Kaya Boosts Title Hopes With Slim Victory Over Global

In a contest between the two clubs that boast the most National Team players, it was a man not considered for selection that proved the most decisive. Kaya avenged their 2-1 loss to Global in the first round of the United Football League by escaping with a slim victory last Wednesday at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill.

Eddie Mallari scored the solitary goal which proved enough for Kaya to close the gap at the top to seven points with still a game in hand. The victory was far from easy though, with the winners forced to defend for the majority of the contest.

“I believe heart in the mouth is the term,” said Kaya head coach David Perkovic on withstanding a late Global bombardment.

“Today for us it was very important that we got three points because you can have games in hand, but you have to make up those games in hand with three points each time we play,” he said. “It’s difficult for me to say I’m happy with the performance because as a coach you want to dominate every game, but in some respect I am happy because the boys showed a lot of character to grind it out. To keep a clean sheet against Global says something about our defense because they score goals for fun.”

More than a month after surrendering a lead against Global, in a game where OJ Porteria was sent off early in the first half, the third-placed side finally got an opportunity to make amends. It didn’t take them long to open the scoring. In the tenth minute, Kenshiro Daniels’ cross from the left flank fell to Mallari inside the box. He misfired on his first chance to shoot, but managed to get the ball out of his feet on the second opportunity. Global defender Amani Aguinaldo could only deflect the ball into the net as he attempted to keep out the lifted effort.

Conceding early seemed to galvanize the 2012 League champions, and by the time the first half drew to a close, were clearly on top in the game. A Mark Hartmann free-kick from 24 meters out which cannoned off Nick O’Donnel’s post typified Global’s growing control of the match. The introduction of striker Milad Behgandom marked the real reversal of fortunes in the game. Left on the bench to accommodate head coach Leigh Manson’s initial strategy to pack the midfield, the Iranian proved his worth after coming on, constantly making life difficult for Kaya’s back line.

Behgandom had the best chance to score the equalizer halfway through the second period. Connecting well with a cross from the right flank, the striker’s pointblank attempt was denied only by the strong hands and extremely quick reflexes of O’Donnel in goal.

“The keeper’s made one absolutely magnificent save, absolutely out of this world stop. Nine times out of ten that’s in the back of the net. He’s done brilliantly for them. He’s saved them certainly the two points there,” said Global head coach Leigh Manson. The Scot also accepted the brunt of the blame for his side’s defeat. “It’s mostly down to myself. I chose to break a winning habit, put five in the midfield. As soon as we put Milad on the park Kaya were reeling. There’s a little lesson there. I should perhaps let the winning formation just keep going, no matter who we’re playing. In the first half I think we gave Kaya too much respect.”

Kaya improve to 19 points after nine matches played, while Global remain with 22 after ten games. Both are chasing Loyola Meralco Sparks, currently with 26 points from ten contests.

This post-match is from the official website of the United Football League (UFL). You may read the full and original post-match report from the UFL here.

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