Kaya Breathes Easy With Tremendous Display Against Cebu FC
In a match that can be considered a preview of the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara Finals, the defending champion in Kaya FC-Iloilo takes on the rampant Dynamic Herb Cebu FC.
Both teams have been showing great form and have remained undefeated in their respective elimination matches. A favorable result for either team would affect their placement on the table, and thus the semi-finals pairing. We can be sure that neither team would like to come in behind the other.
Kaya would be missing the services of key defender, Carlyle Mitchell, whose presence have been formidable for the Ilonggo team's defense.
On the other hand, Cebu kept the core of their previous lineup that stood well against another contender, United City FC.
Cebu seemed the more energetic of the two in the opening minutes, but the physicality of both teams can really be seen.
Both teams seem to have settled in around the 6th with Cebu FC playing from the back. The Cebu FC custodian, Ace Villanueva, attempting to put the ball forward puts the ball out of bounds instead.
It didn't take long for Kaya to insist on their dominance with a close call from a Robert Lopez Mendy strike from inside the box. That attempt was blocked by a Cebu defender.
A 9th-minute foul on Kaya's Jhan Melliza by Cebu's Lorenzo Genco put a stop to play. This was followed by a freekick that was delivered rightly to Jarvey Gayoso, but the following shot was met by Villanueva.
The affair had been close, with the Ilonggos having the slight edge. But it was in the 14th minute where Kaya, who received a foul from the edge of the box, had Patrick Arthur take a freekick from a dangerous position. Arthur makes no mistake and puts the ball above the wall and into the net. 1-0 to Kaya FC
Just barely two minutes after the goal, another attempt by Kaya after a good through pass in front of the goal looked poised to score, but it went high.
In the 19th minute, Mendy found himself with another shot on goal following an effective through pass, but Villanueva was equal to the task. A corner was awarded to Kaya but was not taken well.
Roberto Corsame tried to nick one for his team on the left side in the 23rd minute. He was able to put a pass into the Kaya box, but had too much power. A goal kick was given to the opposition.
Arda Cinkir, Cebu's top scorer, was a very marked man. He was fouled in the 24th minute following a double team by Kaya.
Just before the 30 minute mark, Cebu has started pressing even harder. Kaya's Shirmar Felongco earned a yellow card after critical defending.
A foul in the box by the 33rd minute get's Kaya a chance to bury one from the spot. The league's current laeding scorer, Daizo Horikoshi, took the chance calmly, sending Villanueva the wrong way. 2-0 Kaya
Eager to change the tide to their favor, Cebu FC opted for early substitutions in the 42nd minute with Melgo III for Gadia, Ferrer for Dabao III, and Patalinhug for Chima Uzoka.
Nazim Ozcan found himself in the books as well after taking down Jarvey Gayoso at the edge of the box. A yellow card was awarded to the Turkish player. The free kick taken after the foul didn't amount to much, however.
The score remained the same until the end of the first half, 2-nil to Kaya FC.
The first few minutes of the second half showcase Cebu trying their hardest to bring the fight to the defending champions with near chances almost forming.
But Kaya on the attack of their own with Mendy setting up Gayoso in the box, but Gayoso put it too high in the 49th minute.
It was at this point that Kaya started to show more focus and determination, keeping the ball and making good chances themselves around the 55th minute.
Kaya looking to stablize their defenses with a substitution. Jessie Curran for Felongco. This would be curran's return to the field after being sidelined for a time. This substitution may also be to ensure Felonco's yellow card progresses no more. The time is 56 minutes.
Just before the 60th minute, Horikoshi found himself unmarked after some scramble in the box. The ball made its way to him in the scrimmage where he was able to take a touch before slotting the ball beyond Ace Villanueva. Kaya 3-0.
Kaya continue to show their strength with an exceptional through ball to Melliza and only needed to get it above Villanueva who charged forward to meet him. Ball was beyond the Cebu Keeper, but also beyond the goal. 69 minutes have gone past.
Tacsi almost pulled one back in the 70th minute after a well delivered corner was not dealt with by the Kaya defense. But the substitute could not direct the ball goalwards with his head.
Mendy took another one from range as Villanueva was off his line, but the shot had gone wide again. Mendy had several attempts to his name already, but most of them were off the mark throught the game.
In the dying minutes, Patalinhug tried to take on 3 players from the edge of the box, but the play ended with him on the ground. The stretcher was called, forcing Cebu to temporarily plays with 10 men.
The score remained as it is up until the end of the match. The game closes Kaya FC-Iloilo 3, Dynamic Herb Cebu 0.
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