Kaya FC-Iloilo’s Braver Effort Against the Reigning Champions Iloilo's efforts were not enough as Ulsan Hyundai FC pulled away. Kaya came for the kings, but they ultimately missed.

The rematch between Kaya FC-Iloilo and Ulsan Hyundai FC ended with the reigning champs’ winning streak intact, but managed to showcase the Filipino side’s best effort so far in AFC Champions League play. Building on the experience gained from each of the previous three games, Kaya managed to push back against the South Korean powerhouse. It was an inspiring display of fighting spirit, which makes the 2-1 loss even tougher to swallow for Coach Graham Harvey.

“Overall, we’re actually pretty disappointed. Before the red card, we were defending and trying to keep our discipline. Once the red card came, there was an opportunity for us to play a little bit more expansive which is great for the boys to experience,” Harvey stated.

The game changed midway through the first half, when Ulsan’s Kim Min-jun received a red card for inadvertently kicking Marco Casambre in the head. Their opponents down to just ten men for about an hour of game time, Kaya capitalized on the advantage with Jovin Bedic’s spectacular equalizer in the 47th minute. It wouldn’t last however, as Ulsan retook the lead just four minutes later and held onto it for the remainder of the match.

“To equalize then concede so soon after, it’s disappointing. Then to not be able to find that second goal frustrated us,” Coach admitted. “But I guess once we go to bed tonight, turn the lights down, and have a bit of reflection in the morning, I think overall that’s gonna show how far this club has come in the last three weeks. To be able to run the champions of Asia so close, and be so disappointed not to get to the win at the end.”

On the positive side for Kaya, Zach Banzon made his first appearance on Asia’s biggest stage. Despite a rocky start—including spilling the ball which nearly ended in an own-goal in the 3rd minute—the Kaya Academy product worked through his early nerves and began playing better as the match progressed. Despite the final score, Coach Harvey had nothing but praise for the young goalkeeper.

“I’ve told Zach to play himself into the game in the first five-ten minutes. To make your Asian Champions League debut against the champions is a big ask, but we were confident in his ability to cope with that. I thought he handled himself exceptionally well and I’m actually proud of what he’s done.”

The shift in play style was reflected in the coaching staff’s in-game decisions as well, with Kaya’s substitutions following that same attacking theme. Coach Harvey explained the rationale behind the players they chose to come on in the second half, namely Arnel Amita, Jhan Melliza, and Eric Giganto.

“We brought Nano (Arnel Amita) on to try and play a little bit higher. Masa (Masanari Omura) did a good job for us in the first half to keep us solid, but we thought there was an opportunity to be a little bit more expansive in play.” He continued, “All of the changes we made throughout the game, there were opportunities there for us to try and compose ourselves, try to keep the ball, and try to make sure we try to create some chances.”

While they were unable to convert on said chances, Coach trusts that the experience gained will prove invaluable for the squad going forward, stating, “That big game experience will help us believe in ourselves, that we are good enough to go and get a result against Ulsan.”

“That opportunity to learn in these big moments will stand us in good stead when we go back to the PFL (Philippines Football League). It will stand us in good stead for the next two games, to show that since we’ve been here, we’re competitive. We’ll make sure that in all the games we’re in, we’re hard to beat.”

Kaya FC-Iloilo have two matches remaining in this year’s ACL Group Stage, rematches with BG Pathum United then Viettel FC. Iloilo will have to continue to learn and improve if they want to pay the two back for the previous losses. Coach Harvey concluded with that sentiment, noting what they—the team as a whole—have to do.

“We didn’t pick up any points, so we all have to go ahead and reflect on what we’ve done—coaches as well. We have to reflect, but at the end of the day we are proud of our boys and how far they’ve come. We’ve just got some finer details to make sure we get done.”