu Hoshide.

Kaya, on the other hand, came away disappointed with their own draw result against United City. A costly error found Iloilo trailing midway through the first half, but the debut of Daizo Horikoshi on the left wing proved effective as the speedster leveled the score in the second period. The boys went on to create several key opportunities to turn the game around, but were unable to find joy before the final whistle blew.

“It was a really fun and hard game against UCFC and we have a lot to learn from that experience. Especially since we had so many chances but only one goal, while we made one mistake and conceded one,” Hoshide noted. “Our players’ motivation for training changed after, meaning the players felt the regret from the result of that game.”

Switching gears, Iloilo will be looking to return to winning ways against this Mendiola side that’s riding their upwards momentum. Their deep-lying, counterattacking style proved too difficult for United City to crack, but Kaya have been busy channeling their frustrations into the preparations for this match.

“We’ve been working on our combinations of attacking play against a low block defense this week, so hopefully the players will be able to show what we in training,” Coach Yu stated.

We’d like to invite everyone down to the PFF National Football Center in Carmona, Cavite to come and support the team tomorrow! Kickoff takes place at 4:00 PM, and you can also catch the Livestream at home on the PFL’s Facebook and YouTube pages!