KAYA FC–ILOILO SUFFER FIRST DEFEAT IN 2019 AFC CUP
KAYA FC–ILOILO 1-2 PSM MAKASSAR
PANAAD STADIUM
17 April 2019; Bacolod, Philippines — Kaya FC–Iloilo put in a spirited attempt to come back from two goals down against Indonesia’s PSM Makassar, but ultimately succumbed, 2-1, in a feisty affair at the Panaad Stadium. The loss was Kaya’s first in Group H of the 2019 AFC Cup.
PSM opened the scoring twenty minutes into the first half with a header from Rizky Pellu. Willem Pluim found space to lift a ball into the six-yard box, which Rizky headed in. Shortly after, Eero Markkanen broke free, shrugged off Jalsor Soriano, and slotted in to the near post to double the advantage.
“The real talking point was the span between the twentieth and thirtieth minute where I think we switched off. We gave them the space and we weren’t compact enough,” said a disappointed Noel Marcaida after the match.
Kaya were handed a way back less than 10 minutes into the second half as PSM went down to ten men. Center back Abdul Rahman chopped down Jordan Mintah to earn his second yellow card, and a subsequent sending off. That sparked a barrage of pressure from the home side. The best chance fell to Darryl Roberts, who had his stinging volley come off the keeper and off the underside of the crossbar. Jovin Bedic then forced another fine save from Rivky Mokodompit with a low strike. The keeper was instrumental once more in the 77th minute, punching away substitute Arnel Amita’s left footed effort.
As the match neared the finished line things started to get heated between the players. And with two minutes remaining in regulation, the tensions boiled over, resulting in Kaya going down a man as well. Jalsor Soriano was a handed a straight red for a blatant kick on Makassar’s Mark Klok. Despite the sending off and the drama that followed, Kaya still managed to pull one back. Mintah was brought down inside the box, and Jovin Bedic stepped up to bury the penalty. Kaya FC–Iloilo pushed hard for an equalizer, but could not find a second before the final whistle
“We dominated and controlled the second half, but we had trouble breaking their defensive line. That was our big problem. All throughout that second half we failed to identify the space in between. It took us so long to get that first goal. If that attempt from Darryl Roberts had gone in, I think we would’ve gotten a second goal,” said Marcaida. “In the end there were actions that were not advantageous to us, and we lost more time to chase the game. We need to learn to control our emotions.”
The result means PSM Makassar move to top of Group H with eight points, while Iloilo remain at five.
