KAYA FC-Makati scored a big 2-0 win over Global Cebu FC on Saturday to give its top-four push in the Philippines Football League (PFL) further wind as the regular season hits the homestretch.
Playing in front of its hometown fans at the University of Makati Stadium, Kaya held down Global to move a step closer to securing a guaranteed spot in the Finals Series of the newly formed national football league, where the top four teams will engage in a two-legged semifinal series.
Jordan Mintah provided the opening goal for Kaya after securing a looping pass from teammate Robert Lopez Mendy in the eighth minute of the match.
Global tried to make up for the goal it allowed but Kaya would remain on top of things.
The host team buried the visitors some more a quarter into the contest when Eric Giganto found the bottom of the net.
Mr. Giganto, who came in as a substitute, beat Global goalkeeper Patrick Deyto as he slotted in the goal which proved to be enough to secure the win.
While he was happy with the result, Kaya coach Noel Marcaida said he felt they could have done better considering they were up against one of the top teams in the tournament in Global.
“We’re very happy with the result. We were able to get maximum points against Global. [But] for me, it was a very unusual atmosphere. Kaya Makati versus Global is the type of game where the intensity should be very high. I think we started the first 10 minutes with high intensity. During that period we got the goal. Then the intensity went down. It wasn’t the best game we’ve had, but in the end it was comfortable,” Mr. Marcaida said postgame.
The win thrust Kaya (13-5-7) to 44 points, good for second place for now behind league-leading FC Meralco Manila (14-6-3) with 48 points.
Ceres-Negros FC (13-3-3) is at third with 42 points while Global (10-7-6) is at fourth at 37 points.
Kaya next plays on Wednesday in Tagum City against Davao Aguilas FC. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
