Kaya FC-Iloilo retains PFL lead after crushing Maharlika

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Kaya FC-Iloilo secured their second win in a row after demolishing Maharlika Manila FC, 4-1, in the ongoing 2022 Philippines Football League (PFL).

Fresh off a 7-0 demolition exhibition against Mendiola 1991 FC, Kaya FC replicated its football master class against Maharlika Manila after another offensive clinic showcase.

Daizo Horikoshi set the tone for Kaya FC after finding the back of the net in the opening five minutes of the match.

Marwin Angeles kicked off the stellar sequence after an interception in the midfield then passed the ball to the aggressive Jovin Bedic who found Eric Giganto on the right side of the pitch.

As Giganto surveyed the field for a better option, he found an open Horikoshi in the middle of the field and cruised past the Maharlika defense with an easy tap kick for the first blood.

Maharlika adjusted quickly defensively and was more aggressive with their man-to-man coverage, but Kaya FC came right back with another goal courtesy of Giganto in the 35^th minute.

Two minutes before the half was about to close, unsung hero Marco Casambre delivered for Kaya FC with his first goal for the club after a wide-open header.

However, Maharlika came right back with a sense of urgency in the second half and played tremendous defense that resulted in a stagnant offense for Kaya FC.

Maharlika attempted to rally from a 0-3 deficit after Spencer Galasa gave his club their first goal of the match with a header in the 78^th minute.

Despite the scoreless first 30 minutes of the second half, Giganto capped off his solid outing after scoring a brace in the 88^th minute to take care of business for Kaya FC.

With another victory, Kaya FC remained the league’s No.1 team with 21 points built from seven total wins including their current two-game winning streak.