Kaya Makati Sweeps Aside JPV Marikina for Third Straight Win, Move into Third

Jordan Mintah against JPV Marikina FC

Second half goals from Jordan Mintah and Robert Mendy ensured Kaya Makati made it three straight wins in the Philippines Football League. Up against a tricky JPV Marikina, the home side put in a solid team effort to prevail 2-0 at the University of Makati Stadium, moving the club into third in the standings.
"I'm very happy for the win. All the players performed well. They responded well to the plan before the game. Playing a tough team in JPV, and having a good result like this will really be a motivating factor for Kaya," said head coach Noel Marcaida after the game.

Despite a dominant performance in the first half from Makati, which included two penalty shouts, and two great chances in open play, the period ended scoreless. Kaya then picked up where they left off after the break, applying pressure and exhausting Marikina of space to exploit. And shortly after a third penalty appeal was waved away, the home side got their much deserved breakthrough.

It was a piece of exquisite skill that opened the scoring on the hour mark. Adam Reed, from a central position, curled a pass towards Mintah. The striker cushioned it with his chest, turned his defender, took a touch on his head, and when the ball dropped, he fired it hard and low across goal to score. It was the perfect reward for Jordan's unrelenting work ethic and refusal to be disheartened, despite three earlier penalty appeals being turned down.

He would be involved again for the second goal in the 81st minute, knocking on a clearance into the path of his strike partner. Mendy took one touch to take it away from his marker, and from outside the box, curled an expertly taken low shot into the corner.

"In my life, everything happens for God's reasons," said Mintah, who was named Man of the Match. "God knows why the referee didn't blow his whistle. I said to myself, 'I need to continue going.' You can see the team spirit is very high. This was my very best match I've played in," he added.

After their well earned victory, Kaya Makati have very little time to rest, with back-to-back matches against Ilocos United scheduled at the University of Makati. The first one will be on Wednesday, July 19, and the second on Sunday, July 23.

"Going into our back-to-back games against Ilocos, the most crucial thing will be recovery, especially for the players that played 90 minutes today," said Marcaida. "It's very difficult to play three games in eight days, so on the management side, we make sure that the players are rested properly."

Tickets to the upcoming matches against Ilocos United can be purchased at smtickets.com, or any SM Tickets outlet.