Kaya FC produced a statement win as the Division I team outmuscled Agila MSA FC, 7-0, to start their 2015 United Football League Cup campaign, Saturday, May 2 at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
The match started slow with both teams trying to build up their offense. Agila had the first chance to score when Dimeji Tunde shot from beyond the box but opposing goalkeeper Nick O’Donnell easily retrieved it. However, it was the Division I mainstays who had a more enterprising run to the goal in the next few minutes. Almost halfway through the first period, Kenshiro Daniels received a pass off Christian Ayew but the shot bounced off the field and went out. Kaya continued to pressure their opponents and in the 26th minute, the former Cup champions were awarded a free kick. Daniels, who took the free kick tried to connect with teammate Louis Clark, but the midfielder’s shot was deflected by the Agila defense. The following play saw Joshua Beloya at the right place at the right time, and tapped the rebound into the back of the net which put Kaya up, 1-0.
Just moments from the go-ahead goal, the leading team kept on the pressure and forced Agila to lose possession. At the 28th minute, Azkals mainstay Daniels, once again had a dangerous run at the goal but was fouled by Darwin Regala. Daniels calmly slotted the penalty kick to double their lead, 2-0. Despite the scoreline, Kaya continued to push on the attack against the inexperienced opponent, the team however could not finish. Three minutes before halftime, Jovin Bedic connected to the unmarked Beloya on the left wing, who tapped the ball for his second and his team’s third goal. On the succeeding play, Agila almost got a goal back but Olayemi Bakare was called offside as the halftime whistle sounded, with Kaya leading Agila, 3-0.
The second half was more of the same as Kaya pounded on Agila’s porous defense. Former national team captain Aly Borromeo and Bedic anchored the attack for their team. At the 53rd minute, Kaya got their fourth goal of the match when Tishan Hanley secured a pass from Louis Clark and shot the ball into the net.
Kaya was able to open the floodgates in the succeeding minutes as Hanley scored another goal in the 63rd minute, giving his team a 5-0 lead. Agila tried to put something on the scoreboard but a shot by Franklin Elondou Elondou went over the bar, six minutes after. At the 65th minute, Agila substituted their goalkeeper with the hopes of preventing further damage from Kaya. It was for naught as Kaya’s Janrick Soriano and Diego Barrera sealed the deal for the former Division I champions few minutes before the end of the match. After 90 minutes of play, Kaya went out with a resounding 7-0 win over Agila.
Kaya will try their power against Team Socceroo FC next Saturday, May 9, while Agila MSA would try to bounce back against Pachanga Diliman FC on Tuesday, May 12.
