Class in Session: Kaya-Iloilo Shows ADT How it's Done

Football is Back! It's been a long time coming, and it is finally here! The Copa Paulino Alcantara opens the curtains as Philippine Club Football makes its comeback. We now have Kaya FC-Iloilo facing off with the Azkals Development Team.

The ADT, composed mainly of U23 Philippine National Team players, now have the chance to show what they've learned after a dismal performance at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. And to say that there is still potential is a good way to describe the young lads.

On the other end, Kaya are being pegged as the favorites to win the Copa now more than ever as United City Football Club opted to sit this one out.

As soon as the whistle blew, Kaya wanted to take the initiative, bossing the ADT and getting good possession. ADT came up with good shots but Carlyle Mitchell and the Kaya defense always found a way to put a foot in.

Kaya was already starting to build momentum, piling on the pressure, but some quick turnovers in possession meant that the the ADT could take advantage of the small openings on the counter.

Kaya seemed to show the urgency in the early minutes by pressing higher up the pitch. But eventually, the ADT team has started to keep the 2018 winners mum. Kaya had to take the pace down as the ADT's defensive momentum have started to pick up, keeping the game in the middle of the pitch.

The ADT started getting decent possession around the 10 minute marker as the pressure now goes against Kaya, with the ADT playing their left side more, seemingly favoring this side for attack. This gave the ADT a slight advantage in possession after a shaky opening.

The same can be said for Kaya who relied on a combination of quick counters and plays that move the ball around the opposing defense. So far, no one could thread that critical pass.

One difference between ADT and Kaya in their offensive is that the ADT was getting stopped by the experienced Kaya centerbacks, whereas Kaya had been quite wasteful on that final pass.

In the 20th minute, one of the best chances came in when a nice low cross was delivered in front of goal, but Kenshiro Daniels' first touch failed him as he wasn't able to put a decent kick from point blank.

Around this time, the momentum is back with the experienced Kaya. They've started keeping the ball better, but still lacks that final pass that would break the stern ADT defense.

Kaya seemed to have found space time and again on the left, but they can't get through. And ADT wasn't just a spectator in this match, threading good passes from wide but couldn't deliver the ball to the box.

At this stage, the game's pace has now fallen to Kaya, who decided to take it slow and play it from the back. And around the 28th minute, Daniels did get a good pass with space ahead the left side, but couldn't find a teammate.

ADT, on the other hand, is now playing the same slow game too, with Kaya now no longer pressing high unlike earlier. This game is still all level at the half-hour mark with the game seeming even. ADT stalwart, Jarvey Gayoso, could be seen playing a deeper position than what we're used to seeing.

Another close call came in the 32nd minute when Daizo Horikoshi found himself in front of goal after a good low cross from Jhan Melizza, but the shot was blocked by a player in the white shirt. This led to a corner for Kaya but this didn't lead to another Kaya chance, and even almost got caught in the counter, but the ADT still couldn't find that pass to break the Kaya back three.

As half-time looms, both teams kept the push for the opening goal, but ultimately reached the break all square.

At the restart, both teams kept the game up again. But it was ADT who took the initiative first, piling the pressure early on. The ADTs moving up did lead to Kaya counter attacks, but it wasn't decisive enough. They Kaya wings were definitely showing their speed, but couldn't find a teammate in the final third.

It took us 53 minutes to grab that opening goal. Kaya found the back of net after a beautiful low cross from Audie Menzi that threaded in front of the goal, ending up in Horikoshi's foot. Tapping it in for the first goal of the competition.

The goal did wake the young Azkals up, showing a more determined offensive. But Kaya, so far, was up to the task even as the pressure builds up against the competition favorites.

ADT started getting more physical in an attempt to catch up. That physicality led to a foul in the 69th minute as Jovin Bedic was pulled down close to the box as he tried to keep the ball. The resulting free kick allowed Kaya to double up in the 70th minute. Daizo delivered the dead ball into the ADT box that lead to some chaos, but it was Simone Rota who had the cleanest kick from point blank that drove the ball into the net.

This allowed Kaya to control the game and thwart the any more tricks that the ADT had up their sleeves.