Audie Menzi’s name will be etched in the Kaya FC–Iloilo history books, as the Benguet-born defender scored the match-winner that sent the club through to the AFC Champions League Group Stage — the highest level of club football in Asia.
Up against China’s Shanghai Port in the Preliminary Round Playoff, his thumping header ensured there would be two Filipino clubs in the Group Stage this year.
From the opening whistle, Kaya came off the blocks with intensity and seized control in the early goings. Ryo Fujii had the match’s first chance in the 7th minute, shooting from outside the box but clearing the crossbar. Jovin Bedic had his own chance to turn and shoot just five minutes later, but his attempt hit the corner of the posts. The squad kept the pressure up—and for their effort, found joy in the 17th minute.
A corner was sent into a crowded box and the ball found an unlikely target: fullback Audie Menzi. The former FEU standout timed his jump perfectly, rising for a towering header to take the lead with his first ever goal for the club. The underdog Iloilo side were shockingly up 1-0, their blitzes eventually bearing fruit for an advantage they would fight to keep for the rest of evening.
To be expected, Shanghai Port eventually settled down and began ramping up towards the end of the first half. The centerback duo of Carlyle Mitchell and Simone Rota did well throughout the match to stifle incoming attacks, but the Chinese squad steadily built momentum going into the break. Mike Casas was forced into his first save of the night in the 45th minute, following a particularly dangerous chance down the left flank.
The boys kept their composure and regained control of the match coming out of halftime, with Daizo Horikoshi continuing to be a menace on the right side. The first substitutions came in the 67th minute, with Kenshiro Daniels and Arnel Amita coming in for Jovin Bedic and Marwin Angeles.
Daizo continued to make decisive runs, and got a shot off in the 74th that was just kept out by their keeper. Shanghai then made an error in their own half in the 80th, which was then picked up by Ryo who created space and unleashed a strike from distance that narrowly missed wide.
The Chinese side would not go down quietly however, creating a final chance on a corner in the 86th. After the ball bounced all around the penalty box, Shanghai were eventually able to get a powerful shot on goal. However, the Beastkeeper came up clutch—he palmed the attempt away and effectively sealed the victory.
Eric Giganto checked in for Dylan de Bruycker in added time, but it was only a matter of minutes before the rest of the squad ran onto the pitch as well. The final whistle blew and it was official—Kaya FC-Iloilo had made history, securing their spot alongside the best of the best.
