Manila, Philippines — Kaya FC-Iloilo put up a valiant effort to kick off this year’s Champions League campaign, but all three points belong to Shandong Taishan FC following a 1-3 result on opening night.
The Philippine champs were the early aggressors, taking the fight to their opponents from the get-go. Coming in as the underdogs in this match, the men in yellow got stuck in and simply refused to cede control of the pace to the Chinese visitors—successfully keeping the scoreline level in the first half.
Relentless off-ball pressure made it a transitional game, the ball bouncing around like a hot potato with 50/50 duels happening up and down the pitch. However, much like the weather during stretches of the match, the CSL powerhouse ended up raining on Kaya’s parade in the second period.
The game turned on its head in the ‘63rd minute when a marginal foul call on Ricki Sendra inside Kaya’s box resulted in a penalty for the visitors. Shandong’s captain Moisés Lima stepped up to the spot and sent Quincy Kammeraad the wrong way to secure the match opener. (0-1)
Forced to chase the game, a 71st minute mistake from Fitch Arboleda while building up from the back proved costly—as Matheus Pato turned a loose pass into a one-on-one situation that he calmly finished to double their lead. (0-2)
All was not lost, however, as Jarvey Gayoso snatched a goal back in a burst of footspeed in the 79th minute. Ricki Sendra picked out a perfect through ball for the surging forward, who beat the last defender and went around the keeper to finish in an open goal—his first on the ACL stage. (1-2)
Kaya tried their hardest to find the equalizer, but a dagger in extra time sealed the win for Shandong. Sprung on a quick counter, Cryzan drilled in a shot from an incredibly tight angle for their third of the night. (1-3)
Matchday 1 saw both home teams fail to pick up points; as Kaya FC-Iloilo joins Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos in the bottom half of Group G. The favorites fell 4-2 to the Philippine side’s next opponent, Korea’s Incheon United FC.
The team fought bravely, bringing the fight and holding their own against the #2 ranked Chinese team, especially in the first half. Preparations are now underway to build on the positives of this performance and pick up points on the road.
Starting Lineup:
LWF: Horikoshi, ST: Sy, LWF: Melliza
CM: Angeles, CM: Sendra, CM: Baas
LB: Arboleda©, CB: Rota, CB: Menzi, RB: Diano
GK: Kammeraad
Subs: Bandeken, Balobo, Bata, Tacusalme, Amita, Gayoso, Bedic, Lopez Mendy, Romero, Giganto, Swainston
Coach Colum Curtis made 5 personnel changes on the evening:
- Jarvey Gayoso started the second half in place of Abou Sy.
- Mark Swainston and Arnel Amita checked in for Marwin Angeles and Jhan Melliza in the 65th minute.
- Camelo Tacusalme and Eric Giganto came in for Simone Rota and Mar Diano in the 94th.
Two Kaya players were booked in this match: Abou Sy receiving his yellow in the 30th following an aerial challenge, and Arnel Amita receiving his for some physicality during a set piece in the 81st.
