#ACL 2023 Preview: @ Incheon United FC Match 2: First Away Fixture | Presser Quotes from Coach Colum Curtis & Jarvey Gayoso

Incheon United FC (KOR) vs Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI)
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 | 6:00 PM Kickoff PST
Incheon Football Stadium, South Korea

Incheon, South Korea — Taking in the cool, crisp autumn air of a land far from home, Kaya FC-Iloilo’s AFC Champions League campaign continues in their inaugural away fixture against K League outfit Incheon United FC.

Following a spirited opening day performance against Shandong Taishan FC, Head Coach Colum Curtis expects his squad to bring that same fight they showed at home on the road.

“We’re well prepared, and we’re aware of what a huge task it is to face Incheon United at home, but overall we’re excited to play. It’s a massive challenge to come and play against a huge team in Korea, in their home stadium when they’re hosting their first continental game,” Curtis stated in the pre-match press conference. 

“We’re aware of what it means to people at the club and to the fans, but it’s up to us to not be overwhelmed by the occasion and to just go and play our own game,” he added. “We played really well against Shandong and put a stamp on the game, and that’s what we expect to do here.”

Iloilo’s 3-1 defeat to the Chinese FA Cup winners in their home opener was closer than the scoreline would suggest, a performance the team looks to build on in this next match. 

“We’re very excited at the opportunity to play one of the top teams in Korea, and we’re just excited to be able to showcase our talents and be able to play our hearts out,” said Kaya forward Jarvey Gayoso.

“We just want to be able to do our best and be competitive from the beginning, to be a competitive team in this competition. We understand that [Incheon United] have come from a win against [Yokohama F. Marinos], but we want to come back from our previous game and be able to make a statement,” Gayoso added.

Adjusting to the unfamiliar weather, as well as weathering the home team’s support as the visitors are two of the biggest hurdles Kaya have to clear to get a result in this fixture, but the club remains confident in their preparations going in. 

“The air is different here compared to the Philippines, but we’re enjoying the cold,” Jarvey remarked. “Our local boys are feeling the difference in terms of temperature and the weather, but at the same time it’s not as hot as the Philippines so I think it’s going to be better for a lot of us to be able to play.”

Coming into a hostile environment as the away side, Coach Curtis had this to say about the team’s current mindset. 

“It’s something we expect coming to play against such a big club. We knew whatever group we were going into, it was going to be a big, big task— but I don’t think [the support] is going to make a huge difference for us.” Coach stated. “A lot of our players have experience playing on the international level before, in both the AFC and in representing their country, so I’m hoping it’s not going to play a major factor.” 

“We’re ready for the Champions League, we’re not that well known but we hope by the end of this campaign people will remember Kaya.” Coach concluded. “Our main thing is just to compete, we want to give a good account of ourselves and the players want to make their families and the people back in the Philippines proud.” 

The match will be streamed live via the AFC’s YouTube channel, kickoff at the Incheon Football Stadium is at 6PM Philippine Time. Una Kaya!