After ending drought, Kaya tries to build win streak anew

THE string of winless games came to an end for Kaya FC-Makati on Sunday when it was able to hold off Ilocos United FC, 1-0, in their weekend Philippines Football League (PFL) encounter at the Quirino Stadium in Ilocos Sur.

Not able to hack out a win in its previous six matches in the last two months, producing three draws and three losses, Kaya finally barged back into the win column with their victory over Ilocos and improved to a 10-5-6 record with 35 points, six behind PFL leader FC Meralco Manila (12-5-2) and a point higher than third-running Global Cebu FC (9-7-4).

Incidentally, the last win of Kaya came at the expense of Ilocos, 2-1, on July 23.

In its victory last Sunday, Kaya scored the win on the goal of Jordan Mintah in the 34th minute.

Kaya had a number of chances to add to it but the lone goal in the end proved enough to merit the long-sought win.

Now back on the winning track, Kaya said it hopes to build on it so as to fortify its place in the top four and for the team to shape up for bigger battles ahead.

“We needed this win, we needed these three points. It’s the buildup for us to get back into the winning momentum,” said Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida following their win.

“I think Kaya FC played well from start to finish. But the game looked tough because we kept on missing goal-scoring opportunities. I think we could’ve finished the game as early as the first half if we finished all our chances,” he added as he underscored that they still needed to fine-tune their game some more.

He went on to say that despite some kinks here and there, they believe they are achieving the goals they have set in the first season of the PFL and are on track of accomplishing more.

“I think the outlook is positive. The main objective at the start of the league was to finish in the top four, so I think we’re still on the right track. We just keep moving on and keep improving,” Mr. Marcaida said.

In the PFL, the top four teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the finals series where teams play home and away matches and the winners advancing to the finals.

Meanwhile, PFL games tomorrow will see Ceres-Negros FC (9-1-3) visiting Davao Aguilas FC (0-6-9) in Tagum at 4 p.m. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo