Jarvey Gayoso’s goal proved insufficient as Kaya-Iloilo fell 1-3 to Shandong Taishan in the 2023–24 AFC Champions League group stage at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
The two-time UAAP champion found the net in the 79th minute, but his goal couldn’t reverse the fortunes for the 2023 Philippines Football League Champions.
Kaya-Iloilo found themselves trailing by two goals before Gayoso’s score. Moisès broke the deadlock for Shandong with a penalty in the 63rd minute, while Matheus Pato doubled the Chinese side’s lead in the 71st minute.
Cryzan then sealed the victory for the away club in the 90+5th minute.
“As I said before the game, the result was of course important but the performance and the effort of the players were what we can control,” said Kaya mentor Colum Curtis.
“From that aspect and in light of what the players put, so disappointed for them because they gave everything for the jersey, they gave everything for the Philippines and I’m sure the local people as well are proud of their efforts.”
In the earlier match, the Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos lost 2-4 to Incheon United at home in the Nissan Stadium.
Shandong and Incheon currently lead Group G with three points each, while Kaya-Iloilo and Yokohama aim to open their accounts in their second matches.
Both teams will return to action on October 4. Kaya-Iloilo will travel to South Korea to face Incheon United, while Shandong will host Yokohama F. Marinos in Jinan, China.
Kaya-Iloilo XI: Kammeraad (GK), Diano, Menzi, Rota, Arboleda, Sendra, Baas, Angeles, Melliza, Sy, Horikoshi.
Shandong Taishan XI: Han Rongze, Song Long, Zhao Jianfei, Tong Lei, Jadson, Ji Xiang, Fei Nanduo, Xie Wenneng, Moisés, Cryzan, Matheus Pato.
