Kaya FC–Iloilo held firm against Tampines Rovers on Wednesday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, keeping the Singaporean side out for a scoreless draw in the AFC Cup. Starved of possession for large portions of the match, the Philippine side dug deep to take a point and remain top of Group H.
The match started in promising fashion for the home side, with a few early flurries inside Tampines’ box. Takumi Uesato and Jovin Bedic were quick to cause some havoc, but were unable to get anything on target.
Once the Rovers settled on the ball, though their fluid style started causing problems. Jordan Webb had an effort sail narrowly high in the 14th minute from a breakaway. Shortly after, Carlyle Mitchell headed away a goal-bound effort from inside the box.
Kaya’s best chance of the half fell to Jayson Panhay, with his curling free kick in the 28th minute going narrowly wide of the post. Tampines had another effort from a breakaway before the half was through, but much like Webb’s attempt, Fahrudin Mustafic’s effort was just over.
After the break, the Singaporean side carried on where they left off – keeping possession and dictating tempo. Openings to score, however, remained at a premium. Only two real openings occurred during the half, and both times, goalkeeper Mike Casas was there to keep the game scoreless.
His first save was to deny Madhu Mohana’s close range effort shortly after the restart. As the game drew to a close, he pulled off an even better stop to keep Mustafic’s near post drive.
In the end, Kaya FC–Iloilo and Tampines Rovers shared the points.
