KAYA FC-ILOILO makes history after advancing to the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League for the first time following a 1-0 win over Chinese club Shanghai Port FC on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at the Pathum Thani Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Kaya FC-Iloilo was very aggressive from the beginning of the match and immediately attacked Shanghai Port FC, which fielded a young team.
Kaya FC-Iloilo’s new signing Ryo Fujii unleashed a volley that went wide in the first few minutes of the match. Skipper Jovin Bedic had a good scoring opportunity but his shot bounced off the post.
Kaya FC-Iloilo finally hit the back of the net in the 16th minute with a header from a corner kick by Daizo Horikoshi.
Shanghai Port FC immediately felt the urgency to retaliate aggressively and attacked Kaya FC-Iloilo.
However, the Philippines Football League (PFL) runner-up displayed superior defense headed by its goalkeeper, Cebuano Louie Casas.
Gao Haisheng had a chance to score the equalizer, but Casas made a huge save.
Kaya FC-Iloilo was just inches away from securing its second goal, but Bedic’s shot went wide.
Shanghai Port FC made some adjustments and sent in Huang Zenfei and Jian Tianzi.
Huang had a perfect opportunity to score the equalizer in the 72nd minute, but his attempt from inside the box missed its target.
Kaya FC-Iloilo joins United City FC as the first two Filipino clubs to compete in the Group Stage of the prestigious AFC Champions League.
Kaya FC will compete in Group F along with Thai League champion BG Pathum United, AFC Champions League titleholder Ulsan Hyundai FC and Vietnam’s Viettel FC. (EKA)