A Tale of Two Halves: Kaya Dominates, Stallion Awakens
Stallion Laguna has been struggling to find their form in this Copa Paulino Alcantara competition, and now they find themselves in front of the frontrunners and competition favorites, Kaya FC Iloilo.
Kaya is coming off a string of good results but still has a need to show a convincing sign of their ascendency this season. This could be a good chance to show the competition who's on the top of the table.
While Kaya has the upper hand, this could be desperation time for Stallions. And if we all know how football can work when a team is backed into a corner.
Kaya will be missing the services of Jovin Bedic, Sandro Reyes, and Oskari Kekkonen as they're currently joining the Azkals Development Team as part of the Southeast Asian Games football team representing the Philippines.
While Stallions have some changes to their own lineup for this match. Abou Sy, Bryan Ybanez, Kameron Bolden, and Yannick Tuason were put in ahead of Darwin Regala, Oscar Delgado, Marvin Angeles, and Leonardo Noguiera.
As expected of the encounter, both teams started on the offensive with both the Iloilo and Laguna clubs putting the ball in the opponent's box a few times in the first few minutes.
Stallions showing their physical side as a pair of fouls in the 9th minute put Kaya in a favorable position. The resulting freekick delivered by Jhan Melliza found the head of 2021 ESBF Foreign Footballer of the Year, Carlyle Mitchell, who directed it away from Hayeson Pepito's reach. Kaya now leads 1-0 in the 10th minute.
Bit Stallions are now in a good position for a free kick themselves, but the poor effort only found a Kaya defender.
Stallion Laguna had to make a change in the 13th minute with Villareal coming in for the sidelined Kainoa Bailey.
The first goal has only led to Kaya being the more ambitious of the two with more key passes in space that left the Stallion defense scrambling for control. None have led to the second goal so far but Kaya continues to knock at Laguna's door.
Stallion tried to make possession work in the 17th minute with a good passage of play but they could only get to the edge of the middle third with Kaya putting a solid defense ahead of the box.
The turnover of possession caught Stallions off guard. Melliza again finding Shirmar Felonco in the 18th minute who had to control the ball in front of goal. The goal was chipped away from a fully stretched Pepito.
Kaya again finds space in the wings which has been a staple of this game.
Stallion's tactical changes are starting to show with Yannick Tuason making himself a nuisance to Kaya's defense with good passes into the box like the one in the 25th minute that almost put Abou Sy in between Kaya's keeper and his defenders.
Jhan Melliza found himself in front of space after Mitchell found space between the defense, sending the ball flying ahead of the running midfielder. The former Stallion man makes no mistake in outplaying Pepito, leading to Kaya's third goal in the 28th minute.
The Ilonggo has now made two assists and one goal in this game as the man is on fire.
Stallions have been caught time and again in the first half and had been made to pay several times, almost conceding a few more. Stallion coach, Ernie Nierras can be heard shouting at his defense.
Abou Sy almost pulled one back trying to meet a cross, but Kenry Balobo made sure that it would amount to nothing.
Finn McDaniel, one of the more energetic players of Stallion, fouling Carlyle Mitchel in the 40th minute as the man in pink continues to press high.
As the break comes nearer, Kaya is now slowing down the game's tempo. But Stallion won another corner in the late stages. Unfortunately, that only went as far as the head of a Kaya defender.
Stallions applied more pressure as stoppage time is played, but they were not able to produce the payout. The first half ends with Kaya firmly in the driver's seat.
Kaya started the better of the two in the second half. But it was Stallion who won the first corner in the second half. It hasn't produced the needed goal in the 48th minute.
Stallion Laguna seemed to have made some adjustments that prevented Audie Menzi from doing as he pleases with a good run to the wing being blocked off in the 51st minute.
On the other side of the pitch, Stallion wins another corner with McDaniel finding space to let one go, calling Balobo into action again. Stallions now putting some pressure on the leaders around the 55th minute.
Kameron Holden almost found the net off a McDaniel freekick in the 59th minute but it floated past the post
Abou Sy capitalized on a Kaya mistake as a loose ball was put in space ahead of Balobo. Sy didn't need a second invitation to take it in the box and down the lower right of the goal away from Kaya's feet. Stallions pull one back 1-3 in the 61st minute. Finally, Stallion's high press is getting to Kaya.
The initiative is now firmly with Stallion Laguna. with several more opportunities making the lakeside team more threatening.
A worrying sight in the 67th minute as Fitch Arboleda had to be sidelined as well. Eric Giganto was subbed in his place.
Matthew Nierras just put the game in a better perspective as he found the ball unguarded as it rolled across the inside of the box. Stallion now inches closer 2-3 in the 71st minute,
This game puts both teams up one gear
Marwin Angeles almost put the game in the balance with a near goal with a little bit over 15 minutes to play.
Copa debutant Jarvey Gayoso was subbed in the 75th minute as Coach Yu Hoshide's response to this renewed Stallion offensive and right away puts a shot on goal that Pepito can easily pick up.
An opportune moment came Kaya Iloilo's way with a freekick won from just around 25 yards, but the attack fizzled out.
Patrick Arthur is awarded the first card of the game as he had to desperately put a tackle in against a running Stallion player in the 85th minute.
Less than 5 minutes in regulation time and it could still be anyone's game as the intensity between the two teams are high.
Daizo Horikoshi almost had it after getting away from his marker, but his attempt floated high and wide in stoppage.
Back to the other side, Stallion won a corner in the dying minutes, but Bolden put it too far. Off the ball, Silva may have received a hard knock in the box sending the players into a little scuffle ending with Mitchell and Bolden getting sent off.
The explosive match between Stallion Laguna Football Club Philippines and KAYA Futbol Club comes to a close with the title contenders on top.
The leaders were able to fend off an inspired second-half showing from the lakeside team.
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