KAYA FC-Iloilo notched its fifth straight win on Saturday after beating Global Cebu FC, 5-1, in Philippines Football League (PFL) action at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa City, Batangas.
Towed by the hat trick of Jordan Mintah, Kaya proved to be too much for Global as it made its way to the victory that improved its record to 12 wins, a draw and two losses with 37 points and fortified its position at second place in the ongoing season of the tournament.
It is just three points behind league-leading and defending champion Ceres-Negros FC (13-1-0).
Kaya seized the victory as early as the first half when it went up, 5-0, by the halftime break.
Mr. Mintah, Darryl Roberts and Alfred Osei accounted for the goals of Kaya and the team never looked back after.
Ghanaian Mintah got the scoring going for his team, finding the bottom of the net in the eighth minute.
A second goal came four minutes later care of Mr. Roberts.
Kaya kept the pressure on Global after, going up, 3-0, as Mr. Mintah scored anew in the 27th minute before Mr. Osei joined the scoring parade in the 32nd minute.
Mr. Mintah completed his hat trick in the 37th minute and helped Kaya establish the commanding 5-nil lead.
Global showed some fight in the second half and was able to puncture through in the 63rd minute courtesy of Paolo Salenga to make it a 5-1 count.
It would not go any closer than that though as Kaya buckled down to nip any further rally from Global on its way to the win.
With the loss, Global (1-2-11) dropped to its eighth straight loss. It remains at the bottom of the standings with five points.
Meanwhile, also winning on Saturday was Green Archers United FC, which defeated Mendiola FC 1991, 2-1.
Christian Zubiri (12’) and Stephen Appiah (69’) accounted for the winning team’s goals which led to GAU (7-4-6) getting the full three points for the win, jacking it up to 25 points, tied for third place with Stallion Laguna FC (7-4-4)
Mendiola (3-2-10), for its part, stayed at 11 points with the defeat. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
