Back From Another Country to Reunite with Club

February 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

After a long trip to Dubai and Qatar with the National Team, we returned to the Philippines to rejoin our clubs efforts in taking on the UFL League. Jason Sabio, Joshua Beloya and myself landed late Friday night with a couple things on our minds. With a 8 hour flight behind us, the main focus was rest and recuperation, but more importantly we had a very crucial Kaya FC match to concentrate on.

Not having been with Kaya FC for 10 days, took its toll on me and the rest of my Kaya teammates on the road. Focusing on the national team was primary in our effects against two very strong international friendly against Australia’s and Uzbekistan’s U23 Olympic squads, along with a competitive game against Qatar’s Al Ahli Club. At the same time, we knew we were missing some crucial training sessions with our own club. After our defeat against Loyola 2 weeks back, our mission was to get back on track and gain a result against Pasagard. Leaving no team in the league underestimated, we knew we had to come out strong against the new team. Pasagard had surprised the league with a draw against first place team Stallions, so preparations for a defensive styled opponent was implemented.

Having just a short nights rest, the Saturdays match-up with Pasagard came upon us in no time. I was happy to reunite with my club and my teammates. They seem to be in very high spirits as we haven’t had a match since the Loyola game,  and training seemed to have been going well. They felt strong and ready for a nice afternoon game. I too was ready to see the pitch as limited playing time with the national team made me hungry from some time. Knowing that my playing time would further be limited in the Pasagard match due to our absence, I patiently supported the team from the sidelines to take in our performance.

All in all, I was glad to have come in late in the game, contribute and really reincorporate myself on a team that has been working extremely hard while I was away.  It was particularly nice to see different players used in different positions and to see some of the progress the team has made. Although there is still plenty of things we need to work on, it was nice to see an different perspective of our game and really refocus on the things we still need to improve on. Most of all, just being back gets me really excited to rejoin our squad and get back to working hard.

Kaya FC beat Pasagard in our 5th match of the 2012 UFL Season.

For More Information on KayaFC, Check out our NEWLY Launch Website KayaFC.COM

For More Articles for Lexton Moy Check out Soccerpirrs.com and Follow him on Twitter @LextonMoy

 

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Falling Short of a Turn Around Rematch

February 4, 2012 By 2 Comments

In the 2011 UFL Cup, Kaya FC faced Loyala Meralco Sparks in the Cup Semifinals for the first time since the revival of the UFL. With each team riding high on the wave of the football boom in the Philippines and recruiting big named players to the league, both have ramped up for the intense competition. Up until the semifinal rounds, the Loyola-Kaya match-up was one of the most anticipated games, as Loyola boasted Phil and James Younghusband, and Mark and Mathew Hartman. On the other hand, Kaya FC had our own set of National team players including Aly Borromeo, Anton Del Rosario, Jason Sabio, Nate Burkey and myself. Off the field, between the players that match was jokingly coined a “match between the Brit’s and the Americans.”

Until this day, it can easily be said that the game between Kaya FC and Loyola was the most exciting match to watch in 2011. With a comfortable 3-0 lead at half time, Kaya had the sure advantage moving into the second half, only to find a reluctant Loyola narrowing the gap and eventually stealing the game in a high scoring 5-4 victory.

This seemingly impossible comeback surely set the stage for Kaya FC and Loyola’s second match-up. This time, in the UFL League, as the first round of games commenced in a double round robin format, the two teams faced each other, in what was described as an “epic rematch” of the 2012 season. The outcome last time, was a triumphant underdog fight for Loyola to tie the match up and to finally take the win. For Kaya FC it was a bitter snowballing of unfortunate events that lead to a mega loss of the match and a potential cup title. This time with much at stake, Loyola fighting to maintain their win, and for Kaya to recapture the victory they had in their hands in the prior game.

Disappointing to say, Kaya fell short yet again against the orange Sparks. Much can be said about both teams performances, whether or not things could have been done or should have been done, and speculations can be made about all aspects of the match. The truth is before we start analyzing everything, I will use this time to reflect on my own performance and be accountable for the things I had control over.

Upon reflecting on my sub-par performance, I really have to reanalyze all of the controllable factors leading up to and during the match. We as professionals always say “Control the Controllable’s” and forget about everything else. By this we mean: Do what you need to do to best prepare you for the results you seek. For peak performance, it means preparing everything in your immediate control that will directly impact your effectiveness and efficiency.  Despite feeling great at the start of the match, it’s tough to say that after being fouled early in the game, the nagging physical nuisance pulled me mentally into a different state for the rest of the match, and it was quite evident that my “efficiency and effectiveness” suffered.

We can’t control the ref’s, we can’t control what others choose to do or not do, and we can’t control hard tackles by others, but what we can control is how we deal with these factors. Unfortunately, I was unable to physically and mentally overcome the “uncontrollable factors” presented to me in the match and furthermore I failed to take ownership over the controllable ones that would have dictated a positive performance.

All too often, it is hard for people to look past the “uncontrollable’s” and extreme focus is marginalized to excuses and blame. Being accountable and responsible for your own performance is key in moving forward and excelling. I hope to use games like this to further propel me in the right direction. It is a harsh and stern reminder that the game is only physical to a certain point, controlled and limited by your mental capability.

We have to wait until the second round of the UFL League to face Loyola Meralco Sparks in our 3rd overall match-up. What seems to be light years away, we have even more to look forward to, as we seek  unfinished business.

For More Information on KayaFC, Check out our NEWLY Launch Website KayaFC.COM

For More Articles for Lexton Moy Check out Soccerpirrs.com and Follow him on Twitter @LextonMoy

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New Country New Club

September 23, 2011 By 1 Comment

So, I have been in the Philippines for about a month and a half now, and since arriving here so much has happened. I am beginning to feel as though recording and keeping up with my daily experiences is proving most difficult. Making a routine for my reflecting and introspection was something I thought would be easy and quite simple. It turns out, with a seemingly impossible schedule the only thing stopping me from writing was myself. So, with a focused and determine mindset to make entries a regular occurrence, I will start with a little bit of catching up.

The very first day I arrived to Manila, I was told that Kaya FC was conducting their last tryouts for the upcoming UFL Cup. Because I was new to the country and new to the league, I had no clue the level of the club nor infrastructure of the Cup. I knew that as a player fresh out the terminal, not too many people were going to know about the player I was, nor were they really anticipating my arrival.  No one had a clue that a Chinoy from New York City has picked up and moved to the Philippines to play in the UFL with hopes to play for the National team.

Once I was informed that coaches and management from Kaya FC needed to get a look at me prior to their team selections, I knew I had to lace up even though I had landed just hours before. Despite the 21 hour travel time and not having been able to laid down on any flat surface for the last 40 hours I was determined to step out onto Manila soil and do what I love.

After training with the team for a week, the selections were apparent and I found myself surrounded by an very unique group of players, coaching staff, and management. With the incredible talent and potential displayed from the team, I was most happy to sign with club that’s mission and core values resonated throughout.

I am truly thankful for the opportunity Kaya FC has giving me to start a new season in the UFL, to start a new era in Philippines Football, to inspire upcoming football generations, and most of all to continue the long existing values of a reputable club and expand on a honorable legacy worth fighting for.

To this entry, I am proud to say I am apart of a very special team of players, staff, management, board members, sponsors, owners and last but not least… Fans.

To learn more about Kaya FC, check out our Facebook  Fan Page Here.

To find out more about the UFL Cup and the UFL League visit http://www.footballalliance.ph/

KAYA FC “WE CAN” and “You Can” too… UNA Kaya. One Team. Are You Apart of this Movement?

Please be sure to Follow Me on Twitter @LextonMoy to keep undated with all that is going on with the Philippine Azkals, Kaya FC, and my experiences living in Manila and Traveling Asia!

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