By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo kept their status as the best women’s football club in the country after claiming the AIA 7’s Football League Season 9 crown with a 4-1 triumph over the Manila Nomads FC at the Atleta 63 Football Field of the Bridgetowne Complex in Pasig City.

Anicka Castaneda struck first for the Iloilo City-based booters with a close-range strike in the fourth minute, the only goal scored in the first half of the regulation.

Kaya-Iloilo then unloaded back-to-back conversions from Jazinda Bora and Sara Castaneda to widen their lead over the Manila Nomads to 3-0 early in the second half.

The Manila Nomads tried to forge a rally as Lylhanie Cayabyab scored the club’s first goal as she slotted the ball past the defense of Kaya-Iloilo keeper Inna Palacios.

Castaneda then secured Kaya-Iloilo’s fifth championship in the competition as she knocked down her second goal with 11 minutes left in the contest.

Meanwhile, the Lamasia Football Club clinched the crown in the men’s division after taking down the Manila Digger FC, 4-2, in a tightly contested final game.

Ugochukwu Ebere opened the scoring for Lamasia in the 15th minute, but Manila Digger FC’s Emmanuel Donkor responded with goals in the 18th and 19th minutes to put Manila Digger up 2-1.

Michael Moto struck one back for Lamasia in the 31st minute to force a 2-2 deadlock before taking a 3-2 advantage via a free kick connection from Bolaji Idris.

As the Manila Diggers were threatening to tie the score, Lamasia connected another goal from Moto late in the game to make it a 4-2 count in the eighth minute of the extension./ASC, WDJ