Kaya flaunts offensive might in rout of Socceroo

By Karlo Sacamos

KAYA FC flaunted its new-found offensive might to trounce Socceroo, 7-1, and sustain its promising start in the United Football League at the Emperador Stadium in Mckinley Hill Thursday night.

A scrappy, defensive team in the past, Kaya has transformed into a complete squad with the influx of offensive standouts as new acquisition Emmanuel Mbata registered a hat-trick in the first half, OJ Porteria added a brace in the second half, while Chris Greatwich, and Toshiya Hosoe chipped in a goal apiece.

“We showed we have goals in us,” said Kaya coach David Perkovic, whose squad scored the most goals and registered the biggest winning margin in the season so far.

Kaya’s second victory in three games also vaulted the perennial contender from fifth to second spot behind leader Loyola Meralco on goal difference.

Socceroo, in its maiden stint in the top flight after ruling Division 2 last year, remained winless after three starts and at the bottom of the nine-team standings.

After Greatwich opened the floodgates with a penalty striker 19 minutes into the game, Mbata underlined his offensive prowess by scoring three goals within only13 minutes (29’, 39’, 42’) to give Kaya a commanding lead at the half.

“He took some time adjusting to our system, so I’m very happy he played well tonight,” Perkovic said of Mbata, the leading scorer of Pasargad last year.

Hosoe joined the scoring party with a header five minutes into the second half, before Socceroo pulled a goal back courtesy of Lee Jeong Woo 10 minutes later.

Finally, Porteria, who became available after his red-card infraction against Global last time was reduced to a yellow, made the most of his chance as he found the back of the net in the 61st minute, before repeating his effort 20 minutes later.

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