#ACL 2023 Preview: VS Shandong Taishan FC Match 1 — Back in the Big Leagues | Presser Quotes from Coach Colum Curtis & Captain Fitch Arboleda

Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI) vs Shandong Taishan FC (CHN)
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | 8:00 PM Kickoff
Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila

Manila, Philippines — The reigning Philippine champions Kaya FC-Iloilo have climbed their way back onto Asia’s biggest stage, kicking off this year’s AFC Champions League campaign against Chinese giants Shandong Taishan FC.

This marks the arrival of the continent’s top flight football onto this country’s shores. In the pre-match press conference, head coach Colum Curtis had this to say about the team’s lead up to this momentous home opener.

“We’ve worked tremendously hard for this day to come, you could see the excitement in the players this week in training and there was more of a buzz around the group.” Curtis stated. 

“We’re really excited, knowing that our families will be in the crowd that will be coming tomorrow,” added team captain Fitch Arboleda. “Knowing that they’re going to support us and that they’ll be our 12th man tomorrow, we’re very happy to be the first [Philippine team] to play a home game.”

Kaya have stormed their way through their Copa Paulino Alcantara fixtures, but tomorrow’s challenge is a different beast entirely—one that has been receiving the club’s full, undivided focus.  

“We’re coming up against a different level of team, so we’ve had to adjust some things tactically to prepare for Shandong and the Champions League,” said Coach Colum. “We never know how a football game is going to go, so we need to make sure that the players are ready to attack on the field.” 

To once again grace this level of competition is a dream come true for the longtime PFL vet Arboleda, who really stepped and earned the captain’s armband this year. 

“Since three days ago, it felt like there was no nervousness—-but maybe tomorrow it will come,” Fitch cheekily commented. “We’re very excited to play. For sure it will be tough, but it will be worth it.”

“[Shandong] are a very, very strong team. They are a physically imposing team, and they play a very different style of football than what we;ve come up against previously,” Curtis noted. 

“But there’s no pressure on us. The pressure is on Shandong to come to us; they are expected to get three points and it’s our job to ensure that they don’t walk away with them,” coach explained. “The players will give everything to ensure we come away from this game with a great performance and our heads held high—proud of how we represented ourselves and represented the Philippines.”

Gates open at the Rizal Memorial Stadium at 6PM, with the match set to kick off at 8PM (PST). We urge our supporters to come wearing yellow, and to cheer us on from the grandstand as we set off on our second Champions League campaign! The match will also be available to stream online via the AFC’s official YouTube page.