27 February 2019; Vientiane, Laos — Jovin Bedic looked to have secured the winner for Kaya FC–Iloilo on Wednesday night, but a late equalizer from Sayfa Aphideth salvaged a 1-1 draw for the home side. The result means Group H is deadlocked, with all four teams holding a solitary point after their opening games in the 2019 AFC Cup.
Kaya got off to a flying start at the Laos National Stadium, with Jordan Mintah firing narrowly wide, and Yannick Tuason forcing an early save within the opening two minutes. Lao Toyota went close early on as well, with captain Kazuo Honma hitting the upright from a one-on-one.
Bedic’s opener came shortly after. Alfred Osei played a delightful ball behind Lao’s defense to release Yannick Tuason on the right flank. Tuason then squared it to Jovin, who rifled in the pass first-time.
Iloilo’s intensity allowed them to control proceedings heading into the break, but the second half was a different story. Unable to develop fluidity in their passing, Kaya’s defense started showing cracks as Lao piled on the pressure. Eventually the hosts broke through in the 87th minute in rather bizarre fashion.
Having been tripped up as he entered Kaya’s box, Kazuo somehow kept his balance and delivered a cross right before the ball could cross the end line. His pass went straight to Sayfa for the easy header.
“We were unlucky not to get all three points. We played well in the first half. We were able to control things. But we didn’t play so well in the second,” said Iloilo head coach Noel Marcaida, who also expressed his frustration at the lapses that caused his side trouble.
“There were two moments late in each half where we switched off. The last one cost us a goal. Moving forward we need to learn to be switched on for the full 90,” he said.
