The national team upstarts starred in the twin demolitions registered on Thursday, as the 2016 United Football League returned after the break, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
In the opening game, Kaya FC whitewashed Manila Nomads FC, 16-1, when Azkals’ Kenshiro Daniels and OJ Porteria both scored four goals in the shootout party to fuel the 2016 AFC Cup quarter-finalists to their third win of the League.
Daniels started the parade with two early goals in the first half in the first and ninth minutes. Porteria snatched his first goal of the match in the 29th minute, 7 minutes after Englishman Louis Clark delivered the team’s third of the contest.
To make things worse for the Nomads, starting keeper Joshua Cruz was sent off in the 18th minute after denying Louis Clark’s attempt and handling the ball outside the box. Fortunately, Daniels hit the post on the ensuing direct free kick.
With a gorgeous delivery from Porteria, Clark doubled his output in the 33rd minute. Daniels completed his hat trick even before the halftime whistle sounded, as he finished off a Julian Matthews forward pass.
It could have been complete domination even at the break had not been for Stephen Appiah’s goal for Nomads FC. The Ghanian forced Shirmar Felongco to lose the ball, and slotted it past Michael Acton for their lone goal.
Even the substitutes delivered for Kaya, as they continued the scoring spree in the second period off purposeful forward passes and crosses into the danger area. David Tanton plucked a brace after scoring in the 50th and 83rd minute, as elder brother Miguel registered one in the 66th.
In between these shots from the Tanton brothers, Nomads’ Zacal fouled Porteria inside the box. The Kaya midfielder made no mistake and converted from the spot for his team’s ninth and his second goal.
Just seconds after the Miguel Tanton delivery, Daniels found himself unmarked inside the box and blasted in his fourth and last goal. Having been involved with the previous goals, Joven Bedic also joined the scoring with two goals in just six minutes at the 52nd and 58th marks. Janrick Soriano added another one in the 71st minute, closing out a beautiful passing sequence near the penalty area.
Azkals standout Porteria completed a hat trick in the 79th minute, before sneaking a late one in seconds from the full time whistle to complete the rout.
In the main game, fellow former U-23 squad stalwart Joshua Beloya took over after scoring four goals, as Stallion FC took their second straight win the tournament, comprehensively defeating Laos FC, 8-0.
Unlike the first match, however, Stallion didn’t have it easy in the first half. After Nathan Alquiros stole a quick goal just 20 seconds from kick off, the squad found it difficult to follow up.
With the Stallion players constantly on the offensive, the team finally doubled their lead at the 28th minute. Team captain Ruben Doctora converted the penalty kick for Alhassan Mohammedu’s foul on Christian Nana. The 2-0 scoreline stood at the the half.
Stallion FC Head Coach Ernie Nierras was not entirely pleased with his players’ performance and substituted in some new blood after the break. “So, that they would be hungrier,” he said.
The hunger was visible in the next few minutes, and was finally rewarded in the 56th minute. Beloya had a decent close-range shot, but Felipe Tripulca blocked the attempt. The Olongapo-born striker would not be denied aon t the rebound as he tapped it into the goal for his first of the game.
Beloya then finished off two enterprising lead passes and headed them in for his second and third of the match. In the 71st minute, former University of the East Red Warrior Fitch Arboleda found Beloya, and once again the latter scored to put his team on top, 6-0.
Arboleda this time took the cue of his teammates and closed out the match with a brace in the 74th and 81st minutes. To put on the finishing touches, the young midfielder poweree a solo effort inside the box past Tripulca.
Nierras praised Beloya and Arboleda with the ferocity they showed in the match. He shared, “I told Joshua (Beloya), be suwapang sometimes. Same with Fitch (Arboleda).” The Stallion mentor added, “We won two straight. But, we are not taking JP Voltes lightly. We know what they can do.”
Kaya FC’s win sets them up for a titanic clash against 2016 UFL Cup champions Global FC on Independence Day, June 12 at 4pm. On the other hand, the Stallion FC-JP Voltes match is scheduled on the same day at 1:45pm.
Manila Nomads FC will attempt to snap their losing skid as they battle Forza FC at the 7:30 am of the June 12 triple-header. On their part, Laos FC will not look too far on a chance for redemption as they face Agila MSA FC on Saturday at 7:30 am.
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Photos by UFL Images
