Kaya FC battles dangerous Army

MANILA, Philippines - Kaya FC seeks to join Loyola Meralco Sparks on top as it clashes with an unpredictable Army Fritz & Macziol in today’s resumption of First Division action at the United Football League at the University of Makati field.

The LBC-backed Kaya booters are currently at joint third place with idle Global FC with 12 points apiece after winning their first four assignments and losing one, which came at the hands of the Sparks in a stinging 0-2 defeat last Feb. 4 at the Rizal Memorial pitch.

A 3-0 bashing of Pasargad FC at UMak sent the Juan Cutillas-mentored side back on the winning track and another win in their 2 p.m. showdown with the Armymen would send it atop the Sparks.

“That’s our goal, to get to the top,” said Cutillas, a former many-time national team coach who is a Spanish staying in the country for a long time now.

Kaya, however, will have to watch out for Army though as the latter is coming off a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over rival Navy Red Juice last Wednesday at the UMak that sent it from a share of sixth spot with Nomads Auction Manila to solo fifth with eight points, a point ahead of reigning League and Cup champion Air Force Phoenix.

Jeffrey Lobaton came through with two goals in a span of three minutes to turn a 0-1 deficit to a victory and should be the player to watch out for when it takes the turf against a fancied Kaya side.

Loyola, led by the immensely popular and talented Phil and James Younghusband, are atop the heap with 15 points, two points ahead of second-running Stallion Gilligan’s FC.

Also at the UMak, Team Socceroo FC squares off with Union Internacional Manila at 4 p.m. while Agila FC faces off Forza FC at 4 p.m. and Diliman Victory Liner FC tackles Dolphins United FC at 6 p.m. at The Turf in Bonifacio Global City.