Ivorian striker Eric Dagroh struck what turned out to be the game-winner four minutes into the game as Kaya pounced on an Air Force side that hardly looked the team that dominated the UFL during the past two seasons.
“It’s a big win, great way to start the season,” said Kaya captain Anton del Rosario. “Winning against the defending champion was a good motivation for us. We’re a close-knit team and we played for each other, worked for each other.”
Resolute on defense, Kaya also brandished its attacking depth as it continually launched wave after wave of attack in the well-deserved win.
“I think our fitness level was just better than theirs,” said Kaya coach Juan Cutillas.
The win gave Kaya three points, but with teams in the first division playing each other twice in the tournament, the result could toll heavily on Air Force’s hopes of winning a third straight crown.
It was actually a flattering scoreline for the Airmen, who stayed in the game only through the superb work of goalkeeper Tats Mercado.
Flashing quick reflexes that belied his burly frame, the veteran internationalist had at least eight saves to snuff out clear-cut chances for Kaya.
“Air Force was fortunate to lose, 0-1. But we have to work on our finishing,” Del Rosario said.
Kaya got off to a lively start with Liberian winger Prince Boley and Japanese midfielder Masa Omura pulling the strings at midfield, while Jason Sabio and Anton del Rosario kept Air Force’s attackers at bay.
Boley created the opening goal, dispossesing Joebel Bermejo on the left flank, before sending a cross to the near post for Omura, whose shot rattled off the post. Dagroh was all alone to slot home the rebound for the first goal.
The response was immediate from Air Force as Yanti Barsales and Ian Araneta had their close range efforts blocked in the 7th minute, before Dagroh forced a fine double save from Mercado on a one-on-one opportunity.
Kaya introduced new recruit Joshua Beloya at halftime and the Bacolod-based striker made an immediate impact with Mercado needing to be at his best to deny him.
Beloya, who scored three goals for the country in the Southeast Asian Games, linked up well with fellow substitute Nate Burkey, putting the Air Force defense on the backfoot.
Burkey wasted a glorious chance in the 60th minute as he shot wide from the right after he was released by Beloya. Another clear chance went begging five minutes later when an unmarked Burkey couldn’t get on the end of Dagroh’s cross, with Bermejo making a timely clearance.
Araneta had Air Force’s best chance in the 86th minute, but he managed just a tame effort that was easily saved by Saba Garmaroudi.