By Kevin Estrada
MANILA--Stallion came from a goal down early in the second half with a 2-1 win over Kaya in the United Football League Division 1 action on Sunday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
MANILA--Stallion came from a goal down early in the second half with a 2-1 win over Kaya in the United Football League Division 1 action on Sunday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
A header by Ruben Doctora negated the penalty kick by Louis Clark and a Jordan Mintah goal grabbed all three points.
Both clubs came from contrasting outings this past week. Stallion came on the heels of dropping five points in their last two matches, as they lost to Loyola and drew with Green Archers United, while Kaya came from a win against Manila Jeepney in the midweek after being floored by the eventual Champions Ceres last week. Both teams are in contention for the Runner-up position and a slot in next season’s AFC Cup, alongside Loyola and Global.
The 2013 Double winners are missing the services of Christian Nana (illness), Fitch Arboleda (injury), Milan Arends and Serge Kaole (suspensions), while Kaya had their lineup almost intact after their midweek win over Jeepney.
Stallion almost drew first blood in the first half when Matt Nierras’ free kick needed a one handed save by Nick O’Donnell. They had another chance when Simone Rota skies the ball high.
Kaya could have taken the lead in added time with three chances, but Louis Clark’s shot had it stopped by Johann Noetzel and have another shot by Porteria stopped with the head by Matthew Nierras, then Miguel Tanton had his shot above the bar as the referee whistled for halftime with no goals to show for either side.
The second half start was a nip-and-tuck affair and featured several attacks by both sides. But tensions rose when Shirmar Felongco was booked in the 50th minute for a second motion shove on Louis Clark.
Kaya have finally drew first blood in the 53rd minute when Clark converted a penalty kick after a Samuel Bonney hand ball that send the Kaya faithful into delirium.
But in the 61st minute, Doctora leads the squad by example by level things up through a header off Simone Rota’s cross.
Noetzel became huge when he stopped Clark on a one-on-one four minutes later.
Mintah won it with ten minutes to go. He broke free on a Kaya defense by Rota’s through ball to chip in past O’Donell to the right corner to clinch the season sweep on them.
The win ensured Stallion’s dominance over Kaya will be extended to three years. Kaya last won over Stallion in the final day of the 2012 season.
Despite the result, Kaya still leads Stallion on goal difference even they were tied on fourth place with 28 points apiece.
Despite the result, Kaya still leads Stallion on goal difference even they were tied on fourth place with 28 points apiece.
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