While Kaya FC-Iloilo has practically wrap things up in the Philippine Football League, the 18-member squad goes into its final game against Stallion FC this Saturday with the mindset of a winner.
Kaya team manager Josue Jamlang told Daily Tribune the team’s camaraderie and chemistry allowed the Iloilo-based club to make the most out of the 18 players they have on the team and were able to execute Japanese head coach Yu Hoshide’s plays.
The squad finally completed the feat after Cebu FC settled for a 0-0 draw against Stallion FC last Wednesday as Cebu finished the season with 51 points behind a 14-6-1 win-draw-loss record.
Kaya, meanwhile, held a 17-1-3 record with 52 points and has one more game at hand when the club faces Stallion at the Rizal Memorial Football Field.
“Kaya, unlike our other opponents, had a small squad. We only had about 18 in our matchday squad, especially in the second half of the season. So it’s really about the closeness of the team, keeping the core together and to our ideals,” Jamlang said in a phone conversation.
“We stuck true to our Kaya culture and the guys were able to perform coach Yu’s vision and I think it paid off.”
‘Kaya, unlike our other opponents, had a small squad.’
Kaya banked on the efforts of Daizo Horikoshi, who is poised to take home both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards after slotting home 15 goals and tallying 19 assists.
Also contributing to Kaya’s success are players such as Jarvey Gayoso, who scored 11 goals for Kaya this season, team captain Jovin Bedic, Fitch Arboleda, Marwin Angeles and Simone Rota.
Jamlang lauded Horikoshi and Gayoso’s strike partnership as they also want to win the upcoming Copa Paulino Alcantara and make a deep run in the AFC Champions League this September.
Only the league champion can earn a direct qualification to the prestigious continental club tournament.
But first, Kaya intends to finish the current PFL season strong against Stallion.
“I would say that Daizo Horkoshi is not a new signing for us but he had his best season ever,” Jamlang said.
“I think Jarvey Gayoso is one of the best players in our country over the past few years. We’ve seen him play in multiple positions. He’s played at left back, at left wing and striker which is perhaps his most natural position.”
“We talked about it during training that regardless of the result between Stallion and Cebu, we will approach the Stallion game with the mindset of wanting to win. We want the trophy lift to be held after a win.”
