Kaya FC-Iloilo Exit 2021 AFC Champions League Following their display of fighting spirit against the Vietnamese champions, Coach Harvey promises Kaya's return in 2022.

In a gruelling, physical, and controversial evening of football, Kaya FC-Iloilo’s final match in the 2021 ACL Group Stage ended in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Viettel FC. Despite emotions running high after a hard-fought match, Coach Graham Harvey was nothing but calm and graceful when he addressed the media after the night’s performance.

“In the first half we were okay, we were solid. I think we weren’t great with the ball, and we struggled to get ourselves into our attacking patterns,” he stated. “They worked so hard when we were down to nine men, hugely proud of our boys but bitterly disappointed that they didn’t get the opportunity to show for 90 minutes.”

A pair of red cards set the game on a different path, with both starting center-backs Simone Rota and Masanari Omura getting sent off early in the second half. Everybody had to work doubly hard in order to compensate, including the coaching staff whose pre-match strategies were basically thrown out the window.

“Obviously, two red cards in two minutes changes the gameplan. I think we were down to about Plan D by the time we had nine men,” Coach remarked. “It was 30-35 minutes with a group of nine players who gave absolutely everything for this football club, for themselves, for their teammates, for our whole club, for the fans back in the Philippines.”

Even after sending in Marco Casambre and Fitch Arboleda in to help stem the tide on defense, Kaya continued to pick their spots and boldly go for counters. It was brave decision to keep trying given the numerical disadvantage, serving as proof of how far they’ve come in their trip to Thailand. The coaches agreed, sending in Arnel Amita and Jarvey Gayoso late in the game served as one last push to attack.

“With ten minutes to go, we were prepared to gamble and make changes to go and score a goal. I think maybe at the start of the eighteen days, we might not have had that confidence to do that,” Coach freely admitted. “I think the big test for us now is that we go back to the Philippines and make sure we continue at this level.”

Kaya will be returning to the country forever changed by this experience, though it remains to be seen if the lessons they’ve had to learn the hard way will stick. Coach Harvey understood and stressed that point in his next statement.

“Going back to the Philippines, again it’s just about the boys understanding what they have achieved so far here, but also not being satisfied. The big thing for us is we want to be back on this stage. We will be back on this stage as a football club next year,” Coach proclaimed. “For us to do that, we need to go back to the Philippines and be consistent with our performance.”

When asked about individual players who’ve made significant strides, Harvey instead noted the progress of the entire team over the course of the tournament.

“Very hard to single out one out of everybody else, we’re just immensely proud of how our boys performed on this stage,” Coach stated. “Everybody associated with Kaya Football Club can look on this performance and be proud.”

In his closing statements, Coach Harvey made sure to pay his respects; while at the same time issuing once again his challenge to the team once more.

“From us as a football club, we just want to thank everybody. BG Pathum have been unbelievable with how they’ve made this happen, the AFC as well. We’re hugely grateful for everything that’s been done for us as a football club, and we’ll see you next year.”