KAYA FC-Iloilo is off to hot start in its Philippines Football League (PFL) Copa Paulino Alcantara title defense after a 1-0 win over Maharlika Manila FC in the 2022 season opener on March 14 at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Japanese striker Daizo Horikoshi scored the match’s lone goal in the 46th minute after hitting the back of the net past Maharlika Manila FC goalkeeper Henri Bandeken inside the box.
Kaya FC bounced back after a 5-0 loss to Sydney FC in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League on March 8.
Kaya FC won the Copa Paulino Alcantara in 2021 after an unbeaten campaign in the tournament. Kaya FC beat Azkals Development Team (ADT), 1-0, in the finals last year.
Kaya FC faces rival United City FC on March 28.
After the Copa Paulino Alcantara, Kay FC will play in the AFC Cup in June. Kaya FC is in Group G with Indonesia’s Bali United FC, Malaysia’s Kedah Darul Aman FC and Cambodia’s Visakha FC.
The next PFL match date is on March 21, 2022, in which Maharlika Manila FC faces Mendiola FC 1991.