Kaya light up Rizal Memorial Stadium with thrilling second-straight AFC Cup win
It was another magical night in the AFC Cup for Kaya FC. This time there wasn’t a need for a dramatic late winner. In front of a boisterous crowd at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, the team treated the home fans to a thrilling 90 minutes of attacking football, punctuated by another historic win in the Asian competition. Antonio Ugarte’s exceptional second half strike was enough to clinch all three points against Singapore’s Balestier Khalsa, sending the Philippine side to the top of the Group F standings.
“I think we performed well today. I think we played some really good football,” said coach Chris Greatwich after the game. “I always felt that we had the firepower to unlock them and I think Woody (Antonio Ugarte) scored a fantastic goal. His overall performance was absolutely outstanding and I think he deserves lot of credit because his performance was the difference between the two teams today.”
Reinstated into the starting lineup after a substitute appearance against New Radiant last week, the Kaya returnee was a constant thorn in Balestier’s side. Ugarte could’ve scored three for the home side if it wasn’t for some spectacular saves from Zaiful Nizam. The opposition keeper was in fine form throughout the evening, but he was rooted to the spot when Ugarte steadied Jovin Bedic’s deflected shot and fired into the bottom corner three minutes into the second half.
“It was a little bit of redemption, especially from last week, missing a good opportunity, so being able to score the winner in this game is a pretty good feeling,” said Ugarte. “I think we’re surprising a lot of people that Kaya can play the ball on the ground so well. We have a lot of good players on this team, a lot of technical players.”
Kaya controlled the game, throwing wave after wave at Balestier. Jovin Bedic fired narrowly wide from a breakaway, and OJ Porteria’s low drive was stopped on the line. But the S. League side kept the door shut in the first period.
Ugarte’s second half opener brought the Singaporeans out of their shell and their forward pressure almost drew them level. Jamal Ali’s stinging shot looked destined to be the equalizer, but Matthew Acton, largely untested in the game, got down quick to palm the ball away. Kaya then came close to doubling their advantage, with Ugarte’s solo effort and close-range header denied by Nizam. A second goal proved elusive, though, and the game ended as a thrilling 1-0 encounter.
After losing to Hong Kong’s Kitchee in their opener, Kaya have gone on to win back-to-back in the AFC Cup. The Philippine side took advantage of home comforts against Maldives’ New Radiant and Singapore’s Balestier Khalsa, with the success of the last two weeks propelling the team to the top of Group F, leapfrogging both Kitchee and Balestier.
Kaya face Balestier again in their next AFC Cup assignment on April 12, with Singapore the backdrop to that occasion.
View the match photos here.
[standings league_id=11 template=compact logo=true]
