Lao Toyota FC: Rulers of Laos Kaya FC–Iloilo's first test in the 2019 AFC Cup is to take on the Laos' most dominant club in recent years.

Kaya FC–Iloilo officially begin their 2019 AFC Cup campaign on Wednesday evening, marking the club’s first appearance in the prestigious Asian competition since 2016.

Iloilo’s first assignment is a visit to Laotian champions Lao Toyota, who have impressively won the Laos Premier League three times in the last four years. Equally of note is the time they’ve needed to achieve such dominance. Established just five years ago in 2013, the team has either finished as champions (2015, 2017, 2018) or runners up (2014, 2016) in each of their domestic seasons.

Lao Toyota are no strangers to the AFC Cup. They played in the group stages in 2015 and 2016, although finished bottom on both occasions. Unable to progress from the qualifying round in the last two years, 2019 marks the club’s awaited return to full-blown AFC Cup action.

Lao Toyota are headed by second-year Japanese coach Jun Fukuda, who led them to domestic glory in his debut season. The team is bannered by goal scoring veteran Kazuo Homma. Now 38 years old, the Japanese striker has a sensational record for Lao, with 123 total goals over the last five seasons. He will need to be closely watched by Kaya’s defense. Their squad also boasts a Japanese midfielder, two Brazilian imports, and Laotian international Sengphachan Bounthisanh in goal.

Kaya FC–Iloilo arrived in Vientiane, the quiet capital of Laos, on Sunday evening via Bangkok. Unlike the Philippines, Laos is completely landlocked, sandwiched by Myanmar and Thailand to the west, China up north, Vietnam to the east, and Cambodia to the south. Much like the Philippines, however, Laos’ football history isn’t yet as rich as its neighboring countries, making the AFC Cup a crucial competition to raise the sport’s level and profile in the country.

Kaya FC–Iloilo’s clash with Lao Toyota kicks off at 6:30pm local time (7:30pm in the Philippines), and will air live and free on 5Plus (formerly Aksyon TV), and on ESPN5’s website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.