KAYA put a dent on rival Loyola Meralco’s title aspirations with a stunning 1-0 victory Saturday in the United Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Senegalese striker Robert Lopez Mendy scored with an eighth minute header before he was sent off for a second yellow card, but Kaya escaped with a win thanks to a stellar defensive performance.
Kaya drew solid efforts from goalkeeper Matthew Acton and defenders Masa Omura and Alfred Osei as they held their ground in the face of Loyola’s vaunted attack in the second half.
Kaya, which avoided a third straight loss, climbed to fifth with 21 points while the Sparks fell to fourth with 24 points.
“We’ve had a difficult couple of weeks from the JPV loss and Ceres,” said Kaya coach Chris Greatwich. “Our boys didn’t lose their enthusiasm and attitude in training for the past two weeks. They did not let the result bring them down.
“The combination of that was the performance today. They were outstanding with 10 men against a decent side. This is a testament to the hard work they have taken through the course of the season.”
Meanwhile, JP Voltes picked up a fourth straight win at the expense of Laos, 4-0, while Forza notched win No. 3 at the expense of Agila, 4-1.
Takashi Odawara got a brace while Alen Angeles and Takumi Uesato also knocked in a goal each for Voltes which moved up to third with 25 points.
Forza has 10 points from 11 matches while Agila ended the first round with four points.