Lone goal from the hometown hero sends Kaya FC-Iloilo to the Final

A cagey affair but in the end, the 2018 Copa Paulino Alcantara winners Kaya FC-Iloilo books their ticket to the final and a chance to bring the title back home as they won over the newcomers Dynamic Herb Cebu FC.

With the whistle signaling kick-off, both teams look to get the better of the other in this second semi-final match of the day. With the Azkals Development Team already waiting in the finals, this matchup would determine their opponents.

Both teams appear to still be testing the waters as most of the ball was played in midfield. Neither team was able to scare their opponent 10 minutes into the game.

As we hit the 15 minute mark, Audie Menzi made a poor back pass that almost led to a goal. Fortunately, Michael Casas, who had yet to concede this tourney, was able to take the ball from Cebu after a poor pass of their own.

There's no lack of physicality in this game as an early yellow card was issued in the 17th minute. Joaco Canas of Cebu FC had a late tackle on Kaya's Masanari Omura. The Kaya player did need quick medical attention but he was able to return to the game.

Nicolas Ferrer also got a yellow card of his own when he fouled Ryo Fujii with his studs up in the 20th minute. The resulting free kick almost found it's way into the goal as it was whipped into the box.

Not more than a minute later, Arnel Amita also found himself in the book after his attempt to stop a Cebu counter with Roberto Corsame on the receiving end of the foul.

The sheer use of strength shows how both teams want this game, but referee Clifford Daypuyat won't allow things to go out of control.

After playing football mostly in midfield, a near disaster for Cebu almost changed the balance on the 39th minute when Dylan De Bruycker, after losing the ball outside the box to 3 Cebu defenders, was able to take the ball back almost immediately and was able to hoof it into the box from the corner flag. This sailed over the Cebu Keeper, Nathaniel Villanueva, who took his teammate, Corsame, down trying to give chase. Kaya almost managed to keep the ball in a dangerous spot, but a Cebu defender managed to keep it out.

There had been several attempts at goal for both sides, but neither was able to make any clear-cut chances as the half-time break approached, up until Kaya skipper, Jovin Bedic, found himself in front of Villanueva for a shot at goal, but the Cebu keeper was able to charge forward, successfully cancelling that attempt out but at his body's expense.

The score remains all level at the break with nothing to separate the two teams.

Action immediately followed after the break as Cebu made an aggressive push from kick-off, forcing a corner from Kaya. Ferrer with the delivery from the corner found Ricardo Sendra who was able to win the ball in the box. The headed strike from point blank forced Michael Casas to make a great save, but only for another corner which Ferrer, again, delivered this time on the opposite side. This time around, the attack didn't really make an impact.

It all went more of the same midfield battle as the first half, up until the 60th minute when Kaya was able to squeeze out a good chance after Masanari Omura managed to drive past the Cebu defense from the right side, then putting a good ball into the path of Kenshiro Daniels inside the box. But he would miss from there as he skied the ball.

As we approached the final 15 minutes of regular time, it seems that nothing would separate these teams. But it all changed on the 83rd minute when Kaya-Iloilo's Shirmar Felongco, a second-half sub, was left with space down the left flank. He was able to put out a great cross that found Daizo Horikoshi inside the box who caught the ball on his chest. As he tried to maneuver the ball from his mark, the ball incidentally came in contact with Baris Tasci's outstretched arm. A penalty was given.

By the 86th minute, the Kaya leader and striker in Bedic was given a golden opportunity to put his team in front. And he did, keeping Villanueva, who's had a great game so far, planted to the ground.

Kaya was able to hold their ground well, but this frustrated Cebu FC even more. It almost boiled over in the 92nd minute when Ferrer, who had been one of the more physical players all game and already on a yellow, did a sliding tackle on Horikoshi who was making a run down the right side. Ferrer got more of Horikoshi than the ball and a foul was called, with Daizo clutching his leg. But Canas was not a fan of him who saw the opponent trying to use up all the remaining stoppage time.

This led to other Cebu players taking the same cue, trying to hurry the Kanagawa Speedster back up on his feet. This didn't help matters, and time, as it only led to disagreements between players. The officials had to intervene before it got any worse.

The time consumed did not help Cebu FC's cause at all as the full-time whistle came only three minutes after the incident, but not before scaring the Kaya defense with their last ditch effort.

It took a while, but a winner was found this second semifinal match. It all ends, Kaya FC Iloilo 1, Cebu Football Club nil.