PFF Club Championship: Burkey brace powers Kaya past M’lang

Nate Burkey struck twice in the first half to power Kaya to a 5-0 victory over M’lang FC Wednesday at the start of the knockout stage of the PFF Smart Club Championship at Koronadal Sports Complex.

Chris Greatwich also scored on his debut for the club, giving the United Football League powerhouse a 3-nil lead at the break, before defender Dario Dakic completed the rout in the second half, where the North Cotabato side also had an own goal.

Kaya piled up the pressure early with Burkey opening the scoring from close range off a low cross from Eric Dagroh.

Burkey, who was part of the national team early last year, fired his second goal from the penalty spot after Dagroh was brought down inside the area, before Greatwich, one of the heroes of the Azkals’ 2010 Suzuki Cup run, found the back of the net after good work from Eddie Mallari on the left.

The win pushed Kaya to a quarterfinal duel against the winner of the Flame United-Loyola Meralco clash slated Saturday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Defending champion Global faces Nomads in another Round of 16 clash on Sunday at RM, while UFL Cup champion Stallion takes on Bacolod’s Ceres  Panaad Stadium.

The other Round of 16 matches pit Pachanga against Cebu Queen City, Romgarjal FC of Zamboanga versus Green Archers United, Army against Pasargad and Baguio City versus General Trias FC.