Kaya FC-Makati hosts tricky JPV Marikina

From L-R: Dan Padernal, Takashi Odawara, Adam Reed, Noel Marcaida

A couple of teams in the top pack of the Philippines Football League are set to face off this Sunday afternoon at the University of Makati, as Kaya FC-Makati hosts JPV Marikina FC at 4pm.

This matchup had been scheduled to take place two months earlier, but had been postponed due to a venue issue.

The visitors are seeking to bounce back from their five-match winning streak being snapped a week earlier by FC Meralco Manila, while the hosts are seeking their third consecutive victory. Both sides are currently separated by a point, and are looking to pounce on moving up the bunched-up standings with the Sparks losing 7-0 to Ceres-Negros FC and Global-Cebu FC being held to a goalless draw against Davao Aguilas FC.

According to Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida, JPV has "been performing well" and have "been very consistent." He adds, "They have players who are technically sound." Noel thinks this is "an important match" and will be "a tough test for both sides."

As for his counterpart Dan Padernal, he believes that this fixture "will be a test of our character, how we move up again to becoming a winning team." He adds that they are ready and have had "good preparation."

Adam Reed in the pre-match press conference says that "if we stick to our game plan and prepare will, we'll do well tomorrow." He also acknowledges that the team is "always improving" and that they are "going in the right direction." His counterpart in the pre-match press conference, Takashi Odawara, thinks that "they can win the game."

NOTES:

Marcaida says that all players are available save for Woody Ugarte, who will be fit to play next week.

Streaming of this fixture has been made available online, as seen below.



The other PFL matchup scheduled today sees the two teams with the worst record in the league with Ilocos United FC hosting Stallion Laguna FC at the Elpidio P. Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.