Manila, Philippines — Down to ten men, Kaya FC-Iloilo were bested by the reigning Japanese champs Yokohama F. Marinos. The patient counter-attacking style Kaya have utilized in this tournament managed to keep the game close for much of the night, but the visitors pulled away late to deny Iloilo their first AFC Champions League point.
The Marinos struck the opening blow in the 26th minute with a well-worked attack down the left flank to Yuhi Murakami, who got in behind the backline and turned in a top corner finish. (0-1)
Iloilo fired back in the 39th to the delight of the Rizal Memorial crowd. Shaking off a tackle at the half-way line, Ricki Sendra played a perfect through ball to Daizo Horikoshi. The winger bent his run to stay onside for a one-on-one with the retreating Yokohama keeper, before smashing his shot past his shoulder for his first goal on the continental stage. (1-1)
Kaya’s out-of-possession strategy kept their opponents at bay well into the second half, with each player fulfilling their roles in the block while springing loose on the counter at every opportunity. However, a controversial decision in the 82nd minute turned the game on its head.
Following a sideline VAR review, the referee decided that Robert Lopez Mendy’s tackle—having clipped the player’s foot from behind—was worth retroactively giving the veteran forward a red card, leaving Iloilo undermanned at the death.
The Tricolor capitalized on their numbers advantage in the 87th. Brazilian attacker Yan Matheus sealed his team’s victory with a golazo, flicking the ball up and launching a beautiful volley from the edge of the box. (1-2)
The boys in black kept fighting until the final whistle, but were ultimately unable to find an equalizer in the match’s dying minutes. Regardless, they continue to make strides competing at this level and have plenty of positives to take away from this game, including the unreal support from the Philippine football community in the stands.
Kaya FC-Iloilo have two chances left to leave their mark and score their first Champions League points. Next on their international slate is a trip to China for an opening night rematch against Shandong Taishan FC on November 28.
Starting Lineup:
ST: Sy
LM: Horikoshi, CM: Baas, CM: Sendra, RM: Gayoso
LWB: Casambre, CB: Rota, CB: Menzi, CB: Saito, RWB: Arboleda©
GK: Kammeraad
Subs: Balobo, Bandeken, Tacusalme, Swainston, Bedic, Angeles, Amita, Diano, Melliza, Lopez Mendy, Dizon, Romero
Coach Colum Curtis made five personnel changes in in this match:
- Mar Diano and Robert Lopez Mendy checked into the match in the 60th minute for Marco Casambre and Abou Sy.
- Marwin Angeles and Jhan Melliza came in for Justin Baas and Daizo Horikoshi in the 76th.
- Lastly, Mark Swainston relieved Ricki Sendra in the 85th minute.
