Kaya FC-Makati and FC Meralco Manila set for end of September PFL clash

Tyler Matas tangles for possession with Kaya's Jordan Mintah in the team's meeting last August.

The final set of Philippines Football League matches before the international break are set to take place this Saturday, with the most prominent matchup of the three fixtures being a top-of-the-table clash between Kaya FC-Makati and FC Meralco Manila at the University of Makati Football Stadium. Kickoff is slated at 4pm.

The Sparks have won the past couple of meetings, although the more recent encounter had a controversial nature to it, thanks to a nullified equalizer due to Jordan Mintah being offside late. Nevertheless, expect this matchup to be intense, considering the rivalry of the two sides.

Both sides are fresh from wins last week, with FC Meralco Manila denying Davao Aguilas FC a positive homecoming for the Younghusband brothers with a 2-0 result, while Kaya FC-Makati snapped Stallion Laguna FC's four-game winning streak with an impressive 4-0 victory. The hosts are seeking to snap a seven-match unbeaten run by the visitors in the PFL, while also reducing the gap between them in half with the victory.

Aris Caslib, Tyler Matas, Woody Ugarte, Noel Marcaida

At the post-match press conference, Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida highlighted the very high intensity during training in the run-up for this match. He also praised the Sparks, "Looking forward to the game, I think Meralco has been very consistent. It shows in their results from the previous seven matches, they’re undefeated. Coach Aris has been able to establish a defensive structure for Meralco. For tomorrow’s game, it’s a test of consistency for both clubs." He adds that one important factor in this match maintaining the high intensity all throughout the game.

His counterpart, Aris Caslib, credited the team's togetherness for their current unbeaten run, adding, "I think it’s teamwork. It’s having great ambition, and working together."

Tickets are available at the gate (PhP 20 field side, PhP 350 grandstand) as well as through SM Tickets. If unable to attend in person, one can also check out the streaming below:



NOTES:

Mintah as since emerged as one of the the league's top scorers on 14 goals, and he will test the Meralco defense. Caslib also noted the need to cut off the supply of balls headed towards Mintah as a key factor in this match.

Miguel Tanton, who scored an incredible 40-yard goal last weekend in Makati's 4-0 win over Stallion, will also command respect from the Sparks, after seeing action for the first time recently. Marcaida has gone on to say that Tanton will play later today.

Woody Ugarte on the rivalry between the two teams: "These are the games that everyone enjoys the most. Derby matches are always the best. There's something about Kaya and Meralco games - there's always going to be something interesting."

Tyler Matas on what is needed for the victory: "Both teams go out with good intensity. Kaya, what I've noticed, is that they don't like to lose to us, so we're going to give it all we've got." He adds, "We just have to be organized, which is what we do, and find a way to win."

Milan Nikolic will be suspended for this match, but Simon Greatwich makes his return from suspension last week.