Kaya FC-Iloilo won its first match in the AFC Champions League Two, defeating Eastern FC 2-1, with Robert Lopez Mendy scoring the decisive penalty late in the game. This victory marks a significant achievement for Philippine football as it is the first win for a Philippine club in this competition’s current format.
Kaya FC-Iloilo achieved a significant milestone by securing a 2-1 victory over Eastern FC on Thursday, which marked the first triumph for a Philippine team in the AFC Champions League Two. The match took place at the Mong Kok Stadium in Hong Kong, where Robert Lopez Mendy netted the decisive penalty in the 86th minute. This win is particularly noteworthy, as it is the first for the Philippines in the revamped AFC Champions League format that consists of two tiers, namely the Elite and the Two, during this season.
The match began with Kaya FC taking the lead through a penalty converted by Daizo Horikoshi in the 32nd minute. However, Eastern FC equalized in the 70th minute with a goal from Marcos Gondra. Despite this equalizer, Kaya’s determination prevailed, allowing them to claim all three points following Mendy’s late penalty. With this victory, the team remains hopeful of advancing further in the tournament, currently placing them at the bottom of Group C alongside Eastern FC, who occupies third place due to a superior goal tally.
This victory holds added significance for Kaya FC, as they had suffered a previous defeat to Eastern FC, losing 2-1 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on November 7. In contrast, Sanfreece Hiroshima leads Group C with 12 points, followed by Sydney FC with six points. In a separate match, Dynamic Herb Cebu FC experienced a disheartening loss against Muangthong United, finishing 9-2 and maintaining their position at the bottom of Group H with just one point, following a prior draw against the same Thai side.
The AFC Champions League is a prestigious international club football competition in Asia, which has recently been restructured into two tiers: the Elite and the Two. Kaya FC-Iloilo’s participation in this tournament reflects the growing presence of Philippine football on the regional stage. The significance of Kaya’s recent victory lies in not only the historical aspect of being the first Philippine team to win in the AFC Champions League Two but also in the broader context of Philippine football striving for recognition and success in Asian football competitions.
Kaya FC-Iloilo’s victory over Eastern FC has set a new precedent in the AFC Champions League Two, highlighting the progress of Philippine football on the continental stage. With this win, they have not only avenged a previous defeat but also maintained their chances for further success in the tournament. As the competition continues, Kaya FC will seek to capitalize on this momentum to advance in their group alongside formidable opponents.
Original Source: www.spin.ph
Leave a Reply