Kaya Book Seat in UFL Cup Final After Penalty Shoot-Out

Kaya FC found the right pieces to defeat Stallion FC, 5-4 on penalties (3-3 after extra time), in a pulsating UFL Cup semifinal last night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Louis Clark—who made his return from a lengthy injury—scored the winning penalty for Kaya to book their place in the UFL Cup Final.

It was the Iloilo side that were imposing at the start of the match. Stallion won a penalty inside the first ten minutes when Jordan Mintah was fouled by Alfred Osei in the box. Unfortunately for Stallion, Simone Rota sent his shot right to the cross bar and out.

Rota made amends with the opening goal in the 35th minute. The Azkals defender sent a booming free kick past a wall and Kaya’s Nick O’Donnell from 25 yards out. Stallion led 1-nil at half-time.

The first fifteen minutes of the second half saw Kaya turn the match on its head to equalize. Stallion doubled their lead nine minutes into the second half. Shirmar Felongco sent a well placed shot towards O’Donnell’s bottom corner.

But Alfred Osei sparked the fight back in the 56th minute. Kenshiro Daniels sent a delicate cross for Osei to convert from close range after Stallion relaxed on defense.

The fight back was complete in the 60th minute when David Basa handled the ball inside the box after a shot from Daniels. OJ Porteria stepped up to take the penalty and sent Johann Noetzel the wrong way to put the scores level.

Concern grew for Stallion midway in the second half. Louis Kaole was sent off for a second bookable offense in the 75th minute leaving Stallion to finish the match with ten men.

Rota’s injury made it worse a minute after. The defender blitzed his way from a counter but collided with O’Donnell in the box and had to be substituted. The medics suspected that Rota broke a rib and he was rushed to a hospital. (Editor’s Note: Rota later confirmed on social media that he had two broken ribs.)

Both sides had chances to win but failed to convert in regulation, forcing the match into extra time.

Kaya also finished the match with ten men. Osei received his second yellow card of the match, forging a 10 versus 10 affair.

The next sequence saw both teams scoring within a minute. Nathan Alquiros’ free kick was denied by O’Donnell. Stallion recovered the ball and found Mintah free in the box to head home the go ahead goal in the 101st minute.

However, substitute Diego Barrera made it 3-3 just a minute later. The Kaya midfielder was there to meet Jovin Bedic’s cross and shot the ball past Noetzel to equalize and send the match to penalties.

Ian Araneta was the first penalty take for Stallion but he was denied by O’Donnell. Porteria, Aly Borromeo, Daniels, Barrera, and Clark found the target for Kaya. Alquiros, Bervic Italia, David Basa, and Ruben Doctora scored for Stallion in the shootout.

They will meet League champions Ceres La Salle FC on Friday, August 28, 2015.

Check out the match photos HERE.

This post-match was originally posted on football.com.ph. You may read the full report and other Philippine football news and features here.